Review: Castlevania Season One

When I saw the trailer for the third season of Castlevania, I thought to myself: “Why not review the earlier seasons?” So here am, giving my take on Castlevania season one for WOBAM! Entertainment.

Castlevania, is an animated series based on legendary video-game of the same name. We follow Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), as he gets dragged into the nightmare-fueled war between the creatures of the night.

With only four, 25-23 minute episodes, there is only so much you can do; but the team behind this adaptation (Powerhouse Animation Studio) made every second of these episodes count. Like cream and sugar enriches coffee – Powerhouse Animation is able to capture the right tone, design the appropriate animation and the riches of the source material into each entry. Giving us something everyone can enjoy.

Within the first five minutes, the pilot episode manages to make the series’ villain more sympathetic and tragic than many other series and movies have accomplished during their entire runtime. This is all thanks to Graham McTavish, whose voice-over work as Count Dracula elevates the material. He delivers a layered, complex and masterful performance.

Then we have Richard Armitage’s take on Trevor Belmont. Much like McTavish’s Dracula, he does not disappoint. His raspy voice is suited for an angry and cynical loner. You can feel that he’s lost all hope on himself and humanity. However, unlike Dracula, I would not say that the material he was given was as strong, especially when you consider that Trevor is the series’ protagonist; even though the actor did a fantastic job with that he had.

Season one of Castlevania is what you would imagine from Netflix. This show is not for kids.  Just like the streaming service gave us the MA-rated take on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they have given us a mature video game series. Had this show been a live-action movie, it would go beyond an R-rating.

These four episodes were the start of something marvelous. Not only does it contain stunning animation, but it is filled with actors that bring their A-game. That includes an antagonist and protagonist that are relatable and sympathetic. If you don’t have any problem with brutality on screen and would like to watch a thrilling fantasy show, this is something for you.

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Isak Wolff

Writer at WOBAM! Entertainment

Co-host of the Amateur Otaku Podcast. A writer of many things. Loves everything nerdy from anime/manga to comics and video games. Fire Emblem is the greatest of all time.

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