Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust Anime Film Gets New North American Theatrical, Home Video Releases

GKIDS had a couple licensing announcements to make during its Anime NYC industry panel this weekend, including plans to release Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s 2000 anime film Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. No dates are in place yet, but North American theatrical and home releases are planned with more details to come later this year. For now, select Japanese language screenings head to theaters this fall, followed by further theatrical plans and home video in 2027.***Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust ***has Kawajiri directing at anime studio Madhouse, and is based on the novel series by author Hideyuki Kikuchi. Here’s how GKIDS describes it:

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 rides across the wastelands, he must compete against a group of tough mercenary hunters, and confront the complex truth about the woman.

GKIDS also announced the North American rights to director Yoshiyuki Okuyama’s live-action film adaptation of Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters Per Second. More theatrical and home video details are expected later this year.The live-action ***5 Centimeters Per Second ***premiered in Japan on October 10, 2025. Here’s how GKIDS describes it:

After transferring to the same elementary school, Takaki and Akari became best friends. However, their lives change when both their families are forced to relocate. After a year of separation, Takaki is about to reunite with Akari. As he sits on the train from Tokyo, memories of the past rush through Takaki's head, his meeting time with Akari drawing ever closer. Takaki and Akari begin to wonder if they will ever be able to see each other again, and share their secret feelings. Join Takaki on a journey into three interconnected tales of love and lost innocence that span the minutes and months of their lives.

**Source: **GKIDS press release