There is a phrase that exists to describe works to which we are unreasonably attracted to despite their utter awfulness: so bad it's good.
The writing is laughable. This guy is like Dan Brown... in third grade. Words like "vermilion" and "phosphorescent" abound.
The story itself is not that bad. It's very cliche, but that's part of the appeal. With its thoroughly developed world, frequent homages to earlier vampiric lore, and an unwaveringly stoic hero, it has a very cult feel despite the lack of quality. Basically, the foundation of the story is fantastic. What is subsequently done with that foundation is anything but.
Would I recommend reading
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 Alternative TitlesJapanese: 吸血鬼ハンターD; バンパイアハンターD; More titlesInformationType: Light Novel
Volumes: Unknown
Chapters: Unknown
Status: Publishing
Published: 1983 to ?
Theme:
Vampire
Serialization:
None Statistics Ranked: #10152 2 based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded. Popularity: #4062
Members: 5,562
Favorites: 126 Resources | Reviews
Filtered Results: 5 / 5
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Dec 31, 2021
I imagine most of you are here after watching the movie(s) - which you liked so you’re looking up if the source material is also as fun. Vampire Hunter D definitely fits the visual medium. The novels would be quite good as a script for another screen adaptation. As a stand-alone literature, the experience is not so great.
First, I’d like to say that I really like the setting of this franchise. Dystopian post-apocalyptic gothic cyberpunk that incorporates classic fantasy elements with sci-fi explanations for them is intriguing. The overall aesthetic are pretty unique, but again, visual medium is where this main strength shines much more. The ... 
Jul 22, 2008
Before anything else, this is a review of the first novel only, not the entire series. So I can't judge the rest.
If there was any novel that really should have been a graphic novel, it is this one. It wants to be a graphic novel so badly that it seems to abandon the idea that it is a novel at all and lingers somewhere in between the two. The narrator desperately wants us to understand how amazing D is. Instead of letting D's perfection be revealed to us, it is forced upon us. He does ... 
Feb 12, 2024
I started reading the Vampire Hunter D novel series because I fell in love with the world and characters when I watched the movies. If you enjoy either of the movie adaptations than you will enjoy the novels as well, unless you don't enjoy reading, or prefer manga/graphic novels over chapter books.
Hideyuki's writing in these novels is beautiful; he depicts the setting in each scene extremely well and so eloquently that you can perfectly imagine the world he's building around you, however it isn't written in a way that is too descriptive that it would potentially get overwhelming or boring in any way. The lore ... 
Jul 15, 2024
As of writing this I've read the first novel and am onto the second (I bought a three-volume omnibus, very nice quality from B&N) and it's wonderful. Incredible world that Hideyuki has created, and manages to write in a way where the reader feels "in the know" without excessive exposee or time-wasting loredumps. The story itself is a bit predictable in the way old westerns are, but the unique setting/history gives old tropes new life. Atmospheric, well-paced, and inspiring stylistically to me as a writer. Evokes images as vivid as though you were watching the movie. Highly recommend to anyone else who loves vampires, sci-fi,
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