Netflix Video Game Anime Is Perfect For New Fans
Anime can be difficult to get into, but while it’s easier to find than ever, with every streaming service boasting a substantial catalog, where to start is more overwhelming for new fans than ever before. When I was first getting into anime, it was easy, as we watched what was on Toonami, and in college, the joke suggestion was always Elfen Leid. Today, the Netflix original series Castlevania has become my new suggestion for those looking for an introductory anime.
Adapting The Classic Video Game Franchise
Castlevania adapts the classic video game franchise of the same name. The first two seasons bring the NES game Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse to life, while later seasons incorporate aspects of Symphony of the Night. If you haven’t played the series, don’t worry; all you have to know is Dracula is out to destroy humanity after his wife was burned at the stake, and there’s a small team of vampire hunters, including Alucard, the half-human son of Dracula, determined to stop him.
Perfect For A Binge
Season 1 is only four episodes long and is essentially all set up for Season 2, which makes it significantly less daunting than, say, One Piece, Naruto, or any other series with hundreds of episodes and dozens of characters to keep track of. Castlevania gets the most complex in Season 3, which changes focus and introduces a whole new cast of characters, but don’t worry—it’s still under a dozen. The breezy nature of each episode makes the series perfect for a weekend binge.
A Gothic Anime
Now, watching Castlevania is also fun, thanks to the smooth animation. The dark, gothic atmosphere stands out from the typical Shonen anime that new fans naturally gravitate towards. The battle scenes, in particular, look gorgeous thanks to the work of Mua Films and Tiger Animation (which took over for Season 4), and they’re a far cry from the recycled frames of the anime I grew up watching.
The voice cast for the anime is also outstanding and is filled with recognizable celebrity names, with Richard Armitage (The Hobbit) as Trevor Belmont, James Callis (Battlestar Galactica) as Alucard, and supporting characters voiced by the likes of Jason Isaacs, Malcolm McDowell, Bill Nighy, and Lance Reddick.
The Sequel Series
Once you get done with Castlevania, there’s a sequel series, Castlevania: Nocturne, that follows another descendent of the Belmont clan, Richter, during the French Revolution. Loosely adapting the best 2D platformer game in the franchise, Rondo of Blood, Nocturne is just as good as the original series. And now’s a great time to get caught up, as Netflix recently announced Season 2 is arriving in early 2025.
A Great Intro Anime
REVIEW SCORE
Whether you’ve seen enough anime to properly explain the ending of Neon Genesis Evangelion, or you just started out because you kept hearing about that cool Demon Slayer series, Netflix’s Castlevania deserves your attention. From the awesome animation to the award-winning voice cast, the anime has been the best part of the franchise since 2008’s Order of Ecclesia for the Nintendo DS. Once you’ve gone through both shows, then it’s time to branch out into other anime series, like My Hero Academia, an isekai like Sword Art Online, or even a comedy series like Spy x Family.
