A few years have passed since the conclusion of Netflix’s Castlevania series, featuring a stellar voice cast led by Richard Armitage as Trevor Belmont. Capturing the charismatic essence of the vampire hunter would undoubtedly be a challenging feat. The original series chronicled the exploits of Trevor Belmont, burdened by his family’s legacy as vampire hunters.
Castlevania Nocturne unfolds 300 years later, focusing on Trevor’s descendant, Richter Belmont (voiced by Edward Bluemel). This new series is situated against the backdrop of the French Revolution, portraying aristocratic vampires preying on peasants for sustenance. Castlevania Nocturne has proven to be a triumphant animated venture, blending fantasy elements, visceral bloodsucking vampires, and striking animation sequences. It seems logical for the streaming platform to build on the success of its predecessor and extend the universe with pre-established material.
The narrative kicks off in 1780s Boston, where a youthful Richter witnesses his mother’s murder at the hands of a vampire named Olrox (voiced by Zahn McClarnon). Fast forward to 1792, and Richter finds himself in a secluded town in western France. Now residing with Maria (voiced by Pixie Davies) and her mother, Tera (voiced by Nastassja Kinski), Richter has honed his vampire-hunting skills.
Following a night of monster-slaying, Richter, Maria, and Tera cross paths with two Haitian Revolutionaries. Annette (voiced by Thuso Mbedu), a former slave with magical abilities acquired during the Haitian Revolution, channels her powers to combat vampires. Her comrade, Edouard (Sydney James Harcourt), once a skilled opera singer, abandoned his profession to pursue vampire hunting. Annette arrives in the small town on a mission to quash the French Revolution, realizing the complexity of the task. Richter collaborates with a team to thwart aristocratic vampires aligned with the ruling class. Their plan involves unleashing an army of vampires and nocturnal creatures, commanded by the Vampire Messiah, Erzsebet Báthory (voiced by Franka Potente), loosely inspired by the historical Hungarian noblewoman and alleged serial killer.
Castlevania Nocturne earned acclaim for its distinctive visual style seamlessly blending anime-inspired imagery. The series featured expertly choreographed sword fights, graphic kills, and charismatic vampires and vampire hunters. While Castlevania Nocturne may never fully replicate the original’s genius storytelling and stunning visuals, it effectively emphasizes its greatest strengths. The exploration of complex characters grappling with their traumas remains a recurring theme, echoing the previous series. Like Trevor, Richter contends with the burden of upholding the Belmont family’s vampire hunting legacy.
Since childhood, Richter has been haunted by the death of a loved one, and despite numerous sword fights and vampire-hunting escapades, he struggles to overcome the fear, plagued by nightmares and flashbacks. However, the series takes Richter on a journey of internal confrontation, allowing him to delve into his conflicts rather than evade them. As he learns to unleash dormant powers and uncovers a family relic, Richter undergoes a transformative process, evolving into a character far more compelling than his initial portrayal in the series.
At the center of the series is Annette, a character endowed with unique ancestral powers. The narrative handles her backstory with meticulous care and sensitivity, notably addressing the violence inflicted upon slaves. Annette’s journey, from escaping enslavers to leading the resistance against French colonial rule in Haiti, grapples with grief and the aftermath of liberating herself from vampire-enforced servitude. The series, commendably, confronts a challenging subject matter with empathy, shedding light on the complexities surrounding violence against slaves. Furthermore, Castlevania Nocturne takes a stand against oppressive colonialist systems, seamlessly weaving this condemnation into the overarching narrative.
Castlevania Nocturne emerges as a compelling addition to the expansive Castlevania animated series universe, laying the groundwork for a more extensive plot. The hope is that Castlevania Nocturne will surpass expectations, just as its predecessor did. Even if the series shifts its focus away from vampires and emphasizes human characters, it adeptly propels the narrative forward with captivating personalities and visually striking anime-inspired scenes.
