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Despite being fairly recent in comparison to other influential shows, no one can deny the impact the Demon Slayer anime has had on the industry. This hit show shocked the world by becoming one of the few modern classics in the making. Nonetheless, many have wondered what would have happened had it been released in the 90s.

A video uploaded by fans on social media aims to answer this question, depicting the cast of this beloved franchise in an art style that evokes feelings of the most popular classics from the 1990s. This small taste has convinced many fans that the show would have been a massive success.

Fans Thrilled Over Demon Slayer 90s-Inspired Redesign 鬼滅ã®90年代アニメ風ã‚ã£ã¡ã‚ƒã„ã„今日ã“ã‚Œãšã£ã¨ç¹°ã‚Šè¿”ã—見ã¦ã‚‹ pic.twitter.com/WbmhkmsxuU— ãŠã‚ã‼ï...

After the big tease, Aniplex and South Korea-based developer Joycity Corporation have officially revealed Resident Evil: Survival Unit, a new mobile strategy title set to release later this year on iOS and Android. Pre-registration is now open on the App Store and Google Play with bonuses for doing so, while the game will launch in North America, Europe, and Asia as free-to-play with optional in-app purchases.

Featuring a new storyline that diverges from the series’ Survival Horror origins, Resident Evil: Survival Unit sees players awaken in a mysterious hospital, a test subject of the latest experiments by the Umbrella Corporation. As you uncover the truth and attempt to escape, the story unfolds into a parallel world where you meet up with familiar faces from the main series. Those faces include Resident Evil mainstays Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield and Jill Valentine and more.

Your central base of operations takes place inside a large mansion,...

The prevalence of live-action reboots of popular animated media has led to a misguided belief that animation is somehow a testing ground for ideas that can later receive a “definitive” non-animated version of the story. Not only is this belief offensive to animators, but it also ignores the fact that some stories work even better when distanced from the physical limitations of live-action cinema – especially when it comes to over-the-top genre stories.

And if there’s one series of movies that has a lot to gain from embracing a more stylized approach to filmmaking, it has to be the Predator franchise. I’m clearly not the only one who thinks so, as the latest entry in the series already seems to be a bona fide hit, with Predator: Killer of Killers benefiting from the aesthetic freedom of its animated visuals.

And in honor of this horror-adjacent spin-off reminding audiences that...

It's been quite the week for the world of anime. From the Anime Awards to the confirmation that more One Piece updates are coming from Netflix at Tudum, it's an exciting time to be a fan of the genre.

But that's not the only news that made its presence felt this past week. With that, let's recap the past week of anime updates and keep you up to date with all of the biggest news you need to know.

Live-action One Piece announcement coming to Netflix Tudum

As Netflix's Tudum 2025 live event approaches this weekend, the streaming giant has shared a special clip via YouTube (which we've posted above) to build hype towards a special announcement about season 2 of Netflix's live-action One Piece. There's no indication yet of what exactly the One Piece announcement will be, though odds seem good that it will include the reveal of the second season...

Which 1990s Mecha Anime Is Returning On Oceanveil? (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

OceanVeil, a new streaming service with a passion for overlooked anime gems, is bringing back Bubblegum Crash. This lesser-known title from 1991 is finally getting the digital resurrection it deserves. The forgotten anime arrives with the quiet hum of neon memories, reminding viewers that the mecha genre extends far beyond the shadows of Gundam.

What Is Bubblegum Crash About?

Bubblegum Crash, set in the once-distant future of 2032, unfolds in a world shaped by technology and memories of broken alliances. The show’s protagonists, a group of former female friends turned scattered warriors, are drawn back together by the rise of a mercenary faction hijacking AI systems for deadly heists.

Now, years after fighting to protect humanity from alien threats, the women must face a new kind of enemy born from the very tech they once defended. The anime’s...

Based on a popular series of light novels, No Game No Life is one of many hit isekai anime. Its popularity eventually led to an anime movie, with this release finally landing a streaming home for fans in the U.S. nearly a decade later.

No Game No Life: Zero is the anime movie spinoff of the No Game No Life anime series; it's based on the sixth volume of the original light novel series. The movie is now joining the Hidive streaming service this month, and it's just one of the many anime movies about to be released on the platform for "an epic anime movie night." These include a CGI mecha classic that's also one of the highlights of the lineup.

Isekai Anime Fan-Favorite 'No Game No Life' Is Coming to Hidive for Movie Release Image via Madhouse

Released in 2017 -- three years after the conclusion...

