What looks to be currently Castlevania’s only form in modern-day, Castlevania Nocturne is the spinoff to Netflix’s Castlevania series, a state that fans are slowly getting accustomed to as there’s still no view of a videogame title for the franchise. With the same producer who was responsible for the previous series, Kevin Kolde made a return with Clive Bradley as the creator and writer. Do know that being the sole form of the franchise currently, this television series for Netflix needs to lift an accountable weight with much to prove and achieve, convincingly, the first season does exactly that to be technically one of the best videogame adaptations viewers can lay their eyes on.
Castlevania Nocturne sets its spinoff nature with inspiration and composition taken from older Castlevania titles; Castlevania Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night. The former part is mainly covered for most of the series’ first season. The characters return, with a few gratifying changes, for Nocturne alongside many other extractions that include plot sequences, soundtracks, looks, and much more. The season touches on various theories of literature and even provides a hint of satirical nature to its vices, alongside many easter eggs for its own name. There is much to behold within Castlevania Nocturne.
The startup of the series in the first two episodes is slow, but the build-up is worthwhile. From the third episode, the dynamic animation and pace start to catch up, fully fledging from the fourth episode onwards. The rest of the show hails the start and takes it a step ahead with every episode up to the final eighth.
The Animation:
The quality of animation from the very first episode to the last shows that the show was in good hands. The show does not at all feel janky or jittery, with sleek animation going well with the style and sound. The show also holds some of the best animated sequences videogame adaptations have to offer, and the result is true eye candy. In comparison to the previous Castlevania series’ first season, Castlevania Nocturne’s state in the animating department is as good if not considered better. Some of the movements and styles are even reminiscent of the animations that the videogame had in Rondo of Blood. The dynamic sequences are perfectly aligned with all other parts of the show such as the music and the voice acts and is potentially the best attribute the show has.
If people are trying out the season aiming to behold some marvellous animation work, they’ll get their money’s worth.
The Animesque-artstyle:
Coming as a devout workup of modern anime art style that Japan is well known for, Castlevania Nocture works with a dedicated style that’s very similar to normal anime. Yet there is enough difference noticeable to put it aside. From a general perspective, the art style could be considered as a merge of Japanese and American animation styles, with a hint of realistic proportions very observable to whoever watches it. It is sharp, sleek and very beautiful, with brighter colours, wherever found, full of contrast and shine. The design of the characters carries all these aspects and is very well done. The result is a roster of signature characters that look great and memorable and a world design that is both grotesque but beautiful, a sharp uncanny befitting the set age and tone of the show.
The Plot:
The plot of the first season holds quite a few twists and is enthralling through and through. It goes above and beyond to deliver each moment with ample weight and potency, the happier moments churning emotions to belove the show’s characters and the sadder ones truly leaving a mark. The same force is reinforced at the many ‘apexes’ that you will consistently find in most of the episodes, with the last four giving them in ample like pulses. The sense of exhilaration during action sequences is also a complement to the variety of the plot, as no move is just a move, each one connotes a meaning that tells viewers a vital piece of knowledge. Hencewise, the considerable amount of violence and fights are not just there for cheap adrenaline rushes.
You’ll be feeling all sorts of things all while getting blown away by the story and the plot of Castlevania Nocturne, especially its finale.
The Soundtrack:
You’ll be fully immersed in the world with the soundtrack as your guide. The Voice acting is full of emotions as well. There will also be a few tunes that will catch you off guard if you’re an old Castlevania fan. But what’s more, is that the music comes fully embalmed in the story and the action sequences. Not to spoil viewers now if they have reached this far reading, so we’ll say it like this, there is a certain character in the show that is known for his voice, and he truly will take the limelight. And even his parts aside, the show by no means will tone it down on melody of the highest calibre.
So overall, this just summarises the first season that looks to just be the start of what Castlevania Nocturne will hold. The show is already greenlit for a second season and will look to go as long as the original Castlevania. If perchance the show becomes familiar to its predecessor whose each new season was better than the last, then Castlevania Nocturne would surely follow a masterful route in its adaptation of the videogame genre.
The show is available to watch on Netflix for anyone who’s looking to watch it. Here’s a link to the streaming platform’s page where you can get yourself set up.
