More than four decades after Hideyuki Kikuchi published the very first Vampire Hunter D novel, the franchise continues to thrive with both fresh adventures and revisited classics.
At Anime NYC, comic publisher Dark Horse revealed exciting plans, including an all-new comic book series and a manga adaptation of a fan-favorite story. The brand-new project, titled Fortress of Blood, is a four-issue miniseries crafted by writer Chris Condon, artist Felipe Andrade, colorist Jordie Bellaire, and letterer Frank Cvetkovic. The plot follows the iconic dhampir wanderer D as he stumbles upon a stronghold of outcasts. These survivors are shielding human refugees from a ruthless vampire lord terrorizing nearby settlements, setting the stage for D to step in and confront the forces of the night.
#DHManga Anime NYC Announcement 🚨
Vampire Hunter D: Fortress of Blood, a brand new 4-issue comic series set in the world of Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D, beginning on December 16th!
By Chris Condon, Filipe Andrade, Jordie Bellaire, and Frank Cvetkovic. With issue #1… pic.twitter.com/cJoBwxNK3l
— Dark Horse Comics (@DarkHorseComics) August 21, 2026
For longtime enthusiasts eager to revisit earlier lore, Dark Horse is bringing the English translation of 1994’s eighth book, The Rose Princess, to shelves. Originally adapted into a manga by Saiko Tataki in 2024, the narrative places D inside a village governed by a vampire princess. While protecting a young man who thwarted the ruler from feeding on his beloved, D crosses paths with a mysterious woman named Elena, and the pair team up to overthrow the tyrannical princess.
Dark Horse has steadily distributed English-language D media since 2014, later expanding into omnibus and audiobook releases beginning in 2021. Reflecting on the upcoming American comic, Kikuchi shared his enthusiasm, stating he felt “deeply honored to finally see D adapted into an American comic. […] I would like to express my gratitude to Dark Horse and to all the people that help make it happen for making this a reality.”
#DHManga Anime NYC Announcement 🚨
VAMPIRE HUNTER D: ROSE PRINCESS by @saiko_takaki, coming next June!
Takaki returns to the world of Vampire Hunter D faithfully adapting one of Hideyuki Kikuchi’s most iconic stories.
Pre-orders for this release will go up soon, so please… pic.twitter.com/ucWJyRjzdm
— Dark Horse Comics (@DarkHorseComics) August 21, 2026
Print media isn’t the only place getting a revival; GKIDS has secured the North American distribution rights for the cult-classic 2001 feature Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. When it first debuted, the beautifully animated Madhouse production received a severely limited run across just 12 U.S. cinemas. Now, GKIDS is preparing a proper, wide theatrical rollout for the gothic horror masterpiece slated for next year. Fans won’t have to wait entirely empty-handed, either: Fortress of Blood launches on December 16, followed by the English release of Rose Princess in March 2027, bridging the gap until the film hits the big screen.
GKIDS is proud to announce the acquisition of North American rights to VAMPIRE HUNTER D: BLOODLUST. 🩸The rarely-screened gothic horror classic from Yoshiaki Kawajiri and MADHOUSE will get a full theatrical release in 2027.More details soon!brnw.ch/21x57Tg
[via Anime News Network]
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