Vampire Hunter D

[suupaabaka]

Having enjoyed the tone and style of the animated movie, I recently acquired the first of this series written by Hideyuki Kikuchi. There are English translations of 8 of the novels, and from what I understand there are over 20 of them in existence in the original Japanese. Dark Horse's genre fiction imprint is publishing the books, with illustrations by Yoshitaka Amano of Final Fantasy fame.

The story is set in 12,090 A.D. in a post apocalyptic world that has devolved into a strange mixture of futuristic technology, supernatural creatures and a half-Medieval half-Western setting. The prose is slightly odd, but I attribute that to the translation. The next time I'm in Japan, I'll try to get my hands on the original novels.

I felt quite at home in this strange new Earth. Force barriers and werewolves, strange whips and recoilless rifles... Kikuchi manages to weave a variety of elements from several genres together and yet maintain a cohesive, convincing plot.

The only flaws I find in his writing are the occasional odd sentence structures, which I attribute to the translation, and a tendency to describe some things that don't require description - for example, the tone that a character might be using when it's already quite evident from dialogue itself. However, these are minor quibbles and don't detract from the storytelling itself.

I'm keen on pursuing this series, as I can imagine that Kikuchi's writing (and Kevin Leahy's translation) only gets better. The world is attractive in its bleakness and the mingling of futuristic technology (cyborg horses, anyone?) and supernatural beasties is titillating to say the least.

D is also a very fun character to read about; every time he battles another opponent, another facet of his abilities or character is revealed to the reader. I'm looking forward to reading more of the books.

Granted, it's not the deepest book in the pile. If you're looking for something to challenge your preconceptions, you won't find it here. However, I highly recommend this book, and most likely the rest of the series, for one simple reason: it's fun. If you have the chance, pick it up and see what you think of it. Or you could read an excerpt from Amazon to help you make up your mind.

 

[Connavar]

I have read mangas translated to english for many years and i can tell you the best way is to get used the translation fast to enjoy what you are reading. What might sometimes look wierd is cause of how the original language is so different.

Im gonna get the first book too. Having loved the anime, i had forgot there were novels before you reminded me.

 

[suupaabaka]

I have read mangas translated to english for many years and i can tell you the best way is to get used the translation fast to enjoy what you are reading. What might sometimes look wierd is cause of how the original language is so different.

Im gonna get the first book too. Having loved the anime, i had forgot there were novels before you reminded me.

I never could get used to the English translation of manga. I have about 250 manga in the original Japanese (it's my first language, since I was raised in Japan til the age of 6~) and the humour and subtlety imparted are very rarely translated into another language. Trying to read One Piece in English was a very frustrating experience for me.

In fact, I was slightly concerned that the same would be true for Vampire Hunter D. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This may be because the book is not intended to be humorous, or perhaps because I'd never read it in the original Japanese. Regardless, I plan on reading as many of them as I can in English and the re-reading them in Japanese once I get the chance.

 

[Connavar]

I read OP in swedish The translator captured the characters voice well.


Me i have read so many translations that after i get into a story i forget which language im reading and which is really the original language.

Hopefully this will be the same with Vampire Hunter D books.


Lucky enough i cant speak japanese so i will never read the original langauge and see how messed up the translations in english are

 

[Connavar]

I have the book now. Gonna start reading it.


What did you think about it without giving away too much?

 

[suupaabaka]

To sum it up, I quite enjoyed it. It's a little bit cheesy - mainly due to the translation I think - but it didn't get in the way of my enjoying it. It's not philosophical, it's not deep. So don't go in there with any such expectations.

But D is badass.

I just received Book 2 in the mail, and I'll get around to reading that soon. I heard that the second book is in fact the weakest of all the books in the series, and that things really get going from Book 3.

 

[Connavar]

I finished it last night thought it was very good.

This version of vampire and thier world are very interesting. How they invented alot techs,brainwashed people so they forget the vamps weaknesses. How its their blood that makes them strong. For example The Count was pretty strong with his disgusting cape and all his powers.

