Netflix, the streaming giant that brought us the critically acclaimed Castlevania animated series, has once again answered a fervent call among fans with an eagerly anticipated spin-off. Castlevania: Nocturne, a blood-chilling sequel set to continue the captivating vampire-hunting saga, is slated to premiere on September 28.
The announcement came through a recent tweet, with Netflix simultaneously revealing that a new teaser trailer would drop on July 27. This confirmation follows the initial buzz created around the series during 2022’s Geeked Week, where it was first announced.
Set in the gothic and shadowy universe inspired by Konami’s lauded video game series, Castlevania: Nocturne will veer its focus towards a new hero — Richter Belmont, a significant figure in the Belmont family lineage. The series will navigate the suspense-filled life of Richter, as he steps into the shoes of his forebearer, Trevor Belmont, the protagonist of the original four-season series, and becomes the latest Belmont to embark on a riveting vampire-hunting expedition.
It begins. Teaser trailer drops tomorrow. Castlevania: Nocturne premieres September 28, only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/ut27pye3fp
— Castlevania: Nocturne (@Castlevania) July 26, 2023
Kevin Kolde, the revered showrunner, along with the innovative mind of creator and writer Clive Bradley, are at the helm of the series. Produced by Project 51 Productions and animated by the talents of Powerhouse Animation, Castlevania: Nocturne is ready to plunge fans into a thrilling tale of darkness, legacy, and relentless vampire warfare.
The narrative arc of the series’ newest protagonist, Richter Belmont, is lifted straight from the award-winning Castlevania video games, specifically the 1993 entry, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, and its sequel, “Symphony of the Night.” In the lore of the games, Richter is several generations removed from Trevor and Sypha, who held central roles in the original series. It will be intriguing to see how the series handles the transition of the protagonist role from Trevor to Richter and how it will adapt the legacy that spans multiple generations into a coherent narrative. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for how it might reshape the timeline from the games.
Beyond the Belmont family, the series may also introduce Maria Renard, a character who makes her debut with Richter in the game series. A glimpse of her was shared previously, hinting at her appearance in the show.
There are high expectations for this series as the first four seasons of Castlevania left an impressive mark in the landscape of the animated series, expertly blending the dark themes from its source material with mature storytelling and stunning animation. The hope is that Castlevania: Nocturne will continue this legacy while also bringing fresh elements into play.
With Richter Belmont at the forefront, the series could explore new stories, conflicts, and depth of character, offering fans both a satisfying continuation and new surprises. Whether we’ll witness Richter performing his famous Blade Dash and Jumping Slide remains to be seen.
Konami’s slumber appears to have officially come to an end. The company is now fully back to making video games based on its oldest and most popular titles, the soonest of which is Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 with a presumed Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 also on the way. Finally, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, is coming as well.
As for Castlevania, there are rumors that Castlevania Advance Collection – this bundles includes Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, and Castlevania: Dracula X – was just the start.
Finally, while it was just a passing comment, some fans believe that God of War: Ragnarok director, Eric Williams, is working on a new Castlevania game.
With that said, one thing that’s clear for now is Castlevania: Nocturne is coming to Netflix two monts from now.
