Castlevania: Nocturne introduces a series of characters who go on from the original series and games to create their own captivating stories. Each and every season of the series has been more intriguing and thrilling. So when Nocturne was in the works, it would only be fair to give their all to make the best.
The characters of Richter Belmont and Annette play the central roles in the series and it is their journey that is followed throughout it. Born to play the Damsel in Distress, Annette can be viewed as someone who needs rescuing time and again, waiting for her perfect prince to save her. However, the series changes her route, making her not a damsel but a seeker.
Authenticity in Castlevania
During an interview with Gizmodo, Castlevania: Nocturne writer Clive Bradley talked about how the changes in Annette’s character started a ripple effect. Annette’s story no longer remains tied just to France and the French Revolution, but also to the Haitian Revolution. It introduced the topic of slavery, which is otherwise very sensitive.
My train of thought with Annette was this: Rondo of Blood is set in 1792, which is the middle of the French Revolution. So why not set it then, make something of the time it’s set? And I feel you can’t really understand the French Revolution without knowing something about the Haitian revolution.
The French Revolution abolished slavery—but one reason, probably the main one, it did so was because the slaves had abolished it themselves in the French colony of St. Domingue. So how could we include this element in the story?
Through Annette’s character, it was shown that the people who revolted against St. Domingue and slavery weren’t just common people but those who had slavery enforced upon them. Annette too, in the series, was born a slave, and only later does she go out on her own journey. The abolishing of slavery as well as the French and Haitian Revolutions became inevitable parts of Castlevania: Nocturne.
This made Annette a character of her own rather than one who needs constant saving, being the damsel in distress. She, originating from Saint Domingue, was perhaps part of the revolution of slaves who had an uprising, so her strength as a character grew manifolds.
Perfecting Art by Bringing in the Best
Clive Bradley talked about how Annette reminded him of Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame because of how she was trapped in a castle. However, he noted that it was almost natural for him to turn her into a stronger character because of her roots.
This Annette would probably have had roots in West Africa. I was keen to involve writers with that heritage, so I brought on Temi Oh and Testament and Zodwa Nyoni. They helped develop Annette’s magic, her links to the West African god Ogun, and so forth. Later we had a Haitian adviser on board, Cècile Accilien, who helped us with aspects of the history and culture. We wanted it to be as authentic and grounded in reality as possible.
Wanting to give the character West African roots, Bradley chose to bring on board writers who understood the culture better than anyone. Through a group of writers who were part of the same heritage as that of Annette’s, Bradley was able to create a character who felt authentic, and realistic, while also magical all at the same time.
Bringing together a team that understands the character is accepting one’s limitations and turning it into their strengths. Had Bradley gone with his own understanding, Annette’s character could have lacked growth in many aspects no matter how skilled of a writer he may be. However, because of his better judgment, that never came to be.
Castlevania: Nocturne is available to watch on Netflix.
