Distributor GKIDS has bolstered its North American catalog with two notable acquisitions: the 2000 cult-classic Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust and the 2025 live-action adaptation of Makoto Shinkai's 5 Centimeters Per Second.
Fans of the legendary Madhouse production Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust will see the film return to theaters this fall. GKIDS is planning select screenings in the original Japanese language with English subtitles, serving as a precursor to a wider theatrical and home entertainment rollout in 2027. Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, the film remains a dark fantasy staple, centering on the stoic "Dunpeal" D as he navigates a dangerous wasteland to rescue a young woman from a vampire.
Additionally, GKIDS has secured the North American rights to the live-action reimagining of 5 Centimeters Per Second. The film, which debuted in Japan in October 2025, stars Hokuto Matsumura—familiar to audiences as the voice of Sōta in Suzume—in the lead role. Directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama, the production translates Shinkai’s poignant, three-part story of distance and longing into a live-action format, supported by a theme song from Kenshi Yonezu.
The live-action adaptation saw a strong performance during its domestic opening, securing the #2 spot at the Japanese box office and selling 278,000 tickets in its first three days. While the original 2007 anime film remains a hallmark of Shinkai's early career, this new version offers a fresh lens on the interconnected tales of Takaki and Akari.
