MediaOCD has released an update for its HD remaster Blu-ray for 1988’s Vampire Princess Miyu OVA, which was announced in February 2025. Basically, the Blu-ray is coming, but don’t expect any cover art to go with it.
As founder Justin Sevakis explains, MediaOCD hit a snag with getting the approval for the packaging from Japan. “We had some good back-and-forth initially, but ultimately we simply could not get this approval to the finish line. Due to the way the copyright system works over there, we hit a procedural log jam. We’ve made absolutely no progress in over a year,” wrote Sevakis.
“We’ve done everything we could think of to rectify the situation, but unfortunately, this is not going to get fixed. Worse, we discovered that our contract for the show (which we inherited from the previous owners of AnimEigo), ran out much sooner than we expected: next year. That means that we’re basically out of time to do a proper release.”
Aside from the remaster itself being ready, Sevakis noted, “The wall we hit with approvals would likely make it impossible for anyone to release it in the future. What a waste!” And so, with the Vampire Princess Miyu Blu-ray trapped in its current situation, Sevakis decided that MediaOCD would go ahead with the disc’s release, sans the usual packaging aesthetics.
“We’re releasing this disc on our own site, without artwork or design to approve. Yes, it’s a completely blank cover,” said Sevakis. “Since this will be exclusive to the MediaOCD Store, it will naturally come with its own matching slipcase.”
Sevakis acknowledged that MediaOCD “obviously can’t do a proper release with a package like this,” but said that “the limited release we’re giving Miyu lets us have some fun with this. Look out for some fun opportunities to be creative once this ships.”
The Vampire Princess Miyu Blu-ray will ship “on or before” September 8 of this year, providing “enough time to gauge demand and make enough copies to last us roughly until our license period expires next year,” and can be pre-ordered for US$24.95. As previously announced, it includes both the UK and US English dubs.
“If a miracle happens and we can eventually release this with a real package, we promise we’ll work something out so you can get one without having to re-buy it,” said Sevakis.
The four-episode Vampire Princess Miyu OVA is directed by Toshihiro Hirano/Toshiki Hirano (Magic Knight Rayearth and Baki Hanma), with character designs by Narumi Kakinouchi and music by Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell). Hirano and Kakinouchi are also credited as its creators, while AIC is the animation production studio. MediaOCD’s synopsis for it reads:
Miyu appears to be a beautiful, doll-like young girl with a mysterious aura. But when the spiritualist Himiko confronts her after a series of vampire attacks, she reveals that she is not just a vampire, but royalty – and locked in a vicious war with the demonic Shinma. In exchange for the truth, Himiko must lend a hand, across time and space.
A groundbreaking 4-part OVA series from director Toshihiro Hirano (Magic Knights Rayearth) and screenwriter Noboru Aikawa (Fullmetal Alchemist, The Twelve Kingdoms), Vampire Princess Miyu enchanted Western anime fans with their first taste of Japanese supernatural horror.
Naoko Watanabe voiced the titular character.
Outside of the OVA, there is also a Vampire Princess Miyu manga and TV anime, as well as other media and spin-offs. 2025 saw the launch of the new, SB Creative-published manga Vampire Princess Miyu-Yui, which will get its third digital volume on June 13, 2026.
Source: MediaOCD website
