Vampire Hunter D: A Brief Overview from a Neophyte Fan

In a world 10,000 years from now, where nuclear war has ravaged the planet, vampires rule supreme! In this bleak landscape emerges a figure cloaked in mystery, wielding a longsword and sporting a wide-brimmed traveler’s hat. This, fear friends, is the legendary Vampire Hunter D, the dhampir anti-hero who’s been enrapturing horror fans for decades, and the subject of today’s post.

Created by the prolific Japanese author Hideyuki Kikuchi in 1983, Vampire Hunter D burst onto the scene in a series of light novels that have since become a cornerstone of the vampire hunter genre. Kikuchi’s blend of gothic horror, science fiction, and Western themes created a unique world that’s both familiar and alien, drawing countless readers in with its dark allure. They’re a fun time, and if you stick around for a while longer, I’ll tell you why.

The Man, The Myth, The Dhampir

D isn’t your average vampire hunter. Born from the unholy union of a vampire noble (possibly the vampire noble) and a human woman, he possesses the strength and abilities of a vampire without most of their weaknesses. This dhampir heritage makes him the perfect foil for the bloodsucking nobility that oppresses humanity in this post-apocalyptic hellscape.

But what really sets D apart is his enigmatic nature. Kikuchi crafted a protagonist who’s as mysterious as he is deadly. D rarely speaks, letting his actions do the talking. And damn, do they speak volumes! Whether he’s slicing through hordes of Barbaroi mutants or facing off against ancient vampire sorcerers, D’s skill with a blade is unmatched.

A World of Darkness and Wonder

The Vampire Hunter D novels aren’t just about stake-driving action (though there’s plenty of that). Kikuchi’s world-building is nothing short of phenomenal. The Frontier, as it’s called, is a place where advanced technology coexists with medieval superstition. Cyborg horses gallop across wastelands while castles loom on the horizon. It’s a setting that allows for endless possibilities, and Kikuchi takes full advantage of this in each novel.

From the very first book, simply titled “Vampire Hunter D,” readers are thrown into this world of perpetual twilight. We follow D as he’s hired to protect a young woman from the vampire noble who’s claimed her. It’s a classic setup that Kikuchi uses to introduce us to the rules of his world and the incredible beings that inhabit it.

More Than Just a Pretty Face

While D’s striking appearance (often described as inhumanly beautiful) might catch your eye, it’s the supporting cast that often steals the show. Take, for example, D’s constant companion – his left hand. Yes, you read that right. D’s left hand houses a sentient parasite that can talk, analyze situations, and even attack independently. This symbiotic relationship provides not only tactical advantages but also some much-needed comic relief in the often-grim narrative.

Then there are the villains. Kikuchi’s vampires aren’t your sparkly, angst-ridden pretty boys. These are ancient, powerful beings with abilities that border on the godlike. Each antagonist D faces is a unique challenge, forcing our hero to rely on more than just his sword arm to emerge victorious.

Last but not least, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the absolutely superb cover art and illustrations for the novels, which is done by the legendary fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano. For those of you who are interested, check out the article The Art of Yoshitaka Amano over at LOD’s sister site Into The Weird, to learn more about his incredible talent.

My Personal Favorites

Ever since I discovered the first two translated novels in 2008 in a PageOne bookstore in Taipei, I’ve found myself drawn into Hideyuki Kikuchi’s masterfully crafted world repeatedly. Sure, this isn’t high literature, but it’s entertaining in the way Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories are, and make for an imaginative dark fantasy saga that is rarely predictable in its plots and endings.

The first Vampire Hunter D novel (possibly still my favorite) introduced me to a unique post-apocalyptic setting that continues to haunt my imagination. And I was immediately captivated by D, the dhampir protagonist whose internal struggles resonated deeply with me. Doris Lang’s plight against Count Magnus Lee served as a perfect entry point into this universe, but it was the exploration of D’s isolation and identity that truly held my attention. This is also conveyed well in the Anime movie from 1985, which is, not surprisingly, one of my all-time favorite Anime films.

