And to think this whole series started from a school project

I like how Dukes dad is literally just Voltaire lol

I just realized that Voltaire, (Duke’s dad), was looking at his watch the entire time during the service. He was unaffected by his own wife dying, other than slight annoyance that his day was being taken up. He couldn’t even bother to look sad or comfort his own son. No wonder Duke ran off at the end.

Couple of things I have noticed: The video opens 'some decades ago.' I'm unsure whether this accounts for the time within the Vampair series or when the series began, but it seems that Duke is much younger than I originally assumed. Little Duke can both walk in sunlight and has round ears which suggest that he wasn't born a vampire and has yet to become one. It is important to note that he also wears the key around his neck at this time. It might've been a gift from his mother or used to belong to her. Duke's father looked at his watch during the service, implying he believed the funeral was taking too long. This implies that he didn't care much for his wife, compared to their son who adored her. Duke's father was the first to leave, after a brief conversation with his peers/extended family. He did not attempt any such conversation with his son, Duke. This also implies he doesn't care for Duke either or openly dislikes him. Alternatively, Duke's father might just not know how to interact with him after Duke's mother's death, when they already had a strained relationship. Duke was annoyed with his father for how he couldn't emotionally connect with him and longed for someone to acknowledge his existence. In the Fuck You animatic, Missi mentions that Duke could never achieve his father's approval which seems to align with what happened here.

Judging by the shape of his ears, Duke was likely still human at this point. I wonder how he became a vampire lord.

I love we how don't see Duke's Father's full face but we know it's Voltaire cuz of the third episode from Season 1 :)

This season 2 is gonna be a thrilling fun, so this backstory tells of how Duke before he became a vampire he lost his mother, plus his own father doesn't even shed a single tear at her funeral. Stay tune on the next episode of The Vampair Series.

I really love how theres a kind of continuity with how little Duke holds the umbrella while big Duke has the cane. People wouldve still known it was Duke but it just gives that little extra 'something', yknow?

Aww this was so adorable and frickin sad at the same time, no wonder Duke is such a mess he lost his mom so young. Probably was close with her since his dad is so... distant. Also puberty hit ma boi like a train 👀 his voice was so sweet when he was younger lol.

Baby Duke is precious; I love that he already has some of his adult mannerisms, great details.

Adult Duke: “Holy crap, a ballad already? And such a bold departure from the original source material!”

I will quite literally never see Older Duke with anyone else's voice but good ole Aurelio Voltaire's

Daria, at her audience's emotions: "YOU'RE DOOMED; enjoy the singing!"

Can't wait! This series has captivated me for such a long time.

If you follow Daria’s DeviantArt, you know that she calls herself Duke’s mother. So poor Mina Rose who lost her ghoul friend. Half joking aside. This is beautiful. The Voltaire look-alike dad! Him looking at his watch at the beginning. And he wears heels and that ever familiar coat. I love all that. Although I am curious. Why is he the only one who doesn’t bring an umbrella ?

This is cute and sad at the same time. We see kid Duke looking like a cinnamon roll. But he's going through the hardest time in his life with no one to comfort him. His dad is distant and I think his mom is gone due to the funeral/burial taking place. I think season 2 will take up on why Duke is who he is now

The ghost with the most put it best when he said, “Holy crap! A ballad already?” Bring on the angst, Daria; I’m ready!

I feel for Duke losing his mom at such a young age must have been so hard...He's still got a great singing voice even as a child. Yay! We get to see Voltaire and Mina cameos.

So Duke really is trying to be just like his father in season one, just like how episode 3 says. Cruel, aloof, uncaring. Hit me right in the feels, why don't you?

