This film is presented by St. Louis’s long-running cult film series Strange Brew and will feature a pre-film intro by Strange Brew programmer Jon Scorfina.

Vampire Hunter D was largely responsible for introducing adult-horror anime to western audiences in the ’80s. Based on the original light novel by Hideyuki Kikuchi (who subsequently produced 40 volumes and sold over 17-million copies making it one of the best-selling book series in history) and illustrations by legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy), Vampire Hunter D was the first OVA (Original Video Animation) based on the works of Kikuchi. Directed by Toyoo Ashida, the film follows orphaned farm girl Doris Lang who has been bitten by vampire noble Count Magnus Lee. Doris hires a Vampire Hunter, known only as D, to help her escape her cursed fate. The androgynous D turns out to be a dhampir, half-human, half-vampire, and has a symbiote talking left hand, making him one of the most fascinating characters in anime history. 

Initially billed as a “dark future science-fiction romance” by producers, Vampire Hunter D is a true genre blend, also incorporating horror, high-fantasy, western & gothic elements. Though the horror aspects are where the film really shines. The monstrosities that line the entrance to Count Lee’s decrepit castle are truly the creatures of acid nightmares.  

Unlike today where hundreds of anime options are available on multiple streaming platforms, in the late ’80s & early ’90s only a handful of anime films were available at local video rental stores, normally including titles such as AKIRA, Vampire Hunter D, Ninja Scroll, Ghost in the Shell, & Grave of the Fireflies. Consequently, these few films had an enormous impact on introducing millennials to a compelling variety of first-wave Japanese animation in the west. Though low budget in comparison to some modern feature anime films, Vampire Hunter D still charms audiences today with its haunting imagery, genre mash-up world-building and mysterious lead character, cementing its legacy as a must-see cult classic.  

This film will be presented in the English dubbed version.

“With gorgeous designs by Yoshitaka Amano, a weird talking hand, and an excellent mix of violence, gore, and creepiness, Vampire Hunter D is the real D, by which I mean ‘deal,’ as in ‘you won’t be able to deal with how rad this anime is.”‘ -Dan Casey, Nerdist

THEATER POLICIES

All seats are first-come, first-served.

The theater opens 30 minutes prior to showtime, except for “Happy Hour” events and pre-shows when the theater opens at the listed start time.

All ages are welcome at Arkadin except for Drinkolas Cage events, which are restricted to 21+. We follow the MPAA rating guidelines for all other films.

Tickets can be purchased using the BUY TICKETS link above. Upon ordering, you will receive a confirmation email from Square. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the show at the concession counter.

If you’ve purchased advance tickets, when you arrive, please give your name at the concession counter to check in.

Tickets are returnable by sending a request through the contact form located on our About Us page prior to showtime.

When an event is sold out, we reserve the right to release open seats to customers on the waitlist. If you have a pre-purchased ticket and arrive late and there is no seat for you, your ticket will be refunded.

All screenings are held in our indoor theater unless indicated otherwise in the event description above.

Please respect your fellow movie-goers by remaining quiet and refraining from using your cell phone throughout the screening.