Whenever you hear the combination "anime" and "mecha," it's impossible not to think of one of the most successful anime franchises of all time: Gundam. However, the futuristic genre of fighting robots isn't limited to one franchise. In the late 80s and 90s, it was fairly common to have futuristic stories due to the new millennium arriving. One of those stories was from Bubblegum Crash, which was quietly released in 1991. Now, the movie is resurfacing thanks to a new streaming platform called OceanVeil.

When it was released, Bubblegum Crashdepicted the very distant future of 2032. Now, this is just seven years away, which will make the anime movie even more fun to revisit. The story centers around a group of female friends who once worked together to save the world from alien threats, but have since separated. They are prompted to get back together once a group of mercenaries starts to...

Anime distributor AnimEigo and parent company MediaOCD have announced the debut of Episode 3 of The Anime Business, a first-of-its-kind documentary series featuring interviews with a variety of pioneers of the Western anime industry. The newest segment of the ongoing series features Pater Tatara, an entrepreneur who launched Anime NYC and helped to build the annual event into North America’s second biggest anime convention.

As anime has grown from modest beginnings into a multi-billion-dollar global industry, The Anime Business provides insights from many notable people that played important roles in helping to popularize the genre in North America at various stages of its evolution.

Episode 3 is available now on the official AnimEigo YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/@AnimEigo/videos

In the new episode, Tatara recounts becoming captivated with anime after seeing Vampire Hunter D in high school and going on to found anime clubs before working at Central Park Media...

Horror fans in the UK and Ireland are in for a chilling treat this month as AMC Networks’ premium streaming platform Shudder rolls out a packed schedule of original films, exclusives, and cult classics across May 2025. The platform, known for delivering genre-defining cinema and series, continues to expand its reach with an exciting lineup blending supernatural terrors, psychological thrills, and beloved retro gems.

Leading the charge is The Ugly Stepsister, a Shudder Original film that promises a warped and blood-soaked take on the familiar Cinderella tale. In a kingdom obsessed with beauty, Elvira is prepared to do whatever it takes to capture the prince’s attention, setting the stage for a brutal and twisted rivalry with the captivating Agnes. With a date yet to be confirmed, this twisted fairytale will be a highlight when it premieres exclusively on Shudder and AMC+.

Also arriving this month is The Surrender, another Shudder...

Whenever we feel like watching an anime movie or series, Crunchyroll, Netflix and Hulu are the go-to platforms that offer a wide range of Japanese titles. However, this week a classic anime movie is landing on an unexpected streaming platform — Shudder. The addition makes perfect sense, since the streamer specializes in horror titles and Vampire Hunter D is considered one of the best horror anime movies ever made. The film will become available to stream a month from now, on May 30.

Vampire Hunter D was first released in 1985, and its addition to Shudder celebrates the anime movie's 40th anniversary. The streaming version is the remastered one that received special anniversary screenings in theaters earlier this month. The title is part of an extra-special selection of horror and thriller movies that are making their way into the catalog next month, including Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Lady Vengeance, Tremors, Jacob's Ladder and...

With another week wrapping up, the Bam Smack Pow team is here once again to bring the biggest anime news of the past week. The big news this week is the continued announcement of new anime dubs for Spring 2025, plus a big update on the Demon Slayer theatrical run set for later this year.

Demon Slayer: Mugen Train returning to theaters in May

In anticipation of the release of the series' final story arc hitting theaters later this year, Crunchyroll has announced that the previous Demon Slayer movie, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train will get a special 4K re-release in North American theaters starting May 14. Tickets go on sale starting April 30.

Functioning as the Demon Slayer anime's second season, Mugen Train was originally released in Japan in the fall of 2020 as a feature-length movie. Despite the complications of the Covid pandemic, Mugen Train has...

Shudder has announced its May 2025 streaming highlights today, revealing the exclusive Vampire Hunter D streaming premiere date along with new originals, exclusives and catalogue titles headed our way next month.

The cult classic anime, based on the novel series by author Hideyuki Kikuchi and illustrator Yoshitaka Amano, turns 40 this year. The remaster of the 1985 anime finally makes its streaming premiere next month after receiving a special re-release in theaters earlier this month.

Read on for Shudder’s May lineup:

The Ugly Stepsister

Shudder Original Film

Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt

Streaming On Shudder May (Date Tba)

Available in US, CA, Au, Nz, Uk&i

Synopsis

A sinister twist on the classic Cinderella story, The Ugly Stepsister follows Elvira as she prepares to earn the prince’s affection at any cost. In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira will compete with the beautiful and enchanting Agnes to become the belle of the ball.

