Anime: Vampire Hunter

This series is based on Capcom’s famous fighting game series Dark Stalkers/Night Warriors. It means a lot more if you are familiar with the game. If not, you must at least like fighting games or this title will seem like just a bunch of monsters fighting each other pointlessly.

ART & SOUND SECTIONS: 7/10
Nothing bad to point here. The characters are nicely drawn, with fluid movement and fighting styles that resemble those in the game. The background graphics and music are detailed and boost the grim atmosphere of the series. It’s just that if you are not accustomed to fighting games, most fighting moves will seem pretty ridiculous. In fact, the perfect mark is spoiled by the lack of reasonable battle choreography. Also, having seen Karas, I almost feel obligated to leave the mark in no more than 7.

STORY SECTION: 4/10

There is no main story in general. All characters have a different goal to achieve and the scenario feels like a compiling of 10 different stories. Some seek power, some revenge, some a better future. Of course, what they all have in common is that they all solve their problems through fighting (as if violence ever solved anything!).

Still, towards the end, the main scenario is the battle with the main villain of the story, who pretty much wants to defeat every Night Stalker in the world. But the lack of focus towards a specific goal simply confuses you and you end up caring only for the battles and not their reason for happening. The scenario is not better than the one in Dragonball Z, where the strongest is always right (I personally, am not a supporter of the “Might Is Right” theme).

To sum it up, it is a very shallow story, trademark of all fighting games. It is just used as an excuse for the fighting to begin.

CHARACTER SECTION: 5/10
There are a dozen characters from the game and they pretty much fight each other senselessly throughout the series. Most of them hardly have a personality and as for the rest, they are pretty typical stereotypes. We have a zombie rock-star, a cat woman, a Chinese ghost, a possessed samurai armor and a few others just for flavor. There is some interest with the ultra sexy female succubus that is sent to kill a vampire apostate and the Taoist priest that seeks salvation. The villains are weird robots that are sent to destroy humanity for the sake of the planet (like the Weapons in Final Fantasy 7) and a giant alien fireball that simply wants to fight strong warriors (like Son Goku in Dragonball Z).

To sum it up, most characters are stunts and the few interesting ones are simply cool-looking. Another trademark of all fighting games.

VALUE SECTION: 4/10
Nothing much. But it means a lot more for fans of the game.

ENJOYMENT SECTION: 6/10
It was fun to watch but it’s not going to be memorable.

VERDICT: 5.5 / 10
The accused is found … GUILTY! … He is cool only to his fanboys.

SUGGESTION LIST
Famous Shonen to choose from:
Saint Seiya. The grandfather of fighting shonen.
Dragon Ball Z. Lots of tournaments and brainless action.
Fist Of The North Star. A lot less characters but a lot more bloody action scenes.
Bleach. Interesting, until those fillers poped up.
Naruto. Interesting, without the fillers.
Tekkaman Blade. Interesting characters with cool costumes and action scenes.