Count D is the proprietor of a pet shop located in Chinatown. He specializes in selling rare and enigmatic pets, and he himself is shrouded in mystery. A contract must be signed to purchase any pet from him.
Despite his denial of the name "Count D"—asserting that it rightfully belongs to his grandfather, the true owner of the shop—most people refer to him by this title, often shortened to "The Count," "Count," or simply "D." He manages the pet shop while the alleged owner is abroad. His motto implies that he doesn't sell pets but rather "love, dreams, and hope" through a three-term contract.
D exhibits a greater fondness for animals than humans and shows a deep appreciation for nature. He typically appears calm and speaks softly (except when arguing with Leon), though his demeanor shifts towards the end of the manga series. He enjoys tea and has a particular liking for sweets. In fact, Leon often bribes him with pastries for information. Although he frequently expresses disdain for humans and claims to dislike human children, he becomes deeply attached to Chris and seems to care for his brother Leon.
In Volume 4, Leon suspects D might be a vampire, but D's father later refutes this claim (and D is actually a vegetarian). D closely resembles his father and grandfather, the real Count D, as they are imperfect clones or duplicates of one another. They are nearly identical except for their eye colors; D has one purple eye like his father and one golden eye inherited from his grandfather. It is hinted earlier in the series and revealed in Volume 10 that D is not human, although the exact nature of his species remains ambiguous. According to D's father, they are the last descendants of an ancient Chinese civilization that was close to animals. Due to their wisdom, they were kept at the imperial palace as wise men and priests, receiving superior treatment. When a priestess refused the prince's marriage proposal, he ordered a genocide of their people. Only one man survived, vowing revenge on humans for the atrocities committed against his family.
Besides being the main character in Pet Shop of Horrors, D makes a cameo appearance in Volume 4 of Genju no Seiza, another manga series by Matsuri Akino.