This must be when Dukes mother passed away decades ago before he was a Vampire. Man, I feel sorry for Duke. I still have my mom and my family but the sad thing is that i don’t care about them anymore. So Duke is lucky to had such parents used to care about him enough. Before his mother passed. Sometimes this lone wolf needs to find true happiness in his or her life. I’m saying that to everyone who likes to be alone and who are dying to find people that will love them and change them for the better. Daria, You must very lucky to still have your family on your side still. Don’t you ever take them for granted. never ever. I sure as hell do. Don’t end up like me Daria.

It's interesting how he still has that key ornament on his suit ever as a child, supposedly before becoming a vampire

It's great reverse-foreshadowing to have him twirl around the umbrella like a cane and seethe at the sunlight

My heart literally stopped when I've heard "invisible" If season two is going to have beetlejuice songs i will die happy

Missi's song when she resurrected Duke hits different now ''You wanna be like your father''

This episode is really making me think of the ‘You want to be like your father’ line from episode two. Yes, it could be brushed off that it was just something that was used since it was in the original song, but I don’t think that it’s the case considering how much emphasis this episode has on Dukes relationship with his father, and the fact that Daria said that season 2 would focus on The Dukes past. Maybe his father put him through hell and gave him a lot of trauma, and he chose to inflict others with trauma as a way of retaliation, which may explain the motivation behind The Duke’s… unsavory actions in episode 1. Maybe he and Missi will have figures from their past come into their lives again in season 2 and they’ll have to deal with unresolved issues. This is pure speculation, but using backstory to impact a character in the future is something that many writers have used in the past, and considering how season 1 ended pretty close-ended, using their backstories to inform new conflict could be a great way to organically introduce new elements in this season.

Duke is adorable and sings so heavenly

Sometimes people don't realize how easy it is to take the first steps to becoming a monster. It's usually not some big thing, but just being ignored until you find you're the only thing you can depend on.

Holy crap.. a ballad already??! And such a bold departure from the original source material! (Love your stuff ❤)

My guess with this season is that our two main characters might unintentionally help each other out with their own issues and we will definitely learn more about the Duke's past.

This was so damn good and I am looking forward to the possibility of seeing an animated "Dead Mom" in the future. You're amazing, Daria!

I love how this entire series manages to tell a surprisingly in-depth and emotional story with no dialogue except for lyrics and music taken from unrelated sources.

1:03 this expression never grows old

Wow a ballad already ? And such a bold departure from the original source material !

What a grave affair....💀

Poor Duke😢 Did his dad even love his mom? 0:11 he kept looking at his watch hoping the service would hurry up and end.

Holy crap! A ballad already? And such a bold departure from the original source material!

I was here since Oct 2017, and I haven't regretted following this series yet. I can't wait to see how Little Duke turns into the vampire we all love/hate today. I didn't intend to guess the song when looking at the preview picture, being drawn to Voltaire's "Born Bad", but it was a wonderful stroke of luck.

I love this series so much I wish more people knew about it. You know you've found a good content creator when a video has 1000 likes before the video starts, :)

I love how the music (singer seems a female) fits little boy Duke, and this moment, it just fit perfectly.

The way little Duke leans on the grave really emulates the way we're familiar with seeing him move despite the extreme height difference now. Love it can't wait to see more.

Aquí esperando mientras leo los comentarios Te amamos Daria

Woah, a ballad already? And such a bold departure of what we've come to expect from Duke!

The little Mina cameo is so cute

This is the prequel of his past that he still a human. right!? Why I get the feeling the key had a bigger part in his past. It's sad to loss a mother and he just so young, his father is not that close than his mother. The animation get even more improve especially the style really amazing 😻👌💞

And now you’ve got me picturing a version of “Say My Name” with the Bat Staff singing to Kid Duke…

This song was so beautiful to listen to Daria. Its like the duke had an angelic voice as a kid. No matter how many times I play it, it makes me want to cry. I'm looking forward to seeing more of this series💞❤💜💞❤💞💜💞❤💞💜💞

Ok, two things 1:03 You nailed so well his expression there, there's no doubt, he's Duke. And 2:07 Hum, suspicious. And I love the silhouette at the end, being surrounded by bats. Oh the mystery 👀 Edit: 3 actually, hey there Missmi

Holy crap, a ballad already? And such a bold departure from the original source material. 😝

I already knew what music was going to be used based on the teaser. Overall, great pick

Kinda hard to imagine Duke as a child, can’t wait to see where this season goes!

