It’s that spooky time of year, and what is more spooky than a tale about a vampire? Recently, it has been announced that the Netflix Original Castlevania has been renewed for a season 3. So I thought it was high time I did an anime highlight on this gothic thriller. Here are my thoughts on Netflix Original Castlevania.

Now I watched Castlevania season 1 when it came out. I did not know what to expect as this is an anime based off the video game series named Castlevania, but I was pleasantly surprised. Though Season 1 is only four episodes, there was a lot of emotional depth and fantastic character introductions of the main four: Vlad Tepes (Dracula), Alucard Tepes, Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades.

Season 1 did an excellent job in a short amount of time in establishing main characters we care about, and a villain that has complex motives. Dracula could have easily been portrayed a fanged two dimensional demon with little to no character development, but he, luckily, was not. This story showcases a very sad and devastated Dracula that wants to see the human world burn after his human wife was cruelly burned at the stake.

I liked how Season 1 built up the action and the character development in particular the three main heroes: Trevor Belmont, Alucard Tepes, and Sypha Belnades. Trevor Belmont takes up the mantle of the plucky hero and yet he can be quite contrary. He does not always say or do the things a typical hero would say or do which I liked. I found that this immediately made him a character that you liked because he has this darker, don’t care attitude at first. Fans see Trevor blossom as it becomes apparent that his view of the world was not going to help it and he comes to realize that he is one of the few remaining people who has a chance of stopping Dracula.

Trevor is not the only hero that we meet in season 1. Let’s talk about the female protagonist Sypha Belnades. We meet Sypha after Trevor saves her from a medusa like cyclops who has turned her to stone. What I liked about her is that she can stand on her own two feet. She is the only one of the trio who can use magic and she is very powerful with it. I liked that she is smart and quick to come up with strategies and techniques that really work. Her role really expands in season 2. Though she starts to become a bit of a love interest for Belmont in season 2, her role as a strong magician and protector is not diminished at all. I liked her interactions and banter with Trevor and Alucard.

And how can we forget the third part of our hero trio Alucard Tepes, the son of Dracula? I found that the introduction of Alucard (whose real name is Adrian Fahrenheit Tepes) really added a unique dynamic to the trio and makes for an interesting character in his own right. Being the son of Dracula, Alucard (Dracula spelled backwards) is put in a terrible predicament: follow his father in his mad quest to destroy the world or honor his mother’s last wishes and protect humanity. Alucard decides to honor his mother and knows he is really one of the only creatures alive that can take on Dracula and win. I liked the conflict that we see in him early in Season 1 which really flourishes in season 2.

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR SEASON 2

Now let’s get into Season 2. I feel like season 1 did a fantastic job setting us up with a trio of likable and flawed heroes that each have their own journey to go on. Season 2 really expanded on their journey. I liked the friendship and bond that grows between the three, but I also loved the individual growth in character especially for Alucard. His conflict that we saw a hint of in season 1 really grows in season 2.

Alucard’s end fight with Dracula is so well done and so heartbreaking at the same time. I felt the pain that Alucard and Dracula felt in the end as they faced off with each other. Each knew there was no going back from where they were. I did tear up when Alucard had to deal the lethal blow that kills his father and how heartbreaking he is. Season 2 ends with Alucard weeping along in his father’s old chair in a now empty castle. It is so tragically beautiful.

And Season 2 really did a fantastic job taking an iconic villain like Dracula and really give a fresh spin to his character. In season 2, Dracula is hell bent on getting revenge on all of humanity for the death of his wife. What is so interesting is that fans get to see the depth of his love for his wife Lisa, and we see a little more of their past together. His love is so powerful that it is turned into hatred. Dracula goes through so many steps of grief in this season and it was fascinating to watch. In the end, Alucard pointed out that his father’s actions are all one very long, suicide note. This is so on point, and tragic at the same time. Dracula’s development throughout season 2 was very well done.

But season 2 had some really fantastic new characters introduced. Three characters really stood out this season, and I’m going to get into them now.

Hector, Isaac, and Carmilla

One of the biggest and most refreshing surprises I got in season 2 is the introduction of some really fantastic characters. Three stood out in particular and really became movers and shakers in this story. These characters set up a very dynamic story and I can see many story lines and threads coming from these characters alone. Let’s start with the Devil’s Forgemasters.

Hector and Isaac

These two characters really took me by surprise when I watched season 2. I had seen promos for season 2 and had seen images of these new characters, but I was always under the impression that they were vampire underlings to Dracula (not being well versed in the lore of the video games).