Spring is finally here and with it comes the rebirth and renewal of Mother Earth, ready to pop up out of the ground and amaze with its annual display. You know what also pops up out of the ground and amazes us? The undead. Which there is a wee, little bit of in Shudder's lineup for the month of May.    The main highlights are the arrival of The Ugly Stepsister and The Surrender. And we will have to look back and check but this might be the first time that Shudder has acquired an classic anime for their programming. At the end of the month fans can watch the classic anime film, Vampire Hunter D, directed by Toyoo Ashida.    Cannibals, giant worm-like creatures, Korean...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

AMC Networks’ Shudder has announced the titles that will be available on the streaming service next month. The Shudder May 2025 slate includes horror, thriller, and supernatural titles.

The May schedule includes The Ugly Stepsister, The Surrender, the 40th anniversary of Vampire Hunter D, The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, and more.

Shudder’s expanding library of films, TV series, and original content is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Ugly Stepsister Shudder May 2025 Highlights

Films

The Ugly Stepsister (Shudder Original Film) – New Film Premieres in May

A sinister twist on the classic Cinderella story, The Ugly Stepsister follows Elvira as she prepares to earn the prince’s affection at any cost.

In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira will compete with the beautiful and enchanting Agnes to become the belle of the ball.

The Surrender...

Florida’s Magnolia Park are breaking down the door to the next level with their latest album, Vamp . This 11 song thriller sees the band go in a heavier direction than ever before, leading to leveled up live shows, catchier hooks, and chugging breakdowns. Vamp also sees the band flex other creative muscles by introducing a wider cinematic universe, with the album centering around the character Ophelia, the leader of a team of freshly turned vampires (hence the album name) against the Shadow Cult in order to save the cyberpunk/Victorian city of Nocturne Nexus. The band have gone as far as to create a hubworld for the overall story of their album, which you can check out here ! Astute viewers and listeners will have been able to immediately pick up on the heavy inspiration from the classic title Vampire Hunter D . With inspiration so clearly on display, I absolutely had...

The vampire subgenre has been at the forefront of horror for over 100 years, and the myths of undead creatures living off of human blood go back countless years further. The best vampire movies ever made are, mostly, incredibly varied. There’s a whole lot of great “Dracula” movies out there, sure, but also art-house nightmares, mainstream action movies, silly comedies, Neo-westerns, heartwarming romances and more. And if you ask us, these are the very, very best.

(Film Arts Guild) “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” (1922)

F.W. Murnau’s eerie silent classic is 100 years old, and it still has the power to shock and horrify. Telling an extremely plagiarized version of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” – Stoker’s estate successfully sued, and nearly had every single copy of “Nosferatu” destroyed – the film stars Max Schreck as the verminous Count Orlok, who moves from his haunted castle to Germany, and brings a supernatural plague along with him.

There are very few stories in the entertainment industry that have stretched out as long as Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, which started way back in 1997. The series has been going on for almost 30 years with the anime starting in 1999. However, even after going on for so long, it looks like the story will be dragged for a few more years before it reaches the finish line.

While fans are happy to get a continuous dose of One Piece, dragging the series for almost 30 years might not have worked so well for the creators. In fact, there are a few of them who have sadly passed away before even finding out the conclusion of the series. Most of these are voice actors who have offered their voices for the characters from One Piece.

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

There is an entire list of One Piece voice...

Studio Ghibli and other anime fans have something special to look forward to over the next three days. Heritage Auctions, the world's largest collectibles auctioneer, is holding its biggest-ever anime artwork event, beginning on March 22 and showcasing over 1,200 total works, including Studio Ghibli films, Dragon Ball Z, Akira and more.

Per a press release, included among the lots are production cels, key master backgrounds, original artwork and many other pieces, including story pages and original art from several manga series. "The Art of Anime - Vol VI: Celebrating 40 Years of Studio Ghibli Signature Auction" is held on Heritage Auctions' live floor in addition to its official website, allowing interested parties to place bids on items without having to physically attend. For fans of these various forms of media, the online portion of the auction is accessible and allows the chance to claim some of these special pieces of art and animation history.

Quick LinksSakamoto Days Uses Family As a Way to Heal AggressionSakamoto Days Portrays Forgiveness As a CureSakamoto Days Makes Listening Another SolutionSakamoto Days Hinges on Faith and Goodwill Curing Evil Men

The following contains spoilers for Sakamoto Days Season 1, Episode 9, "All Aboard," streaming now on Netflix.

As far as anime and manga go, it's hard to ignore how prominent testosterone, aggression and violence are to the medium. Most anime are male-centric when it come down to it. This is no more evident than with popular franchises like Dragon Ball, Naruto, Boruto, Chainsaw Man and Vinland Saga. Even old-school anime such as Ninja Scroll and Vampire Hunter D fall into similar waters.

