Summary
- Netflix's Castlevania franchise is one of the best video game adaptations ever made, offering incredible visuals and great writing.
- Castlevania season 3 was a transition season after Dracula's death, introducing new conflicts and separating the main trio of heroes.
- Castlevania season 2 is arguably the show's best, delivering some of the best episodes of the entire franchise.
Netflix’s Netflix's best animated shows, offering a much-needed change of pace when it comes to 2D animated productions.
Castlevania features Trevor Belmont, whereas Nocturne follows Richter Belmont. The cast of Castlevania: Nocturne includes one key returning character from the previous show, though, making it easier to think of them as just one story. Netflix’s Castlevania franchise has been consistently good, but some seasons managed to be more special than others.

Richter Belmont’s Family Tree Explained: Every Known Belmont In Netflix's Castlevania
The Belmont Clan is a legendary family of vampire hunters. While Trevor and Richter have appeared, there are plenty of others who could show up.
5 Castlevania Season 3 (2020)
Best Episode: "The Harvest"
Following the explosive events of Castlevania season 2’s finale, it was easy to predict that season 3 would be one of transition. Given that Netflix’s Castlevania began as the story of Dracula taking revenge against humanity as an unusual trio of heroes tried to stop him, Dracula’s death was bound to be a major turning point for the show. Naturally, Castlevania season 3 was radically different from the first two seasons. Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard were relatively happy, and new conflicts had to be introduced. Of course, as the Castlevania games have shown, Dracula’s death is never the end of the story.
Still, it wook a while before Castlevania reestablished itself after Dracula’s death. Season 3 deals with many plotlines that, at first, do not seem to be connected in any way. Trevor and Sypha remained separated from Alucard throughout the entire season, which is disappointing considering how great of a trio they were in season 2. That said, Castlevania season 3 does have many qualities. Both Hector and Isaac continue to be fascinating characters, with Isaac arguably becoming the most interesting character on the show. The Infinite Corridor storyline is intriguing, and the final two episodes of the season are full of twists.
4 Castlevania Season 4 (2021)
Best Episode: "The Endings"
Whereas Castlevania season 3 was a significant deviation from season 2’s ending, Castlevania season 4 was a direct sequel to the events of season 3. After trying to live a normal life and realizing that there were still a lot of threats in the world, Trevor and Sypha were now back to a darker life of horrors. Castlevania season 4 opens with flashbacks that advance in chronological order, slowly introducing the pieces and the mysteries that would set the tone for Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard’s final adventure. Unlike season 3, Castlevania season 4 had a clear threat to be faced – Dracula’s imminent return.
Much of Castlevania has to do with defeating Dracula only for him to return, and season 4 of the Netflix animated show cleverly incorporated it. Dracula and Lisa were living a twisted “happily ever after” in Hell, but multiple forces wanted to bring the vampire back. Castlevania season 4 has quite a few plot twists, including but not limited to the reveal that Death itself wanted to bring Dracula back. The storylines set up in season 3 finally converge into something, which makes season 4 better than its predecessor almost by default. Castlevania’s series finale is very satisfying, offering an emotional epilogue after an action-packed final battle.
3 Castlevania: Nocturne Season 1 (2023)
Best Episode: "Guilty Men to Be Judged"
Castlevania: Nocturne may be a different show, but it is a sequel to Castlevania. Set more than 300 years after the original show, Castlevania: Nocturne exemplifies how much potential the world of Castlevania has when it comes to adaptations. Instead of denying Trevor and Sypha their happy ending, Nocturne follows a completely different set of main characters, some of whom are not even familiar with Dracula or Night Creatures. Still, Nocturne brings back many of the elements that made Castlevania one of the best game adaptations of all time, including stunning animation and solid voice acting. Nocturne's Richter Belmont is not just another Trevor, quite the contrary.
Much of the original Castlevania had to do with trauma and destiny, two themes that are very important in Castlevania: Nocturne. Richter Belmont is a compelling protagonist, but Nocturne also introduces other complex and engaging characters. Although Castlevania: Nocturne works as a standalone season and can be appreciated by those who haven’t watched Castlevania, the series works even better for those who have seen the original show. For example, seeing how much has changed since the events of Castlevania season 4, with vampires now being part of society, is quite interesting. Additionally, Castlevania: Nocturne’s ending sees Alucard’s return, setting up more connections between the sequel and the original series.
2 Castlevania Season 1 (2017)
Best Episode: "Witchbottle"
The Last of Us was praised for ending the “video game adaptation curse” in 2023, but 2017’s Castlevania had already proved that video games could make for great TV shows when done right. From characters and locations to creatures and storylines, Netflix’s Castlevania incorporated multiple elements from the games’ lore to create an incredible first season. Season 1 was full of callbacks and Easter eggs that only those who were familiar with the games would recognize, yet it also worked as a fantasy series that could be enjoyed by new audiences. With only four episodes, Castlevania season 1 established itself as one of the most promising animated shows of its era.
Although it can be difficult to judge a season that consists of only four, 20-minute long episodes, Castlevania season 1 offers a complete experience. The tragedy of Dracula and Lisa is done incredibly well, with the show quickly setting the tone for how dark and violent it is going to be. In addition, the introduction of Trevor Belmont could not have been done better. While the most memorable Castlevania moments were yet to come, season 1 planted the seeds for everything the show would do, both thematically and narratively.
1 Castlevania Season 2 (2018)
Best Episode: "For Love"
With most of the characters already introduced, Castlevania season 2 did not have to waste any time. Now with eight episodes rather than four, Castlevania was able to deliver everything season 1 had teased – epic battles, countless monsters, and Dracula waging war against humanity. Dracula’s council of vampires featured many fascinating characters, including but not limited to Carmilla. Additionally, Dracula’s forge masters, Isaac and Hector, added a level of depth to the show and to Dracula himself that set Castlevania apart from similar stories. Hector and Isaac would grow to become some of Castlevania’s most important names, but their origins and motives come from season 2.
Given how fun of a trio Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard were, it is easy to forget that they only worked together during an entire season once. The interactions involving the main Castlevania trio in season 2 were so good, that when they eventually reunited in season 4, it seemed like they had known each other for several years. Castlevania season 2 was great overall, yet it also included what is arguably the best episode in the whole show. “For Love” featured non-stop action, with Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard taking on Dracula’s allies, as well as a tragic scene in which Alucard has to kill his own father.
Both Castlevania and Castlevania: Nocturne are streaming on Netflix.