Netflix's Castlevania has quickly become popular with anime fans who never even played the game that inspired the series. The interest is understandable, as the show adds a lot to the original, simpler plot thread.
The most significant change in the overall flow of the story is its strong focus on the relationships between characters. It is these relationships that provide the motivation and the guidance for heroes and villains alike. It's a welcome change, and it creates a tighter, more intriguing plot.
10 Saint Germain's Relationship With His Mysterious Lover Is A Missed Opportunity
The alchemist Saint Germain appears in seasons three and four of the series. His goal is to find his missing lover, lost in the Infinity Corridor. In his quest, he becomes entangled with forces far beyond him and he's manipulated by Death into creating a Rebis, an androgynous alchemical construct capable of holding the souls of Dracula and Lisa. He dies at the end of the series, and viewers never really learn the truth about what happened to his lover.
9 Sumi And Taka's Close Connection Seduces And Almost Kills Alucard
Previously slaves of Dracula's vampire general Cho, twins Sumi and Taka seek out Alucard after Cho's death, requesting his aid in protecting their people. The siblings are obviously very close, and Alucard finds comfort in their presence.
He offers them the knowledge of the Belmont Hold, as well as access to information his father has gathered throughout his long life. But Sumi and Taka aren't satisfied. One night, they seduce Alucard and try to kill him during intercourse. Alucard retaliates, killing them in self-defense. It's a cautionary tale that even close relationships can become cruel and dangerous.
8 The Council Of Sisters Rule Styria Together And Complete Each Other
The Council of Sisters appears in season three of the anime as the ruling body of the province of Styria. Led by Carmilla, the Council has a fascinating dynamic, with each member providing their own unique contribution. Striga is the warrior, Lenore is the diplomat, and Morana is the strategist. Together, the four vampire women are a formidable force. They may be villains, but their close connection and their determination to change the world can be inspiring to watch.
7 Isaac's Absolute Fealty Is Acknowledged And Rewarded By Dracula
In his insanity, Dracula intends to wage a war against humanity itself and wipe out every human. At first, other vampires support his plans, but soon, the extent of his madness becomes obvious and they begin to abandon him. The only one who truly stays loyal to Dracula is his Forgemaster Isaac. He accepts the idea of dying by Dracula's hand once the war is over if Dracula deems it necessary.
Isaac is gay, but his feelings for Dracula don't seem romantic in nature. He respects Dracula's wisdom and character so much he's willing to sacrifice anything to keep Dracula safe. Dracula acknowledges this fealty, as Isaac is the only one with whom he is truly honest. He also seems to care about Isaac, as he sends him away before the confrontation with Alucard, Trevor Belmont, and Sypha Belnades out of the obvious desire to save his life.
6 Hector And Lenore Have An Unhealthy But Intriguing Relationship
Dracula's second Forgemaster Hector is manipulated by Carmilla into betraying his leader. Taken captive by the Styrian queen, he meets Lenore and falls under her sway. She ends up betraying him too, using his affection for her to enslave him. Hector doesn't seem to begrudge her for that and the two preserve a romantic connection.
Hector asks Isaac to spare her at the end of the series, wishing for them to be together happily, free of the constraints of power struggles. Lenore refuses his dream and chooses to commit suicide instead of living in a cage. Even so, their relationship remains intriguing, so much so that its ending is truly tragic.
5 Striga And Morana Are Lovers Who Stand Together Through Everything
Striga and Morana are surprising beacons of normality in a world of monsters and murder. Even if they're vampires bent on the enslavement of humans, their close relationship elevates them beyond their status as villains. They stand together through every hardship, Striga's courage complementing Morana's intelligence. During Isaac's attack, they choose to prioritize each other instead of returning to their castle. Unlike Carmilla, who is perpetually power-hungry, they are truly characters viewers can empathize with.
4 Alucard's Relationship With His Parents Leaves Him Traumatized And Guilt-Ridden
Alucard is perhaps one of the most tragic characters of the series. He loses his mother after she is burned at the stake by the church. He's then faced with the horrific knowledge that his father has gone insane and is on a rampage to destroy humanity. Alucard loves his father, but he respects his mother's desire to protect humans and decides he has to kill Dracula. His participation makes all the difference in the world, as, without him, Dracula would have never abandoned his quest.
Alucard's patricide never ceases to haunt him, and after Sypha and Trevor leave him behind, his loneliness exacerbates his trauma and makes him easy to manipulate. Sumi and Taka's betrayal makes matters worse. Finally, toward the end of the anime, Alucard has to face a Rebis created using both his parents' souls. The monstrosity leaves him more wounded than he was before. The anime finale does bring him to a happier place, so perhaps, with time, he will be able to heal.
3 Trevor and Sypha Start A Romantic Relationship And Begin A Family Together
After Dracula's death, Trevor and Sypha continue their quest to defeat the night hordes, this time without Alucard. As they slay malevolent monsters and uncover secret conspiracies in Lindenfield, the two start a romantic relationship. By the end of season four, Sypha is pregnant, and Trevor declares his love for her. It's a touching romance that foretells greater things for the Belmonts.
2 Lisa And Dracula Are The Axis Around Which The Whole Series Rotates
The relationship between Dracula and his wife Lisa is the starting point for the whole series. Dracula truly loves his wife, so much so that he opens up to her and tries to become more human for her sake. When she is killed, he loses his mind and begins his quest to destroy humanity.
Even after his death at the end of season two, Dracula doesn't abandon his wife. He seeks her out in hell, and they are together even there, up until the moment Saint Germain drags them out. The epilogue finally gives the couple a happy ending, a surprising, but perhaps welcome twist.
1 Alucard, Trevor, And Sypha Are The Perfect Triad On The Battlefield And Off It
The three warriors responsible for killing Dracula are a perfect match for each other. The hunter and the scholar encounter the Sleeping Soldier beneath Gresit, and from that moment, their dynamic is one of the best things in the anime. Trevor and Alucard have an actual fight during their first meeting, and even after their duel is settled, they bicker constantly over their clashing backgrounds. Even so, they complement each other perfectly.
When the men allow their dispute to get in the way of their senses, Sypha is there to remind them of their priorities. Their bond grows beautifully and by the end, it becomes so much more than an alliance. Trevor's later romantic relationship with Sypha is a great development, but it pales in comparison to what the trio could have had.