Urban Vision is planning a new special edition of its best-selling Vampire Hunter D:  Bloodlust DVD for release next year.  It will contain new features, including a Japanese language track; the original version released in the U.S. had only an English language soundtrack.  The American/Japanese collaboration was originally made with an English voice track; the Japanese version was created for release in Japan.  Surprisingly, the English version with Japanese subtitles actually sold better in Japan than the version with the Japanese voice track. 

Vampire Hunter D:  Bloodlust was the best-selling anime DVD in video stores last year according to VideoScan figures, topping Akira and other powerhouse releases.  Urban Vision's Rhona Medina attributed the title's success to a broader appeal than other anime titles, citing the Sergio Leone-esque touches as an example of Western influences that made it more appealing to American audiences.  Medina also noted the theatrical release, which reached approximately sixty theaters, as a factor driving DVD sales.  It's worth noting that even had Wal-Mart numbers been included (Wal-Mart does not share its numbers with the VideoScan reporting service),  Vampire Hunter D might have held its top slot, since the nation's largest retailer did carry the title and did well with it. 

Meanwhile in Ninja Scroll news, the anime series DVDs will launch September 2nd, one week after the soundtrack ships August 26th.  This is before the DVD release date in Japan (see 'Ninja Scroll Anime Series on the Way').  The script for the live action feature being done by Threshold Entertainment (see 'Ninja Scroll Crosses the Threshold') is done; financing for the full production is being sought.

Yoshiaki Kawajiri, the director of the first Ninja Scroll anime feature, has completed the script for a sequel, which is planned for an 05 release.  According to Medina, Urban Vision will release the film theatrically as well as on DVD.