D was very badass. He didnt say much but he was cool when he needed to be.

Its more than i expected actually. I didnt expect anything than some good vamp action. But the hole world is much more interesting that i thought. How the Vamps scare people to submission,how they rueled the world so long. How powerless people are against them.


The only minus is the cheesyness of how beautiful D was and how the writer wrote that in every sentence.

But that isnt near enough to be in the way me enjoying what i hope is a very good series.


Gonna order book 2-4 at the same time cause book 1 was so short.

 

[malko]

Ah, to be able to read japanese
I could understand my porn,
I'd never have to just give up on something because I can't read the instructions,
I'd be able to read 'Akira' and 'Lone Wolf and Cub' in the original.
Happy days

 

[D_Davis]

The only minus is the cheesyness of how beautiful D was and how the writer wrote that in every sentence.

Did you notice how many times the words "youth" and "youths" are used in the book?

A lot!

Over all, I really enjoyed the first book. It was a lot of fun.

 

[Connavar]

Heh i know !

"The Beautiful youth" Arg that was annoying !!


Did you like D ? I thought he was a good silent hero.

The second book is a letdown though i hope the third is GREAT.

 

[scalem X]

Lol, it seems they translated "-kun" as "youth".
I've seen the anime of D, I thought it was rather okay. I'll have a look for some anime when I'm in Japan myself. Ten more days and I can breathe in the heavily polluted air of Tokyo.

 

[brsrkrkomdy]

I've read the first four of the Vampire Hunter D books. They're good despite an occasional cheesiness in the translations. I have four more to read of that series.

 

[Krystal]

I'm looking forward to read this series after enjoying the movies, I love the movies and find D a very interesting character.

 

[suupaabaka]

I agree, the translations can be cheesy on occasion... but just let that wash over you like something out of Lovecraft, and you can enjoy the story underneath!

 

[dustinzgirl]

I couldn't get through the books. At all. I mean, seriously, I think my kids could do better.

But, Vampire Hunter D is one of the first cartoons I remember seeing as a kid and I was like OMG THAT IS THE STUFF RIGHT THERE. In the 80's, it was almost unparalleled visual stimuli.

Oh, I'm sorry, its not really a cartoon, is it? Eh.

 

[Connavar]

The books are the original and anime movies has been based on it.

If you like vampire action/adventur you will like it.

Its not overly serious. Only cheesy thing is some romance things aimed japanese teenage girls.

Which book did you read ?

 

[Krystal]

Now I understand what you all mean about the translation. But I'm really enjoying the first book although is so familiar because of the movie.

 

[Connavar]

Now I understand what you all mean about the translation. But I'm really enjoying the first book although is so familiar because of the movie.

You will enjoy the third book then since the first anime movie was based on it.

I hooked my sister on Vampire Hunter D and she has bought book 3 hehe.

First book is really good. Where are you in it ? Have you seenw what D can do when he is really serious ?

 

[Krystal]

Where are you in it ? Have you seen what D can do when he is really serious ?

I'm not sure, don't think I have. Now you got me curious, but don't spoil. I'm at Chapter 7 right now. Well, is it was before Chapter 7 you can spoil. Lol! Did it have to do with the encounter with Rei-Gensei and his gang?

Definitely looking forward to continue the series.

 

[KESpires]

I couldn't get through the books. At all. I mean, seriously, I think my kids could do better.

But, Vampire Hunter D is one of the first cartoons I remember seeing as a kid and I was like OMG THAT IS THE STUFF RIGHT THERE. In the 80's, it was almost unparalleled visual stimuli.

Oh, I'm sorry, its not really a cartoon, is it? Eh.

Agreed. I checked out the first few pages on the amazon pdf... It is lacking, a lot. That sucks too, because I got my hopes up. It just reads like a teenager's first attempt at writing their "crazy fantasy epic."

Man I loved that movie though. Haven't seen the second one; heard it was better than the first. I'll have to order it.

Can't do the books though.

Ugh.