Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram) Click here for audio version
‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ Season One had ended on a high note – it brought in the legendary vampire Alucard, the son of Dracula, in the climactic moments of the last episode with a picture-perfect scene in the sky, as if it were made for a High Renaissance classical painting. So, ‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ season two kicks off with a flashback scene of Alucard looking for something in an ancient Egyptian tomb, guarded by supernatural entities…
Created by Clive Bradley, directed by Sam Deats and Adam Deats, season two of ‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ is definitely an upgrade from season one in terms of animation quality. In the previous season, scenes featuring characters walking often appeared choppy and slightly glitchy, but that issue has been resolved in the 2025 edition. Of course, the plot now is mostly about Richter Belmont, a descendant of the greatest vampire-hunting family in the world, defeating megalomaniac ‘vampire messiah’ Erzsebet Bathory with some help from Alucard and allies. So there aren’t a lot of twists, turns, and complexities in the tale, but it’s a completely binge-worthy successor.
Titled “A Living Legend,” episode one of this season begins with a flashback but soon shifts to the present timeline, where the primary protagonists – Richter Belmont (voiced by Edward Bluemel), Maria Renard (Pixie Davies), and Annette (Thuso Mbedu) – are fresh from having their heads saved from Erzsebet’s army by Alucard’s (James Callis) surprise appearance. The voice cast is fantastic, adding the perfect amount of emotional heft to their animated characters.
Like season one, Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 has eight episodes, and the first four are well-paced, packed with flashbacks to explain how the vampire Drolta played a crucial role in Erzsebet’s rise from being an imprisoned human noblewoman to a dreaded vampire queen. The writers mix some fascinating Egyptian lore into the story, linking Drolta’s origin story with the Egyptian Goddess of War. And of-course, the French Revolution continues to be the background of the tale.
Alucard proposes a mission to Paris, claiming the city might have an ancient relic that could help them fight Erzsebet’s army. While Richter and Annette follow Alucard to Paris, the young magician Maria wants to stay back in her town, primarily to seek vengeance for her mother Tera’s (Nastassja Kinski) death – or rather, her conversion into a vampire. With Tera now a vampire, Maria, who relished slaying the blood-suckers with Richter, is forced to ponder the nature of vampires and whether they retain the goodness of their human selves. Meanwhile, Erzsebet continues to have the Abbot craft hellish night creatures to become her pawns.
I feel like episode five was the only episode where the pace dipped, focusing a lot on Maria’s struggle with grief, anger, and Juste Belmont’s (Iain Glen) efforts to guide her. Since Maria doesn’t join Richter and crew to Paris, and is instead wrapped in her own personal struggles, I wasn’t very invested in her sub-plot. Although, her character arc does play a crucial part in the overall war between Erzsebet and revolutionaries. And thankfully, unlike some of the eyesore neon monsters of the older Castlevania, the wicked supernatural creatures of Nocturne are much easier on the eyes. One can spot some manga/anime influences in the animation, especially during the bloody battles between the characters, which was exciting to see.
For those hoping for a repeat of the witty, humorous banter and brotherhood the original Castlevania series offered through Alucard and Richter Belmont – there’s just some glimpse of it in Nocturne. Alucard this time is more of a tired ancient uncle dealing with kids. Richter and Annette however prove to be strong, powerful heroes – just what the world needs to fight evil forces. The last two episodes are entirely focused on the final war between the vampires trying to seize Paris and those defending it. Honestly, some of it felt a little prolonged, but the killer music makes all the madness – and the endless swooshing of swords, magic whips, guns, dragons (yes, dragons), and monsters – seem exciting.
Gritty animation, lots of violent fights, all accompanied by some really great background music – Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 has it all. If you loved season one, you’ll probably be more than happy to watch this one too. All its high points easily overshadow its flaws. This was a near immaculate season!
Rating: 4.5 stars on 5. Stream Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 on Netflix.
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