Netflix’s Controversial Series Everyone Should Watch
Since its debut in 2017, Netflix’s Castlevania set itself apart as one of the most beautifully animated series on the streaming platform, quickly gaining critical acclaim. However, the fantasy show wasn’t without its criticisms. With a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score, Castlevania is an incredible video game adaptation with extensive world-building and interesting lore that even non-players can appreciate.
Castlevania is a rare fantasy series that has no bad seasons, despite facing a few hiccups along the way. While Netflix’s animated fantasy show was successful among critics and general audiences alike, it didn’t resonate with everyone. The gritty series is one of the best animated shows on Netflix, but it’s also quite divisive.
Castlevania Is The Perfect Show On Netflix For Fantasy Fans
Sypha and Trevor Belmont smiling at each other In Castlevania Season 3
Castlevania might not have been a big hit with video game players, but it’s a show that fans of the fantasy genre will love. The series follows three characters: Trevor Belmont, a monster hunter from a disgraced family; Sypha, a magician; and Alucard, Dracula’s son. The trio bands together and fights against monsters and all kinds of supernatural horrors.
The Netflix fantasy show has incredible world-building and perfectly establishes an intriguing magic system, terrifying monsters, and anti-hero protagonists who are easy to root for. All these are brought to life using stunning animation that captures every motion and emotion. Castlevania is gritty, dark, and bloody, but it also takes the time to explore poignant themes, such as religious hypocrisy and identity.
Netflix’s Castlevania Is Not Universally Loved By Fans Of The Game
Dracula from Castlevania cries blood
Adapting a TV show from beloved source material is always risky, given that there is an already-established following. In a way, it isn’t surprising that there was some pushback from fans of the Castlevania video game, given that the series made some creative changes that drifted away from the lore in the source material.
The Netflix animated series reinterpreted and added its own spin on some of the characters and lore that were in the original story. The TV adaptation sought to make Dracula a sympathetic character who was grieving the death of his wife, instead of portraying him as he was in the game: as a villain. Understandably, that didn’t go well with the video game’s fan base.
There are also some tonal differences between the Netflix series and the video game. Granted, they are both dark stories with gothic elements, but the TV show is, in some ways, more brutal and coarse than its game counterpart. Castlevania is famous for its monologues and slow pace, but the video game is more action-driven.
Why You Should Check Out Castlevania (Even If It’s Not A Great Adaptation)
Trevor, Alucard, and Sypha prepare to fight Dracula in Castlevania.
Castlevania might not be a perfect adaptation, but it’s still a great series. While the creative changes that were made were controversial, it could be argued that that’s why the animated show worked. If it tried to copy every detail from the video game, then it would have been an entirely different series that might not have worked as well as it does.
Castlevania has intriguing and nuanced characters who constantly engage in morally questionable acts. The series is often intense and bloody, but it also intricately builds and fleshes out its characters in a way that even those who have never heard of or played the game can still enjoy.
With its action, monsters, and stunning animation, Castlevania’s ability to tell a new story makes it one of the best fantasy TV shows on Netflix. Whether you agree with the changes that were made to the video game lore and characters or not, there’s no denying that Castlevania has etched a place for itself as a brilliant series.
0 Comments