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

Cat III · 02-12-2015, 12:59 AM

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.

IdeaOfEvil · 02-12-2015, 01:08 AM

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 · 02-12-2015, 01:26 AM

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.

Vlad Draculi · 02-12-2015, 02:47 AM

Quote:

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 · 02-12-2015, 02:57 AM

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 · 02-12-2015, 03:20 AM

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 · 02-12-2015, 03:25 AM

Quote:

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.

Vlad Draculi · 02-12-2015, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UseY0ur1llusi0n

I agree. The dub for this is rather odd. Some of it is pretty god-awful in a lot of places, but there's parts that are decent. They had the VA talent, but the pacing is horrendous most of the time. Lines get squished together or broken up which ruins the flow of dialog. It sounds stale as f*ck. That Pajama Sam/Bobby Hill Pamela Adlon chick was also miscast.

And I still don't know what the hell they were even thinking with D's Left Hand.

You do realize the Japanese version is actually the dub, right? The movie was recording and scripted in English first.

kuroshi · 02-12-2015, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

You do realize the Japanese version is actually the dub, right? The movie was recording and scripted in English first.

The english version came first, that's the reason none of the dvd releases in the U.S. and europe have the japanese track. I believe even the first dvd release in Japan was the english version. The 2nd dvd release and the one still available has the japanese dub. So there is no reason not to include the existing japanese audio version.
Discotek went out of their way to include 4 english dubs on the Lupin III mystery of mamo dvd, so releasing this with the japanese track should be without doubt.

Al_The_Strange · 02-12-2015, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

It is.

My memory's off then.

Vlad Draculi · 02-12-2015, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuroshi

The english version came first, that's the reason none of the dvd releases in the U.S. and europe have the japanese track. I believe even the first dvd release in Japan was the english version. The 2nd dvd release and the one still available has the japanese dub. So there is no reason not to include the existing japanese audio version.
Discotek went out of their way to include 4 english dubs on the Lupin III mystery of mamo dvd, so releasing this with the japanese track should be without doubt.

I know, but I was correcting Use because he called the English version the dub.

Cplhicks · 02-12-2015, 08:00 PM

I really hope the Japanese dub is included too. Not a huge fan of English dubs myself. I have the DVD of this already, so I've seen the English in this case. It was okay, but I'd really like to hear the Japanese, even as an "extra."

Zen_Amako · 02-12-2015, 09:24 PM

Quote:

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).

IdeaOfEvil · 02-13-2015, 02:32 AM

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.

Vlad Draculi · 02-13-2015, 04:16 AM

Quote:

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 · 02-13-2015, 09:44 PM

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.

LegacyCosts · 02-17-2015, 10:41 AM

Nice news, did the first movie ever get a release?

Cat III · 02-18-2015, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LegacyCosts

Nice news, did the first movie ever get a release?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the original has never seen a BD release. I'd love if it did, though considering the source material I'd keep my expectations low as far as PQ and AQ.

willtopower · 02-19-2015, 12:33 AM

Yes, yes, yes, all of my yes. Total support for this!

Bubblegum2032 · 02-19-2015, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat III

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the original has never seen a BD release. I'd love if it did, though considering the source material I'd keep my expectations low as far as PQ and AQ.

Yamato in Italy (those familiar with the Venus Wars BD should know of this company

) released the 1985 movie on DVD, with a brand new scan from original film stock just a couple years ago. Whilst obviously not HD, looks fantastic and certainly light years ahead of any previous release, which frankly all look absolutely rubbish.
Judging by the Italian remastered disc, I see no reason someone could not release a legitimate transfer to blu-ray in the future.

02-12-2015, 02:57 AM	#5
Thomas Guycott Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Feb 2012 Location:USA 4K collection:6 Blu-ray collection:544 DVD collection:181 Trading Score:2	Keep in mind when talking about Bllodlust, the movie was produced with its dialogue in English: the Japanese dub was created later. Last edited by Thomas Guycott; 02-12-2015 at 03:09 AM.

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02-12-2015, 01:08 AM	#2
IdeaOfEvil Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2010 Location:SF/Berkeley 4K collection:228 Blu-ray collection:1826 DVD collection:924 Trading Score:101	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.

02-12-2015, 01:26 AM	#3
Bubblegum2032 Active Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2012 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:-	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.

02-12-2015, 03:20 AM	#6
Al_The_Strange Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Out there...past them trees... Home Theater Gallery:126 4K collection:1140 Blu-ray collection:4960 DVD collection:530 Digital collection:1013 Blu-ray reviews: 132 Trading Score:32	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.

02-12-2015, 08:00 PM	#12
Cplhicks Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 4K collection:277 Blu-ray collection:1998 DVD collection:798 MA collection:457 Digital collection:581 iTunes collection:668 Prime collection:446 Trading Score:31	I really hope the Japanese dub is included too. Not a huge fan of English dubs myself. I have the DVD of this already, so I've seen the English in this case. It was okay, but I'd really like to hear the Japanese, even as an "extra."

02-13-2015, 02:32 AM	#14
IdeaOfEvil Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2010 Location:SF/Berkeley 4K collection:228 Blu-ray collection:1826 DVD collection:924 Trading Score:101	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.

02-13-2015, 09:44 PM	#16
Cat III Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Aug 2011 Location:USA Home Theater Gallery:3 Blu-ray collection:317 DVD collection:168 Blu-ray reviews: 32 Trading Score:6	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.

02-17-2015, 10:41 AM	#17
LegacyCosts Blu-ray Knight Member since:Oct 2013 Location:Chicago 4K collection:177 Blu-ray collection:452 Trading Score:20	Nice news, did the first movie ever get a release?

02-19-2015, 12:33 AM	#19
willtopower Blu-ray Guru Member since:Apr 2014 Location:California 4K collection:83 Blu-ray collection:2475 DVD collection:77 Trading Score:38	Yes, yes, yes, all of my yes. Total support for this!

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