CASTLEVANIA, A RIVER OF BLOOD ON NETFLIX - ANIMATED CRITICISM

four episodes of the animated series adapted from the video game Castlevania realized by Adi Shanka. Ultra violent and rather well written, this season 1 is correct at all levels, but it is really only an introduction that leaves on its hunger.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful, intelligent woman, able to pair herself with Dracula himself to bring knowledge to mankind. But in 1476 in Wallachia, the church is in the midst of witch-hunt and while Dracula is traveling (for it forms youth), his wife is burned on the stake. Big mistake, the Vampire intends to take revenge and a year later drops an army of demons on the country, to annihilate humanity.

The Castlevania action, the fans know it, is that of the game Castlevania III, with background on the Count, his family, and also on Trevor Belmont presented here as a man disillusioned by the fate of his pariah ancestors, see slightly alcoholic, but not to the point of not fighting when it is shown that it acts like a sulky child. Trevor Belmont will meet a band of preachers in search of a legendary warrior in the catacombs of the city of Gresit, and ready to sacrifice himself to at least save the inhabitants.

To save such a stupid and superstitious humanity is not at all easy. Of course, it is the church that is at the center of the problem, convinced that it is right, and the exchanges of views give rise to dialogues that are rather tasty and rather well written (do not expect, however, a lot of originality). The atmosphere is heavy from end to end, with many massacres in an environment of the end of the world. Visually, expect a lot of blood and a little bit of gore. The series does not mash up a few touches of humor sometimes unnecessarily gritty but mostly effective, see subtle. Finally the action respects the origins of the license, with even a real platforming pass.

On the realization side, we are dealing with a design between the Japanese anime and the American comics, with characters fairly simply drawn but beautiful scenery. The animation is ok, and allows some nice fights, but unlike a Japanese production, it offers no moment of grace where the quality is pushed to the maximum for even a few seconds to leave memorable impressions. So the final fight is nice to follow, but no more. Certain stagings remain more in memory than the general quality.
One thing is for sure, both fans and neophytes will remain hungry with these four episodes that serve as a prologue to a story that does not even begin

would have nothing against getting the complete series.

MaJ: At the last news, the series is renewed for a second season of 8 episodes. More than waiting.

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