Revamped Review of 'Castlevania: Nocturne' Season 1 on Blu-Ray: Long Live the Revolution
In the world of animated series, "Castlevania: Nocturne" stands out as a captivating addition to the genre. This new season, now available on Blu-ray, transports viewers to the chaotic backdrop of the French Revolution, where the Belmont family's vampire-hunting legacy continues.
The story centres around Richter Belmont, a descendant of the famous Belmont lineage, who faces a new threat—the powerful vampire Erzsébet Báthory. Set about 300 years after the original games' events, "Nocturne" expands the Castlevania universe by focusing on a new generation, connecting to previous lore through the appearance of Alucard, Dracula's son, near the end of the first season.
The series draws from characters introduced in games like Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night, including Richter Belmont and Maria Renard, his adoptive sister and a powerful magic user. Maria's character is more deeply developed here, portraying her as an integral combat ally and expanding on her game appearances.
The plot occurs chronologically after most classic Castlevania events, blending new fictional narrative with established characters and focusing on the Belmont family's ongoing battle against vampiric evil. The series is darker and bloodier, emphasising personal drama alongside vampire-slaying action.
The audio and visual quality of "Castlevania: Nocturne" on Blu-ray are excellent, making for an immersive viewing experience. The series is also visually striking, outshining most modern Japanese-made anime and solidifying its place as one of the best-looking animated series.
Trevor Morris' music in "Castlevania: Nocturne" pays homage to the original gaming musical scores, particularly the "Divine Bloodlines" track from "Rondo of Blood." Iain Glen lends his voice to the older Belmont character in the series.
"Castlevania: Nocturne" was originally streamed on Netflix and is now available for purchase via Amazon for $16.99. The review of "Castlevania: Nocturne" Season 1 was sent by Viz Media for the purposes of this review.
In addition to the Blu-ray release of "Castlevania: Nocturne" Season 1, fans can also enjoy "Castlevania Requiem," which contains both "Rondo of Blood" and "Symphony of the Night," playable on PlayStation 4 for $19.99.
"Nocturne" is loosely inspired by the game "Castlevania: Rondo of Blood" and features Juste Belmont, a character from "Harmony of Dissonance," as well as Olrox, a vampire that Richter's mother faced when he was a child.
Overall, "Castlevania: Nocturne" is a must-watch for fans of the Castlevania series and animation enthusiasts alike. With its engaging storyline, captivating visuals, and faithful tribute to the original gaming scores, this animated series is a worthy addition to the Castlevania saga.
In the realm of videos and television shows, "Castlevania: Nocturne" can be found on Blu-ray, offering an immersive viewing experience for entertainment lovers. Originally streaming on Netflix, this adaptation of the popular video game franchise is also available for purchase via Amazon, making it accessible for fans who wish to augment their movie-and-TV collection.
