| Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge | |
 North American DVD cover | |
| Original video animation | |
| Directed by | Masashi Ikeda Animation directors: Hideki Takayama Hiroyuki Tanaka |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Masayuki Miyashita Kenichiro Zaizen Masao Maruyama |
| Written by | Tatsuhiko Urahata |
| Music by | Kow Otani Eikichi Yazawa (end theme) |
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Licensed by | |
| Released | March 21, 1997 – March 27, 1998 |
| Runtime | 40 minutes (each) |
| Episodes | 4 |
Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge (originally titled Vampire Hunter: The Animated Series (ヴァンパイアハンター THE ANIMATED SERIES) in Japan) is a four-episode OVA anime series by Madhouse Studios under license from Capcom, directed by Masashi Ikeda[1] and originally released in 1997–1998. It is an adaptation of Capcom's Darkstalkers series of video games.
Plot[]
In the midst of a war between the families of Demitri Maximoff and Morrigan Aensland for control of the Demon World, alien invader Pyron arrives on Earth and plans to take it over by taking out those who stand a chance of stopping him, namely the Darkstalkers. Meanwhile, dhampir Donovan Baine seeks to rid himself of the cursed blood which runs through his veins.
Four of the original Darkstalkers, Anakaris, Rikuo, Sasquatch and Victor, were featured in the intro but not in the OVA's main storyline, apparently having been killed by Pyron in a flashback sequence shown in the beginning of the fourth episode.
Characters[]
| Character | Japanese VA | English VA |
|---|---|---|
| Morrigan Aensland | Rei Sakuma | Kathleen Barr |
| Demitri Maximoff | Akio Ōtsuka | Paul Dobson |
| Donovan | Unshō Ishizuka | Ari Solomon |
| Felicia | Yukana | Janyse Jaud |
| Gallon (Jon Talbain) | Fumihiko Tachiki | Alvin Sanders |
| Hannya (Bishamon) | Masashi Ebara | Don Brown/Michael Dobson |
| Phobos (Huitzil) | Jūrōta Kosugi | Ward Perry |
| Pyron | Shinji Ogawa | David Kaye |
| Lei-Lei (Hsien-Ko) | Yūko Miyamura | Nicole Oliver |
| Lin-Lin (Mei-Ling) | Maya Okamoto | Jane Perry |
| Anita | Akiko Yajima | Andrea Libman |
| Zabel Zarock (Lord Raptor) | Kōichi Yamadera | Scott McNeil |
| Lei-Lei and Lin-Lin's mother | Kumiko Takizawa | Kathleen Barr |
Episodes[]
- "Return of the Darkstalkers"
- "Blood of the Darkstalkers, Power of the Darkstalkers"
- "Pyron Descending"
- "For Whom They Fight"
Production[]
Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge is based on the Darkstalkers series of gothic-themed fighting games by Capcom. Characters were designed by Shūkō Murase and the animation was done by Asami Endo and Yoshinori Kanada. The ending theme for the series, "Trouble Man" by Eikichi Yazawa, was also used as the opening theme in the Japanese home port of the video game Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors.
Release[]
By the time the first episode of the series was released in Japan, Viz Media had secured the U.S. rights and announced plans to release the series later in 1997.[2] Despite this, Toshifumi Yoshida and Trish Ledoux did not produce an English-dubbed version until 1999. The series was released on VHS, DVD and UMD in 2000. The North American anime company Media Blasters distributed it via rental kiosks in 2010.[3] The series was re-released on DVD in 2012 by Madman Entertainment.[4] Discotek Media released a remastered version on DVD in both language versions in the fall of 2015.[5]
The original soundtrack CD for Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge: The Animated Series (B00004SPLQ) was released in the United States by Viz Music in 1998. The anime series' manga and drama CD adaptations of were published only in Japan.
Reception[]
Nigh Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge received good reviews in the Western game magazines, with scores including B+ from GameFan in America[6] and 4/5 from Consoles + in France.[7] Bryn Williams of Gamers' Republic too gave it a score of B+, praising its "superb" animation "with vivid colors and smooth motion,"[8] as well as "gorgeous" character designs.[9] Dave Halverson from the same magazine opined it was "the finest video game-based anime produced to date," citing animation quality, "spectacular" and "breathtaking" art and vibrant colors; the English dubbing, "while not perfect," was described as very good.[10]
Darkstalkers is featured in the 2009 book 500 Essential Anime Movies by Helen McCarthy. Richard Coombs of Blistered Thumbs ranked it as the seventh best video game cartoon in 2011.[11]
References[]
- ↑ "Anime: Nightwarriors, the Anime: Interview". Web.archive.org. 2001-03-05. Archived from the original on March 5, 2001. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
{{cite web}}: ; deadurl - ↑ "Darkstalkers Anime Answers Call of the Bloodthirsty". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (95): 22. June 1997.
