@ Anime NYC 2026 – GKIDS Announces New Film Acquisitions and a Theatrical Release

(Featured Image Source: (c) 2001 Filmlink Internation/Hideyuki Kikuchi/Asahi Sonorama/Vampire Hunter D Production Committee. All Rights Reserved (c) 2001 Urban Vision Entertainment / via © 2026 GKIDS, INC.)

During their industry panel at this year’s Anime NYC, GKIDS announced that they acquired the North American distribution rights to the live-action adaptation of 5 Centimeters per Second and the classic anime movie Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, with plans to bring the latter back to North American theaters.

5 Centimeters per Second‘s live-action Adaptation!

5 Centimeters per Second is a coming-of-age romance drama told in three acts that follows a young boy and his relationships with several women, from elementary school into adulthood. The movie received a lot of well-deserved praise for its emotional, grounded story, gorgeous visuals, and use of real locations to craft relatable, heartbreaking moments. Released in Japan in October 2025, the live-action adaptation is directed by filmmaker and photographer Yoshiyuki Okuyama (who directed the film At the Bench) and is based on the anime film written and directed by Makoto Shinkai (who also created Suzume, Your Name, and Weathering With You), and is the first live-action adaptation of one of his amazing titles. The live-action film has a screenplay by Ayako Suzuki, with Ayatake Ezaki as composer, Keisuke Imamura as cinematographer, and film production by Spoon. It stars Hokuto Matsumura, Mitsuki Takahata, and Nana Mori.

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, A Cult Classic Anime Film, Is Getting The Spotlight

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is a dark fantasy movie written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri and animated by Madhouse. Based on Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D novel series, the story is set in a post-apocalyptic world under the constant threat of vampires and other dangerous creatures. D, a wandering half-vampire/half-human warrior, is hired to rescue a woman from a powerful vampire noble, only to find himself drawn into a deeper, more dangerous scheme. Originally released in North America with English audio, GKIDS plans to release the Japanese-language version with English subtitles, marking its debut in North America. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust will have select screenings this fall ahead of a theatrical and home release in 2027.

Big news from GKIDS. Fans should stay tuned for more information on when they can check out these two great films.

(Source: GKIDS @ Anime NYC 2027)

Anime NYC 2026 may is over, but we still have lots to share from this amazing event! And stay tuned to us and the official site as they get ready for 2027 and announce special guests and the event lineup for a can’t-miss anime & gaming convention!