Random TV Show Review - Castlevania (Seasons 2-4)

So I'm kind of annoyed at myself for not really reviewing the rest of this show after the first season. Today I will rectify that given that the fourth season is also the last season. Now, most of you know what Castlevania is. It was for a long time a fantasy horror video game franchise by Konami and considered their second-biggest franchise next to Metal Gear. It, like many video games released in the 80s and 90s, quickly became iconic with its side scrolling and RPG gameplay as well as its characters, themes and settings. Plus it gave us a new perspective on Dracula too. But since 2014, it's not really had a single game released apart from an appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and possibly other games that are not actual Castlevania games. Anyway a Netflix series was made and very appropriately as Konami is a Japanese company, it's an anime. So let's review these three seasons of the show:

Season 2

 Picking up from the last season (which most will agree was very short indeed), our trio of heroes embark on their quest to stop Dracula (reprised by one of the Company of Dwarves, Graham McTavish) and his army. The trio learns that the key to defeating him is to capture his castle, and they must find the Belmont library, where they spend much of the season learning about him and how they can defeat him. All this while Dracula rises to power with his generals. Very rarely do we get a season of a show dedicated to what people would consider the villainous side of a war. It's fun, self-aware at times and arguably a much better and more developed season compared to the very short first season. 9/10

 

Season 3

While the last season saw many of the main characters come together right at the end, this one focuses a lot on separate adventures. One about Alucard (reprised by James Callis) who spends time isolated in his castle. Then there is one with Trevor (reprised by the Lonely Mountain King, Richard Armitage) and Sypha (reprised by Alejandra Reynoso) who are both adventuring and dealing with all sorts of monsters formerly under Dracula's control (though we later learn that he isn't the true threat to our heroes). And then one about two Forgemasters trying to find each other, among plenty of other stories. In a way, this season is all about expanding the Castlevania universe and manages to do it quite well, albeit with some heartbreaking moments and opportunities for character development. Some stories connect with each other, but others do not. Another great season not to be missed. 9/10

 

Season 4

 The final season is where everything reaches the endgame while leaving it open for further adventures. Trevor and Sypha continue to rid the world of monsters, Alucard helps defend a village from said monsters and encounters Saint Germain (reprised by Bill Nighy from the last season) who somehow has escaped the Infinite Corridor with an interesting motive in mind. All the while Isaac (reprised by Adetokumboh M'Cormack) makes his move on Carmilla (reprised by Jaime Murray) who since the loss of Dracula, has been preparing to rid the world of humans and rule it with an iron fist. All that and many other things that bring the show to a satisfying end with potential to keep going. Another great season not to be missed and one that has quite the epic final showdown against Death no less. 9/10

 

This was Netflix's first foray into making their own anime shows (though often by paying production companies that create this kind of animation) and Castlevania definitely helped pave the way for much of Netflix's own original anime shows. None of them have been completely bad so far, but Castlevania certainly made its mark for sure. 9/10