Classics of Japanese Horror: The Nightmarish Worlds of Hideyuki Kikuchi

[@TalkingAboutGames]

I am extremely impressed with the Muse putting so many hours, nay, years of reasearch into these topics; especially considering the Muse's recent health problems, which sadly have been plaguing so many people recently (gee, I wonder why?), the Muse still pushes through, displaying exceptional will power and stamina. Well done and thank you! 🎖

[@logans6058]

What health problems? What's the insinuation re: the "gee I wonder why" in parenthesis?

[@TalkingAboutGames]

@@logans6058 People have put many bad things into their bodies; those of us that live as naturally as possible, do not suffer di4b3t3s, c4nc3r, str0k3s, d3pr3ssion, etc., etc. You will identify that putting certain things that the mainstream labels as "healthy" or "good, are actually the exact opposite.

[@Erosgates]

@@logans6058 probably the poke

[@0moxie0]

​@@logans6058 antivaxxers will blame anything and everything on the shot.

[@kozlorog]

Thank you for sharing, nay, gifting your thoughts to us, Arthur Shoppinghour.

[@panchopistolas2593]

Very interesting that both Hideyuki Kikuchi and the creators of Castlevania shared the same seminal font of inspiration (Hammer Films), and later on, the Castlevania franchise, took inspiration on the works of Kikuchi with Symphony of the Night and, possibly, Bloodlines where the visual style first changed.

[@anthonywheeler2082]

Even Castlevania on Netflix looks like Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust!

[@panchopistolas2593]

@@anthonywheeler2082 Well, I was thinking more on the art of the game itself where everybody looks more in line with the art of Vampire Hunter D, particularly, Alucard which looks almost like D but without a hat. Personally, I couldn't watch more than 3 episodes of the Netflix adaptation but in regards to the art style of the series I think you are right they tried to, somehow, mimic the art of Vampire Hunter D but with a little western touch.

[@anthonywheeler2082]

@@panchopistolas2593 Yeah, I get that. I thought it was interesting how Kikuchi's work and the Castlevania brand keep entangling with each other. I like your points.

[@vallum12100]

This is the idea of circular storytelling in how we can take our inspiration of the past and continue to spin and perpetuate the truths that society has yet to answer, which is why we continue to tell these stories, albeit to our current audiences and with our own spin and take on the formula. In the case of monsters and horror themes, they reveal the aspects of ourselves that are hated, yet are integral parts of who and what we are. We need to identfy these traits and how they are not accepted yet bare little ill-will alone. Why do we identify with monsters growing up? Because there will be parts of ourselves that we feel shame and little acceptance for that we must repress, yet fear they will manifest in a way that justifies others' fears of it. But man is falible, and we cannot be perfect, so these is not a matter of if, but when we let the guise slip and show the world who we really are. We ironically create the monsters we fear, and only through processing these thoughts, countering our own biases, and understand one another more logically can we fight off the deadly match that can strike the fire that fuels our animalistic horror. Accepting who we are while striving to preserve and help others, accepting differences that do not infer harm onto others, tends to be the central idea of trying to tell the more sympathetic tales of monsters, and something we can learn greatly from.

[@anthonywheeler2082]

@@vallum12100 Great comment Skyler!

[@garrettethridge6613]

Your little subtitles about getting to read Vampire Hunter D book 30 at like 3 minutes in cracked me up, I haven't seen anyone else mention them haha.

[@doublestarships646]

You deserve everything for making this. Thank the universe someone finally made a video about him and Vampire Hunter D. It's almost a crime that he isn't well known for the books.

[@MotherGapshin12]

It's interesting to also see how Shinto and japanese spirituality may have also impacted his writings, in all of Kikuchi's stories it's not the inherent nature of Monsters that makes them evil nor the nature of humans that makes them pure. It's more like the actions of these characters that makes them more pure and human, in a way the scary and indimitating yet kind monster is more spiritually pure than the selfish and cruel human.

[@tuumef1799]

You really enraptured me with the depth of your analysis. I've read some of Kikuchi's work and been mesmerized. Your video opened my eyes to wats of looking at his catalogue in intriguing ways. Think I'll pick up Vampire Hunter D again. Thank you for your hard work.

[@gto7795]

Thank you for taking time giving us this overview! Were very thankful for this. Also a Kikuchi fan🎉

[@AzazelCodex]

As an anime fan, many of Kikuchi's works as films I've seen and loved. and thanks to your well researched and thought provoking video Gamingmuse, I want to explore more of his works myself after feeling liberated by nostalgia remembering his adaptations 😊😎

[@TheBatman39]

The novels of Vampire Hunter D are what made me realize the genius of Kikuchi as one of the best writers ever.

[@culturedonnanoko]

The Muse and Fungo are my favorite Japanese horror game information channels ❤

[@loneronin6813]

I don't really know anything about this man's work including Vampire Hunter D, but the main character design-wise kind of puts me in mind of Robert E. Howard's Dour Swordsman, Solomon Kane.

