Vampire Hunter D

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

Without EXTENDED knowledge of the background this anime just happens. Scenes without connection, sentences without weight, action without deep motives. The worst of Berserk outclasses this in about every aspect. Have you seen extremely poor video game/manga adaptation before? No? Look no further this is it. Whom to recommend?
Kids? Cannot due to gore and nudity...
Young adults? Maybe, but even there, most anime contains far more weight, hype, character.
Perhaps with time it was tuned too well with later coming shows, but this anime itself today is unwatchable at best.

Do yourself a favor, there are plenty other anime out there. Do not let over the 7 score ... fool you~

I have not logged in for ages, did so now only to help others to avoid the mistake I did as a horror/anime/gore/mystical/vampire story fan by watching this.

I can understand if nothing like this happened before, it may motive others to have an edgy main character, but that's the best that can be said on my part. I am really sorry for having to write this, but it is an honest opinion.

I went into Vampire Hunter D with a lot of hopes. I’d heard about the film for years, and there are few things that get me excited then some weird-ass, edgy as balls vampire slaying action with some delightfully 80’s style. And whilst I got some delicious art and at least a bit of fun action, Vampire Hunter D fell way below my expectations, falling into a lot of the problems a lot of anime just seem to naturally have.

First, I’ll start with the good stuff – generally, this film looks great. It’s opening scene, in particular was fantastic – the dark, grassy fields, the ... legendary reveal of Count Lee, and Doris slaughtering the monster attacking her horse. It’s all fantastic and set my expectations really high for the rest of the film. The general design of the film is really well made, even if it is peak 80s style. One section I really liked was D’s initial assault on Lee’s castle – we get to see a massive variety of monster designs that are honestly quite disgusting to look at, in the best way possible.

Though, I have to talk about the elephant in the room – I think the fight scenes are honestly really poor. Like, really, really poor. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the animation, which is draw-dead amazing at times, as expected from Madhouse. No, I just thinking the choreography and action of the fight scenes are awful. It felt like more then half of the ‘fight scenes’ are just shaking stills of D and other characters preparing attacks, whilst glowing speed lines backlight what feels like every scene in the film. Every fight feels like it’s over in mere moments and it honestly feels like we don’t get to see any really cool abilities in the entire film outside of a light that weakens Vampires and their kin.

The story isn’t much better, but it’s at least serviceable. D has to help a young woman named Doris, who has been marked by the bite of the Vampire Count Lee, for the purpose of marriage. It plays out pretty much exactly how I’d expected. Additionally, I really like the setting, a weird fusion of medieval Europe mixed with science fiction interiors. It’s a little underused, but the interior of Lee’s castle is stunning in particular. Where I have greater problems is in the characters themselves. Sure, I don’t think I’m trying to expect any amazing writing out of any of the characters, but none of them sans D seem to have an interesting bone in their body. It felt like, by the end of the movie, the only character I gave two damns about was Rei, the mutant who serves Count Lee. I honestly felt bad for the guy getting screwed around by literally everyone in the movie.

I had a lot of hopes for Doris to be a cool character, especially after the fantastic intro, but by about halfway through he movie she felt incapable for doing anything for herself. She literally just become something to protect, and someone to fall in love with someone at blatantly weird looking and unsettling as D. There was also a lot of… I don’t know, pointless sexualisation of her? I know this was the 80’s, but her outfit is utterly stupid. Like, why is she wearing half a skirt. Along with stuff like having her chest exposed for literally not reason for about three seconds, fully animated, it just felt like they did a massive disservice to what could have been a really cool character. On a better note, this being the 80’s, this film is brutal as all hell. Gore, brains and blood practically rain by the galleon, and it’s a sight to see.

Vampire Hunter D isn’t a flat-out bad movie. It’s a movie I dislike, but I can totally see why it’s one people enjoy. But to me, it commits the cardinal sin of being flat out boring. I awaited the end with bated breath, not to see the thrilling conclusion, but to just get the whole experience over with. I do urge you, that if you enjoy vampires and crazy gore, you might really enjoy this movie, and I think it’s really up to you to decide if this is your kind of thing.

Well to be honest this "classic" certainly dosen't live up to itself and i will explain why.

Story: Your normal boring vampire story, vampire wants to kill me so I will get a vampire hunter eh boring. It mixes up things with the vampines but overall the story is very bland and boring

Art: I didn't mark it down because it was old but because it is so dark and blue? Yes blue, I have to say sometimes it is hard to see anything as the screen is so dark.

Music.......was there any as I didn't hear any.

Character: practically no character development, the characters are pretty forgetful.

If you ... are thinking of buying this for a fiver don't!! save that fiver for some good anime not this dribble.

First off I do not like vampire stories.
I just have a hard time buying into the idea of them.
Sesame Street's "The Count" ruined it for me I think.
That or Count Chocula....

But the idea is interesting....
Style dated...
but there are other anime's of more interest.

That is not to say I would refuse to see it with friends if they wanted to see it.
Heck, at least its not a DBZ show!