Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

In the wastelands of a future Earth, Vampires were once large in number.  Now they are down to a few, hunted by warriors intent on collecting the heavy price on their heads.  One such Vampire, Baron Meier Link, has just abducted Lady Charlotte, the daughter of an influential businessman.  To get her back, Charlotte’s father puts out the call to Bounty Hunters willing to take on the job and many have answered…including the infamous half Human/half Vampire Dhampir known simply as D.  It should be a simple job that will take D through the deserts of the old world and pit him against foes both human and monster alike.  But there’s more to the tragic romance he’s about to stumble into than D could ever expect.

Happy Halloween everyone and welcome to a special spooky review I try to throw in every year for the occasion.  Since we’ve been spending the last month with Monsters and unlikely heroes hunting monsters, we’re circling back around to the bad ass who kicked off this month of scares, the legendary Vampire Hunter D.  A follow up to the original 1985 Vampire Hunter D OVA, Bloodlust feels like a film from another era when Anime was on the cusp of looking and feeling more like the Anime of today.  It’s not a perfect flick by any means but where the story might falter at times, visually, this is Anime at its finest.
 

Ninja Resurrection

In an era when Christianity has been outlawed by the Shogunate, one prophesized leader, Shiro Amakusa, emerges, leading his people to embrace the faith and belief in God.  An uprising begins and the Shogunate dispatches several armies to quell this outburst at any cost.  Among those sent into battle is Jubei Yagyu, a disgraced Swordsman with few equals.  As he crosses swords with Shiro, Jubei doesn’t realize the events he has set in motion, all playing to the designs of a madman who is determined to see Japan burn in a sea of Hellfire…and this blood drenched massacre is only just the beginning.

While I’m assuming anyone who’s a regular and a long time fan of Anime might know this, I guess I should just point out the blatantly obvious just to be safe: Ninja Resurrection IS NOT a sequel to Ninja Scroll.  And yet that is probably the most notable aspect of this OVAs existence.  When it was brought over to the States, the marketing made it look like it was just that, from the same stylized title logo to the inclusion of “The Revenge of Jubei” as a subtitle, making viewers and fans think we’d see the continuing adventures of Jubei Kibagami.  Sadly, that’s not the case here (and the Ninja Scroll sequel series we did get wasn’t much better).  And really, even without the terrible attempt at misdirection, Ninja Resurrection isn’t anything special on its own merits.  It’s pretty dull, needlessly mean spirited and bloody and, maybe worst yet (or best depending on your point of view) it’s incomplete.
 

FIF#197-Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

Akira Tendo has been stuck in a soul crushing job for three years.  Driven into a deep depression, Akira would give anything to just have one day off from work.  When the Zombie Apocalypse kicks off without him realizing it, Akira discovers that he’s about to get his wish but not in the way he expected.  Akira finds himself reinvigorated and determined to finally make use of his free time to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants by creating a list of 100 things he wants to do before he dies.  It’s the end of the world for most but for Akira, life is only just beginning.

 
Zom 100 is one of the most anticipated Anime of 2023 and one episode in, I can see why.  The premise before the Zombies is one everyone can relate to at one point in their lives: a dead end job, little free time, and the effects it can have on ones daily life and psyche.  Now, having the Zombie Apocalypse being a cure for that…it’s non sensical.  But damn if I’m not gonna say it works for Zom 100.  I saw the first episode featured at a few panels at this years Otakon and every time it popped up, it got a huge round of applause and fanfare.  And it’s totally worthy of it because this might be one of the best premiere episodes I’ve ever seen in Anime and a nice set up for the bizarrely fun adventures to come. 
 

T5W#428-Top 5 Otakon 2023 Cosplays

Previously on Top 5 Wednesday:

One of the reasons I really look forward to October here at the Gundam Anime Corner, besides choosing an appropriately scary Anime, is finally being able to talk about all of the amazing cosplays I’ve seen at the conventions I’ve been to.  True, I could always talk about these right after said Cons.  But since October is the month of Halloween when everybody likes to dress up for various trick or treating and other fun events, it just makes sense to me to share my favs here rather than back in February or July/August (depending on when Otakon is).  This year, for the first time since 2019, I got to go back to both Katsucon and Otakon. 
 