As nuanced as the series can be, Sakamoto Days isn't any different. Sure, the anime features strong women in its narrative, but most of Sakamoto Days revolves around the eccentric Taro Sakamoto trying to evade assassin, while Shin Asakura...

Castlevania has to be on everyone’s watchlist for many reasons and it has nothing to do with the series’ popularity. Its a spin on the tale of Bram Stroker’s Dracula but it also reimagines several tropes within vampiric genre. But what has most fangirls going gaga is the charming dhampir Alucard.

Alucard draws his sword | Credit: Powerhouse Animation

Other than being a fan-favorite, he is a well-written yet complex character in most senses. There is a debate though regarding him being his mother’s splitting image. And while fans may have blown it out of proportion, his father’s influence is undisputed in most aspects.

Alucard, the splitting image of Lisa

For starters, a dhampir is a child born out of a union between a human and a vampire. There are countless examples of that in popular media and the popular ones are D (Vampire Hunter D) and...

Since George Romero first pioneered the concept with his Living Dead films, the zombie apocalypse has become a staple of horror films. Combining elements of monster movies and the disaster genre, these stories can evoke many different fears at once. From illness and death to isolation and societal collapse, zombie apocalypse narratives explore different facets of human nature and, often, the undead themselves are the least terrifying part. Generally, the true danger of such films is other people and the paranoia and desperation that develops among survivors, leaving zombies as a secondary threat. The cult classic, Stake Land, however, upped the horror by introducing a vampire apocalypse, making the undead more threatening than ever.

Drawing on many of the classic tropes of the zombie apocalypse genre, the 2010 horror film offered a unique twist on the old formula. More deadly monsters, a protagonist that specializes in hunting them, and elements of...

Vampire Hunter D was many anime fans' first vampire anime in the '80s and '90s. It's based on the extensive novel series of the same name, written by Hideyuki Kikuchi and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano. Many gamers would recognize the art style in the novel illustrations and in the anime films from Amano's character design work in the Final Fantasy video game franchise.

Vampire Hunter D is a classic in all its iterations for all the genres it blends together, from dark fantasy to vampire anime to post-apocalptic and gothic sci-fi. It incorporates many layered literary themes, including one particularly grisly, ancient fairy tale that tends to go hand-in-hand with gothic fiction in all its forms. Fans can enjoy these gothic, vampire, and dark fairy tale themes play out all over again as they enjoy the remastered first Vampire Hunter D film in U.S. and Canada theaters this spring.

In addition to bringing you the most important Marvel and DC-related news, we are also committed to bring you weekly updates of the all the major anime industry news you may have missed every week.

This week begins with a piece of anime news that will probably be of particular interest in DC Comics fans.

Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League confirms release date and English dub

The anime film's official website has confirmed that Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League will initially release digitally on March 18, with the physical home media releases following for 4K Uhd and Blu-ray coming on April 15. This announcement follows a previous reveal of the movie's release in Japan, including a special debut on the Japanese version of Cartoon Network on March 20.

Coinciding with the announcement of the international release is the release of the movie's first English-language trailer (posted above). The trailer includes the following summary of Batman Ninja vs.

Hidive and Shudder have announced that they will bring a digitally remastered version of Vampire Hunter D to theaters across the U.S. and Canada in celebration of the film’s 40th anniversary.

The screenings, scheduled for April 9, 10, and 13, will be presented as part of Ax Cinema Nights 2024/2025, in partnership with Iconic Events Releasing.

The re-release will feature a 2015 remaster of the original 1985 anime classic, produced by Sentai Filmworks.

The film will be screened in Japanese with English subtitles on April 9, followed by an English dub on April 10 and an English dub encore screening on April 13.

Following its limited theatrical run, Vampire Hunter D will make its streaming debut on both Hidive and Shudder later this year.

“When it was first released, Vampire Hunter D was a stunning landmark in Japanese anime, set in a world of post-apocalyptic horror and fantasy where vampires roam. Now, 40 years later, fans of all...

Vampire Hunter D is a 1985 anime film based on the novel series of the same name written by Hideyuki Kikuchi and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano. The series' first film was also the first dark fantasy anime for an adult audience. Its anime sequel, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, is even more revered as a dark fantasy film.

Vampire Hunter D is a staple of anime, fantasy novels, and manga. As fans look forward to Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust's remastered theatrical release, they can spend their wait watching similar dark fantasy series and films. Vampire and grimdark series often follow, and sometimes subvert, the standards Vampire Hunter D helped popularize in anime.

The Case Study of Vanitas Gives Vampires the Steampunk Treatment Stream The Case Study of Vanitas on CrunchyrollImage via Studio Bones

The Case Study of Vanitas is a steampunk historical series about vampires. Similarly, Vampire Hunter D takes place...

