The resolution bump required to bring Vampire Princess Miyu back to home video is certainly needed to showcase why the original still matters. This latest rerelease features the classic U.S. and UK dubs alongside the original Japanese stereo track. However, it arrives without extensive extra features, largely due to the strict licensing time constraints parent company MediaOCD faced to get prints out to the masses.
That time crunch extended to the packaging, which utilizes a pure white case reminiscent of GKIDS’ release of Evangelion: 3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon a Time. This minimalist design works beautifully. It represents a canvas of purity before corruption can taint anyone’s soul, a visual metaphor that feels entirely apt when considering the tragic background of the titular character.
Back in the day, AnimEigo was smart to split the original DVD release across two discs to preserve visual information. As someone who owns both that and the LaserDisc, I rarely need a reason to justify double-dipping again on a favourite work. When access to the original masters are available, a high-definition treatment can show a few new details. And though my preview was online where bitrates are lower, I feel picking up a hard copy matters so I can fully experience this work as it was intended.
As for the story, it still holds up remarkably well alongside more modern takes within this anime subgenre. I’ve always gravitated toward Miyu more than any modern contemporary. What makes her stand out isn’t spectacle or power. Compared to the emotional volatility of Seras Victoria or the ironic distance of Shinobu Oshino, Miyu feels quieter, more restrained. Some may say her dialogue “cuts like a knife.”
Even when placed alongside male figures like Vampire Hunter D and Alucard, who dominate the screen through presence and grit, Miyu’s strength is the opposite. That’s why this character is far more memorable than others. Should I ever get asked who my favourite anime girl vampire is, it’ll always be Vampire Princess Miyu.
With the final two episodes, “Fragile Armor” and “Frozen Time,” charting the young girl’s ultimate fall from grace, the narrative experience concludes on a note that feels far more bittersweet than purely haunting. Larva is a companion never to be trifled with, and yet, Miyu found a way to secure his loyalty.
For collectors, exploring the sprawling printed universe speaks volumes beyond what the OVA and television series could ever cover. While the creative direction differs significantly between the page and the screen, the following reading guide outlines the essential print entries to explore after the credits roll.
The historical timeline of the franchise is often misunderstood. Narumi Kakinouchi’s original manga run began serialization in Akita Shoten’s Susperia magazine concurrently with the 1988 OVA release. Her husband, Toshihiro Hirano, directed the animated adaptation with immense creative freedom. While this approach introduced notable continuity discrepancies between the source text and the anime, seasoned fans have long embraced these alternate realities.
Ultimately, fans often find themselves choosing a favorite interpretation. Personally, I prefer both. The print versions delve extensively into ancient lore, and for those looking to chart the historical chronology, here is a quick recap of the vital expansions:
- New Vampire Princess Miyu (1992): A five-volume run that bridges the narrative gap between the first two books of the original series.
- Vampire Yui (1990–1995): A direct spin-off and continuation incorporating the Kanonshou (Notes on the Melody of Fragrance) and Saishuushou (Final Chapter) arcs. Yui, born to a human father and a “shi” (an anti-shinma demon), is bound to Miyu’s lineage because the Mistress fed upon Yui’s mother, passing down the dhampir bloodline prior to her birth.
- Vampire Miyu: Saku (2017–2020): A modern reimagining featuring Miyu attending middle school and attempting to lead a normal life, which is quickly disrupted when fellow students vanish mysteriously.
- Vampire Princess Miyu-Yui / Vampire Miyui (2025): A recent light novel crossover series published through SB Creative’s GA Bunko line. Marking the historic first time Miyu and Yui share the page directly, it is an essential tracking point for newcomers.
Vampire Princess Miyu
Updated Teaser For the Blu-Ray Release
