Vampires teetering the lines between elegant respectability and fetishist creepiness is a common trend in Western vampire fiction. Likewise, Eastern vampire stories often lean into different regional mythology for inspiration. Still, many of those stories utilize elements of the tried and true Dracula formula typically, falling into the same trends as the Western tales. Hideyuki Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D is a prolific collection of vampire stories following the titular D. It balances Western trends with refreshing ideas, establishing itself as one of the finest examples of Japanese vampire fiction.
Most of D's adventures pit him against Nobles -- ancient vampires with immense strength and political power. While many of these Nobles are blood-hungry cretins who view humanity as cattle, a few Nobles carry themselves with elegance and passion. Meier Link, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust's core Noble antagonist, walks the fine line between respectably caring and manipulatively creepy.
Abduction and Age Gaps
Humans' distrust and fear of vampires developed deep-cut lines between humanity and vampires. This distrust and disgust frequently manifest during the half-vampire D's interactions with the humans he is trying to help. Such a social rift made interspecies relationships a forbidden taboo, requiring any such connection to be kept secret or for the lovers to abandon both human and vampire society.
Even if Charlotte willingly goes with Meier Link, their departure is deemed an abduction and insulting to her family. The kidnapping itself is only part of the issue, as the age gap opens up a can of worms. With Charlotte barely in her 20s and Meier well over 100, social and logistic matters fall into the taboo. The love between Meier and Charlotte seems genuine in the film. Their shared passion and devotion come off beautifully, helping develop emotional hooks for their well-being. However, it does not take away from the fact that Meier has lived many lifetimes and could live many more, while Charlotte is just entering adulthood and has become infatuated with a wise, experienced, much older man.
Actual Displays of Love and Sacrifice
Initially, Charlotte and Meier's love affair seems questionable due to the lack of information. This suspense contributes to the forbidden love angle. Although Charlotte appears shocked by Meier's appearance, her perception of Meier isn't made evident for an extended time. Still, when she finally shares her opinions, there is clearcut adoration that feels genuine and heartfelt.
When Meier and D meet face to face, the realization that Meier isn't only trying to run but passionately protect Charlotte during the process strikes D to the core. While society may frown upon Charlotte and Meier's connection, it is mutual and genuine. The Noble continually places himself in harm's way to keep her alive and healthy.
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust further accentuates the purity of their bond by contrasting Meier's reservations with the human Marcus Brothers' disregard for life. By walking into the sunlight -- one of the few ways to end a vampire's life -- Meier would willingly embrace death to save Charlotte. His self-sacrificial approach to protecting Charlotte and his desire not to turn her into a bloodthirsty vampire is powerful.
Meier comes off as a genuinely sweet and caring lover despite the relationship taboos and questionable gaps. The extremely fictional setting of Vampire Hunter D allows their connection to flourish and shine, albeit temporarily, by contrasting it against the depravity of humans and the loneliness of a futuristic wasteland. Even riddled with issues and complexities, the mutual devotion and concern Meier and Charlotte's relationship manifests render it both stunning and tragic.