A multifaceted and diverse medium, anime is a prolific industry many gravitate toward due to the wide variety of ideas and genres it covers. To most, anime is primarily associated with TV series and enormous multimedia franchises. However, some of the anime's most unique and captivating stories adopt the format of cinematic features, utilizing the streamlined structure and higher budget of films to engross audiences in one-of-a-kind narrative journeys.

Unlike the daunting long-running franchises anime is most well-known for, films are concise and self-contained, making them easier to appreciate not just by devoted fans of the medium but anyone with a passion for cinema. And while anime movies rely on many merits to grab viewers' attention — from visual experimentation to thought-provoking introspection, these must-watch cinematic masterclasses use riveting, high-octane storytelling to tell some of the most enthralling stories ever put to screen.

Related10 Best Anime Movies Since 2020, Ranked

Hit movies...

Debuting in the late 1990s, Cowboy Bebopis now over 25 years old and one of the most iconic anime of all time. Now, fans can watch the series' movie side story in theaters as part of a limited engagement.

Iconic Events has brought several anime movies to the big screen in the past year, and now, it's Cowboy Bebop's turn. The latest in a series of Anime Cinema Nights, the screenings for Cowboy Bebop: The Movie will only take place across three days. Thus, now's the time for fans to search for local screenings and get their tickets, currently on sale, today.

RelatedCowboy Bebop Creator Returns to TV Screens for New Spring 2025 Anime Series

Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe returns to TV screens this April for the highly anticipated sci-fi action anime series, Lazarus.

Cowboy Bebop's Anime Movie Flies Back Into U.S. Theaters Image via Sunrise, Bones, and Bandai...

For 37 years, Kadokawa's Dragon Magazine has provided a literary home for popular light novel series such as Full Metal Panic!, Spy Classroom, Slayers, Date A Live and countless others. However, Spring 2025 will see the release of the publication's final issue.

Per Japanese news site Oricon, Dragon Magazine recently confirmed that it will cease publication with its May 2025 issue, which will go on sale in Japan in March 2025. The magazine's sunset marks the conclusion of a work that helped facilitate the birth of many hit light novel-turned-anime IPs, including the classic harem rom-com High School Dxd, among numerous others. Dragon Magazine's editorial department released a brief statement explaining the decision: "Due to recent changes in the reading environment, we are increasingly realizing that the role that Dragon Magazine has played is no longer something than can be fulfilled by paper magazines, and this is our next challenge."

Related High School DxD...

If you happened to catch Misery Signals on their farewell tour, first of all I am extremely jealous. Not just because you got to see one of the most influential metalcore bands of all time, but you also got to see one of the best up and coming metalcore bands around, Trench. Trench brings the heavy and dark, and it may not be a surprise to learn how much of that is influenced, whether directly or indirectly, by the anime they watched growing up and still watch to this day. I chatted with vocalist Jay Breen about anime and how they were able to bring their influences to life in the video for “Divided Between New Skin.” Can you tell me a little about your anime journey? How it started and where you are now? Are there genres you gravitate toward? What is your favorite anime series or movie of all time?...

Decades back, Hideyuki Kikuchi gave us one of the most iconic vampire mangas of all time. From its gothic inspirations to its occult references, the series is a total banger.

From visuals to animation, Madhouse Studio left no stone unturned in exemplifying its brilliance. But like most mangaka, Kikuchi had his fair share of inspirations.

D in a still from the animated film | Credit: Madhouse

Regarding his story, he cited Lord of the Rings as one of his influences in an interview. The fantasy, occult, and dark aspects are blended well in the masterpiece.

But most of all, Kikuchi’s exploration of immortality and morality outlined the stigma and the societal norms. The vampires aren’t divorced from this hierarchy either, thus partaking in the discrepancies.

Hideyuki Kikuchi’s connection to The Lord of The Rings

Hideyuki Kikuchi is one of the most underappreciated names in the horror manga genre.

Almost every vampire and Dracula story in the anime and manga community has taken some sort of inspiration from Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D. It is a series of novels that started in 1983 and went on to become one of the greatest vampire stories in history. It has 55 different novels that have been published over the years and also has been adapted into anime, movies, video games, etc.

Vampire Hunter D | Credit: Studio Madhouse

Vampire Hunter D follows the story of D, a half-human, half-vampire who roams through a post-apocalyptic world that is threatened by the Nobles, a brutal race of vampires. The story involves fiction, drama, dark fantasy, and a lot of suspense. And it is one of the greatest works by Kikuchi and his illustrator, Yoshitaka Amano.

However, what many Vampire Hunter D fans don’t know is that Kikuchi took inspiration from Christopher Lee and his...

