Maintaining a chokehold on the streaming business as the one with the largest subscriber base, Netflix has long taken steps to update its vast catalog of content. Investing a significant amount of its fortunes in creating original pieces and adapting media from various other formats, the streamer has attained pitch-perfect success with its Castlevania outing.
Famed as a beloved adult dark fantasy animation, the series has built a strong following thanks to the creative decisions taken by its executives.
One of the biggest hurdles every project relying on an adaptation faces is at its beginning. A similar situation lay in front of the showrunners for the Netflix original animation. Several paths lay in front of them as well as the risks of stereotyping the characters. However, a set of decisions regarding its visual flair and story approach gave the franchise the status that it boasts today.
Castlevania made clear distinctions from the very start
Following the story of Trevor Belmont, Netflix’s Castlevania brought along elements from the original video game series, Akumajō Dracula. Yet, it chose to set itself apart not only from other Netflix animations but also from those productions that followed its themes. In talks with But Why Tho in 2021, its director, Samuel Deats, and associate director, Adam Deats made it clear that they did not want “A very pale vampire show like many of them end up being”.
The first big step in that direction was to add diversity to the show, which the duo claimed came “naturally”. However, they did ensure to include characters from diverse ethnicities such as Isaac and Annette, who added a sense of realism. Meanwhile, the latter also ensured the presence of a strong female character, which added the factor of progression. In their words, the duo stated:
It was something that we wanted to make sure that this story wasn’t just focused on this one tiny place or group of people, this is a worldwide event that was affecting everyone. Therefore, you’re gonna have people from all walks of life tied to it and affected by it.
It was an active decision to bring in characters from various walks of life and various parts of the world…We wanted to make sure that this wasn’t just a story with just a lot of white people.
Remarkably, their creative choices paid off and Castlevania went on to air four consecutive seasons all the while amassing acclaim and positive reception.
Netflix set to continue on the Castlevania lore while maintaining distinctions
In 2023, two years after the last episode of Castlevania aired, Netflix rolled out the Castlevania: Nocturne spin-off series. Set some 300 years after the events of the original, featuring a distinct historical setting, and Richter Belmont as its protagonist.
The driving force behind the series’ popularity was its dark and mature tone coupled with a gothic art style paying homage to the video game artist Ayami Kojima, who designed the original slate of the characters.
Thereafter, the script by Warren Ellis explored the dangers of religious zealots, the demonization of science and magic, and the consequences of power struggles. These complex themes and settings immediately set it apart from other popular animations such as Arcane.
Moreover, the action choreography and depth handed out to each character made way for an engaging story. All of it finally paid off with the streamer announcing a second season for the spin-off.
Castlevania and Castlevania: Nocturne is available to stream on Netflix.
