Castlevania: Nocturne Rises as a Brilliant and Cunning Heir

Castlevania: Nocturne Rises as a Brilliant and Cunning Heir

A Fresh Revival with a New Perspective

The animated adaptation of the Castlevania video game series, produced by Powerhouse and streaming on Netflix, returns with a fresh start in “Castlevania: Nocturne”. This new season, which takes place in revolutionary France rather than the usual 15th-century Romania, brings a new cast of heroes and villains to the forefront. Led by Richter Belmont, a distant descendant of the original show’s Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, the characters face off against a mysterious vampire Messiah and her agents.

A Sharp Focus and Leaner Approach

“Nocturne” effectively resets the Castlevania adaptation, pulling back from the high cosmic horror and theological threats of its predecessor. The series centers around the French Revolution, where vampires have aligned with the societal elite to drain the common people both metaphorically and literally. With its focus on supernatural ass-kicking and rebellion against the system, “Nocturne” takes a leaner approach to storytelling compared to its predecessor. The writing, which is now helmed by Clive Bradley, delivers cleaner, snappier dialogue and emotionally deep character development. This shift allows the series to explore nuanced themes of trauma and injustice against the backdrop of revolutionary France.

A Generational Story and Smart Exploration

“Nocturne” cleverly leverages its generational story to connect with the wider Castlevania universe. The perspective of its younger heroes, Richter and his allies, brings a fresh energy and curiosity to the narrative. These characters grow and develop from their failings, enhancing the emotional resonance of the series. As the season progresses, the ties to its predecessor are skillfully woven into the story, examining and strengthening the characters’ part in the series’ legacy. The exploration of generational struggles is a testament to Powerhouse’s understanding and appreciation of Castlevania‘s rich mythology.

A Worthy Successor with a Smart Exploration of Themes

With its new setting, themes, and fresh perspective, “Nocturne” proves to be a worthy successor to the original Castlevania series. The well-executed reset on the world and story allows the series to maintain its core strengths while shedding any frustrations and bloat that had begun to weigh it down. The sumptuous action and visceral appeal that made the original show a surprise hit are still present, but now complemented by a sharper focus and nuanced character work. As a result, “Nocturne” leaves viewers hungry for more of this version of Castlevania‘s world and characters, with the promise of a larger, grander bloodline to come.

Castlevania: Nocturne is now streaming on Netflix and is a must-watch for both newcomers and long-time fans of the series.