Last Wednesday, we looked at the Cosplays I enjoyed during my first Katsucon since 2020.  Today, for the second part of our Top 5 Wednesday Special, we’re jumping ahead to July 2023 and back to Washington DC to take a look at my Top 5 Otakon 2023 Cosplays.  As always, if I know any of the cosplayers on this list I’ll be sure to include links to their Instagrams if you wanna see more of their works.
 

X

After his mother dies giving birth to a sacred sword, Kamui Shiro returns to Tokyo for the first time in many years.  He arrives to find two powerful forces at war with one another: The Dragons of Heaven, who want to protect the Earth; and the Dragons of Earth, who wish to see the planet reborn anew.  Kamui’s entry into the fray marks a critical turning point as he is the deciding player, the one who will lead either side to victory.  As warriors clash and destruction reigns, Kamui learns his destiny is also entwined with his two closest friends, Fuma and Kotori.  It is a destiny that will tear their lives and Tokyo asunder as the final battle for the planet begins.

From the Creators of Cardcaptor Sakura and the Director of Galaxy Express 999 comes X, a no holds barred team deathmatch between powerful sorcerers to determine the fate of planet Earth.  It comes from a Manga that isn’t finished, which should be a red flag when it comes to these kinds of adaptations.  Oh don’t get me wrong, X isn’t perfect when it comes to its story or its characters.  When it comes to its visuals, however, X might just be one of the best looking Anime of the 1990’s, on par with it’s fellow apocalyptic blockbuster, The End of Evangelion (which came out a year after this movie).  But is this a case of getting so lost in the visuals that you can overlook the rest of the films shortcomings?
 

FIF#196-Undead Murder Farce

It is a time when the creatures of the night walk the Earth alongside Humanity.  Tsugaru Shinuchi is an Oni Slayer cursed as a half human/half Oni hybrid.  One evening, he meets the immortal Aya Shindo and her trusted maid Shizuku Hasei.  Aya is in search of her stolen body, now living as a severed head and her thieves are connected to those who turned Tsugaru into a monster.  Teaming up, Aya, Tsugaru and Shizuku travel to Europe to track down the illusive Mastermind who’s wronged them both.  Along the way, the trio work to solve the mysteries of Humans and Monsters as Paranormal Investigators, hoping that one of these cases will bring them face to face with their ultimate target.

 
So stop me if you’ve heard this one before: An Oni Hunter, an Immortal Head and a Maid walk into a bar… Ok I don’t have anything more than that but as far as set ups go, that’s not a trio you assemble everyday.  Undead Murder Farce comes highly recommended from a good friend of mine and I can kind of see why.  It’s a world of tense relations between Monsters and Humans that is going about as well as you’d expect.  It’s got several tragic figures all hurdling towards tragic fates if they cant find ways around them.  Then there’s the promise of actual mysteries to be solved.  And when it comes to supernatural cases that can’t be solved, why not turn to a beautiful bodyless detective, her goofy sidekick and her stalwart maid?
 

T5W#427-Top 5 Katsucon 2023 Cosplays

One of the reasons I really look forward to October here at the Gundam Anime Corner, besides choosing an appropriately scary Anime, is finally being able to talk about all of the amazing cosplays I’ve seen at the conventions I’ve been to.  True, I could always talk about these right after said Cons.  But since October is the month of Halloween when everybody likes to dress up for various trick or treating and other fun events, it just makes sense to me to share my favs here rather than back in February or July/August (depending on when Otakon is).  This year, for the first time since 2019, I got to go back to both Katsucon and Otakon.  And let me tell ya, the Cosplay world still has plenty of wonders to offer at both.  So, as part of a pseudo two part Top 5 Wednesday, let’s chat Con Cosplays starting with my Top 5 Katsucon 2023 Cosplays.  As always, if I know any of the cosplayers on this list I’ll be sure to include links to their Instagrams if you wanna see more of their works.

