Video games don't typically translate to other media as well as we'd like them to, but Netflix's anime adaptation of Castlevania goes against the grain.
With Castlevania Season 3 coming just around the corner on March 5, now is the perfect time to catch up on the gory, gothic show that centers around the struggle between Trevor Belmont and Dracula, and all the destruction that unfolds around them.
Castlevania is based on the video game series of the same name, which usually sees a member of the Belmont family (who are all vampire hunters) traversing a castle to take down Dracula. The games are dark and filled with all kinds of monsters, from lowly zombies to some spectacular bosses like the Death Dragon.
The Netflix series takes a lot of inspiration from the games in terms of aesthetics and the major struggle of the Belmonts vs. Dracula, but it's not just an action game reimagined. It digs much further into the narrative elements of the universe than the games ever did, offering a deeper interpretation of the themes — and it's done really, really well.
Also, the first season is only four episodes and the second season is only eight episodes, so it's hard not to breeze right through in just a few days.
The story
Castlevania is set in Wallachia in the 1400s and the bloody events that ensue are set off almost immediately. Count Dracula falls in love with a woman named Lisa who is burned at the stake when she's accused of witchcraft. Dracula, incensed, swears revenge on humanity unless they make peace with what they've done. Humanity, of course, does not make peace and violence erupts.
As Dracula and his army of demons tear through people like hot knives through butter, people turn to Trevor Belmont to stop him. In his journey, Belmont befriends the magician Sypha Belnades and encounters Dracula's son, the half-human half-vampire Alucard, who turns to aid Belmont and humanity at large.
Image: netflix
The trio travels and learns what they need to do to take on Dracula as the big bad vampire grows his own following of fellow vampires and loyal-yet-terrifying humans. It's not an easy journey, and the longer they take the more humanity suffers.
The allure of the series
Castlevania has a lot of things going for it. First of all, the story at its core is pretty simple, but the characters have enough nuance that you can never quite pin some of them down — which accounts for a lot of surprises.
Then there's the art aspect of the show. So many of the backgrounds and wide shots of scenes like Dracula's castle or towns under attack are breathtaking. They're great to look at and the style fits the themes of the show so well, with darkness seeping in everywhere.
The show's best moments are the action sequences. Whether it's Dracula ripping through humans, Belmont and Alucard dueling, or a big siege of demons on a town, the pacing and talent displayed in these scenes, which are thankfully plentiful, bring so much to the series. Be warned, though: These scenes are very bloody, and seeing limbs torn off is a pretty common occurrence. Which is cool if you're into that kind of thing.
Image: netflix
The characters all have these lovable qualities as well, so the series doesn't just feel like an action-y bloodfest. They're often joking with each other with dry, sometimes black humor, which helps make the serious moments feel more serious but adding a necessary lighter quality to what's otherwise a very dreary show.
Netflix's Castlevania does a great job of feeling like a fresh take on such a storied series, focusing on the things that games overlook to great effect.
Castlevania Seasons 1-2 are available to stream on Netflix.