So I was pleasantly surprised to see that both of these characters are, in fact, human and the only two humans who are actively working towards Dracula’s goal of eradicating humanity. This immediately made their characters interesting as they both have very different reasons and motives for doing what they do. Hector and Isaac work as both the generals to Dracula and his Devil’s Forgemasters. Their roles as Forgemasters are really critical to Dracula’s power. They reanimate the dead and even change them into the nightmarish creatures that Dracula unleashes on the land. Both have a sad pasts that led them to this unique ability. And both have very different viewpoints on what they are doing. Let’s start with Isaac.

Isaac

Isaac was a former slave who turned on his abusive master. He is very articulate, smart, and stern. He has a very harsh outlook on humanity and fully supports Dracula’s ultimate goal of wiping out all of humanity which is not something the rest of Dracula’s retinue are fully behind. He sees the genocide of the human race as a purification. Isaac is straight up savage and terrifying at times. He is strong and lethal when he wants to be as is seen when he takes down Godbrand, a Viking vampire.

Despite being savage at times, he is also very loyal and thinks with a cool, collected head. I think this is why Dracula recruited him. Dracula knows that he has to have a true believer in his vision of wiping out humanity, someone who would not turn on him. Dracula also knows that the genocide of the human race would be a hard sell to vampires as humans are a source of food to vampires. There is a strange and powerful bond between Isaac and Dracula which is interesting to watch unfold in season 2. By the end of season 2, Isaac is being set up to becoming a big bad and someone not to be messed with in the upcoming seasons. I truly liked how intriguing his character is.

Hector

I think my favorite redeemable antagonist is Hector. He is a fascinating character and one that becomes endearing throughout season 2. I felt the most conflict in him when it comes to enacting Dracula’s genocidal plan. He too is a Devil’s Forgemaster, but he has a very different viewpoint on Dracula’s goals as Dracula lies to him about it. Hector does not want to outright wipe out humanity. He believes that humanity is dangerous and cruel and should have stricter control on it. In fact, I would say most if not all the vampires who have aligned themselves with Dracula would be willing to listen to Hector’s plan which does not call for all out genocide. Dracula even says that Hector is gullible and that he can be lied to. Isaac admits that Hector is too gentle for what needs to be done.

Hector quickly comes under Carmilla’s control as she begins making logical attack strategies. She also points out that Dracula is losing his mind and grip on reality. Is Carmilla wrong? Technically no. Is she manipulative and uses this information to her advantage to sway Hector? Most definitely. I liked the development of his character and the little I saw of his backstory made me feel sad for his character. He is a lonely boy who has incredible powers, and is caught in the middle of everything.

Carmilla

Speaking of Carmilla, here is the character I really liked the most in season 2. The moment she walked into the show I knew she was going to be a force to be reckoned with and boy is she. I liked that she is a smart, forward thinking woman who is not afraid to get her hands dirty nor stand toe to toe with someone as powerful as Dracula. She is maniacal, but in such a good way. It made the story so much more interesting.

I think what I liked so much is just how intelligent she is and how much she was not going to take anything from anyone. She was not going to allow a “crazed old man” dictate her fate. This is a throwback to her very dark past where a cruel old vampire turned her and kept her as his own until she killed him.

One thing she has a good grasp on is battle strategy. She is the first to point out a very clear cut plan of attack. Her plan is to attack an important port town which would effectively cut off people from escaping the country. It is a good plan of attack even if she did have ulterior motives and a plan within a plan.

She is also very adept at reading people and using it to her advantage. This is how she suckered Hector into following her plans. This is critical being a powerful female in a male dominated world. Her manipulations quickly gains her dominance over the other vampires, but, most importantly, over Hector who convinces Dracula to follow her plan to attack the port town.

This sadly leads to a very interesting relationship that grows between Hector and Carmilla. Carmilla knows just how to use him, and use him does she. Once she gets Dracula to attack the port town of Braila, it is discovered that she has another plan. Her soldiers are ready and waiting to attack Dracula’s castle and take it over, effectively making Hector an unintentional traitor. Carmilla sees the value in Hector’s skills and she takes him as a slave. The end of season 2 shows Carmilla’s crazy and cruel nature, which has been hinted at throughout season 2, as she chains up Hector and beats him. It is a chilling moment and adds yet another dimension to her already complex character.

Overall, I think Castlevania has been a fantastic story and really digs deep into characters. Season 2 really added intriguing new characters and plot development as well as expand the characters fans were already introduced to. I also think that things are just getting started as season 2 laid the groundwork for some very interesting seasons to come. I can’t wait to see what is in store for season 3!