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Kaneto Shiozawa, Michael McConnohie, Michie Tomizawa, Barbara Goodson, Seizou Katou ... see more see more... , Jeff Winkless , Edie Mirman , Kerrigan Maham , Steve Kramer , Steve Bulen , Joyce Kurtz , Lara Cody , Tom Syner , Kirk Thornton , Ichiroo Nagai , Keiko Toda

This animated Japanese feature is aimed at adult audiences and features bloodshed and nudity. The story is set in a grim and distant future wherein vampires dominate what is left of the human race. Th... read more read more...e story centers on a young woman who hires a famous vampire hunter after she is bitten by one herself. If D should fail her, the girl will be forced to join the ranks of the immortal damned. Vampire Hunter D was originally released with Japanese dialogue, but a subsequent English dub (directed by Carl Macek) is also available. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Flixster Users

61% want to see it

40,779 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

6 critics

DVD Release Date: October 17, 2000

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Flixster Reviews (1,402)


  • July 8, 2011
    Based on the manga created by Hideyuki Kikuchi (I google it) this a great story about a dampeel named D. Fantastic vampire anime, specially the character created by Yoshitaka Amano (big fan! Didn't google it). I want to see a third part.
  • June 18, 2007
    Love Vampire Hunter D. Considering how old this is (made in 1985), the animation stands up really well. Also, the commentary is one of the funniest and most informative I've heard so far.
  • January 25, 2007
    Compared to the remake, this is just God-awful. Violent, shitty and stupid, this is what gives anime a bad name.
  • December 15, 2006
    A much-derided manga, Vampire Hunter D is an adequate ampire picture.
    The story concerns a half-caste hunter who travels to a small hamlet to rid them of the thrall of a demonic Count. Such is the characterisation of D that this feels very much like a Samurai film, not to mentio... read moren the stylistic action sequences.
    The plot is intruiging for a while, but more or less falls away in its account of a vampire bloodline. The animation has not dated brilliantly, especially considering that the likes of Akira still survive nearly twenty years hence.
    The real manga influence is regarding the time period; though the village and its inhabitants seem to evoke a medieval era, there still exists the more outlandish technology that befits the growth of cyberpunk via Manga studios.
    Imperfect, but a worthwhile anime.
  • November 19, 2006
    A little overrated, but it looked neat.
  • February 28, 2012
    A film considered an anime classic is almost as baffling to me as Ninja Scroll. While I found the character of D to be a delightfully Gothic action hero with a deep brooding backstory I found the animation to be a bit choppy (though this was made almost three decades ago and lik... read moreely not on The Little Mermaid budget) and most of the fighting and monsters to be kind of ridiculous. I think me and anime was just a relationship that was never meant to be.
  • September 7, 2008
    Interesting from a historical standpoint, as far as animation in general is concerned. But that's about the only praise I have for it. The story is shallow, even when compared to the novel it's based on (a fun read, but 'tweren't what I'd call great literature). The design is ugl... read morey, the animation is crude, and the voice acting on both coasts is abysmal. Fans of '80s anime TV might get a kick out of it, but for people who want the polish of films like Akira or Ghost in the Shell, this is one to avoid. It's sequel of the same name*, on the other hand, is worth checking out.

    *Note: In the United States, the second film is referred to as Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.
  • April 2, 2009
    It's a classic. If you're an anime fan, you need to watch this just to say you did =)
  • April 11, 2007
    I love this movie!!! I have a good friend, derek that I call Vampire Hunter D because of this film
  • January 14, 2007
    Pretty good anime about, surprise, a vampire hunter.

Critic Reviews


Felix Vasquez Jr.
April 24, 2010
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed

One of my favorite animated films of all time... Full Review

Luke Y. Thompson
February 2, 2003
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times

Old enough that many of the anime techniques used herein have become cliche -- but still has a cool enough story to be worth a look.

Ken Hanke
August 14, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

More tedious and ugly anime

Maitland McDonagh
September 28, 2001
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide

...a vampire-human hybrid in a distant future that's equal parts Gothic architecture, sci-fi weaponry and the wild, wild West. Full Review

October 9, 2001
Chicago Tribune

Click to read the article Full Review

Michelle Alexandria
July 23, 2004
Michelle Alexandria, Eclipse Magazine

No review available.

Christopher Null
April 17, 2004
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

Marc Savlov
January 1, 2000
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

June 1, 2004
Boxoffice Magazine

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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