[@Ottrond]

classiest channel on youtube. watched vampire hunter D bloodlust because of your videos!

[@voidpunch1324]

That was a very good video with in-depth analysis of Mr. Kikuchi works, must have taken forever, great job. Makes me want to actually watch Vampire D one of these days. I know it's not gonna happen because we only got one badly translated book here in the west, but i would like to see a video about the Kino's Journey series.

[@whoisyouranime]

18:14 Just marking my favorite part of your video, the one about Sayaka stopping two rival gangs from fighting with her body. I read Demon CIty Shinjuku and that was an interesting part for me.

[@Muraki]

This was an awesome watch! This inspired me to pick up the Vampire Hunter D novel again. I kind of discounted it before because I found the writing or the translation a bit cheesy (I don't know how to describe it, but it really reads like an anime), but the themes you described and the quotes you pulled were really fascinating to me. Meiji Dracula also sounds incredible. I'd love to read that too, but I'm guessing it's pretty hard to find since Amazon is listing it for $90 😵

[@thegamingmuse]

Unfortunately, a lot of his works are harder to find. Fortunately, many of them are now ebooks, though I don't think MD is one of them. His works may bounce off you, but I definitely recommend giving a few a try, they can be really incredible.

[@dhampirdp3489]

Have it used for 9 bucks on Amazon might not be the best shape thou

[@fvakarian]

Subscribed. That was probably the coolest video I've seen in months. Entertaining and relaxing, while also being very informative and thoughtful/intelligent. Good to know there's content like this on yt. Definitely looking forward to watching more. Keep it up and thank you.

[@Daelyah]

Especially with the concept of "hope in a bleak world" being brought up, I wonder if Hideyuki ever had exposure to the Legacy of Kain video game series, which also deals with vampires caught in an apocalyptic setting full of moral ambiguity. I get the strong impression that he would've appreciated numerous facets of it, although sexuality is not as prominent in LoK as the questioning of free will and and the spectrum of gray morality. It also touches upon a bit of science fiction, delving into how time travel has serious consequences; one popular line from the franchise simply states, "History abhors a paradox." What's interesting to me is that the very first LoK game, Blood Omen, had a number of major inspirations, with one of them being the Clint Eastwood western The Unforgiven. Kain was assissinated, brought back as a vampire, and sought vengeance. But even after getting revenge against his killers, he winds up finding that his death and resurrection were all part of an overarching scheme tied to the very downfall of his world, Nosgoth. He is forced to play both villain and hero, and by the end of Blood Omen, is also faced with a major dilemma: sacrifice himself to save the world, or damn the world to eternal decay as he conquers it. The series clearly followed the latter ending, and eventually presented how, if Kain hadn't refused the sacrifice, the world would've been damned anyways-rendering his sacrifice to be only in vain. And another point of fascination for me is the cliffhanger ending of the last official game (Defiance), in which the titular vampire finds redemption. He has lived for so long, gone through so much, and finally was forced to battle the eldritch "false god" antagonist. However, that final battle could never have happened without the willing ultimate sacrifice of the deuteragonist Raziel-whose sacrifice not only redeemed Kain (making Raziel the Christ-like scapegoat), but also purified the legendary Soul Reaver blade that Raziel was ultimately doomed to be metaphysically imprisoned in forever. And with Raziel's soul purifying both sword and its wielder, it gave Kain new insight; allowing him to discover the demiurge that had manipulated Nosgoth since time immemorial, and challenge it. Though Kain merely weakened the Elder God, he had bested the ancient eldritch horror; after the demiurge fled to the underworld, Kain was able to finally take a moment to consider Raziel's sacrifice. This moment is what delivered the final lines of the overall series: "Now, at last, the masks had fallen away. The strings of the puppets had become visible, and the hands of the prime mover exposed. Most ironic of all was the last gift that Raziel had given me; more powerful than the sword that now held his soul, more acute even than the vision his sacrifice had accorded me-the first bitter taste of that terrible illusion: Hope." There are so many shared themes between LoK and Hideyuki's works, I'd be saddened if no-one had ever informed him of LoK to draw the parallels.

[@PriestessGoat]

oh yeah!!! his books were my favourite as a teenager but I forgot his name so I couldn't ever find them again! thankyou so much!!!!

[@whoisyouranime]

I just want to say thanks for this video. I learned so much about Hideyuki Kikuchi from this video.

[@ThruHerSkull]

I just found this video, and it’s really great. You should cover Hideo Yamamoto’s works, mainly Homunculus and Ichi the Killer. I think if you appreciate Kikuchi’s works, you will enjoy his. I can say endless good things about Ichi and Homunculus.

[@nico_zero]

Amazing video and research! Loved it! And I'm glad I've just ordered this past week the second omnibus of Vampire Hunter D.

[@fayelawless2625]

omg I just read the first novel of Vampire Hunter D and forgot to keep reading. this video reminded me to go back and even find more literature. THANK U

[@0moxie0]

You're such a thorough and thoughtful documentarian, thanks for your hard work!