 

Demon City Shinjuku

In the pivotal battle for the fate of the world, Genichiro Izayoi failed to defeat his former friend, Rebi Ra, who used this victory to decimate Shinjuku and turn it into Ground Zero for an impending Demonic invasion.  Ten Years Later, the time has come for Rebi Ra to complete his deal with the forces that gave him his powers and open Earths doors to the apocalypse.  Only one young man stands in his way.  Summoned by a beautiful maiden for an important mission, Kyoya Izayoi must finish the fight his father started.  The city of Demons, Shinjuku, awaits.  But few who venture in seldom return to tell the tale.  Will Kyoya be one of them?

In his directorial follow-up to Wicked City, Yoshiyaki Kawajiri is given the chance to deliver Escape from New York with an abundance of Demons, swords and mystical powers.  It’s too bad that, unfortunately, this feels like it backfired completely.  Not only does Demon City Shinjuku not do nearly enough with its premise, it’s also boring, doesn’t have a lot of stand out fight scenes and feels like a step backwards for Kawajiri after the stylish but underwhelming Wicked City.  I like a lot of this directors work (I’ll never stop hyping the heck out of Ninja Scroll), so it really stings to say that this movie isn’t very good, heck it might even be the weakest I’ve seen of Kawajiri’s filmography.
 

FIF#195-Hell’s Paradise

Shinobi Gabimaru is on Death Row…only thanks to his powerful Shinobi abilities, he’s practically immortal.  That is until he meets a woman capable of putting him down for good: Yamada Asaemon Sagiri.  But she hasn’t come to kill him.  Instead, Sagari recruits Gabimaru for a special mission that, if completed, grants him his freedom and the opportunity to return to his waiting wife.  All he needs to do is obtain the fabled “Elixir of Life”, which can only be found on an island once thought to be Eden but has become a Hellish Nightmare.  Up against other hardened with the same life sparring offer, Gabimaru will have to prove he’s worthy of surviving this Hell’s Paradise.

 
Studio Mappa has certainly become the IT studio of late.  After all, it’s been behind some of the most popular and successful Anime of the last few years: Jujutsu Kaisen, Kakegurui and Attack on Titan: The Final Season.  Anything it has in the pipeline is gonna have all eyes on it with much anticipation.  Which brings us to Hell’s Paradise.  Given their current workload with two of those three aforementioned titles, you’d think this show might suffer a bit in visual quality but no.  Hell’s Paradise has become pretty high profile thanks to Mappa’s name recognition.  I’ve gotta say, I was concerned about the first episode but by the end, I might be ready for this journey.
 

T5W#426-Top 5 Things I Wanna See in Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone but just over a week after its debut, Netflix has renewed Castlevania: Nocturne for a Second Season.  Looks like viewers have been ready for more of the Belmont Clans never ending smackdown against the hordes of Darkness since the finale of the original series and Nocturne has delivered on almost every front in that regard.  While not quite as good as the beautiful opening season of its predecessor, Castlevania: Nocturne still delivers the solid action, character works and stunning animation that brought near universal acclaim to the original series and left many heralding it as one of the Best Video Game Adaptations ever made.  I’m sure work is already well under way on Nocturne’s sequel season.  But given the many cliffhangers left in the Season Finale, what are the Top 5 Things I Wanna See in Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2?  Let’s chat about them in today’s Top 5 Wednesday.  Also, this goes without saying but I will be discussing a lot of major plot points and character moments from Season One of Castlevania: Nocturne, so beware spoilers ahead. 

Wicked City

Unknown to most of the world, our world shares custody with that of the “Black World”, a dark dimension inhabited by Demons.  Taki Renzaburo is a member of the Black Guard of Earth, tasked with keeping the peace during an uneasy truce between the two worlds.  The time has come for the treaty that holds things together to be renewed and Taki has been tasked with protecting a high value asset alongside a beautiful Black Guard Agent from the Black World, Makie.  Demonic radicals who’d love nothing more than to see the world burn are coming for them.  To stay alive, Taki and Makie must confront the unrelenting terror, temptations and pure darkness of the Wicked City. 

