AnimEigo Releases The Dagger of Kamui Anime Film on Blu-ray Disc on April 7

AnimEigo revealed in a trailer on December 26, 2025, that it will release The Dagger of Kamui anime film on Blu-ray Disc on April 7, 2026, in a separate release from its limited Kickstarter edition. The Dagger of Kamui Blu-ray release announcement brings the classic 1985 ninja epic to a wider audience, offering fans a chance to own this restored version of Rintarō's acclaimed film.

Watch The Dagger of Kamui Blu-ray release trailer on YouTube

The Blu-ray Disc includes the English dub, director's commentary, storyboards, and art galleries, providing fans with comprehensive special features that enhance the viewing experience. The Dagger of Kamui April 2026 Blu-ray release represents AnimEigo's commitment to preserving and sharing classic anime films with modern audiences, ensuring that this influential work remains accessible to new generations of viewers. AnimEigo's Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for its Blu-ray Disc release of The Dagger of Kamui anime film titled The Dagger of Kamui Treasure Trove Edition reached its goal on its first day of campaign in August 2024. The campaign has received US$119,570 from 1,428 backers, far exceeding the campaign's initial goal of US$50,000. The company finished shipping pre-orders on December 9, 2025, and there are still copies of the Kickstarter edition available for interested collectors. The contents of the project include: the HD transfer of the original film with English subtitles, SDH subtitles and captions, color and line art galleries, a brand new full-length commentary track by director Rintarō and anime historian Masahiro Haraguchi, names of the backers listed on the disc, and a reversible cover slip. The release is not region-locked, making it accessible to international audiences. AnimEigo also produced a full-size 8.5x11-inch artbook, and a digital archive of additional production materials including timing sheets, scripts, camera instructions, press clippings, research notes, and more. Rewards include the BD-50 Blu-ray Disc, the artbook, and a chipboard case. AnimEigo describes the story: On the eve of the Meiji restoration, as a slumbering Japan awakens and turns its eyes westward, an innkeeper finds a baby named Jiro in a drifting boat; his only companion a glittering blade, the Dagger of Kamui. When Jiro is thirteen, his adoptive family is murdered and Jiro is blamed, only to be rescued by Tenkai, a priest, who trains him in the mysterious arts of the Ninja. Seeking revenge for the loss of his adoptive family, Jiro kills the mysterious one-armed Ninja who reportedly slew them. Years later, acting on a tip from Tenkai, Jiro tracks down his real mother, only to learn that Tenkai had tasked his father with finding a clue to the lost treasure of Captain Kidd. With the treasure in hand, the Shogun will be able to retain control, and Japan will once again isolate itself from the world. However, his father fell in love, abandoned the search, and had a child — and for this failure, Tenkai exacted a terrible revenge! Now the chase begins, as Jiro, with only the Dagger of Kamui to help him, searches for the great treasure, a search that will take him all the way to the American Old West, with Tenkai's minions always close behind. If Jiro can find the treasure and return to Japan, then, perhaps, Jiro can exact his revenge, and thrust the Dagger of Kamui into Tenkai's black heart! Rintarō directed the film at Madhouse, creating a visually stunning ninja epic that combines historical drama with adventure storytelling. The film first opened in Japan in 1985, establishing itself as a classic of 1980s anime cinema. AnimEigo released the film on VHS and LaserDisc in the 1990s, and released the film on DVD in 2003, demonstrating the company's long-standing commitment to preserving this important work. The Dagger of Kamui April 2026 Blu-ray release continues this tradition, offering the highest quality presentation of the film to date. The Dagger of Kamui April 2026 Blu-ray release represents an important milestone in anime home video distribution, combining successful crowdfunding with a wider commercial release. The film's epic narrative, spanning from Meiji-era Japan to the American Old West, combined with Rintarō's masterful direction and Madhouse's exceptional animation, creates a compelling viewing experience that has stood the test of time. With comprehensive special features including director commentary and extensive art galleries, this release offers fans both the film itself and valuable insights into its production and historical context.