Ask John: What’s the Background of Vampire Hunter D?

Question:
I heard that Vampire hunter D was based on a novel. I just wondered if this was true. If it is, who is the author?

Answer:
Hideyuki Kikuchi is often called Japan’s Stephen King. Kikuchi is a prolific writer, having published over 250 novels since his professional debut in 1982 with Makai Toshi Shinjuku (Demon City Shinjuku, the basis of the 1988 anime OAV). Anime adaptations of Kikuchi novels include the aforementioned Demon City Shinjuku, Supernatural Beast City, A Wind Named Amnesia, Darkside Blues, and the two Vampire Hunter D movies.

The ListerX fan site verifies 25 Vampire Hunter D novels so far covering 15 story arcs. The 1985 movie was an adaptation of the first novel from 1983, also titled “Vampire Hunter D.” The 2000 movie, known as “Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust” in America but just “Vampire Hunter D” in Japan, was based on the third novel from 1985, “Vampire Hunter D: Demon Deathchase.” Detailed English language summaries of many of the novels are available at the Vampire Hunter D Archives.

Several of the manga series either written by Kikuchi or based on his works, including Demon Palace Babylon, Demon City Hunter, Demon City Shinjuku, and Darkside Blues are available in English, but none of his novels have ever been officially translated into English.

Thanks to Wesley Brown for his assistance.