Certainly! Here’s a detailed overview of the anime series Castlevania: Nocturne (2023–2025), structured with key details at the top, followed by information on voice actors and additional specifics.
🗝️ Key Details
- Title: Castlevania: Nocturne
- Release Dates:
- Season 1: September 28, 2023
- Season 2: January 16, 2025
- Format: Adult Animated Television Series
- Genres: Action-Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Historical Drama, Horror
- Creators: Clive Bradley
- Directors: Sam Deats, Adam Deats
- Writers: Clive Bradley, Zodwa Nyoni, Temi Oh, Testament
- Production Studios: Powerhouse Animation Studios, Project 51 Productions
- Animation Services: DR Movie (South Korea)
- Music Composers: Trevor Morris, Trey Toy
- Original Language: English
- Network: Netflix
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 16 (8 per season)
- Episode Runtime: Approximately 25–33 minutes
- Based On: Konami’s Castlevania video game series, specifically Rondo of Blood (1993) and Symphony of the Night (1997)
- Setting: 1792, during the French Revolution, primarily in the commune of Machecoul, France
- Related Series: Castlevania (2017–2021)
🎙️ Voice Cast
Main Characters
- Richter Belmont: Voiced by Edward Bluemel
- A descendant of the Belmont vampire-hunting clan, Richter is a young and skilled hunter grappling with his family’s legacy and the horrors of war
- Annette: Voiced by Thuso Mbedu
- A powerful sorceress from Saint-Domingue, Annette joins Richter in the fight against the vampire uprising, bringing her own traumatic past and formidable magic to the battle.
- Maria Renard: Voiced by Pixie Davies
- The adoptive sister of Richter and daughter of Tera, Maria is a revolutionary with strong ideals, determined to fight for justice and freedom.
- Tera: Voiced by Nastassja Kinski
- A Speaker magician and Maria’s mother, Tera’s transformation into a vampire tests her loyalties and relationships.
- Erzsebet Báthory: Voiced by Franka Potente
- The main antagonist, Erzsebet is a vampire queen who seeks to become a godlike figure, threatening to plunge the world into darkness
- Drolta Tzuentes: Voiced by Elarica Johnson
- Erzsebet’s devoted lieutenant, Drolta is a formidable vampire with her own ambitions and complexities.
- Olrox: Voiced by Zahn McClarnon
- An ancient Aztec vampire with a complicated past, Olrox’s allegiances and motives add depth to the unfolding conflict.
- Mizrak: Voiced by Aaron Neil
- A devout soldier torn between his faith and the realities of the vampire threat, Mizrak’s journey explores themes of belief and duty
- Abbot Emmanuel: Voiced by Richard Dormer
- A religious leader whose actions and decisions significantly impact the course of events.
- Juste Belmont: Voiced by Iain Glen
- Richter’s grandfather, a seasoned vampire hunter whose legacy influences Richter’s path.
- Adrian “Alucard” Țepeș: Voiced by James Callis
- The dhampir son of Dracula, Alucard returns to aid in the battle against Erzsebet, bringing his own insights and powers to the fray.
📖 Synopsis
Castlevania: Nocturne is set against the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution in 1792. The series follows Richter Belmont, a young vampire hunter and descendant of the famed Belmont clan, as he confronts a rising vampire threat led by the formidable Erzsebet Báthory.
Richter is joined by Maria Renard, his revolutionary adoptive sister; Annette, a powerful sorceress from Saint-Domingue; and other allies, including the enigmatic Alucard. Together, they strive to prevent Erzsebet from achieving her apocalyptic vision of a world dominated by vampires.
The narrative weaves themes of revolution, identity, faith, and the struggle between light and darkness, both literally and metaphorically. As the characters grapple with personal demons and societal upheaval, they must unite to confront a common enemy threatening humanity’s very existence.
🏆 Reception and Accolades
- Critical Acclaim: The first season holds a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 24 reviews with an average score of 7.9/10. Metacritic assigned a score of 77 out of 100, indicating “generally favorable reviews”.
- Audience Reception: While critics praised the series for its animation, direction, writing, themes, and voice cast, some viewers noted issues with pacing and character development.
- Awards: The series was nominated for “Best Adaptation” at The Game Awards 2023.
📺 Additional Information
- Availability: Castlevania: Nocturne is available for streaming on Netflix.
- Related Series: This series is a sequel to Netflix’s Castlevania (2017–2021), expanding upon the universe established in the original series.
- Production Notes: Announced in May 2021, the series was developed with a new cast of characters, focusing on Richter Belmont during the French Revolution. The official title was revealed during Netflix’s 2022 Geeked Week virtual event.
Castlevania: Nocturne stands as a compelling continuation of the Castlevania saga, blending historical drama with supernatural horror. Its rich storytelling, complex characters, and striking animation have solidified its place as a noteworthy entry in the realm of adult animated series.
