Review by Holly Ellingwood
Published May 22, 2008

In the post apocalyptic future, vampires are a ruling nobility in sharp decline. Humanity lives in a medieval state with fringes of technology at their disposal -- and sometimes their abuse. In the village of Tepes, four children went missing ten years ago and returned with no memory of what occurred. D, the beautiful dhampir, has been hired to deal with a killer, or killers, that seem to be vampires but ones that can stalk and hunt in full daylight. Horror meets mystery in the latest stunning tragic tale of Vampire Hunter D.

The mystery is one filled with violence and misfortune. D meets a beautiful and promising young woman. However she is a victim of the very same savior who rescued her from her poor, orphaned state. She is also part of the key to the mystery surrounding the four musing children. She was one of them.  The closer D gets to the strange and brutal killer, the more he uncovers about the cruelty of humans and vampires alike.

Like each of Hideyuki Kikuchi’s tales about the half-vampire, Saiko Takaki’s manga adaptation beautifully captures both the allure and the horror of his epic series. There is a seduction to the night and the tale imparts that well along with the horrific price it can come with. Each tale explores the nature of humanity, of what it means to live, to desire, and to fear and long for that which cannot always be reached. There’s a poetic feel to the Vampire Hunter D stories that is rare, tragically beautiful and immensely moving. Each story is an in-depth exploration of our innermost desires coupled with our deepest fears.

The manga also has the added appeal of its stunningly gorgeous art and packaging. The embossed glossy dust jacket, the amethyst edged pages and the full color cover page all make for an eye-catching and irresistible manga on any bookshelf.

IN SUMMARY:
The half-vampire must unravel a deadly and horrifying mystery in the latest from the master of Japanese horror adapted to manga by a most talented artist.