Well, not to give away too much, but D survives the original film, and in the opening of BLOOD LUST we learn that the vampire population is dwindling, but they're still causing all sorts of mayhem. D is offered 20 million dollars to rescue Charlotte, who has been kidnapped by the vampire Meier Link. He accepts the bounty, and is told that fellow bounty hunters the Markus Brothers are also after Meier. The Markus Brothers - Borgoff, Kyle, Nolt, bed-ridden Grove and "sister" Leila - are on the trail of Meier's carriage, which is carrying Charlotte and the vampire to destination unknown. An entire village of vampires soon attacks them, however. D also is trailing the carriage, and he confronts Meier after the fiend beats up Leila (who followed D to him, naturally). The vampire tells D he did not kidnap Charlotte - she loves him and came with him by her own free will.

D doesn't believe him at first, but when she shouts out Meier's name as they battle, D isn't so sure anymore. He gives aid to Leila, who despises him because he is a Dunpiel - a human/vampire half-breed. The Markus Brothers and D arrive separately in the land of the Barbarois - mutants who are protecting Meier. Note is killed by a shadow creature; however, Grove - who can project an electrical astral form - almost catches Meier, but attacks rival D instead. Bad move, because D destroys his astral form. Three major mutant assassins leave with Meier to protect him. Benge, the shadow creature, actually captures D! However, D's demon left hand swallows his spell, releasing D. The surviving brothers manage to kill Benge, but the morphing assassin Caroline cripples their tank. In a nearby town, Leila sees D and sets the sheriff on him (everybody hates Dunpiel, you know).

An old horse trader remember D as the hunter who saved him as a child from vampires years ago, and repays his debt by forcing the sheriff to let D ride away. Later, not knowing Leila has followed him, D confronts Charlotte, who is walking in the sunlight. She confirms she really loves Meier, even if he is a vampire. The two remaining assassins attack D and Leila. Having ignored his hand's advice o take it easy during the day, D suffers from heatstroke, but manages to bury himself in a tree's hollow to recuperate. A lightning bolt fries Caroline, and Leila seeks shelter from the subsequent storm in the same hollow D is resting in. She doesn't kill him, but tells him she is a hunter because vampires killed her parents.

Like D, vampire hunting is her only life. D and Leila agree that whomever survives will bring flowers to the other's grave. After the storm, the remaining Markus Brothers set a trap for Meier on a bridge, and manage to retake Charlotte. Meier leaves the safety of the carriage to rescue her, burning in the sunlight with every step. Machina, the remaining assassin, kills Kyle, and saves Charlotte and Meier. They continue to the castle of vampire queen Carmila, there to find their destiny. In hot pursuit are Borgoff, Grove, Leila, and a perturbed D. I won't say any more, but the ending is superb.

Urban Vision has done a splendid job with both of D's DVDs. Included on each disc is a short "making of" feature, as well as original trailers. The original VAMPIRE HUNTER D also offers an English/Japanese language option, English subtitles option, and a gallery of exquisite production artwork by renowned anime artist Amano. Unfortunately, the film is only available in a "full-screen" version. BLOOD LUST is letterboxed and offers features like a selection by fans of the movies "top ten" scenes and a three storyboard -to -film sequences. However, BLOOD LUST is only available dubbed (although they do a great great job). Picture quality of both is top-notch, and the sound is excellent - BLOOD LUST especially so. You've got to put the surround sound on for these films.

I had a most enjoyable time watching these films back-to-back. Because of the sixteen years between films, you can see the evolution of anime. VAMPIRE HUNTER D is typical of the "traditional" anime; there is an emphasis on action and not much detail in both story and picture. Basically, we know where we're going and we want to get there so have fun on the trip. (And that's not a bad thing, either). But BLOOD LUST takes the concepts the VAMPIRE HUNTER D started and just goes with it. Referencing Amano's original sketches, BLOOD LUST is saturated in detail, from characters to backgrounds to, well, every facet of production. The story really involves you in the characters lives. Each personality is unique and stays true to their traits throughout the film - no stereotyping here! The sound and music are exceptionally layered and drive the obvious passion the creator's had for this movie. It's like riding a bicycle and then riding a motorcycle. Both are good, but the motorcycle's just that much more.

I highly recommend both of D's movies, but make sure you watch the original first. That's the cake. Then watch BLOOD LUST and you'll see why it's the icing. Blood icing, of course.

For more information, please visit Urban Vision.

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