Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust coming to Blu-ray in 2015 from Discotek

[Cat III]

Discotek has announced that it will be releasing the anime film Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust on Blu-ray and DVD. Both releases are slated for 2015. Further details are forthcoming.

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust was a 2000 film directed and written by anime titan Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, Wicked City). Originally planned for a wide American release, the movie was a rare anime to be produced with an English dub and released with subtitles in Japan (a Japanese dub was later produced for home video). While it only ended up playing in a select few American theaters, the blockbuster ambitions can be seen in the film's gorgeous animation.

The plot takes place in the 12,000's after apocalyptic events have left mutants and vampires roaming the planet. D, a dhampir (half human, half vampire), is hired to rescue Charlotte from the clutches of the vampire, Baron Meier Link. D must face the mutant warriors Link employs as guards as well as compete against the team of mercenaries also hired to capture Charlotte.

The character of D comes from a series of sci-fi/horror novels written by Hideyuki Kikuchi and illustrated by famed artist Yoshitaka Amano. D was already familiar to anime fans for appearing in the famous direct-to-video film, Vampire Hunter D, released in 1985.

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust Teaser (Best Trailer) - YouTube

[IdeaOfEvil]

It's absolutely crucial that Discotek get's the Japanese dub for this film. It far surpasses the original English track, and it better creates a "monster" atmosphere that the film is trying to present to the viewers.

[Bubblegum2032]

Have Discotek stated whether or not they will be doing their own scan for the film? As far as I’m aware the existing masters are still very much SD.
There is that HD broadcast version, though it’s just a mere upscale.

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by UseY0ur1llusi0n

I wasn't aware of any existing HD master either, I asked about it on FandomPost, but nobody replied. I'm sure Kentai or BusterD would know. Kawajiri's Demon City Shinjuku however has a gorgeous HD master available, (which they already wasted on their DVD only release).

Discotek also licensed the Street Fighter II movie, which was released on Blu-ray with an HD master in Europe before it saw a proper release in Japan. I believe Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust was more popular overseas than in Japan. My guess is that a new HD master is being produced by someone and that Discotek will be using it for their BD.

Also, I used to own the Japanese DVD with the Japanese dub, and that version does sound a lot better than the English version, even if the English track was produced first. The Japanese track includes some "big" names in the seiyuu world (Megumi Hayashibara instead of Bobby Hill, lol).

[GC Riot]

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

Also, I used to own the Japanese DVD with the Japanese dub, and that version does sound a lot better than the English version, even if the English track was produced first. The Japanese track includes some "big" names in the seiyuu world (Megumi Hayashibara instead of Bobby Hill, lol).

So did I, and it was indeed a vast improvement. It gave much more room for contemplation, and they toned down the comic relief dialogue from the hand which helped immensly with the mood in the film.
Hope it turns out good.

[IdeaOfEvil]

Also to add to the English/Japanese track debates, the English track is horribly mixed. The voices are way too low with the sound effects being a little too high. There's no way you can watch this movie comfortably without having to adjust the volume throughout the entire movie.

So, even if the English track is crappier compared to the Japanese dub, I do hope that Discotek will create a remix (or downmix) of it.

[DasRetroKid]

Originally Posted by IdeaOfEvil

Also to add to the English/Japanese track debates, the English track is horribly mixed. The voices are way too low with the sound effects being a little too high. There's no way you can watch this movie comfortably without having to adjust the volume throughout the entire movie.

This. I watched the DVD again recently and it's definitely a "controller in hand at all times" viewing experience. Very obnoxious. A shame as I love this movie.

[Mitsuomi]

Originally Posted by IdeaOfEvil

Also to add to the English/Japanese track debates, the English track is horribly mixed. The voices are way too low with the sound effects being a little too high. There's no way you can watch this movie comfortably without having to adjust the volume throughout the entire movie.

So, even if the English track is crappier compared to the Japanese dub, I do hope that Discotek will create a remix (or downmix) of it.

This. Everyone talks about how great it is, but the audio was garbage

[Vlad Draculi]

Originally Posted by UseY0ur1llusi0n

Noshit. You do realize the English version is still poorly produced right? Oh wait, you thought it was "excellent."

That's because it was. They had a lot of great voice actors in there, especially for D, Myer Ling, and Carmilla. The scene on the bridge is just utterly phenomenal.

I also don't get what is so funny about the parasite in D's hand.

[Cat III]

It's been awhile since I've seen the film so I can't comment on the English dub, though I don't remember having any problems with it. Even if it is bad, is the Japanese one done better? Personally, I'd like Discotek to just include both tracks. Unless there is some legal issue with getting the rights, it would not be a difficult thing to do.

Considering that this is one anime that is more popular in the US than in Japan (I believe that's true for all Kawajiri films), I'm not worried by the fact that a Blu-ray has not been released previously. Ninja Scroll ended up looking pretty nice so Bloodlust has the potential to look really amazing.

[Kriztoffer Swank]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

I also don't get what is so funny about the parasite in D's hand.

The biggest problem with the English track is Left Hand is a complete coward and played for comedic relief. It always grates on my nerves especially considering he was nothing like that in the first film. He suffers Jar Jar Binks syndrome.

I've seen dialog comparisons between the English script and the translated Japanese script, and Left Hand is much more like he is in the first movie and the books: sharply funny and somewhat menacing. The Japanese script of course came first, and the English script alters a lot of things. In the Japanese track, Left Hand is even played by the same voice actor as the first film, IIRC.

Never seen the movie with the Japanese track but I've always been interested. The English track isn't bad and was done by the talents behind Aeon Flux. It would just be really cool to see the movie with the Japanese cast using the original Japanese script. Hopefully Discotek includes this track and also the completely uncut English track for Street Fighter II with the F-bombs and all things that make a growing boy strong.

[Vlad Draculi]

Originally Posted by IdeaOfEvil

It's absolutely crucial that Discotek get's the Japanese dub for this film. It far surpasses the original English track, and it better creates a "monster" atmosphere that the film is trying to present to the viewers.

Does it really? I thought the dub was excellent, but it was nothing like the book. Then again, I doubt the Japanese version can make it anything like the book as well since the book does not even have Carmilla.

[Thomas Guycott]

Keep in mind when talking about Bllodlust, the movie was produced with its dialogue in English: the Japanese dub was created later.

[Al_The_Strange]

All I know is that this movie rocks and we'll finally see it on HD, so it'll be a day one buy for me.

As I recall, the DVD wasn't even anamorphic widescreen.

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

All I know is that this movie rocks and we'll finally see it on HD, so it'll be a day one buy for me.

As I recall, the DVD wasn't even anamorphic widescreen.

It is.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

It is.

My memory's off then.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

All I know is that this movie rocks and we'll finally see it on HD, so it'll be a day one buy for me.

As I recall, the DVD wasn't even anamorphic widescreen.

I have enjoyed all of Yoshiaki Kawajiri's films, but this one is up there with Ninja Scroll.

Do we know if there is a HD transfer of this film as well as his Highlander film?

Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Highlander is awesome (it revives that dead franchise) I hope to see it on blu ray soon.

[Tenchi7]

This series needs to take place in a magic high school maybe then we'll see more of it.


Here is holding my breath that a BD release of Record of the Lodoss War will come out soon.

[Vegetto1083]

Any idea when a preorder will show up, it's release date is only 2 months away.

[beatnikslacker]

Originally Posted by Vegetto1083

Any idea when a preorder will show up, it's release date is only 2 months away.

discotek is not good with getting information to places for pre orders to be set up. they seem to take forever, sometimes only like a month before.