SERIES REVIEW – Netflix is branching out once more into unfamiliar territory, and steps into the genre of animation once again. The company has sponsored in the past similar ventures with Knights of Sidonia, and Blame!, but those were helmed by Japanese animation companies, and were mostly manga adaptions – and page for the page at that. However this time Netflix has gone one-step beyond in adapting manga page for page and has decided to adapt one of Konami’s most famous franchise – Castlevania. Adaptation of such a franchise is a bit tricky, as the early NES games barely had any story, while the later entries into the franchise had a bit too convoluted stories.

So instead of trying to adapt one specific entry of Castlevania, we have a mix of the old NES games, specifically Castlevania 3, and a few other easter eggs from the other games. With Frederator Studios as the production company and Netflix financing, it could this be the start of a revival for Western R Rated movies and series?

Welcome to Wallachia

The story of this Castlevania series is crafted by Warren Ellis, who is mostly known for his comic books, and a few other animation projects, but the most notable comparison to this effort in style is one his older web series which adapted the GI.Joe franchise in a more realistic setting, and also had lots of violence. Similarly to that series, here in Castlevania, Mr. Ellis does not hold back either on violence or storytelling, and nothing seems to be taboo in the long run for him.

The first season is only four episodes long, which is not much considering one episode is around twenty-five minutes. However, the pacing and the narrative setup is fantastic and really feels like a prolog for something more epic down the line. The story begins in Wallachia, with Vlad Tepes’s (Aka Dracula’s) wife being burned at stake by the Church, as she was accused of witchcraft. Dracula does not take too kindly for this transgression and gives one year to the people of Wallachia to make peace. After which his army of demons will kill everyone in the country. Naturally, the good citizens decide to ignore this warning, and instead one year later they decide to celebrate the death of the Witch. Typically, this overdose of hubris for the Wallachians backfire, and Dracula true to his words unleashes a demon army upon the land. After this great massacre, we meet Trevor Belmont, last of the Belmonts who after much convincing decides to go and defeat Dracula.

R rated Castlevania?!

That’s the initial premise of the story, but it does get into some heavy thinking (between the bloody action scenes), on the concept of religion, prejudice, and generally rejecting the unknown (or as many people call it these days science). Netflix does not shy away from adapting the source material in the most authentic way as possible. Even if it might rustle some feathers about violence, gore, sex.  While Castlevania was never a kids game series, Ellis and the animators cranked up the violence to eleven here, and it times it can be annoying, but on the other hand, everything is stylish as hell regarding presentation. The quality is top notch regarding the visuals, and some of the dialogue is Shakespearian at times. The only low points for the show are the violence (at least for some), and how the animation is a bit choppy at times, plus the music feels forgettable.

The voice acting is hit or miss, Richard Armitage (of Hobbit fame), is fantastic as Trevor Belmont, and Graham McTavish is also fantastic as Dracula. Sadly though the voice actor for Alucard, and Sypha Belnades range from okay to horrible, depending on the scenes they “act” in.

All in all the series is visually pleasing, and the voice acting is superb (at least for the main cast).

Vampire killer series

In the end, Netflix’s Castlevania series is pretty much for anybody, and no background knowledge of the franchise is required. Although regarding age not everyone can enjoy this due to its R rating. However, even with the series being over the top regarding violence, it does so with style. Sadly the first season is short, but at least it does not feel rushed, or incomplete, and sets up the events for the second season nicely. I can wholeheartedly recommend this series to anyone who wants to enjoy a fun, action filled series, with over the top gore.

-Dante-