Anime Expo Cinema Nights has brought back numerous anime classics to the big screen in 2024, including major releases for the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. Now, another gem that debuted almost 40 years ago is about to make its big theatrical return through the screening event.

The original 1985 Vampire Hunter D movie was the first of several adaptations of the light novel series. Becoming a cult hit in the realms of anime, it, like another Axcn release, was instrumental in bringing adult-oriented anime to Western audiences. Now set to turn 40 years old, the movie is one of the next films to be showcased as part of Anime Expo Cinema Nights.

Related AMC Reveals Its Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim 27-Inch Popcorn Bucket

The new Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim movie collaboration with AMC releases a new popcorn bucket in the shape of a hammer over 2 feet long.

In the 1980s, Western audiences were barely aware anime existed at all. It wasn't until sometime in the '90s that fans started to get some of the more popular '80s series, and then by the 2000s the focus was almost entirely on modern anime. As a result, Western fans missed out on the majority of the foundational parts of anime history.

Of course, not every series ages well--for every Mobile Suit Gundam there's also a Ronin Warriors. That being said, some anime from the '80s don't get the respect they deserve, even though they're still well worth checking out today. While they might be a little harder to track down, that just makes it more rewarding for the people who finally get a chance to see them.

Related 10 Great '90s Anime Everyone Forgot About

While all but the biggest '90s anime have gone forgotten, most...

Since the first Vampire Hunter D novel was released in 1983, writer Hideyuki Kikuchi and illustrator Kevin Leahy have crafted over 40 novels in the series. The story follows the titular Dhampir – half-human and half-vampire – as he hunts vampires across a far-future after a nuclear war. Despite the series’ popularity, 2000’s Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is only the second (and most recent) feature adaptation.

The film opens with the arrival of Baron Meier Link, a vampire nobleman whose ascending carriage brings a foreboding air that freezes running water and makes roses wither away. He departs into the night with Charlotte Elbourne, a young woman whose family believe that she was abducted. This leaves her family to hire D with the intention of rescuing Charlotte from the vampire’s clutches, even if it means killing her if she has been turned. Also on Baron Link’s trail are a family of bounty hunters,...

As a follow-up to the longer interview we did with From First to Last singer & guitarist Matt Good, we are pleased to bring you a list of their most influential and favorite anime! This list features picks from Matt as well as guitarist Travis Richter. Read ahead and discover your new obsession or be reminded to do a rewatch of a classic anime in a whole new light! After that, be sure to check out their newest single at the end of this article! Travis Richter’s Anime Influences Demon City Shinjuku Image via Amazon Prime " Demon City Shinjuku was one of the first anime films I watched as a kid and it completely warped my brain. He’s got this wooden sword that’s spiritually blessed to destroy demonic energy and travels around a demon-invaded Tokyo. The anime felt like a fever dream-like reality." Akira " Akira made me fall in love with anime.

Studio Madhouse might be known for animating Death Note, Frieren, One Punch Man and several other popular franchises, but in 2000, the studio produced the most iconic gothic film, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. It has been more than two decades since the film was released, but the recognition it received never died down.

Bloodlust is the second anime adaptation of Hideyuki Kikuchi’s light novel series and it presents a powerful visual style to its audience. Taking place 10,000 years after a nuclear war, the anime shows vampire survivors called Nobles who begin to enslave humanity. As a countermeasure, humans take the help of Vampire Hunters, and our protagonist is a vampire-human hybrid who travels the world to kill vampires as well as other monsters.

Why is Madhouse’s Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000) the Pinnacle of Gothic Anime? Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust | Credits: Studio Madhouse

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust belongs to the gothic horror genre.

The concept of vampires is an age-old storytelling element that might as well be its own genre if not for the many different types of tales that anime has told with the mythical creature in mind. From the gory, teetering-on-bloodlust destruction of Alucard in Hellsing Ultimate to the more lighthearted drama of Chibi Vampire, anime has many renditions of the supernatural, literally bloodthirsty creature of the night.

Vampire anime has steadily amassed its audience since Vampire Hunter D, anime's first entry in a long line of series featuring the blood-sucking creature, and has only skyrocketed in popularity thanks to series like Vampire Knight (which features a more attractive take on vampires). It's an undying niche, with new series such as Delico's Nursery and Mayonaka Punch adding to its numbers. And with so many shows under its umbrella, it's difficult to determine the best of the best.

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‘Alien: Romulus’ is right around the corner, so it’s the perfect time to check out ‘Lily C.A.T.,’ an anime body horror classic that’s a gory tribute to ‘Alien’ and ‘The Thing’.

“Confine them? We’re on a ship. We’re practically confined ourselves.”

