‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ (Season 2) Review: Viva La Révolution in Belmont Style
One of the best parts of Netflix’s animated series slate is that it never disappoints. Castlevania, the video-game adaptation series that began in 2017, expanded its lore with Castlevania: Nocturne, and provides a story with more bite and blood. Want to tune in for some hot, sexy vampires who speak softly and seductively? Well, this series is the perfect recipe for you.
Richter Belmont (voiced by Edward Bluemel) returns to become the resident Belmont demon and vampire hunter teams up with Dracula’s son, Alucard (voiced by James Callis), and Annette (voiced by Thuso Mbedu), a former slave. The first season begins just as things are heating up during the French Revolution, as the characters fight for freedom against their oppressors. It continues with a politically intense story featuring more vampires, magic, mystical beings, creatures, and monsters from different realms.
In the second season, many other subplots come into focus. A power-hungry vampire and self-proclaimed leader, Erzsebet Báthory (voiced by Franka Potente), is on the verge of taking over the entire world. Richter’s half-sister, Maria (voiced by Pixie Davies), grieves the loss of her mother and her father’s betrayal. Annette is beginning to understand her true strength while also learning to connect with her ancestral spirits that dwell in a different realm. Also, Alucard is helping Richter, Annette, and Maria with their conflicts and to take down Erzsebet.
The best part of Castlevania: Nocturne is how it balances out all the characters and storylines. There’s not a single subplot that is left behind. Perhaps a significant change, and one character left behind is Orlox (voiced by Zahn McClarnon), who, in the first season was one of the main characters, but is now reduced to a supporting character and plots to take down Erzsebet. The stories keep moving, breathing life into the characters’ problems and resolving everything while bringing more focus to the series’ villain in the second season.
The second season of Castlevania: Nocturne is rich in conflict, that’s almost certain. But there’s a reason for that. The story isn’t over yet. Maria’s internal battle and eventual descent into darkness are shredded in mystery, which will hopefully be explored in the next season. Every character gets their moment to shine. Castlevania: Nocturne is bigger and bloodier, with a larger political shift and exploration of family and grief. These themes blend with characters like Maria, who deals with her family’s loss and overcoming that tragic pain.
Castlevania: Nocturne is the new beginning. It’s a revolution, like a metamorphosis of beings and the political landscape that hangs in the air with vampire hunters and spirit-wielding beings fighting against unworldly creatures. It’s an action-packed series with strong themes and well-developed characters. Every battle is designed and choreographed beautifully bursting with different colours and expressions.
This animated series is one of the best video game adaptations. Even if the season ends without a proper ending, hopefully, news of a third season will be imminent. It would be a shame to leave these characters’ storylines and not explore the other adventures they could be part of, or Netflix might create another spin-off series set in the same universe. Wherever it goes, the fans will be seated!
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