Adi Shankar’s ‘Castlevania’ Observe-Up Is Even Higher Than the Video games

Because of live-action tv hits like The Last of Us and Fallout, it is most likely protected to say that the epidemic of poor online game variations has formally ended. Positive, not each one has been a winner, however the game-inspired motion pictures and exhibits being made immediately 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 exhibits we now have immediately, 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 Devil May Cry. Up till just lately, with the discharge of the extremely acclaimed Satan Might 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 wish to be taught the whole lot they will about this cult-classic franchise, as Netflix’s Satan Might Cry is simply nearly as good, if not higher, than the video games that impressed it.

What Is ‘Satan Might Cry’ About?

Satan Might 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 the US is blissfully unaware of this truth, that hasn’t stopped a small contingent of demon hunters from taking over freelance scores for the very best bidder. Probably the most infamous of all of those hunters is a gun-slinging, pizza-loving jokester named Dante (voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch, who really performs a unique character within the Satan Might Cry video video games). Whereas Dante might appear like your common Sizzling Matter buyer, he is really rather 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 battle between the human-led demon-hunting authorities shadow op DARKCOM and a sadistic anthropomorphic monster identified solely because the White Rabbit (Hoon Lee).

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

The wonderful ’80s/’90s-inspired aesthetic solely scratches the floor of the deeper world Satan Might Cry takes place in. Each the human world and the demon aircraft are approached with a exceptional degree of element and nuance that simply units them aside from different demon-slaying tales which might be plentiful 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 essentially the most minor of supporting gamers are designed as if they will be mains, with the whole lot from their wardrobe, physique language, and extra serving to to inform a narrative simply via visuals alone.

Dante Has By no means Seemed This Good in ‘Satan Might Cry’

Satan Might 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 degree. 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 turning 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 definitely assist.

It additionally helps that Dante has an ideal supporting solid to bounce off of in Satan Might Cry. Probably the most outstanding of all of them is Agent Arkham, in any other case often known as 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 risk to Dante and the broader globe, and he would not waste one second onscreen. Satan Might Cry even options a superb posthumous efficiency from the late nice Kevin Conroy, with the best Batman of all time injecting his unparalleled attraction into an enchanting depiction of a mysterious and highly effective Vice President.

The one place the place Satan Might Cry stumbles in its story is the allusions to a necessary character in Dante’s historical past. Fans of the games probably already know who this character is, and he has been referenced within the advertising and marketing, however on condition that the character’s position on this inaugural season is slightly minimal, that will have been a mistake. This character may need enormously benefited from being saved as a complete shock versus being steadily introduced up, solely to lead to an admittedly predictable twist.

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

With gorgeous animation and great game-accurate music, Satan Might Cry soars in the case of its visible storytelling. Many 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 price scoffing at both. One episode particularly 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 kinds. It’s a true masterpiece that additional exhibits that Shankar has a deep reverence for significant and methodical storytelling.

Amid all of the blood, gore, and demon slaying, Satan Might Cry has a lot extra to say than merely “people are good” and “demons are dangerous.” It has a world that immerses its viewers in a spot which 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 much like what the actual world is experiencing immediately, significantly because it pertains to the US.

To place it merely, Adi Shankar and Netflix have executed it once more with Satan Might Cry. This can be a present that would have simply gotten away with being only a enjoyable and easy motion romp with just a few good jokes and motion setpieces. As an alternative, Satan Might 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 Might Cry is not simply probably the greatest new animated exhibits of 2025, it is probably the greatest exhibits of the 12 months up to now general, and one which’s deserving of the identical degree of success that Castlevania has rightly loved.

Satan Might Cry premieres April 3 on Netflix.