To begin, Vampire Hunter D is legend. The books, the graphic novels, the groundbreaking anime, all come together to create a world that is culturally important, but often overlooked.
Japanese author Hideyuki Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D dazzled readers worldwide when the first novel debuted in 1983, transporting fans into a dystopic realm teeming with vampires, monsters, and demonic nobles. Blending fantasy, horror, and sci-fi, Vampire Hunter D introduced the enigmatic D - a brooding, mysterious hunter who slays vampires with elegance. The novel spawned a massively popular franchise, including a 1985 animated film adaptation. For those new to Vampire Hunter D's rich universe, the inaugural book makes an ideal entry point.
The post-apocalyptic setting of the far future reveals a society where vampires and monsters still dominate ordinary humans. This is after a spacefaring Vampire culture reached the peak of their power and fought off an engimatic alien invasion. When a young woman named Doris Lang appeals to the aloof D to kill the vampire Count Magnus Lee who bites and assaults local villagers, D joins her crusade. However, D's half-vampire heritage evokes distrust. During their journey, D battles sinister vampires, genetically engineered mutants, and the sadistic Count Lee's forces.
D navigates growing affection for Doris while unearthing secrets about her father's death. After triumphing over Count Lee in a climactic showdown, D parts ways with Doris, who falls for a villager, despite her burgeoning feelings for the stoic slayer. D rides off alone into the sunset after fulfilling his duty.
Kikuchi's vivid imagination manifests in the freakish mutants and creative vampiric powers. Themes of humanity shine through D's inner struggle with his dual vampire and human natures. Kikuchi's elegant prose, gothic atmosphere, and imaginative world-building immerse readers in this monster-infested alternate Earth. D cuts a dashing, romantic antihero figure with his wide-brimmed hat, cape, and swordplay.
The 1985 animated Vampire Hunter D film brought Kikuchi's vision to screens fantastically, further amplifying D's popularity. While condensing the story, the iconic anime captured the gothic tone and violence of the novels. For the full tale, the book remains a must, demonstrating Kikuchi's exceptional worldcraft and characters.
Vampire Hunter D's opening novel remains one of the great modern vampire stories, spawning 27 sequels to date. Its blend of horror, dystopian and mythic elements make it appealing to genre fans of all stripes. Readers craving monster-slaying action, gruesome vampires, post-apocalyptic dystopias, and enigmatic loner heroes will fall completely under Vampire Hunter D's macabre spell.
Hideyuki Kikuchi's inaugural Vampire Hunter D novel pioneered a horror dystopia brimming with vampires and night creatures. Many ideas which would later become tropes originated in his writing. But beyond its gruesome monsters and anime-esque action, the book tackles profound themes of humanity, identity, and societal decay. It does a great job of framing the incredible powers of the Vampires as tragic, placing them among their own decayed glory.
Set in a bleak post-apocalyptic future, the book unravels a world plagued by vampiric nobility who dominate the remains of civilization. Ordinary humans live as second-class citizens, terrorized by vampires and their monstrous bio-engineered mutants. This inversion of the natural order reflects societal fears of unchecked elitism and oppression of the masses. Though the Vampires are cultured and urbane, their hubris often leads to sadistic acts which leave them as enemies of all mankind.
Our brooding protagonist D channels society's rage at injustice. As a half-human, half-vampire outcast, D too feels the sting of prejudice, but rises above though his silence and determination. Though feared for his vampire blood, D fights for humanity by vanquishing the vampire menace, all while conducting his own journey, or chase, toward a mysterious figure who may be his father, and may be Dracula, himself.
D's inner turmoil about reconciling his two natures mirrors conflicts we all face between our aspirations and identity. Doris' prejudice softening into love for D despite his vampire heritage reinforces open-mindedness. Even the sinister vampires possess some humanity, suggesting good and evil exist in all beings, and that conflict is often one between power and the powerless.
Beyond these philosophical themes, Kikuchi crafts a cast of memorable characters. D cuts a striking, romantic figure as the dhampir hunter donning black garb and wide-brimmed hat, unleashing his whip-like sword and magical left hand against night creatures. The alluring yet sadistic Count Lee makes a charismatic villain who revels in terrorizing humans. Each freakish mutant D battles oozes creativity, from the hulking chariot-pulling protozoan to the shape-shifting aquatic kraken.
While on the surface an addictive horror adventure, Vampire Hunter D explores relatable struggles of identity, prejudice, and our conflicting human-monster natures. Kikuchi blends philosophy and social commentary with vivid worldbuilding, memorable characters, and grisly vampiric foes to delight genre fans. The novel remains an enthralling gateway into the sprawling Vampire Hunter D multimedia franchise.
Give it a read. Give it a watch. But go deeper, and read the other entries in the series.