Vampire Hunter D - Bloodlust (2000)

72% of critics liked it
(32 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(46,766 ratings)

Long a favorite with Japanimation aficionados, Vampire Hunter D is based on the third of Hideyuki Kikuchi's novels about a futuristic human-vampire hybrid warrior. In the year 12,090, vampires are the rulers of the night, something to which Vampire Hunter D is helping to put an end. After the… More Long a favorite with Japanimation aficionados, Vampire Hunter D is based on the third of Hideyuki Kikuchi's novels about a futuristic human-vampire hybrid warrior. In the year 12,090, vampires are the rulers of the night, something to which Vampire Hunter D is helping to put an end. After the daughter of a rich man is kidnapped by vampire Meier Link, Vampire Hunter D is hired for ten million dollars to find the girl and bring her back to safety. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Jack Fletcher
Written By: Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Yoshiyaki Kawajiri
Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art House & International, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Sep 21, 2001 Limited
On DVD: Feb 12, 2002
Studio: Urban Vision Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Derek Elley, Variety
The movie has a visual poetry that's refreshing.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Vampire Hunter D, you might say, is the best sci-fi vampire western to come along in ages. Not that many others come to mind.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
If you appreciate fine animation and edgy material, this blood's for you.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Brooding, violent, and steeped in its own lore, the film is a genre pastiche that's fun to watch.
Gary Dowell, Dallas Morning News
A mind-blowing amalgamation of unusual elements and ambitious design, its parts are greater than the whole. But oh, what interesting parts they are.
Jay Carr, Boston Globe
The confusing storytelling and bad dialogue probably won't bother adult fans of sophisticated animation for whom the imaginative, elegant visuals of Vampire Hunter D should be enough to satisfy.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
One of my favorite characters is given justice with two great movies that just make him one of the most appealing characters in Anime...
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Surprisingly entertaining and very clever.
Dan Fazio, Citysearch
A stylish bit of modern anime despite a finale that muddles its momentum.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
One of the finest examples of Japanese animation I've seen.
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page
If you're interested in exploring anime for the first time, then Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is a good place to start as any other.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
An uneasy blending of sci-fi elements, gothic horror, spaghetti westerns and Beauty and the Beast romance.
Tasha Robinson, Orlando Weekly
Bloodlust is both an animation landmark and a beautifully realized film.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Gory and gorgeous bliss.
Kim Morgan, Oregonian
Though the action can be static, this film is fun, even challenging.
Mark Rahner, Seattle Times
For a vampire movie with such an exciting concept, Bloodlust is low on tension and chills.
David Elliott, San Diego Union-Tribune
It seems written by old hipsters with a bug-eye to the teen export market.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
A sober action film as viscerally surprising as it is surprisingly affecting.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
May not offer much to think about, but it does provide a feast for the eye, even if it's a meal that's mostly bright red.

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Kylie B

Just as good as the original, but with more modern art. I do wish the English voice soundtrack was louder though, I nearly ran out of volume bars.
Tsubaki S

An adventure/action/drama ride done right. You really don't need to know anything about the novels to get into the film. Yoshiaki Kawajiri deserves way more credit as being a mere "cheap thrill" director. The guy knows how to create cinematic moments.
Mike S

Easily one of the best anime movies ever made. Athough I'm not a big fan of vampire flicks, I loved the story, characters and animation. If you ever get the chance, see it!
Drew S

I've written a far more comprehensive review of this on animenfo.com under Ridian, but let it be known - this is one of the best pulp anime movies of all time. The animation is stellar, the plot is awesome and the fight scenes are to die for. Absolutely recommended to anime… More
I've written a far more comprehensive review of this on animenfo.com under Ridian, but let it be known - this is one of the best pulp anime movies of all time. The animation is stellar, the plot is awesome and the fight scenes are to die for. Absolutely recommended to anime veterans, but especially to people new to the genre.
Matthew Y

Vast improvement over the original. Bloodlust showcases better animation, more interesting side characters and emerges the audience deeper into D's bizarre world. My only complaint is that (unlike the first film) the character of D and his clearly complex background are not… More
Vast improvement over the original. Bloodlust showcases better animation, more interesting side characters and emerges the audience deeper into D's bizarre world. My only complaint is that (unlike the first film) the character of D and his clearly complex background are not deeply explored. He arrives as a legendary bad-ass and simply kicks but just like Wesley Snipes in Blade. The first one had a better screenplay this one has better execution. There might be a really great film waiting to be made from this concept. It's based on a series of books that follow the title character, however I don't suspect I'll be checking them out any time soon.
Lesley N

Bloody brilliant.
Duncan R

A beautiful horror romance, if a bit uneven at times, that tops it's predecessor in every way... Full review coming soon...