Unfortunately, it is not a story of substance. Based on Hideyuki Kikuchi’s novel of the same name, Vampire Hunter D is a story of hopelessness, redemption and morality. This tall and powerful stranger has his own connection to vampires, a fact almost as strange as the mouth situated on the palm of his left hand. In desperation, Doris employs a vampire hunter, D, to protect her. He intends to make her his bride, much to the dismay of her village, as a plaything for the nobles is a seal of doom. While mortality is no issue for the noble, boredom is, and upon his return, becomes infatuated with a young farm girl names Doris.
Our story begins in a distant mountain village, where a powerful noble, Count Magnus, has resurfaced after a long absence. They are now at bay of the all-powerful and cunning vampires (also known as “Nobles”), who have gained control over the world, and brought with them a cast of mythical creatures who enjoy terrorising. Paired with romance, a popular facet of gothic literature and some action for mainstream appeal, this film covers all its bases in terms of demographic.Īttempting to incorporate elements of sci-fi also (a genre Japan knows all too well), this film is set in a post-apocalyptic future, where humanity has had its development stunted. As someone who has delved into multiple manga, anime and video games, there are very few who attempt to encapsulate the gothic vibe that Vampire Hunter D soaks itself in. (And whether that was done in part to placate US censors or audiences, I obviously can’t say, but it was a nice change from Kawajiri).Once you’ve analysed several pieces coming from one region, you begin to spot genres or storylines that are rarely used there. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is also something of a tragic love story and so if you’re looking for the kinda crass sexual content sometimes found in his other films, you won’t get it here. I think Bloodlust is not as much a gore-fest either, and perhaps it’s even somewhat toned down for Yoshiaki Kawajiri, who was behind Ninja Scroll, Wicked City etc. On almost every level this adaptation is superior to the 1985 one, though in a way it’s not as bold, nor do we get the same feel for D as a character this time around.
(It’s not until later that we meet the real Vampires once again the arrogant noble-types). The opening alone feels like a lesson in establishing both setting and mood – but it soon leads to the main plot – the rescue mission of a maiden ensnared by a vampire, and then it’s straight to the first impressive fight sequence as D and competing bounty hunters rip through some of the shambling zombie-type vampires. There’s not a lot of time for character development either, but the scene-setting and atmosphere-building (via the creepy OST and the beautifully gothic visuals) aren’t ignored by any stretch. There’s still room to breathe and reflect here and there, and plenty of fighting and gore, but the pacing is brisk as D seeks his bounty through increasingly grim scenes. I like it because it’s more functional in terms of a descriptor – since the film is kinda one long chase sequence.
Vampire hunter d 1985 english cast movie#
Instead, the source material probably has a more accurate title perhaps – the third novel in Hideyuki Kikuchi’s series that makes up the key aspects of the movie was called Demon Deathchase.
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