Reading the first novel, I found myself pondering the nature of humanity in a world where the lines between human and monster are blurred. Kikuchi’s vivid descriptions of supernatural encounters and intense battles kept me riveted, but it was the underlying themes of loneliness and self-discovery that lingered long after I turned the final page.

Next: Demon Deathchase, the third installment. It further elevated my admiration for the series. The high-stakes pursuit of Charlotte Elbourne, kidnapped by Baron Meier Link, was exhilarating, to say the least. What struck me most, however, was how Kikuchi used this chase to peer deeper into D’s moral complexities. The introduction of the Marcus Brothers as rival hunters added a layer of tension that I found particularly engaging. Again, the movie Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000), followed the novel almost beat by beat and featured stunning animation to boot.

This third novel challenged my perceptions of good and evil within the series. I found myself questioning the motivations of each character, particularly as the story culminated at Countess Bathory’s castle. The themes of love and loyalty, juxtaposed against the brutal reality of the vampire-dominated world, left me contemplating the nature of humanity in extreme circumstances.

The Stuff of Dreams, the fifth volume, initially threw me for a loop with its departure from the established formula. I was intrigued by the concept of a village where humans and vampires coexist peacefully. The central mystery surrounding Sybille Schmitz, suspended in time for three decades, drew me in with its dreamlike quality.

I must admit, I found this novel more challenging than its predecessors. The focus on the nature of dreams and consciousness required a different kind of engagement from me as a reader. While I appreciated Kikuchi’s ambition in exploring new thematic territory, I did find myself occasionally longing for the more straightforward action of earlier volumes.

Reflecting on these three favorites (I’ve only read the first 15 novels so far), I’m struck by how they’ve shaped my understanding of the Vampire Hunter D universe. They’ve challenged me to think beyond simple dichotomies of good and evil, human and monster. Each book has added layers to D’s character, making him one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve encountered in literature.

These stories have stayed with me, influencing how I view other works in the horror and dark fantasy genres. They’ve set a high bar for world-building and character development, often leaving me disappointed with less nuanced takes on vampire lore.

A Legacy in Print and Beyond

With over 30 novels published in Japan (and many translated into English, of which I own the omnibus volumes, collecting novels #1 to #18), the Vampire Hunter D series has shown remarkable staying power. But, as many of you Anime horror fans might know, and as I mentioned above, Kikuchi’s creation has transcended the printed page. The 1985 anime film adaptation introduced D to a whole new audience, with its striking visuals and atmospheric soundtrack perfectly capturing the mood of Kikuchi’s world.

Then, the 2000 film “Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust,” (based on the novel “Demon Death-Race,” again, mentioned above) took things even further, with much-improved animation and a story that even expanded on the original novel’s themes. These adaptations have helped cement D’s place in the pantheon of vampire fiction, alongside names like Dracula and Lestat. My only question is, when are we gonna get more VHD Anime??

Oh, and before I forget, D also stars in an eight volume manga series, which I haven’t read yet, but am planning to in the near future.

Why Vampire Hunter D Endures

So, what is it about this taciturn dhampir that keeps readers coming back for more? I’d argue it’s the perfect blend of familiar tropes and innovative twists. Vampire Hunter D taps into our love of the lone wolf hero, the mysterious stranger who rides into town to vanquish evil. But it does so in a setting that constantly surprises us.

Moreover, the series isn’t afraid to tackle deeper themes. Questions of humanity, the nature of evil, and the price of immortality are woven throughout the narratives. D himself is a walking contradiction – neither fully human nor vampire, belonging to neither world. His struggles reflect our own search for identity and place in a world that often seems hostile and uncaring.

The Future of D

D’s journey is far from over. With new novels still being published and rumors of potential new media (video games, anime series, etc.) always swirling, the Frontier continues to expand. For you Vampire fans who haven’t yet experienced the dark majesty of Kikuchi’s creation, there’s never been a better time to dive in.

Call me biased, but I think the world of Vampire Hunter D offers something for everyone. It’s a place where horror meets heroism, where the past and future collide, and where the line between monster and man is never quite clear. So why not join D on his never-ending quest by picking up a few of the recent collections? The night is long, the road is dark, and D adventures? Well, they’re bloody fantastic (emphasis on the ‘bloody’ ;))

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