In the year 12,090 A.D. the Earth is plagued by vampires who rule over small pockets of civilisation in a mockery of ancient feudal land baronies. The stranglehold these arrogant immortals hold over their helpless victims is challenged by a mysterious vampire hunter known only as "D".

A beautiful young villager, Doris, promises herself to this hunter in exchange for his eradication of the local vampires headed by Count Magnus Lee. But before "D" can put his plans into action, Magnus Lee Kidnaps Doris. It is now up to "D" to fight through a horde of demons and supernatural assassins in order to rescue this brave girl and put and end to the tyranny of Magnus Lee.

(Copied from the back of the Streamline Pictures tape)

Vampire Hunter D… A title I've hunted for a few months (the fact that Streamline Pictures, the company who released it in America, went out of business made things kinda difficult) but it was for once well worth the efforts.

Vampire Hunter D is supposed to be an "Animated Horror Film". I guess it is, I can't say for sure (I had quite my share of horror movies so my standards to consider something "horror" are quite high). But everything is there: young maiden in distress, vampires and other monsters, blood, moving hands…

In itself, I consider VHD as original. True, it follows the classic vampire story line: a girl target of a vampire and the hunter to save her. But, VHD as it's originals elements: D's origins, the Symbiot and especially the environment in which the action takes place. Indeed, the story does not occur in the past or present, like many vampire stories, but in the future, where most classic monsters have been replaced by mutants, likely the results of a war that ravaged the Earth.

As for the artwork, I really enjoyed it. It's really great if you consider that movie was made in 1985. Doris truly deserved to be called "beautiful" and D as that cool cold mysterious creepy look that suits so well vampire hunters in stories.

I have found the dub acceptable, even though it wasn't really the best I believe to have seen. But it was alright really. A few accents here and there kinda annoyed me, but in general it's good and I have only read good things about in on the net.

My recommendation: if you can put your hand on a copy of Vampire Hunter D, get it!

Useful links:

Vampire Hunter D (Info, FAQ)

The Vampire Hunter D Archives (Pictures)

Vampire Hunter D (Info, story, analysis)

Updated July 20th 1998