Anime Classic ‘Vampire Hunter D’ Is Back in Cinemas for 40th Anniversary

AMC’s streaming services HIDIVE and Shudder are teaming up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vampire Hunter D. The classic 1985 anime is getting a special theatrical re-release this spring.

If you want to catch it on the big screen, mark your calendar for April 9, 10, and 13, when it will be shown as part of AX Cinema Nights’ 2024/2025 season across North America.

The movie is based on the famous novel series by Hideyuki Kikuchi, featuring artwork from Yoshitaka Amano, best known for his work on Final Fantasy. Directed by Toyoo Ashida, this remastered version was originally cleaned up by Sentai Filmworks in 2015.

The screenings will offer both Japanese with English subtitles and an English-dubbed version in more than 500 theaters across North America.

For those unfamiliar, Vampire Hunter D takes place in the year 12,090 A.D., where humanity struggles to survive in a world ruled by vampires.

When Count Magnus Lee sets his sights on a young woman named Doris Lang, she has no choice but to seek help. Her only hope? A mysterious vampire hunter known simply as D, whose origins may be even stranger than the creatures he hunts.

With the mix of sci-fi, horror, and gothic fantasy, this cult favorite still holds a special place in anime history. But with the anime industry constantly evolving, some might wonder—will a re-release of an old-school OVA still hold up in theaters today?

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