Whenever we feel like watching an anime movie or series,Crunchyroll,NetflixandHuluare 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 andVampire Hunter Dis consideredone of the best horror anime moviesever made. The film will become available to stream a month from now, on May 30.
Vampire Hunter Dwas 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, includingSympathy for Mr. Vengeance,Lady Vengeance,Tremors,Jacob’s Ladderand even the highly controversialCannibal Holocaust.
Set in 12,090 A.D.,Vampire Hunter Dimaginesa world ruled by vampires. Humanity was drastically reduced, and those who survived live in isolated communities and in fear of the vampires. But nobody has it worse than Doris Lang (voiced byMichie Tomizawain theoriginal Japaneseand byBarbara Goodsonin the English dub). Chosen to be the wife of the vampire lord Count Magnus Lee (Seizo Kato/Jeff Winkless), she resorts to drastic measures and hires a mysterious vampire hunter to protect her.
Who Made ‘Vampire Hunter D’?
The anime movie was directed byToyoo Ashida, who helmed several episodes ofFist of the North StarandGulliver Boy. The screenplay was written byYasushi Hirano, who later went on to write for severalhit anime seriessuch asHunter x Hunter,Dragon BallandCity Hunter. The story is based on the long-running light novels by authorHideyuki Kikuchi.
Even though anime movies and series don’t veer into the horror territory as often as fans would like, the Japanese animation industry offers a good number of landmark titles that often draw fromVampire Hunter D. The horror movie’s score onRotten Tomatoeshas a rare match of opinions between critics and general audiences at 78%, and the 2000 sequelVampire Hunter D: Bloodlustis even more appreciated by fans: it has an 86% score on the platform.
Shudder debutsVampire Hunter Din its catalog on May 30. you’re able to check out the trailer above.
