In 1986 Konami debuted Castlevania for the NES, jumpstarting a game series that would feature the seemly eternal fight between Dracula and the vampire-hunting Belmont family. The series has produced some of the greatest games for fans, from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse to Castlevania: Symphony Of the Night. Sadly, Konami has done little else with the series as far as gaming, other than the odd mobile phone release.
Yet Castlevania hasn't completely taken a stake to the heart, as it's thrived through a Netflix anime series that recently wrapped up its third season. Loosely based on the Dracula's Curse game, the adaptation has won new and old fans alike with its stylized action, witty dialogue, and Game of Thrones-esque plot beat. The Netflix series might have some anime additions different from the games that fans criticize, but it's also got some additions that make the Castlevania franchise shine.
10 Best: Meat To The Story
The Netflix anime is based on the third NES game of the series, which may have come off strange initially to fans of the games. While Castlevania as a whole is rich with lore, the NES title offers paltry goods when it comes to the story, compared to other titles.
This was a great opportunity for the writers behind the series to add meat more chunky then what players find behind the hidden walls of Dracula's Castle. There are more opportunities to add more depth to the game's lore while also paying homage to the source.
9 Worst: Potty-Mouths
While earlier 8-bit Nintendo entries in the series may have been child-friendly, later titles weren't exactly PG. In fact, as console technology progressed, the Castlevania games were better able to reflect their dark gothic and often bloody atmosphere. But no matter how dark the game got, players would never find a Belmont or Alucard dropping F-bombs.
The Netflix series has zero qualms on characters cursing up a storm or throwing obscene gestures. At best it provides meme-worthy content or comedic dialogue that snaps. At worst, it just comes off as jarring or juvenile.
8 Best: Dracula And Lisa
Unless players count the non-canonical and divisive Castlevania: Lord Of Shadows games, Dracula's backstory isn't nearly as detailed in the games as it is in the anime. The anime series also gives more backstory to his late bride Lisa as the audience learns of how the interesting would-be doctor meets and falls for Dracula.
In short, it's a smart origin piece that centers one of the series central themes of human ignorance being an evil on par as any vampire, demon, or monster summoned. It adds more weight to Dracula than the games could.
7 Worst: Sumi And Taka
What started off as potentially one of the most interesting set of characters and plot points in season three devolved into wasted potential. Sumi and Taka aren't in the games at all. Yet their inclusion brings hope of a new set of potential vampire hunters that could have learned much from Alucard and betrayed him in a stronger plot and where the two's relationship with Alucard is more fleshed out.
They ultimately get used for fodder in a conclusive scene that's not nearly as alluring or empowering as it thinks it is but is instead a hasty plot sacrifice for Alucard's continuing psychological reflection on the best and worst of humanity and his place among them. It may be necessary, but it still feels rushed and would have been more impactful as a slower burn.
6 Best: Fallout From Dracula's Death
Castlevania games usually focused explicitly on two things. Characters are either already in Dracula's Castle trying to send back to the land of the dead or characters are trying to stop Dracula's minions from finishing their resurrection of him.
The Netflix anime takes a different turn during Season 3. With Dracula seemly killed last season, the world continues to roll along with new threats for the heroes. It's interesting and refreshing to see how the world of Castlevania continues to go on and be its own danger beyond the walls of Dracula's Castle.
5 Worst: Lidenfield
That being said about the anime's exploration of the world beyond the castle gates, it's a shame that the plot point of the village of Lidenfield feels like a runner-up compared to anything else that happens in Season 3. Lidenfield or Trevor and Sypha's time in the village isn't originally in the games. But it's an addition that feels less impactful like Alucard's time in his father's castle, Carmilla's plotting, Hector's descent, or Issacs's journey.
There are strong moments with Trevor and Sypha as a whole, and the last few episodes in the village provide the backdrop for some of the show's best action scenes. Lidenfield's story comes off as an attempt to once again hammer the point of humanity's potential for evil, but at times feels more like an afterthought compared to what else is going on in the ensuing season.
4 Best: Diverse Vampires
The Castlevania games feature tons of monsters and demons for brave vampires hunters to bring down. But when it comes to opposing vampires, the number is actually quite few, compared to what the Netflix anime adds. Vampires are established to have existed before Dracula in the games, but players really don't encounter that many beyond Dracula, Carmilla, and a few others.
Fans got the chance to see how Dracula ruled over a variety of vampires from different parts of the world in Season 2. And in Season 3, the Council of Sisters are introduced. These characters, who are also exclusive to the series, really give the impression that there is a diverse vampiric world beyond just Dracula.
3 Worst: Issacs's Backstory
Isaac goes through quite a drastic change compared to his game counterpart as far as design and backstory. And while some of these changes are refreshing and interesting, there are some aspects of his backstory that seem to take some steps back. Notably, the backstory of Isaac coming from an abusive white master he initially loves but ultimately kills, which leans too heavily on a standard Hollywood slave master trope that lacks any real nuance and is so quickly dismissed by the show.
It could have been a critical thinking moment for the audience. Instead, viewers don't really get a chance to critically think about the historical significance of black enslavement and freedom from white slave masters nor the punishments enslaved Blacks received from seeking knowledge. It comes off clumsily written which is a shame, as the budding antagonist truly shows a rich and layered development especially as Season 3 rolls along.
2 Best: Carmilla's Betrayal Of Dracula
In the Castlevania games, Carmilla is fiercely loyal to Dracula, which is why her betrayal of him in the anime may have initially shocked fans. But as the series attempts to high dive into the Game Of Thrones plotting and treachery playbook in the series, the change of Carmilla's loyalty makes sense.
Season 3 asks the question of "What happens in a world without Dracula?" The answer is that not only does evil persist, but continues on in new and dangerous forms, including Carmilla. It's a slow burn progress that may conclude in Season 4. Besides, if Dracula returns, it'll be an interesting showdown between him and the ones who betrayed him.
1 Worst: Hector's Betrayal Of Dracula
Hector's journey to leave Dracula in the games is rooted in his distaste for killing and his desire to leave with his wife Rosaly. The Devil Forgemaster is then forced to deal with Isaac and Dracula after the murder of his bride.
In the anime, Hector doesn't betray his former master out of love or chance at a different life, but due to being manipulated by Carmilla. He is further manipulated by Lenore in Season 3 at points even having to be lead around via leash, then controlled by a magic ring. It's a tragic look for the character who comes off more naïve and gullible compared to his game counterpart.