GKIDS made two major film announcements for Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust and Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters per Second at its Anime NYC industry panel that will soon hit North American theaters!
GKIDS Anime NYC 2026 Announcements: Two Major Theatrical Acquisitions
GKIDS has announced that it has acquired the North American distribution rights for the live-action adaptation of Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters per Second and revealed plans to bring the cult-classic film Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust back to North American theaters.
Makoto Shinkai’s Romance Reimagined: Live-Action 5 Centimeters per Second
Director Yoshiyuki Okuyama’s coming-of-age romance is based on the acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai’s original animated feature film of the same name, marking the first live-action adaptation of one of his titles. GKIDS plans to share additional details on the film’s North American theatrical and home entertainment plans later this year.
Hokuto Matsumura Stars in Coming-of-Age Romance
The live-action adaptation of 5 Centimeters Per Second was released domestically in Japan on October 10th, 2025, and stars Hokuto Matsumura as Takaki Tono, Mitsuki Takahata as Akari Shinohara, and Nana Mori as Kanae Sumida.
5 Centimeters per Second
Synopsis:
“After transferring to the same elementary school, Takaki and Akari became best friends. However, their lives change when both their families are forced to relocate. After a year of separation, Takaki is about to reunite with Akari. As he sits on the train from Tokyo, memories of the past rush through Takaki’s head, his meeting time with Akari drawing ever closer.
Takaki and Akari begin to wonder if they will ever be able to see each other again, and share their secret feelings. Join Takaki on a journey into three interconnected tales of love and lost innocence that span the minutes and months of their lives.”
Staff:
- Director: Yoshiyuki Okuyama
- Original Animation: Makoto Shinkai
- Screenplay: Ayako Suzuki
- Producer: Hiromasa Tamai/Dai Sano
- Composer: Ayatake Ezaki
- Cinematographer: Keisuke Imamura
- Production: Spoon.
- Produced by: FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK, INC. / CoMix Wave Films Inc. / TOHO CO., LTD
- International Sales: CoMix Wave Films Inc. (Asia) / Pony Canyon Inc. (Outside Asia)
Japanese Academy Award Nominations & North American Theatrical Slate
The feature film has since received four nominations for the 2026 “Awards of the Japanese Academy”, including Hokuto Matsumura for “Best Actor”, Keisuke Imamura for “Best Cinematography”, Koshiro Ueno for “Best Lighting”, and Noa Shiroyama for “Newcomer of the Year”, who performed as Young Akari Shinohara.
GKIDS also handles distribution for several of Makoto Shinkai’s seminal films, including the original 5 Centimeters Per Second, Your Name, Weathering With You, and more.
Read More In Asian Spaces: GKIDS to Release “Another World” in North American Theatres: A Dark Fairytale From Hong Kong – Learn about GKIDS’ landmark distribution move bringing Tommy Ng Kai Chung’s award-winning dark fantasy animated feature to Western big screens.
The Gothic Cult Classic Returns: Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust in High Definition
The Gothic Cult Classic Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, based on Hideyuki Kikuchi’s novel series Vampire Hunter D, will return to North American theatres with a new HD Master!
Yoshiaki Kawajiri & Madhouse’s Masterpiece Restored
The animated horror film is directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, Wicked City) with animation from Madhouse. GKIDS plans to reveal additional details on the feature’s North American theatrical and home entertainment plans later this year.
Synopsis:
“After a young woman is seemingly abducted by the vampire Baron Meier Link, her father hires D – a vampire-hunting “Dunpeal” – to rescue her. As D rides across the wastelands, he must compete against a group of tough mercenary hunters, and confront the complex truth about the woman.”
North American Subbed Debut & 2027 Theatrical Re-Release
Garnering a cult following after its premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival in 2000, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust has since been hailed as one of the greatest anime films of all time. Originally released with English audio, the Japanese-language version with English subtitles will make its North American debut with select screenings this fall ahead of a theatrical and home entertainment release in 2027.
Staff:
- Director and Writer: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
- Producers: Mata Yamamoto, Masao Maruyama, and Taka Nagasawa
- Based on the novel by: Hideyuki Kikuchi (Asahi Sonorama)
- Based on the character illustrations by: Yoshitaka Amano
- Production Committee: Tristone Entertainment/Sony Music Labels/Movic
- Animation Production: Madhouse
- Character Voices: Pamela Adlon (originally credited as Pamela Segall), John DiMaggio, Dwight Schultz, and Andrew Philpot
- Dialogue Director: Jack Fletcher
- Music: Marco D’Ambrosio
- Character Designer: Yutaka Minowa
- Animation Directors: Yutaka Minowa, Hiroshi Hamasaki, Hisashi Abe
- Mechanical Animation Director: Morifumi Naka
- Art Director: Yuji Ikehata
- Director of Photography: Hitoshi Yamaguchi
- Mechanical Designer: Takeshi Koike
- Concept Designer: Yasushi Nirasawa
Note: The information above was sourced from a press release.
Which film are you most excited to see in theaters?
🏮 Read More In Asian Spaces
Enjoyed this update? Explore more convention coverage and film features on In Asian Spaces:
- Anime NYC 2026 Review: Panels, Show Floor Exhibitors & Cosplay Experience – Get an insider view of the Javits Center floor, artist alley highlights, and top fan cosplay from this year’s convention.
- GKIDS Anime NYC Announcements for Dan Da Dan Voice Actors, Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue – Look back at GKIDS’ previous panel reveals, featuring Science SARU’s casting updates and Satoshi Kon’s 4K thriller restoration.
- Rebirth in Kimi no Na wa – An in-depth thematic analysis of Makoto Shinkai’s storytelling, identity shifts, and tragic romantic ties.
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