I recognized the audio and screamed. Vampair series and Beetlejuice collab is everything I need

Little Duke!! He already has so much of his attitudes and movements. I cannot wait for more. Thank you for this prologue. Season 2 is going to be great!

This made me cry but it is a beautiful piece none the less

Привет из России. Очень жаль, что премьера состоится в 00:00 по нашему времени, но я пожертвую парой часов сна, чтобы увидеть это. Не тепрится~ Р.S.: Я дождалась и это стоило того. Рада видеть, что история развивается. Мы узнаем все больше о персонажах. Не терпится увидеть полную предысторию Мисси и Дюка :>

I love how a one-off sight gag from episode 3 about Duke's father looking like Voltaire has turned into hard canon about his backstory. Also what a bait and switch with the 'Born Bad' teaser!

Poor Duke. That's why he has trouble understanding love when he finds it.

That was so short, but long enough to make me really emotional 🖤🤍

Daria you did an absolute breath taking job! So excited to learn more about Duke's backstory for the rest of season 2 I love Vampair so much gotta start on fanfics and fanart much love to you. Always adore your series :)

Gosh I love how he holds the umbrella as if it was a cane at 1:31, such a cool detail!

Okay either you're the greatest planner in the world or got very lucky. Despite the music for each one being different stories they fit so well. From the whole prostitute one with the Duke sleeping with Missis sister, to the line about the Duke not getting his farthers approval, and then there's this song and animated that plays that so well. But I'm curious to see how The Duke became a vampire, whether he does it for revenge on his father, as a cost to try and bring back his mother (which would be a great way to pull into the whole "You stabbed my mother" Line from season 1 finale where we find out that The Dukes mom is living in some way but not in a physical form, might also explain his connection to the house). Even the whole Land of the Dead episode and later them talking about his dog, like it all falls so nicely into place.

Poor Duke, 😢 it shows that he loved his mother very much and was very close to her unlike his father who was the opposite of her. I congratulate you Daria, you have done a good job, your animations are perfect and, great I love the series The vampire very much and I hope to see more videos of the series in the future, I send you a big greeting from Chile dear.🇨🇱💕

Voltaire's cameo as Dukes father!!! Love it

I just rewatched and 👀 noticed (standing among the people on the funeral) Missmi in her beautiful coat - that's so cool that she's here✨

I'm literally crying, you did such a great job Daria

Poor Duke, he's so little :(

I love how Duke's father is the great Aurelio Voltaire, I hope we can see more of him, like the beast of Piretes bay or crusade, even The vampire club

I was so excited when I heard these opening notes. This was such a heartwarming introduction and I can't wait to see how this is spun... Interesting he didn't LIKE the sun, but didn't burn, so is he NOT a vampire yet. Intereeeesting.

This looks so interesting. I’m interested to see if the entirety of season 2 is just flashbacks or if we’ll get some manner of glimpse at the present.

Can't wait to see this

What started as a funny story about real vampire confronting a Twilight fan gas evolved into a multi-season series. Kudos!!

0:13 Mina casually at duke's mom's funeral

Daria if you were seeking to rip out our hearts with this sad moment in Duke's life, you succeeded. I mean I can't stop hitting replay.😢😭

Omg this was so beautiful! Duke was such an adorable little bean. The poor baby.

I like how he subtly stands out with his red lineart. The animation looks super good- I'm so excited!