Ridley Scott’s Alien is an iconic horror/science fiction hybrid that’s had its ups and downs as a film franchise, but remains an essential genre film 45 years later. Alien is such a tried and true property with limitless potential that it’s kind of remarkable that there hasn’t been an Alien animated series or in-universe anime that’s in the vein of The Animatrix that translates this iconic sci-fi horror property into animated madness where it can really let loose and not be confined by live-action’s limitations. An unreleased Alien vs. Predator anime is the closest thing that audiences have gotten to this,...

Full of epic action and striking style, the iconic Trigun franchise is a legendary anime series where guns are almost always a-blazin'. Now, dedicated fans with spare water on their hands can recreate these iconic action sequences, albeit in a much less serious way.

Created by Fullcock, some new replica toys from the Trigun anime franchise are on the way. While they certainly look like dashing and dangerous weapons, they're actually far wetter than they would appear. Perfect for collectors or those seeking to take down a bounty with H20, these water guns are some of the coolest anime collectibles around, and a solid choice for beating the summer heat in style.

Related Sega Gives Jujutsu Kaisen's Gojo and His Students a New Kind of Battle: A Water Fight

Satoru Gojo, Yuji Itadori and the rest of the main Jujutsu Kaisen cast are beating the summer heat in these new anime figures by Sega.

Kizumonogatari -Koyomi Vamp- begins with a kinetic display of carnage where its main character bursts into flames and careens down a skyscraper like a rogue pinball. It’s a violent, chaotic way to begin this vampire tale that feels all-too thematically appropriate for its conflicted hero, Koyomi Araragi, who gets pulled in extreme directions as he struggles to gain control of his life. It’s not dissimilar to the madness that the audience experiences as Koyomi Vamp’s aggressive storytelling grabs hold of them and doesn’t let go for two-and-a-half hours.

Anime is dense in groundbreaking and foundational vampire texts, whether it’s Vampire Hunter D, Blood: The Last Vampire, Hellsing, or even absurdly violent monster titles like Wicked City and Demon City Shinjuku. However, Kizunonogatari -Koyomi Vamp- clears them all. There’s a strong case to be made that Koyomi Vamp is not just one of the best anime vampire movies of all-time,...

An anime doesn't have to be in the romance genre to have an amazing love story. Romances tend to be the secondary plot or a subplot in many other anime genres, like high fantasy, adventure shnen, and science fiction. How a character falls in love and who they fall in love with says a lot about that character.

Some audiences may enjoy a romance plot, but they don't want it to be the central piece of an anime. Romances can add a lot of depth to the overall series. They add vulnerability and heightened stakes to the story, and add nuance to heavier-toned anime with darker themes.

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Related 15 Shonen Anime Where Romance Is The Main Focus

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The One Piece community has recently received a shocking surprise as they finally got some exciting news about One Piece live-action season 2. Netflix yesterday announced that popular actor David Dastmalchian, who has been a part of major projects like The Dark Knight, Late Night With The Devil, and Oppenheimer, is now going to play Mr. 3 in the upcoming season of the live-action series.

Netflix’s One Piece Live-Action

This truly is a big update for One Piece fans, as the role of Mr. 3 is an important one. He not only plays a major part in the Alabasta saga but also has a big role in the Marineford arc. One Piece fans are confident that Dastmalchian will do justice to the character, as he is already a big fan of the anime and manga industry.

He once revealed that after working in huge MCU and Dcu movies, the actor wants to...

Alice Hirsch/ @h.irsch Jesus Piece combines heavy metal with a love of all things anime and it really shows their work. Aaron Heard spoke with Crunchyroll News about his tattoos, love of the Samurai Champloo sword, and which anime he's been keeping up with. This interview has been edited for clarity. You put out one of the albums of the year last year with “...So Unknown.” Congrats on that and I love seeing how it’s taken the band to new heights! Aaron Heard: Oh, man, it's been awesome. Really just breathed new life into everything. You know, once you've been playing the same songs for a long time, it gets a little redundant, you know? Now that we have some new tracks to play, it’s just like a new fire. Seeing the “Gates of Horn” video is actually what inspired me to reach out. I saw it...

For years, Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net has been about two things only – awesome art and the artists that create it. With that in mind, we thought why not take the first week of the month to showcase these awesome artists even more? Welcome to “Awesome Artist We’ve Found Around The Net.” In this column, we are focusing on one artist and the awesome art that they create, whether they be amateur, up and coming, or well established. The goal is to uncover these artists so even more people become familiar with them. We ask these artists a few questions to see their origins, influences, and more. If you are an awesome artist or know someone that should be featured, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com.This month we are very pleased to bring you the awesome art of…

Mauricio...

