Castlevania: Nocturne

Set against the chaos of the French Revolution, this animated series follows Richter Belmont as he tries to keep his family's vampire-hunting legacy alive while a ruthless vampire seeks to seize power. Richter moves through a world where revolutionary politics, superstition, and violence collide, meeting allies like Maria and Annette as towns and rural estates shift allegiances. The story balances action sequences with quieter moments of loyalty, guilt, and responsibility, showing how a single line of defenders copes when old rules and new forces come into conflict. No major plot twists or endings are revealed here.

Created by Clive Bradley and released in 2023, the series features voice work from Edward Bluemel, Thuso Mbedu, Pixie Davies, Aaron Neil, and Elarica Johnson.

As of its initial run, the series did not land major awards attention at the biggest industry ceremonies, though it attracted notice within genre and animation circles for its craft and direction.

As an extension of the Castlevania franchise, Nocturne reinforced interest in Western-produced animation that wears anime influences. It generated lively fan discussion online, inspired fan art, and helped keep the gothic vampire aesthetic visible in streaming-era genre talk.

Audience and critical response leaned positive, reflected in an average rating around 7.8/10 from viewers. Reviewers and fans pointed to strong animation, period atmosphere, and a moodier approach to vampire mythology. Central themes include legacy, the cost of duty, and how social upheaval reshapes personal and public power, with the series often using its supernatural antagonists to comment on human brutality and political ambition.