Hideyuki Kikuchi is one of the most popular and prolific authors in Japan, working in a genres of fantasy and science fiction. Best known for the "Vampire Hunter D" series. He is referred to as Japan's Stephen King. His works are heavily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft.
Background
Hideyuki Kikuchi was born on 25th of September, 1949 in Chiba, Japan. As a child, he was keen on sci-fi and horror films. The great influence that made an impact for him was the film "The Horror of Dracula". Kikuchi also was inspired by "Dracula and Frankenstein" and "The Wolf Man".
Education
Kikuchi attended Aoyama Gakuin University. He was taught as a writer by famous mangaka Kazuo Koike.
Career
In 1982 Hideyuki Kikuchi wrote his first novel "Demon City Shinjuku". This novel was adapted into an anime in 1988.
At the age of 33, he brought the "Vampire Hunter D" to life and has continued writing his adventures for over 20 years. Yoshitaka Amano illustrated "Demon City Shinjuku" and also go on to illustrate the "Vampire Hunter D" series.
Beginning in 1983, Kikuchi has so far written 27 novels. All of the official publications in the series were originally published by Asahi Sonorama, but it went out of business in September 2007.
In 1985 the first novel "Vampire Hunter D" was turned into an anime, which became extremely popular, despite its low budget. But Kikuchi found this adaptation "cheap".
The second film "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust" appeared in 2000 and garnered respect for its advanced animation techniques. This film is based on the third novel "Demon Deathchase".
On November 2007, the first volume of manga adaptation of the "Vampire Hunter D" series by Saiko Takaki was published simultaneously in the U.S., Japan and Europe.
Another popular Kikuchi's series is a "Treasure Hunter". It is about a young bounty hunter, the first book of which "Alien-Treasure Street" was published in 1983. The "Treasure Hunter" along with the "Vampire Hunter D", brought fame to the young writer in Japan. Books of this series are also illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano and Masahiro Shibata.
Hideyuki Kikuchi has also recently appeared at two conventions in America: Anime Expo 2008 and New York Anime Fest 2008.