Anime’s groundbreaking cinematic classic makes its theatrical comeback after 25 years.

Over the weekend, anime enthusiasts were treated to a slew of thrilling announcements at the annual Anime NYC expo. One of the standout pieces of news came from a distributor, which revealed its acquisition of the North American rights to the cult classic film *Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust*. This marks an exciting opportunity to see one of the most remarkable anime films ever created on the big screen in a way that many fans have yet to experience.

The distributor plans to give the film a full theatrical release in North America in 2027, with more details to follow. In addition to the theatrical run, there are also plans for physical home media releases of *Bloodlust*. When the film first hit U.S. theaters in 2001, it was shown in only twelve locations.

*Bloodlust* was produced by Madhouse, the studio known for *Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End*, and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, a key figure in the adult anime boom of the 1980s and 1990s. The film is based on the novels by Hideyuki Kikuchi, with illustrations by Yoshitaka Amano, famed for his work on *Final Fantasy*. Amano also designed the characters for the movie. Here’s the official synopsis:

After a young woman is seemingly abducted by the vampire Baron Meier Link, her father hires D—a vampire-hunting “Dunpeal”—to rescue her. As D traverses the wastelands, he must contend with a group of formidable mercenary hunters and uncover the complex truth about the woman.

While *Bloodlust* received critical acclaim, it never quite reached the same legendary status as other iconic anime films of its time, such as *Akira* and *Ghost in the Shell*. Over the years, it has gained a cult following within the anime community, thanks in part to its stunning production design. The gothic world of *Bloodlust* is brought to life through a unique combination of traditional hand-drawn animation and digital compositing. The intricate details in the animation enhance the rich world-building and visual aesthetics, drawing audiences into the narrative. Thanks to the distributor, fans will finally have the chance to experience *Bloodlust* as it was always meant to be seen.

But that wasn’t the only *Vampire Hunter D* news at Anime NYC. A new four-issue comic series titled *Fortress of Blood* was announced, along with an English translation of the eighth book in the series, *The Rose Princess*, set to release next June. 2027 is shaping up to be an exciting year for *Vampire Hunter D* fans.