It didn’t take long for Netflix’s The Witcher to become a fan-favorite TV show, especially thanks to its incredible cast and the source material. The show also resulted in a spin-off film written by Beau DeMayo titled, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. The animated film revolves around Geralt’s mentor, Vesemir, and brings his origin story to the screen.

Beau DeMayo’s The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021)

Before the release of the film, Beau DeMayo opened up about where he got the inspiration for the story, and let’s just say that there were a few unlikely sources. This includes several anime including Gundam Wing as well as Bruce Timm’s groundbreaking superhero show, Batman: The Animated Series.

Beau DeMayo Found Inspiration for his The Witcher Film in Batman Bruce Wayne as Batman | Source – Batman: The Animated Series

Beau DeMayo worked as producer and writer on...

According to a statement released by the voice acting agency Office Kaoru , actor Yasuo Muramatsu passed away on April 11, 2024, at the age of 91. A private funeral service was held and attended by family members. Muramatsu founded Office Kaoru on March 3, 1992. Muramatsu was born in Tokyo on April 6, 1933, and he began acting in 1955 when he joined the Shiki Theatre Company. Over the course of his long career in voice acting and narration, Muramatsu played such notable roles as General Revil in the Mobile Suit Gundam films (1981 – 1982), Hans in Dog of Flanders (1975), John Sadler in Anne of Green Gables (1979), and Mayor Roman in Vampire Hunter D (1985). Muramatsu also worked as an actor in Japanese dubs of international films, for example in the role of Governor Weatherby Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Source: Comic Natalie...

Hideyuki Kikuchi's horror anime delves into Japanese myths and legends beyond traditional Western concepts. Kikuchi's work, like Vampire Hunter D, influences modern anime such as Tokyo Ghoul and the Shin Megami Tensei video game series. The master of science fiction horror continues to craft tales blending action, suspense, and eroticism in iconic classics.

Whispering fields of ghostly pampas grass. Gargantuan skeletons slaking their thirst for hot human blood. Unrestful dead haunting those foolish enough to enter their desecrated domains. Japanese horror is a horse of an entirely other color when compared to Western concepts and tropes. The ethereal yurei, the monstrous bakemono, and the possessed tsukumogami, along with the countless shapes, entities, and forms they can assume, all populate Japan’s myths and legends. Spirits are forces of nature, many peaceful and benevolent, with just as many being ferocious and malicious. The forces of the dead are not simply...

Wayfarer took the metal world by storm with their sweeping black metal epic album American Gothic in 2023. The album provides a unique look at the history of the United States, and drummer Isaac Faulk has previously discussed numerous different elements that influenced the album’s creation. Faulk’s long-running relationship with anime manifests itself in countless ways in Wayfarer’s music, as well as the music of his numerous other projects like Stormkeep and Blood Incantation. From anime OSTs to subject matter to artistic presentation, the medium is deeply influential in his creative process. I chatted with Faulk to learn a bit more about how Trigun and Flcl were pivotal in making one of the year’s best albums. American Gothic has been such a smash success and ended up on so many “Album of the Year” lists! What was that recording process like? Isaac : The last record was more in this big,...

Quick Links Vampire Hunter D Is A Post-Apocalyptic Horror Nightmare Vampire Hunter D Helped Bring Mature Anime To The West Vampire Hunter D Has Received Numerous Adaptations In Anime And Video Games Vampire Hunter D Is One Of Anime's Most Successful And Enduring Horror Series Of All Time

Few creatures have captured the hearts and minds of men as completely as vampires. Darkened, monstrous, lustful, ensnaring—vampires possess a near-endless potential to be either graceful harbingers of eternity or vicious beasts of dripping death. Vampire tales have existed in folklore for centuries with many different cultures having their own takes on the blood-sucking denizens of the night. It would be only fitting that such creatures would find their way into modern populist fiction, specifically that of anime. Of all the vampires that have been featured in Japanese media, there is one and only one that stands as the greatest of...

Vampire romance is a popular subgenre within anime, featuring classic series and fan-favorite stories about the forbidden love between the blood-sucking monsters and humans. These beloved tales are full of romance, action, and drama that fans just can't seem to get enough of. As such, the vampire genre is a very well-loved guilty pleasure for anime fans.

Apart from indulging in all the typical tropes, vampire anime have evolved for the better in recent years and given fans a more realistic take on the vampire-human couple trope. From traditional love stories to something a bit more modern, the vampire genre covers all bases when it comes to swoon-worthy romance.

Updated on December 26th, 2023 by Chelsea Steele: Vampires and romance seem to always go hand-in-hand, and that's no different in anime. The best vampire series are also home to some of anime's greatest love stories. We've updated this list with...