Since debuting in 2017, Castlevania has been one of Netflix’s most consisted animated performers. With its smooth animation, compelling story, and awesome characters it was easy for viewers to return season after season. When a spinoff, Castlevania: Nocturne was announced, it was easy to foresee Netflix striking gold again and the Belmonts, divorced from the world of videogames, has once again delivered.
This time we aren’t following Simon Belmont, who viewers (including myself) came to adore during the aforementioned series. Nocturne instead takes place generations later with a story led by Richter Belmont. Gamers will know him from the 1993 side scrolling classic ‘Castlevania: Rondo of Blood’. His adventures have since been ported numerous times in recent years and there is no better time for an animated adaptation of this whip-wielding vampire slayer.
Given the wealth of history and background the setting and lead protagonist are saddled with, it remains impressive how the showrunners are able to create something that honors the past and freshens up the series’ lore. The show takes place during the French Revolution, where a vampiric messiah threatens to drown Europe in a sea of blood. Nocturne’s complex plot weaves in members of the ancien régime, the clergy, revolutionaries, and several heroes fighting alongside Richter. These include his childhood friend Maria, her badass mother Nina, the awesome Haitian opera singer Edouard, and the remarkable voodoo-user Annette.
In addition to the narrative and plot, the series’ animation is great too. The show utilizes a tasteful blend of smooth animated scenes sprinkled with the occasional CGI. It’s a technique that can be seen in some of Netflix’s other highly successful animated shows.
Without spoiling anything, suffice to say that Nocturne certainly makes it mark as a worthy successor to the Castlevania mantle. There’s plenty of drama, action, and plot twists to keep you entertained.
Ismael David Mujahid, Managing Editor