Wicked City serves as the first solo directorial debut of Yoshiyaki Kawajiri, the man responsible for one of my all time favorite Anime action movies, Ninja Scroll.  It’s also a movie that is a perfect selection for this month of horror themed films as it shows off the darker, edgier and more adult side of Anime, one that is a definite precursor to the roaring 90’s when Anime was all about being as Anti Disney Family Friendly as possible.  This includes some scary monster designs, gross body horror imagery and more than a few steps into the realm of the Adult Anime Section aka Hentai.  Wicked City certainly isn’t a film for the young or the squeamish and it might just be one of the most mature offerings I’ve ever looked at for review.  But does that make it any good?
 

FIF#194-Castlevania: Nocturne

France, 1792.  On the eve of Revolution, the Vampires are gathering. They whisper about a “Messiah” that is coming to bring about the end of the Age of Man and cast the world into an eternal darkness.  From across the world, Hunters, Magicians, Sages, and Warriors gather to prevent this oncoming apocalypse.  Among them is Richter Belmont, descendant of Trever Belmont and Sypha Belnades, who has a personal score to settle with on particular Vampire walking the streets.  On the eve of Revolution, the streets will run red with the blood of Humans and Vampires as a new war for the night begins.

 
The prospect of a sequel to Netflix’s Animated Castlevania series is a tricky one.  Save for a few misteps during it’s Second Season, I was pretty much ready to give the original series a perfect 10/10 when I looked at it back in October 2021.  Complex and tragic characters, fascinating and well written dialogue and action that just seemed to get better and bloodier with each new episode, the show is damn near perfect.  So yeah, Nocturne really needed to make an impression right out the gate somehow.  The premiere does so in its own way, helping it stand out and doing what it needs to do: get viewers attention right back into the world of Vampire and those who kick their asses nightly.  And while I think I need a couple more episodes to properly adjust to the new status quo, Holy Crap is it good to be back in this universe.
 

T5W#425-Top 5 Scariest Power Ranger Villains

My periodic look at the legacy of the Power Rangers Franchise continues as we also kick off a month of Halloween themed Top 5s for T5W.  Power Rangers Cosmic Fury, the 30^th Season of Power Rangers, dropped on Netflix last weekend.  While I’ll have a First Impression of it coming later for a special occasion, I wanted to take a look at some of the meanest and nastiest big bads the various teams of Rangers have had to take on over the years.  Some may be clumsy, some might actually be good at their jobs.  Most can be the stuff of nightmares and since this is October, those are the ones I want to spotlight most.  These are my picks for the Top 5 Scariest Power Ranger Villains.  Specifically, these are the big bads, the lead villains or most prominent of their respective seasons as Monsters of the Week are too many to sift through.  Also while they may have been highly efficient at kicking Ranger ass, some baddies like Tommy and Astronema either had redemption arcs or became full on good guys eventually, so they wont be on the list (come to think of it, that rules out Ransik from Time Force too, damn I really liked him.)

Vampire Hunter D

When a young maiden named Doris is bitten by a Vampire Noble named Count Magnus Lee, she only has a few short nights until she becomes one of the living undead.  To save herself, Doris hires a Vampire Hunter to slay Lee before his curse consumes her.  But Doris hasn’t just hired any ordinary hunter.  He is a Damphir, a Human/Vampire hybrid with power and strength beyond compare.  And no Human, Mutant or Monster will stop him from claiming his quarry.  Lee may be a Noble Vampire of indescribable power.  But he has yet to encounter a foe as deadly as Vampire Hunter D.

 
Welcome, Dear Readers.  Now normally each October, I try to pick something to review that’s from the Horror corner of Anime.  And this year is no exception, well except I’m not focusing on a series this year.  Instead, I’m selecting six classic horror themed, or at the very least really bloody, Anime films to look at.  We’re kicking that off today with a bad ass from years long, one whose look is so of its era, I’m honestly starting to consider him a Vampiric Captain Harlock.  And like the good Space Pirate, Vampire Hunter D is a legend in Anime circles but he hasn’t really been seen much since his last feature in 2000 (We’ll get to that in time).  This 1985 OVA was D’s first foray into Anime.  So how is it as a beginning to his long legacy and does it hold up today?