Reuniting With an Old Friend
Grab your whip, crosses, and charge your magic because Castlevania Nocturne has reawakened from its slumber to deliver a season we can really sink our teeth into. After a somewhat lukewarm first season, season two of Castlevania Nocturne has returned with the hellfire to match. Richter Belmont, Annette, Maria Renard, and fan-favorite son of Dracula, Alucard, must unite to stop the vampires of France from creating an endless night of horrors.
With the stakes sharpened and at an all-time high, Team Belmont must find a way to unite the people of France while discovering how to defeat the Vampire Queen Erzsebet Bathory. However, countless forces are stacked against them, and our team of vampire slayers must face demons—both real and within themselves.
Blood Is Thicker Than Holy Water
One aspect of season two that adds a spark of magic is the family dynamic between Maria, her mother, and her all-time awful father, Abbot Emmanuel. With her family now fractured thanks to Erzsebet Bathory, Maria must come to terms with her relationship with her now-turned mother and newly discovered forgemaster father.
Maria arguably experiences the most personal growth this season as she grapples with her role in this war between man and monsters. Her emotions, distorted and thrown into a literal abyss by the events of the first season, set her on a dark path of revenge. Voice actor Pixie Davies delivers an all-star performance as Maria walks through her own shadowy journey. That’s not to say the other characters don’t also show significant growth.
A particularly entertaining subplot explores the love-hate relationship between suave vampire and frenemy Orlox and holy knight Mizrak. Season one positioned Orlox as a major antagonist to Richter Belmont, while still maintaining a neutral stance in most events. Season two humanizes Orlox in unexpected ways. Caught between survival and protecting his love, Orlox struggles to define his priorities. Mizrak, for all his faults, continues to walk a righteous path—even when forsaken—acting as a moral compass for Orlox.
Relationships are a major focus this season, whether it’s Maria and her mother Tera, Orlox and Mizrak, or Annette and Richter. But Annette’s relationships extend beyond the human realm.
Connected to the spirits of her ancestors, Annette is uniquely poised to explore her relationships with the supernatural. From her growing feelings for Richter to her guilt over what happened to Edouard, and the wandering, haunting spirits surrounding her, Annette serves as the lynchpin for the story. This dynamic gives the series a chance to delve deeper into one of its more exciting aspects: the spirit world and gods from different cultures.
A Spiritual Experience
Season two offers audiences a glimpse into how vampires are perceived through the eyes of the spirit realm. By introducing new pantheons like Egyptian, Aztec, and Creole gods, Castlevania expands its lore and emphasizes the significance of diverse cultures within its narrative. Characters like Annette, Drolta Tzuentes, and Orlox hail from distinct backgrounds and eras, and their stories reflect how these cultural uprisings shaped them—for better or worse. From the Old World to the New World, these gods add a fascinating layer to the Castlevania mythos.
Eclipsing The First Series?
Okay, this might be a bit of clickbait, but it speaks to how enjoyable this season of Castlevania truly is. Powerhouse Animation Studios brought their “A” game. The animation reaches new heights during the fight sequences, but what stands out most is the shading and the portrayal of character emotions. This is best exemplified in Maria. Her expressions—ranging from guilt-ridden weariness to blood-curdling rage—are breathtakingly detailed, showcasing why Powerhouse is among the best in the business.
Richter Belmont and Alucard also have their moments in the spotlight, particularly in the second half of the season. Alucard’s reintroduction is ferocious, reminding everyone why he’s one of the most powerful beings in the series. His relationship with Richter differs from his bond with Trevor Belmont; here, Alucard takes on a more parental role, guiding Richter toward becoming the man he’s destined to be.
While Richter continues to define what it means to be a Belmont, he evolves from the scared boy of season one into an absolute force of nature. His fighting style becomes faster, more creative, and far more gruesome. Though Richter doesn’t receive as much emotional development, he compensates with adrenaline-pumping fight scenes and that iconic Belmont sarcasm.
Final Verdict
Where season one of Castlevania Nocturne can leave you wanting more, season two made sure to leave no stone unturned. From awe inspiring artwork from Powerhouse Animation Studios, character developments that feel grounded while still fantastical, a voice cast that delivered beautifully, and fights that will leave you wishing for an eternal eclipse so can stay a Netflix binging creature of the night forever. Like their predecessors, Nocturne season two only builds off the first season while having you intrigued where season three will go next.
Final Score: 9.1/10 A devilishly good show that deserves way more attention and praise.
Final score: 9.1/10
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