Anime Limited picked up the Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust feature film last October for a UK release and now they’re getting their ducks in order with it. With standard DVD and Blu-ray editions in the works there’s also a DVD/BD combo collector’s edition that’s coming for it. The collector’s edition is coming first as a shop exclusive priced at £19.99 which can be ordered now. The standard edition releases will come later with dates to be announced.
Our release comes enclosed in a rigid box sporting the iconic promotional image for the film, while beneath the paper onsert at the rear you’ll find another image of everyone’s favourite vampire hunter.
Inside, you’ll find a suitably crucifix-adorned digipak, which contains the film on both Blu-ray and DVD as well as some further artwork beneath those two discs. Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain the film itself with a choice of English 5.1 and English stereo audio options – as the film was actually created for the western market, and as per other western releases elsewhere, English is the primary language for the film and thus also the sole audio option available here. Both formats additionally offer up optional Hard of Hearing subtitles for the film. Beyond the film itself, you’ll find a wealth of trailers on the discs, created for the US, Japanese and Korean releases of the film, alongside a behind the scenes featurette, storyboards and an art gallery.
That isn’t all however – this Collector’s Edition also contains a trio of art cards featuring striking images from the film itself, as well as a sixteen-page booklet featuring an article about Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust crafted by Andrew Osmond.
I don’t believe the film had an official release in the UK previously but we’ve seen Australian and Korean releases while Urban Vision originally released it in North America. Discotek Media rescued the license a couple of years ago for release here.
Check out our review of the North American release.
Plot concept: Baron Meier Link is of a dying race, but the vampire doesn’t intend to remain lonely much longer. Abducting women in the night is common for his kind, so what’s one more? But Charlotte’s father has plenty of money, and there’s no price he won’t pay to get his daughter back. That’s why he hires D.
D is a Dunpeal, a breed rarer than that of the vampires – after all, he’s half of one. When it comes to hunting those with fangs like his own, he’s the best in the business. But that doesn’t mean he’s the only game in town. The Markus Brothers are on the vampire’s trail as well, and they’re not about to lose. It’s a race, not only between the rival Hunters, but for the vampire and his bride-to-be. But it might be more than just a job to D. Is Charlotte really a captive? Or will another Dunpeal be born to this world?