- ↑ "Media Blasters Launches Anime DVD/Blu-ray Kiosks - News". Anime News Network. 2010-10-14. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge". Madman.com.au. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "VIDEO: Discotek Previews "IGPX," "Darkstalkers" "Lupin vs Conan," and "Iria" Releases - UPDATED". Crunchyroll. 2015-08-20. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "AnimeFan". GameFan 6-2: 92-93. February 1998.
- ↑ "Vampire Hunter, the Animated Serie". Consoles + 64: 50-51.
- ↑ "Gamers Republic - No. 03 (1998-08)(Millennum Publications)(US)". Archive.org. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Gamers' Republic issue 8 (July 1999), page 106.
- ↑ Dave, Halverson (June 1998). "Anime Republic". Gamers' Republic 1.
- ↑ "The Top 10 BEST Video Game Cartoons - Blistered Thumbs". Web.archive.org. 2013-02-18. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
{{cite web}}: ; deadurl
External links[]
- Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge (anime) (OVA) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
| Works of Madhouse | ||
|---|---|---|
| Films | The Fantastic Adventures of Unico (1981) • Natsu e no Tobira (1981) • Haguregumo (1982) • Harmagedon (1983) • Unico in the Island of Magic (1983) • Barefoot Gen (1983) • Lensman: Secret of The Lens (1984) • The Dagger of Kamui (1985) • Barefoot Gen 2 (1986) • Phoenix: Ho-ō (1986) • Toki no Tabibito: Time Stranger (1986) • Wicked City (1987) • Neo Tokyo (1987) • Twilight of the Cockroaches (1987) • Legend of the Galactic Heroes: My Conquest is the Sea of Stars (1988) • A Wind Named Amnesia (1990) • Urusei Yatsura: Always My Darling (1991) • Ninja Scroll (1993) • Anne no Nikki (1995) • Memories (segment Stink Bomb) (1995) • Yawara! Special - Zutto Kimi no Koto ga (1996) • X (1996) • Perfect Blue (1997) • Clover (1999) • Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie (1999) • Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 2: The Sealed Card (2000) • Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000) • Metropolis (2001) • Millennium Actress (2001) • Di Gi Charat - A Trip to the Planet (2001) • WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3 (2002) • Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road (2003) • Nasu: Summer in Andalusia (2003) • Tokyo Godfathers (2003) • The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) • Paprika (2006) • Cinnamoroll: The Movie (2007) • Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (2007) • Piano no Mori (2007) • Hells (2008) • Summer Wars (2009) • Mai Mai Miracle (2009) • Redline (2009) • Yona Yona Penguin (2009) • Trigun: Badlands Rumble (2010) • The Tibetan Dog (2011) • The Princess and the Pilot (2011) • Wolf Children (2012) • Hunter × Hunter: Phantom Rouge (2013) • Death Billiards (2013) • Hunter × Hunter: The Last Mission (2013) | |
| Television series | Nobody's Boy: Remi (1977–1978) • Treasure Island (1978–1979) • Yawara! (1989–1992) • DNA² (1994) • Azuki-chan (1995–1998) • Trigun (1998) • Cardcaptor Sakura (1998–2000) • Master Keaton (1998–1999) • Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden (1998–1999) • Super Doll Licca-chan (1998–1999) • Pet Shop of Horrors (1999) • Jubei-chan: The Secret of the Lovely Eyepatch (1999) • Di Gi Charat (1999–2001) • Reign: The Conqueror (1999) • Magic User's Club (1999) • Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden V (1999–2000) • Boogiepop Phantom (2000) • Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran (2000) • Hidamari no Ki (2000) • Sakura Wars (2000) • Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! (2000–2002) • Beyblade (2001) • Galaxy Angel (2001–2004) • Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars (2001) • Chance Pop Session (2001) • Magical Meow Meow Taruto (2001) • X (2001–2002) • Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution (2002) • Chobits (2002) • Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (2002) • Pita-Ten (2002) • Dragon Drive (2002–2003) • Hanada Shōnen Shi (2002–2003) • Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat (2002) • Rizelmine (2002) • Mirage of Blaze (2002) • Ninja Scroll: The Series (2003) • Texhnolyze (2003) • Gungrave (2003–2004) • Gunslinger Girl (2003–2004) • Uninhabited Planet Survive! (2003–2004) • Di Gi Charat Nyo! (2003–2004) • Gokusen (2004) • Jubei-chan: The Counter Attack of Siberia Yagyu (2004) • Paranoia Agent (2004) • Tenjho Tenge (2004) • Monster (2004–2005) • BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad (2004–2005) • Sweet Valerian (2004) • Strawberry 100% (2005) • Akagi (2005–2006) • Paradise Kiss (2005) • Oku-sama wa Joshi Kōsei (2005) • Kiba (2006–2007) • Strawberry Panic! (2006) • NANA (2006–2007) • The Story of Saiunkoku (2006–2008) • Black Lagoon (2006) • Yume Tsukai (2006) • Otogi-Jūshi Akazukin (2006–2007) • Kemonozume (2006) • A Spirit of the Sun (2006) • Death Note (2006–2007) • Tokyo Tribe 2 (2006–2007) • Claymore (2007) • Oh! Edo Rocket (2007) • Princess Resurrection (2007) • Dennō Coil (2007) • Devil May Cry: The Animated Series (2007) • Shigurui (2007) • Gyakkyō Burai Kaiji (2007–2008) • Neuro: Supernatural Detective (2007–2008) • Mokke (2007–2008) • MapleStory (2007–2008) • Ani*Kuri15 (animated sequence) (2007–2008) • Chi's Sweet Home (2008–2009) • Allison & Lillia (2008) • Kamen no Maid Guy (2008) • Top Secret ~The Revelation~ (2008) • Kaiba (2008) • Ultraviolet: Code 044 (2008) • Casshern Sins (2008–2009) • Kurozuka (2008) • Mōryō no Hako (2008) • One Outs (2008–2009) • Stitch! (2008–2010) • Chaos;Head (2008) • Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger (2009) • Rideback (2009) • Sōten Kōro (2009) • Needless (2009) • Kobato (2009–2010) • Aoi Bungaku (2009) • Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin (2010) • The Tatami Galaxy (2010) • Highschool of the Dead (2010) • Marvel Anime (2010–2011) • Gyakkyō Burai Kaiji: Hakairoku-hen (2011) • Hunter × Hunter (2011–2014) • Chihayafuru (2011–2013) • The Ambition of Oda Nobuna (2012) • Btooom! (2012) • Photo Kano (2013) • Sunday Without God (2013) • Hajime no Ippo: Rising (2013–2014) • Ace of Diamond (2013–present) • Magical Warfare (2014) • The Irregular at Magic High School (2014) • No Game No Life (2014) • Hanayamata (2014) • Parasyte -the maxim- (2014–2015) • Death Parade (2015) • My Love Story!! (2015) • Overlord (2015) • One-Punch Man (2015) • Prince of Stride: Alternative (2016) • Alderamin on the Sky (2016) • All Out!! (2016) | |
| OVAs | Wounded Man (1986–1988) • Phoenix: Yamato / Space (1987) • Bride of Deimos (1988) • Demon City Shinjuku (1988) • The Enemy's the Pirates! (1989) (episodes 1 and 2) • Goku Midnight Eye (1989) • Cyber City Oedo 808 (1990–1991) • Record of Lodoss War (1990–1991) • Devil Hunter Yohko (1990–1995) • Doomed Megalopolis (1991–1992) • Yawara! Soreyuke Koshinuke Kizzu (1992) • Tokyo Babylon (1992–1994) • Zetsuai 1989 (1992, 1994) • Battle Angel (1993) • Mermaid's Scar (1993) • The Cockpit (segment Slipstream) (1993) • Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals (1994) • Phantom Quest Corp. (1994–1995) • Clamp in Wonderland (1994, 2007 • Spirit Warrior (1994) • Bio Hunter (1995) • Birdy the Mighty (1996–1997) • Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge (1997–1998) • Twilight of the Dark Master (1998) • Space Pirate Captain Herlock (2002–2003) • Trava: Fist Planet (2003) • The Animatrix (animated sequence) (2003) • Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura (2003) • Lament of the Lamb (2003–2004) • Aquarian Age: The Movie (2003) • Di Gi Charat Theater - Leave it to Piyoko! (2003) • Tsuki no Waltz (2004) • Otogi-Jūshi Akazukin (2005) • Last Order: Final Fantasy VII (2005) • Nasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase (2007) • Batman: Gotham Knight (animated sequence) (2008) • Hellsing Ultimate V-VII (2008–2009) • Supernatural: The Anime Series (2011) • Arata-naru Sekai (2012) • Iron Man: Rise of Technovore (2013) • Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher (2014) | |
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