Adi Shankar’s ‘Castlevania’ Follow-Up Is Even Better Than the Games

Because of live-action tv hits like The Final of Us and Fallout, it is in all probability protected to say that the epidemic of poor online game variations has formally ended. Certain, not each one has been a winner, however the game-inspired films and reveals being made in the present day are a far cry from the abysmal choices we had been subjected to. Someplace in between the field workplace bombs of yesteryear and the Emmy-winning reveals we now have in the present day, Adi Shankar was among the many first to make actual progress on this astronomical leap in high quality with Netflix’s Castlevania — the animated vampire-hunting delight that completely emulated the spirit and storytelling of a long-running and beloved franchise.

Now, Shankar and his Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix collaborator Alex Larsen purpose to do the identical factor once more with Satan Could Cry. Up till just lately, with the discharge of the extremely acclaimed Satan Could Cry 5, this collection has lengthy remained dormant, with even a well-received but controversial reboot failing to spark a lot curiosity. After watching all eight episodes of the brand new collection, nonetheless, odds are viewers will comply with the instance of Fallout followers and need to study all the things they will about this cult-classic franchise, as Netflix’s Satan Could Cry is simply pretty much as good, if not higher, than the video games that impressed it.

What Is ‘Satan Could Cry’ About?

Satan Could Cry begins in a world not dissimilar to ours, with the one key distinction being that demons stroll amongst humanity in full and whole secrecy. Whereas nearly all of america is blissfully blind to this truth, that hasn’t stopped a small contingent of demon hunters from taking over freelance scores for the very best bidder. Essentially the most infamous of all of those hunters is a gun-slinging, pizza-loving jokester named Dante (voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch, who truly performs a unique character within the Satan Could Cry video video games). Whereas Dante could appear like your common Sizzling Subject buyer, he is truly way more vital to each the human world and the demon world than he thinks. This all turns into obvious when Dante will get caught up in a shadowy warfare between the human-led demon-hunting authorities shadow op DARKCOM and a sadistic anthropomorphic monster recognized solely because the White Rabbit (Hoon Lee).

Not like Castlevania, which was based on Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, Satan Could Cry is not primarily based on a single recreation from the collection, however as a substitute incorporates all kinds of parts from the whole franchise. The White Rabbit, for instance, by no means truly appeared in any of the video games, however as a substitute originates from the manga adaptation of Satan Could Cry 3. Despite the fact that it would not immediately comply with one recreation beat for beat, Netflix’s Satan Could Cry demonstrates a exceptional reverence to the supply materials relating to tone and characters, notably by means of some A+ worldbuilding.

The wonderful ’80s/’90s-inspired aesthetic solely scratches the floor of the deeper world Satan Could Cry takes place in. Each the human world and the demon aircraft are approached with a exceptional stage of element and nuance that simply units them other than different demon-slaying tales which might be ample in different motion/comedy/horror hybrids. The result’s one thing far deeper than one would count on from a white-haired punk rocker preventing an evil speaking rabbit. This even interprets to the Netflix collection’ impeccable character designs. Even probably the most minor of supporting gamers are designed as if they will be mains, with all the things from their wardrobe, physique language, and extra serving to to inform a narrative simply by means of visuals alone.

Dante Has By no means Appeared This Good in ‘Satan Could Cry’

Satan Could Cry is and all the time will likely be an motion collection at its core, whether or not in online game or animated kind, and the Netflix present delivers on each stage. The brand new adaptation completely relishes its over-the-top motion sequences, with Dante gleefully chewing up the surroundings regardless of his corny one-liners. Dante himself manages to have the identical immature tendencies with out ever changing into unlikable or annoying. If something, very like the present itself, Dante has extra depth as a protagonist than he has ever had earlier than within the video games, and the thrilling motion sequences in addition to Bosch’s charismatic efficiency as a youthful, extra naive Dante actually assist.

It additionally helps that Dante has a terrific supporting solid to bounce off of in Satan Could Cry. Essentially the most distinguished of all of them is Agent Arkham, in any other case often called Woman (Scout Taylor-Compton), who has nearly as a lot urgency within the plot as Dante does — and to nice success, at that. The White Rabbit earns a large overhaul that enormously establishes him as a real menace to Dante and the broader globe, and he would not waste one second onscreen. Satan Could Cry even options a superb posthumous efficiency from the late nice Kevin Conroy, with one of the best Batman of all time injecting his unparalleled attraction into a captivating depiction of a mysterious and highly effective Vice President.

Associated

20 Years Later, ‘Satan Could Cry’ Is as Fashionable as Ever

Seize a slice of pizza and prepare to fend off some demons.

The one place the place Satan Could Cry stumbles in its story is the allusions to a vital character in Dante’s historical past. Followers of the video games in all probability already know who this character is, and he has been referenced within the advertising and marketing, however on condition that the character’s function on this inaugural season is slightly minimal, which will have been a mistake. This character may need enormously benefited from being stored as a complete shock versus being often introduced up, solely to end in an admittedly predictable twist.

‘Satan Could Cry’ Is So A lot Extra Than Senseless Hack and Slashing

With gorgeous animation and nice game-accurate music, Satan Could Cry soars relating to its visible storytelling. A lot of the collection is balls-to-the-wall motion that’s persistently a visible deal with, however the moments when the present slows down aren’t value scoffing at both. One episode specifically does a deep dive into not one, however two of the present’s characters and does all of it with virtually no dialogue and ranging animation types. It’s a true masterpiece that additional reveals that Shankar has a deep reverence for significant and methodical storytelling.

Amid all of the blood, gore, and demon slaying, Satan Could Cry has a lot extra to say than merely “people are good” and “demons are unhealthy.” It has a world that immerses its viewers in a spot that may appear very totally different from our personal, but is one which offers with the identical ethical dilemmas that we face. The present is locked and loaded with significant themes of imperialism and prejudice that ring eerily just like what the true world is experiencing in the present day, notably because it pertains to america.

To place it merely, Adi Shankar and Netflix have executed it once more with Satan Could Cry. It is a present that would have simply gotten away with being only a enjoyable and easy motion romp with a number of good jokes and motion setpieces. As an alternative, Satan Could Cry goes above and past to ship a superb animated collection that’s as thematically wealthy as it’s wildly entertaining. Proper alongside Creature Commandos, Satan Could Cry is not simply among the best new animated reveals of 2025, it is among the best reveals of the 12 months to this point total, and one which’s deserving of the identical stage of success that Castlevania has rightly loved.

Satan Could Cry premieres April 3 on Netflix.

Satan Could Cry

Whether or not you are a hardcore fan or discovering Dante for the primary time, Netflix’s Satan Could Cry adaptation is a devilishly good time.

Launch Date

April 3, 2025

Community

Netflix

Writers

Alex Larsen

• 

  Johnny Yong Bosch

  Dante (Voice)

Execs & Cons

• The collection boasts gorgeous animation that performs with quite a few types.
• Dante, Woman, and even probably the most minor characters all really feel fleshed-out and attention-grabbing.
• The present is not afraid to delve into darkish and mature themes.
• The motion sequences are as colourful and as artistic as we hoped they’d be.