The main character in a video game doesn't need to have a personality, a backstory, friends, hopes, or dreams. Most of the time, they don't even have a voice or facial expression. In a screen adaptation, however, that mute game sprite needs more humanity. Netflix's anime adaptation of the Castlevania video game franchise is a success partly because it fills in these narrative gaps so well.

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That isn't to say that the Belmonts are totally lifeless in the games. They feature some role-playing aspects, and more recent games in the franchise have RPG influences. Even in the early days, the Belmont clan has some history as humans with extraordinary powers that they used to fight vampires. The minds behind Castlevania used some information from the video game in creating the show's main protagonist, Trevor Belmont, but they also made a lot of changes and additions.

8 More Than A Sprite

Castlevania, vintage game 6 bit screenshot, thre sprites

The earliest incarnations of Castlevania's main characters date back to the days of the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Animators borrowed the look of the characters, building on the basic colors and simple clothing, so viewers that had played the game would recognize the same sprites as realistic-looking people.

Trevor's sprite went through a series of changes. His final look in the series was a mix of his look in the game and modern pop-culture references. His signature leather chaps, replaced with more practical leather clothing, are an example of one change.

7 Trevor's Motivations

Castlevania Alucard Sypha and Trevor Belmont

Trevor's introduction is reminiscent of video games. The viewer doesn't know who he is or why he's there, never mind where he came from. Those familiar with the games will recognize the scar and the family crest on his shirt. However, he's not the most popular Belmont from the video games. This is a clever way to draw the interest of viewers that are familiar with the franchise as well as those who are not.

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The anime adds in some backstory as to why he's here, in this distressed little town, and what he's doing. The show invents a story of the Belmonts becoming nigh extinct after falling victim to local persecution. It helps explain not only Trevor's presence, but also his bad attitude.

6 He Has A Personality

Castlevania Show on Netflix

Few players of the early Castlevania games cared or thought about what kind of person Trevor Belmont was. He killed vampires, what more does anyone need to know? However, that same kind of one-dimensional character won't work in an anime series.

In the show, Trevor is instantly a likable character, not only because of his tragic backstory but also thanks to the voice talent of Richard Armitage, the actor that brought Thorin Oakenshield to life in The Hobbit. There was some limited voice acting in the Castlevania games when they went to CD, but nothing that can compare to the dialogue for this series.

5 Complete With Some Serious Flaws

Shot from Castlevania anime

Trevor is a sympathetic character in the series not only because of his strengths, but also because of his weaknesses. The series gives him a satisfying character arc that allows his assets, like bravery and resourcefulness, to shine through. Players can see that in the games somewhat, but a good character also needs flaws.

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Heroes in video games don't possess flaws, but characters in movies and TV shows aren't much without them. Trevor's bitterness, alcoholism, insensitivity, and low self-esteem drives some of the more human drama in the first two seasons.

4 Modern Pop Culture References

Castlevania-Netflix-Trevor-Alucard-Sypha

Trevor went through some changes when he became an anime character. That included both his personality as well as his appearance.

He keeps the signature scar, which was the result of a fight with Dracula at the end of Castlevania III, a nice easter egg for gaming fans. However, he switches up his cloak with a furry mantle that's intended to mimic John Snow's look in the early seasons of Game of Thrones.

3 He Goes To His House, The Belmont Mansion

Belmont Manor and Hold, screenshot, Castlevania on Netflix

There's mention of the ancestral home of the Belmont clan in the Castlevania franchise, but it's never pictured and none of the action takes place there. This changes considerably in the anime.

Not only does the audience get to visit the home of the famous Belmont Clan (or at least what's left of it), but they also get some insight into Trevor's childhood memories and the epic history of this famous and heroic family. The vault itself holds a few references and Easter eggs to the old game if viewers have the experience to recognize them.

2 The Last of His Family Line

Belmonts

Part of the tragic drama in Trevor's new backstory involved the persecution and demise of his family line. According to the Netflix adaptation, the Belmonts' ancient manor was razed to the ground by an angry, ignorant populace that was supported by the Church. Trevor is the lone survivor, and wanders around in a drunken stupor until he rescues Sypha.

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In the Castlevania video games, virtually none of this history exists. In fact, the games depict the Belmonts as a prestigious and famous family that enjoy a lot of favor from both the Church and local people.

1 The Rest of His Story Is Missing...So Far

Fans have yet to see Season 4, but the hype is real, and audiences are looking forward to the conclusion of the series. This might include an important part of the video game saga that has been teased, but not confirmed, in Season 3.

Fans of the Castlevania video games are more familiar with the generation of Belmonts that follows this one. Simon Belmont is probably the most recognizable, appearing in most of the games. According to the lore of the franchise, he's the son of Trevor and Sypha and a powerful fighter-mage multiclass. When Season 3 comes to a close, Trevor and Sypha are a couple, but there's not much indication that will go any further as of yet.

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