The Castlevania anime is a rare beast indeed, having managed to escape from the many flaws that usually plague Netflix's westernized adaptations for a full three seasons now and continuing the legacy of a franchise Konami hasn't touched for years. Suffice to say, Castlevania’s final outing delivers yet another morning star blow to mediocrity by doing what it does best: killing vampires by the dozen, even if just like Trevor it seems a bit undisciplined at times
The trailer for the show’s final season warned viewers of Dracula’s impending return thanks to his legions of followers’ continued efforts to bring him back through whatever means, however, it also teased Trevor Belmont battling face-to-face against Death itself. Across 10 episodes Castlevania manages to finish setting up all of its story arcs to guarantee proper payoffs for the entire cast and tons of beautifully executed bloody action.
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Over the course of the first three episodes, viewers are quickly briefed with what everyone has been doing since the events that took place in Lindenfeld in season three, all to bring things forward six weeks after that. Audiences are treated to Trevor and Sypha’s evolving relationship, which is now feeling the strains of all that they’ve been through recently, although that’s certainly not enough to keep them away from their monster-hunting duties as a couple.
That eventually leads them to Targoviste, the township upon which Dracula first unleashed his rage after the murder of Lisa Tepes, and where Trevor and Sypha set camp for a large part of the season. Meanwhile, Alucard sees his brooding mood continue to go south after the betrayal he’s suffered until his services are required by an ailing town near his family’s castle.
Outside the main trio, Carmilla continues her plot her conquest of Europe from Styria, now extending her ambition to world domination. It’s here where everything that was set up by season three starts to unfold since -probably due to the steamy sex scenes being gone- Hector starts scheming his own way out of his terrible fate as a slave to Lenore and the other vampire sisters. However, considering the show actually takes so much time to lay out all of this setting, its execution feels somewhat forced.
Apparently, Hector and other vampire groups eventually went on to establish a professional understanding with the ever talkative Saint Germain to execute a grand plan to resurrect Dracula, and it seems the pandemic did inspire the writing somehow because a lot of this strategy is conducted via FaceTime/Zoom magical mirrors in different corners of the continent. That is not to say Saint Germain wrongdoings go unexplained, there is a lengthy flashback sequence that tells the audience about his past and finally shows the face of his missing lover as well a rather complex explanation of how he as an alchemist absolutely needs to bring back Dracula as a mixed-species hermaphrodite Rebis to accomplish this, it just might be a bit too much to take so quickly.
Regardless of that, it’s easy to forgive Castlevania’s sins because one can always look to its virtues, and forgemaster Isaac is certainly one of them. His character growth is unparalleled in the series, going from mere vengeful Dracula puppet to an actual human being that is not afraid to show his own night creatures how life is filled with many flavors, shadows of grey, and no one true purpose, all before transporting himself and his army to Styria.
Episode 6 cranks the action up to eleven. Practically the whole season does so from here on, offering the most varied hordes of night creatures seen so far in a battle that wouldn't be out of place in the season finale. It’s here where animation gets to shine to showcase Carmilla’s brilliant battle style, but also where each of the vampire sisters’ character comes through.
In every possible way Carmilla, Lenore, Striga, and Morana all fulfill their destinies throughout the choices one would expect them to make because as we’re told towards the end, vampires really don’t like change. Again, Isaac takes the higher ground refusing to take part in any devious plans he encounters, because unlike the rest of his former vampire buddies, his own growth makes him able to see his former master’s shortcomings.
As things start to wrap up in Styria, Trevor and Sypha’s new gig proves to be an absolute waste of time that keeps them from doing the only thing they want, helping people. Their new acquaintance Zamfir is a mirror for the madness that surrounds this world they’re living in and sets up a fantastic battle for Trevor and the vampire mercenary Ratko, as well as some new Belmont weaponry he seems to have gotten from Final Fantasy 7’s Yuffie.
The last three episodes certainly provide the biggest and best thrills for Castlevania, finally bringing Alucard, Trevor, and Sypha together for the first time since season two, making for something that truly feels like a video game’s closing chapter. And because video games are nothing without big fearsome bosses, Saint Germain’s plan ultimately succeeds to bring forward the season’s villain: not Dracula, but the Grim Reaper.
As it turns out, Saint Germain was the victim of his own foolishness and it’s up to the legendary Belmont warrior to finish off death. Again, the action is top-notch across the place with a final battle that feels very much like the climax of the series in no small part thanks to the masterful use of music Castlevania fans are bound to find familiar. The entire plot, while suffering from small pacing issues along the way, is still better than many Castlevania games out there.
It’s in this aspect where Castlevania deserves the utmost praise, the show simply channels the familiar feeling gamers are used to when encountering a final boss, and it does so after eight episodes that truly build up its protagonists in a way that's not merely tolerable, like most video game adaptations, but simply just good for how it evokes real emotions from those watching it.
This is supposed to be the last of Castlevania on Netflix. However, the show ends in a semi open-ended way that coupled with the birth of Trevor and Sypha’s son and future vampire hunter, Simon Belmont, might just be enough to pursue new adventures in the future. Castlevania lore is incredibly extensive and it almost seems like a shame not to continue making great anime based on it, maybe it'll inspire Konami and other game companies to imitate the many things it does so well.