Castlevania: Nocturne Season 1 Review – French aristocracy meets vampiric dark fantasy

Episode Guide

A Common Enemy in Evil – | Review Score – 5/5
Horror Beyond Nightmares – | Review Score – 5/5
Freedom Was Sweeter – | Review Score – 4/5
Horrors Rising from the Earth – | Review Score – 4/5
The Natural Order – | Review Score – 5/5
Guilty Men to be Judged – | Review Score – 5/5
Blood is the Only Way – | Review Score – 3.5/5
Devourer of Light – | Review Score – 4/5

Gloomy animated series Castlevania: Nocturne serves as an extension of the immensely successful fantasy television show Castlevania, which boasts a richly developed narrative encompassing various video games as well as comic book iterations.

The animated drama explores an unsettling fantasy narrative centred on an alarming increase in vampires. Richter, hailing from a lineage of vampire hunters spanning several generations, confronts a formidable adversary known as The Vampire Messiah, who has garnered a devoted following of fanged disciples. Equipped with the renowned Belmont surname as well as a whip, Richter engages in a perilous encounter with this empirically powerful foe.

In light of Erzsebet Báthory’s expanding dominance over Europe during the French Revolution, Richter faces the imperative task of stopping her dominion. To accomplish this, he must seek the guidance of his friends, including the powerful witch Maria, who possesses ancestral ties to a deity, as well as Annette, a descendant of divine lineage, and the melodious Edouard.

The amalgamation of the French aristocracy with vampiric elements is truly remarkable. The incorporation of supernatural elements into the show’s historical setting adds a fascinating dimension and enhances its overall appeal. The show caters to a diverse range of viewers, including history enthusiasts, those who have an interest in the supernatural, and hardcore video game players.

The show effectively establishes the story’s premise and introduces viewers to the primary protagonist, Richter Belmont. The narrative provides insight into the protagonist’s backstory, revealing that his mother, Julia, met her demise at the hands of a bloodthirsty being named Olrox.

The character development in the show is truly remarkable. Annette, Richter, and Terra have a compelling backstory that elicits genuine empathy from the audience.

The adversaries in the show possess extraordinary strength, providing fierce competition throughout the show. The antagonist Olrox appears to be a formidable force to reckon with. The character in question exhibits an evident justification for his actions, contributing significantly to the complexity of his character. Consequently, our curiosity is piqued, prompting us to learn more about him throughout the season.

The Messiah appears to be just as vicious, if not more so, as Olrox. The backstory narrated by Tera was absolutely icy. When you consider the lengths the Messiah went to, it sends chills down your spine. 

The Abbot’s portrayal in the show is the only real problem with it. All the characters in the show, except for the Abbot, are layered and multifaceted. The Abbot, though, is portrayed as a fanatical religious extremist. He doesn’t seem to have any redeeming qualities whatsoever, besides his rationale of trying to protect God and the church.

However, the revolutionaries are not presented as an irrational bunch, despite the fact that they are. This makes for a strawman, one-sided argument throughout the show. The Abbot makes an excellent point when he states that a major problem will arise with the destruction of the foundation upon which society rests. It’s somewhat disappointing that this perfectly logical argument is overlooked during the show.

The animation, colour grading, portrayal of realistic fictional settings, and representation of the characters are simply breathtaking. Moreover, the fight sequences presented in the television series, particularly in episode six, are unquestionably praiseworthy.

The entirety of the show exhibits exceptional qualities in terms of its premise, character development, animation, colour grading, action sequences, and emotional accounts. The incorporation of a French Revolution twist within the dark supernatural storyline renders Castlevania: Nocturne a highly recommended viewing experience.

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