In Which I Use the Library as Netflix pt 2: A Call for Gothic Sci-Fi

I've been having a bit of a week. Between everything happening in the news and several private issues, I've spent a lot of time worrying about one thing or another. I've also just been having, the worst art block. If this blog post ends up going up Friday (I'm literally writing this 8pm Thursday night), that's why.

I did make a very good decision last Friday, however. When picking out a film to watch this week, I ended up trying to decide between being an intellectual, mature adult and watching Schindler's List or being a bit more indulgent and checking out the vampire anime I already had in hand instead. Luckily, I made the right decision.

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Honestly, nothing I'm about to say has all that much to do with the plot of the film, so you're safe form spoilers.

Just so I don't forget to say it again, I loved this movie.

I had only the vaguest possible knowledge of Vampire Hunter D prior to watching this, and it honestly had me at the opening text. I was unaware of how much I needed more vampire sci-fi. The only other thing I could think of that could possibly fit that description was Irina: the Vampire Cosmonaut, and even that takes place during the space race

10/10 show. Loved every second.

I think it's unfortunate that most fiction depicting "the future" tends to rely on the same minimalist, chrome aesthetic. And while I don't think that aesthetic is necessarily bad, I do think that it gets boring after a while and, based on our current culture and trends, makes a lot less sense now than it did back then The Jetsons was airing. Gen Z loves maximalism and decor, and furthermore, I just don't see the future as having only one set look. People like different things. We always have. You cannot convince me that there won't be goths in the future. Impossible. 

Basically, I'd like to applaud the designers of this film for making it so this:

and this:

and this:

can all believably exist within the same world. 10/10 Art direction right here. Love it.

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I was going to write a bit about my recently revived love for physical media, but honestly that should be it's own post, given it's not really all that related to the film. I did have one more, minor thought after doing a bit of research on Vampire Hunter D as a franchise (while writing this): Why is D called a "dunpeal?" We already have a word for half-vampire, its "dhampir." Every other vampire story uses "dhampir." Even the summaries of this film on several sites call D a "dhampir," but in the film itself they use "dunpeal?" Is this like the official English translation of The Ancient Magus's Bride using "Sleigh Beggy" instead of "Sleigh Vega?" Can someone who knows more about Vampire Hunter D explain this to me?

Also, what does the D stand for, if anything? I was waiting for the twist that it stood for "Dracula" and then that twist never came. Did his parents just name him the letter D?????

Anyway, I give Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust a 10/10 because, exactly as stated, there was a vampire hunter in it and his name was D. There was also bloodlust. Exactly as advertised. I appreciate it.