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Netflix’s Castlevania and Devil May Cry will be the twin emissaries of an era for video game adaptations. After decades of terrible video game movies, adult-oriented animated series have proven themselves as the superior medium for the genre. These two projects come from superstar producer Adi Shankar. Shankar’s involvement, Netflix’s history, and the new wave of video game adaptations make Devil May Cry look like a surefire hit. They’ve got a stylish combo going, and they’re not likely to drop it.
Castlevania Was a Successful Experiment
Video game cartoons are nothing new. I grew up watching and loving Mega Man, The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, and half a dozen Sonic shows. There were several engaging anime examples, but networks made these shows for kids. Even when franchises like Mortal Kombat got animated adaptations, they had to be cleansed until they fit next to G.I. Joe. When the first season of Castlevania dropped, everyone knew it was a test run. Those four episodes established the heroes, villains, and stakes for the story to follow. Their success has opened a door for future iterations of Castlevania and Devil May Cry to take the small screen by storm.
Adi Shankar is the man of the hour in this development. Shankar is famous for outlandish takes on notable IP. His “Bootleg Universe” started as a series of unlicensed short films that took characters no one would give him the rights to. Punisher: Dirty Laundry remains the best example as a fan-film follow-up to the 2004 feature. The brand evolved to include projects like Castlevania and Devil May Cry. No one could have imagined either being made a decade ago. Shankar has several lined up. Will they be good? There’s no way of knowing, but they’ll be fascinating, unusual, and new.
Castlevania and Devil May Cry Have a Lot in Common
A supernatural individual from a genetic dynasty that provides him power takes up a weapon his elders used to kill monsters and sets out on the same quest. Along the way, he meets other warriors with similar goals. He and his new friends fight ascending demonic threats before entering the domain of some mighty foe, usually one connected to the protagonist — that’s a decent plot summary of both Castlevania and Devil May Cry.
The upcoming animated adaptation might not have a similar setting, characters, or animation, but it will have a similar pitch. These two franchises don’t seem like good fodder for non-interactive media. A film would have struggled, but Adi Shankar and his company have found the right format. They’ve proven it works across five seasons. The new canon might change some things, but it’s already on the right track.
Devil May Cry has never boasted a compelling story. It’s about as video-gamey as a narrative can get. There are worthwhile elements that capture attention. Dante’s relationship with Vergil, their connection to their parents, and Trish’s experience are stories that work in and out of the gameplay yet still aren’t the draw of the material.
Devil May Cry is about a goofy show-off killing countless terrifying foes with style. Dante is rarely ever in danger. The basic elements of conflict in storytelling only affect gameplay. Dante isn’t quite One-Punch Man, but he’s close. If you take the cutscenes on their own, he can defeat any foe and conquer any odds. His sense of humor is quippy and overplayed. These are not elements that should translate well to any other medium. Under any other circumstances, Netflix’s Devil May Cry would be a bad idea. With Shankar attached, it seems flawless.
RELATED: Castlevania Nocturne: The New Villains Can’t Stand Up To Dracula
Devil May Cry is the perfect candidate for Adi Shankar and Netflix’s next project. The games are beloved for their action and characters. Few creators could find the means to bring those elements to a medium without a controller. It’s more challenging than Castlevania, but the first four seasons and Nocturne prove it can be done. Devil May Cry will be the second example of the method that should become the new default. Look out for Capcom’s favorite son to table hop or stinger his way into everyone’s hearts again next year.
