Vampire Hunter D

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Alternative Titles

Japanese: 吸血鬼〈バンパイア〉ハンターD

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Information

Type: Movie

Episodes: 1

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Dec 21, 1985

Producers: Movic, CBS

Licensors: Sentai Filmworks

Studios: Ashi Productions, Studio Live

Source: Light novel

Genres: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Supernatural

Theme: Vampire

Duration: 1 hr. 20 min.

Rating: R+ - Mild Nudity

Statistics

Score: 7.01¹ (scored by 45,371 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #4062²

² based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #2204

Members: 84,251

Favorites: 343

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Resources

AniDB

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Synopsis

10,000 years in the future, the world has become a very different place; monsters roam the land freely, and people, although equipped with high tech weapons and cybernetic horses, live a humble life more suited to centuries past. The story focuses on a small hamlet plagued by monster attacks and living under the shadow of rule by Count Magnus Lee, a powerful vampire lord who has ruled the land for thousands of years. When a young girl is bitten by the Count and chosen as his current plaything, she seeks out help of a quiet wandering stranger, D. It so happens that D is one of the world's best vampire hunters, and he takes it upon himself to cut through Magnus Lee's many minions, and put an end to the Count's rule.

(Source: AniDB)

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Background

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Related Anime

Adaptation:	Vampire Hunter D, Vampire Hunter D
Sequel:	Vampire Hunter D (2000)

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Characters & Voice Actors

D

Main

Shiozawa, Kaneto
Japanese

Lang, Doris

Main

Tomizawa, Michie
Japanese

Left Hand

Supporting

Nagai, Ichiro
Japanese

Rei-Ginsei

Supporting

Sogabe, Kazuyuki
Japanese

Lee, Magnus

Supporting

Katou, Seizou
Japanese

Lee, Ramika

Supporting

Kitou, Satoko
Japanese

Greco

Supporting

Yara, Yuusaku
Japanese

Lang, Dan

Supporting

Toda, Keiko
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Ashida, Toyoo

Director

Matsuura, Noriyoshi

Sound Director

Wyner, Tom

Script

Hirano, Yasushi

Script

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Opening Theme

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Ending Theme

"Your Song" by TM NETWORK

Reviews

Jan 14, 2015

animan095

Recommended

Exciting, thrilling, mysterious.
This rather old movie, is definitely a masterpiece for it's era. Taking into consideration it's age, you simply can't attempt to compare it to mordern animes, by those standards it falls rather short. But, if you judge it according to the standards of the time it was made, you find a fast-paced filled with action and horror that can easily outmatch many horror movies, be it animated or acted.

You also find in it many aspects of horror, that are fairly common in movies and series following the same genere.
Although to tell the truth, the story had such a fast pace that all ...

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Oct 30, 2008

Venneh

Mixed Feelings

Title: Vampire Hunter D

Novels, Manga, Anime: Vampire Hunter D was originally a series of seventeen novels written by Hideyuki Kikuchi and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano (famous for his work on character designs and the logos for the Final Fantasy series) starting in 1983.

Vampire Hunter D was adapted into two separate media; manga and comics. The manga was an adaptation in which Kikuchi hand-picked the artist, Saiko Takaki, began running in 2007, was licensed Stateside by Digital Media Publishing, and is currently ongoing. The comic, whose rights were acquired Devil's Due Publishing (the parent company of Digital Media Publishing) in July 2008, is known ...

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Jul 3, 2015

Luquillo

Not Recommended

Funny

Along with Akira, Vampire Hunter D is one of those old anime titles where its popularity is based pretty much on one thing and that's nostalgia. When nostalgia runs wild it can definitely cloud one's honest judgment. However, Vampire Hunter D does a decent enough job backing up why it's an entertaining film; but to claim it as one of, or even the greatest of all time in terms of sheer quality are heavy exaggerations and thrusts one towards complete madness. The works of Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon are tough as hell to compete against and this is more of a fact than opinion.

The movie ... does have one big thing going for it which is style. I like the mix of sci-fi with the classical Transylvania setting; to include the monsters and flesh eating beast that roam the country sides devouring live stock adds to the horror like feel. The plot is well paced and the movie accomplishes what it sets out to deliver, which is a solid action romp well utilizing its horror setting.

Vampire Hunter D does have its problems though, in which the fans of it love to ignore with a smile; such as undeveloped characters and plot holes big enough to fit the moon through. D is a cool character that screams for more background, but this really isn't a gripe for me any longer because the mystery actually works here for him. However, the characters fill typical vampire roles even for that time, but Count Magnus Lee overshadows D because I like his drive. His craving just seems too realistic. I will go ahead and refrain from detailed plot issues as not to ruin the movie for those whom haven't seen it.

Although effective for that time, the animation is dated and I can think of several old titles that still hold up well until now, with Neo Tokyo being one of them. As well as one that pre-dates it by six years, which happens to be Miyazaki's Castle of Cagliostro. To my experience, those whom favor superior visuals first will more than likely walk away hating this movie. The action scenes can range from just barely ok to brutal, with characters sliced in half to fingers being crushed off. I really don't have a problem with the artwork, but I think the BGM is more hit than miss and wasn't always used properly, because at one point I can think of the music was used at the wrong time. One scene that stands out to me happens to be the first appearance of D. While watching him slowly approach on his horse and completely shrouded with mystery. I think the scene would have been more effective with the complete removal of music, with more focus on the sound effects: such as the whistling of the wind, coupled with the slow, eerie plodding of the horses steps. I believe this method would have only enhanced the style of the movie, instead it just had a rather bland feel to it and D really didn't give off an aura as an intimidating figure; but then again that's just me.

Vampire Hunter D is a title that will always be a part of my collection. Even though I respect its cult classic status and find some enjoyment in it. I can't shower it with praise because it's a very flawed film that I doubt could make a top 50 anime list of mine or even probably 100. I mainly recommend this to die hard anime fans. However, those whom need top notch visuals first are better off skipping it.

Highs: Very good setting, action, lead villain

Lows: Plot holes, story issue, most characters have very little depth, dated animation

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Vampire Hunter D

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Characters & Voice Actors

D

Lang, Doris

Left Hand

Rei-Ginsei

Lee, Magnus

Lee, Ramika

Greco

Lang, Dan

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Vampire Hunter D

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Information

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Synopsis

Background

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Characters & Voice Actors

Staff

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Ending Theme

Reviews

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