[@briancynn392]

Does anyone remember a anime DarkSide Blues? That anime was full of fascinating characters set in a unique atmosphere,that really just left me full of questions! 😂 love all your videos! I'm Dying for Silent Hill F and for your review afterwards 🖤🖤🖤

[@kamui003]

I saw Darkside Blues a long while back.

[@generated6375]

watching it on Zoro

[@alexanderford3831]

I was hoping this video would cover it. Maybe a part 2 is in order where we get that, A Wind Named Amnesia, and Invader Summer.

[@jacob_ian_decoursey_the_author]

This was fantastic! I love the Wicked City film, even for all its flaws. This makes me want to look further into his novels.

[@pascaldongen2981]

Thank you for this nice video that reminded me of some great things in the past and adding something to read next too :3

[@BaldingClamydia]

I had the first 3 when I was a kid, and didn't know there were more :D

[@dragutciprian7358]

Thank you for this video

[@david.9633]

Incredible episode

[@Mad-Moments]

This is really amazing.

[@lu9680]

Awesome content

[@cosmicsoul_wav]

Hello! I tuned in at the end of the video. I've never seen Vampire Hunter D before bc I'm not into vampires but it sounds really interesting. will definitely check it out and his other work after I finish watching Adolescence of Utena 👍🏼 Also, just wanted to let you know that MEIJI is pronounced as mei-JEE and not mei-JAI 😊 Thanks again for your videos. I like discovering new things through them ❤

[@TheGoodWillSpreader]

Vampire Hunter D is one of those works that remain a timeless classic. From its novel take on the genre, to the artwork to the characters. Its one of those works that should be on a must read/watch list.

[@cosmicsoul_wav]

@@TheGoodWillSpreader thank you!

[@JustToSaveYou]

I really miss the 70's-90's style animation. Across the board, all countries.

[@dhampirdp3489]

I'd love to have a deep dive talk about kikuchi and his work it's extremely hard to find someone that knows his other work

[@matthewbrookeart]

I’d love to get wicked city books but hard to find in the uk

[@shaofu424]

most interesting video essay good work be safe, be happy, work hard peace \m/

[@otakunemesis34]

It will take decades for vampire hunter d to come out in english. I use it as a milestone alongside the release schedule of Brandon Sanderson.Its a race to see what the market releases first.

[@ediapaff8858]

I was lowkey obsessed with the darksideblues anime back in the day

[@MukesBoy]

I have 6 of his Vampire Hunter D books starting at 1as well as Vampire Hunter D 1986 and Blood Lust. I've had and protected them for many years. Prized posessions

[@SOLIDSNAKE.]

Let's go!

[@gibakigamer4041]

There was a new vampire hunter d series being made but the pandemic put a halt in it i hope that one day they continue with it.

[@eldraque4556]

totally excellent

[@BaldingClamydia]

THANK YOU! I've been trying to get my brother to watch Wicked City on Pluto TV (or maybe tubi). When I got done, there was a feeling of "wtf did I just watch?!" But overall I still found it very interesting...intriguing?

[@trunks10k]

I still love 80s-90s anime astethics. Small eyes more realism to character designs but I guess now a days big eyes and more "anime" like sells

[@ArninoStorm]

Meiji is pronounced May-Djee. Amazing video!

[@Aoishi2AL]

Could you summarize each of kikuchi’s novels?

[@thegamingmuse]

I'd like to make videos discussing them, I've just gotten sidetracked by other projects. hopefully soon!

[@Aoishi2AL]

@@thegamingmuse Please do. This video seemed to be a thesis defense for literature. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@LobselErik]

About to enter my Greylancer simping era thanks to this

[@thegamingmuse]

i am thrilled to be enabling this

[@badgerrunner7774]

Just curious, what happens to Sayska Rama in the books?

[@mc_zittrer8793]

I got to read West of Innsmouth. I'm now quite invested in Kikuchi's lit, lol.

[@DominusNox106]

That whole part at the end is great. A world that doesn't need the warriors it has created really resonates with me personally. I'm 52, a Veteran, A former Paratrooper, and above all things, a Warrior. I am lost in today's politics, but I do not have it in me to quit.

[@amrak5901]

👍

[@foxxxtheworst]

It seems to me this could be the inspiration for many more recent manga and anime like yu-yu hakusho or Inuyasha...

[@doublestarships646]

Commenting again to feed the algorithm.

[@direktive4]

Dark Wars kinda sounds like Star Wars, maybe just a marketing decision even if it makes no sense

[@luisrosa4316]

first

[@Blanco_Meow]

I wish my naked body could stop fights and wars cry 😭

[@soccerandtrack10]

"Hes not human,and removed from humanity,and hes a doctor,and doesnt have the same morals." self inplied and in the words.

[@redherringoffshoot2341]

it’s immoral, not amoral

[@alfan0079]

really that's the best you can get? DON DRACULA? HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE OTHER OSAMU TEZUKA'S WORK? THE VAMPIRES (1966-1967) ?

[@MasterTurner969]

Cool. meow