I AM DYING TO SEE EPISODE 1 SEASON 2 I AM BEGGING YOU I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH

The Vampair series + Beetlejuice? I call this... PERFECTION ✨🤩

I've been following this story for a while and it's absolutely amazing! Can't wait to see the new part! Thank you Daria, for making these videos! ❤

Did anyone else notice that Duke's father's outline is purple? Isn't it interesting that Duke's father is outlined in purple just like Missi in her vampire form? I wonder what that means thematically. Also, 0:18 we get to see Duke wearing the key of his castle on his neck. This makes me think that perhaps the castle doesn't belong to his father but rather his mother, which could mean that Duke's father married Duke's mother's family. 1:23 WHOA do you guys see streaks of pale greyish whites where the sunlight doesn't touch him?????

I think Human Nature will be one of the songs in this season. Given the fact that it seems to start out with a young duke, with both mommy and daddy issues. It will probably be used when dealing with missi in an attempt for duke to open up. Since the song says things like " I hear my mother's words coming through." "My whole life I've relied on logic, let's give this thing a try." And something about listening to his father. Someone else could probably elaborate much more on it then I could, but still I have a strong feeling about it

CRYING AND SOBBING THAT WAS SO GOOD I CANT WAIT FOR SEASON TWO

Her animations are always incredible to watch. They’re very creative and breath taking 🖤🖤🖤

Ahhhh, so that's Duke as a kid and his dad just walked away. Guess the funeral was for Duke's mom. Who turned Duke?

I really like Duke's unique pose at the end of the video. The one with the back of his hand! 영상 끝에 어른 듀크가 주로 했던 뒷짐 진 포즈 보고 너무 좋았어요.

LET'S GO I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS I LOVE THIS SERIES!!💕💕

Ohh i loved child Duke! You can see many of the characteristics and gestures we know about him, but in a more innocent and youthful way. I wonder if this “sadness” will be an important factor in his transformation into a vampire

Seeing him like this and then remembering him chasing teenage Missi around in *The Night* makes it even more interesting!!

Daria, your background game is so underrated. Such a simple design that nails the atmosphere, and it's so beautiful to look at!

Daria, as a Russian fan of your works, I am very glad to see the release of season 2!)0)

Ooh, we're learning about duke's turn to vampirism, sick~ If there's one thing I felt vampair was lacking, it was more vampires (ironically), so this'll be fun! Your other monsters have had quite the variety, so I can't wait to see your other vampires too~

So this is duke’s origin story. Man this really pulled my heart strings a bit. But I really love the details! Obviously, the duke’s red line art. But at the same time, the part where he squinted at the sun as if he doesn’t like it does foreshadow his turn into a vampire. Because vampires can’t be in the sun! Great work!

I like that you kept the line of Voltaire being the dad. At least visually.

I've been waiting for so long! I'm grateful for your hard work!!!

My oh my!!! Can't wait!!! Excited as hell!!!🔥🔥🔥

Damn, this is super well-done! Love the way you convey emotions through the expressions and body language, glad we are getting more backstory! :)

Someone get Voltaire to see this, he'd be honoured to see he has a cameo in this!

Дарья, спасибо за ваши прекрасные анимации! Они наполнены и интересным сюжетом, и классной музыкой и...о, этот визуальный стиль! Я в него просто безумно влюблена! Жду с нетерпением дальнейшего развития событий! P.S. Этот пролог наделен одновременно и скорбью, и грустным очарованием. Удивительное сочетание.

Was literally about to go to sleep *BUT SCREW IT WHO NEEDS REST LESSSGOOOOOOOO*

WHOA, I remember having to bribe my sister to watch The Night, now look how far this has gone. Season two just wow

How did you know I've been listening to the Beetlejuice musical nonstop since animatics made me discover it?! Now I get a proper animation of one of the songs. This is the first time I knew the song before the Vampair video.

Wow, this music is fantastic, so emotional and it fits your wonderful art so beautifully. I‘m so excited for everything that‘s going to come… this is (the story of) his past, right?