Left Hand (Vampire Hunter D)

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Left Hand is the fictional character of a symbiote lodged in the hand of the character D, first introduced in the series of eighteen novels of Hideyuki Kikuchi called Vampire Hunter D. There currently are, in English, nine novels out with more scheduled for translation. The first and third novels have been made into movies, and Left Hand has appeared in both, albeit quite different. He is voiced by Ichirō Nagai in both the 1985 film and Bloodlust. In the English dubs, he is voiced by Kirk Thornton in the original and Michael McShane in the sequel.

Suspicions abound as to what exactly the left hand is. He is referred to in the third book as being a part of the same species as one of the Barbaroi. Left Hand belongs to a species of (normally) malevolent parasites that inhabit different parts of the human body. Despite this, Left Hand is as unique in his abilities among his people as D is among other Dhampir. Whether this is due to being in the body of a Dhampir or that he was a servant of D's father is unknown.

Left Hand, does though perform many important duties in the story. He uses to D's advantage his special psychic abilities, and often extracts truth and veritable bits of information that aid D on his wanderings. There are times when Left Hand must 'recharge' or regain his/its strength in order to perform. At these times D must combine wind, earth, fire and water for Left Hand to devour.

In the very first book D is staked and essentially killed/drained of all life. His left hand comes to his rescue (though it was severed from the arm) and eats a mound of soil that itself digs from the ground, and sucks in a large amount of air. It mildly complains of how long it will take due to having only two of the four, (that would be the elements required). This eventually brings D back to life.

In the later novels the more psychic aspects of Left Hand are revealed, as is the power of said Hand.