11 Best References In Netflix's Devil May Cry

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the Netflix adaptation of Devil May Cry successfully encapsulates the raw, edge-of-your-seat excitement and badassery that the franchise is renowned for. While it’s true that the plot deviates significantly from the original lore, and not everything aligns perfectly, its soundtrack and overall atmosphere echo the gritty, electrifying vibe of the 2000s anime music videos (AMVs) we used to immerse ourselves in during our teenage years.

In creating his unique take on the 20-year-old Devil May Cry franchise, showrunner Adi Shankar made it apparent that he was committed to staying true to the series’ established lore. Much like other adaptations of popular franchises with passionate fan bases, Devil May Cry features numerous obvious references and homages to both the franchise itself and pop culture.

Regardless of whether you’re a fan of DMC or have lived long enough to recall the early 2000s, there’s likely to be at least one familiar reference for you. We will explore Easter Eggs hidden in the series, with each one more meaningful than the previous one.

Caution: The following list may reveal plot details from the Netflix adaptation of ‘Devil May Cry’, as well as potential spoilers from the video games and other related sources. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid such information.

11. Iron Man Reference

Time To Play Barrel Of Monkeys

In the fittingly titled fifth episode, “Descent,” immediately following Dante’s victory over and elimination of Agni high above, Rudra violently tears open the aircraft. This catastrophic event results in everyone aboard being tragically pulled from the cabin, plummeting to their demise.

Enzo wonders why you can’t be like those wealthy superheroes who have flying suits of armor, much like how Iron Man rescued fourteen people from an airplane in the movie “Iron Man 3.

Without a traditional suit of armor, Dante activates his Devil Trigger and employs his newly acquired ability to fly, miraculously saving everyone in the process. It so happens that the plump character Enzo and the “hefty hero” from Iron Man 3 are the final ones to be rescued during this particular scene.

10. Dante’s Dance Moves

Smokin’ Sexy Style!

Despite being an expert in elegant and lethal fighting techniques, Dante isn’t particularly skilled when it comes to rhythm games.

At the end of the first episode titled “Inferno,” Dante is noticeably dancing on a device that seems like Dance Dance Revolution, but he’s unfortunately off-beat for every move he makes.

This scene not only evokes memories of an arcade game, it also features a hat that bears a striking resemblance to Dr. Faust, a character from Devil Arm designed by Nicoletta Goldstein in Devil May Cry 5. In fact, both characters end up adopting the same triumphant stance at the end.

9. Dante’s Motorcycle

“Damn, He’s Cool”

Regardless of the major alterations in the storyline and constructive feedback from viewers, the Netflix version of Devil May Cry manages to uphold its iconic swagger or toughness, a quality that the series is renowned for, which is most evident in the well-executed action sequences.

In episode three, titled “The Deep and Savage Way,” DARKCOM agents find themselves under attack by White Rabbit and his band of demonic terrorists during an attempt to acquire Dante’s necklace. As they pursue the elusive White Rabbit on a motorcycle, Dante must defend himself against his henchmen.

As Dante pursues, he charges towards Agni and Rudra on his motorcycle, colliding them forcefully against a wall, much like in DMC3.

During the chase, Dante rams Agni and Rudra into a wall with his motorcycle, using it as a weapon, just as he did in DMC3.

Or simply:
In pursuit, Dante uses his motorcycle as a weapon to crash Agni and Rudra against the wall, reminiscent of his actions in DMC3.

Besides this, the manner in which he revs the engine to inflict greater harm on the brothers is remarkably similar to how he wields Cavaliere, a motorcycle-buzzsaw hybrid Devil Arm obtained in DMC5. It’s somewhat of an analogy, but Echidna’s spikes protruding from his front wheel add to this comparison.

8. Strawberry Sundae

Dante’s Favorite Dessert

It’s no secret that Dante prefers pizza as his meal, and it turns out, his sweet tooth leans towards an indulgent strawberry sundae for dessert.

Although not depicted in the initial games, Dante’s fondness for strawberry sundaes becomes evident only in the 2007 animated series. He frequently indulges in them and gets irritated when denied the opportunity, particularly when Patty snatches them away from him.

In the first episode of Netflix’s version, titled “Inferno”, we clearly see Dante’s affection for strawberry sundaes as he stops by Fredy Diner, a nod to the restaurant from the original animated show.

In the show, I’m thrilled to spot Cindy, just like in the animation. However, luckily for him, the diner’s namesake seemed to be out of town, avoiding the unfortunate incident where his restaurant got hit by plasma.

7. Other Capcom Games

It’s All Connected

It’s not surprising to find a sprinkle of Easter eggs and nods to other CAPCOM series within the Devil May Cry universe, given it’s a CAPCOM franchise. So far, we’ve identified about three such references to other CAPCOM games.

In the second episode titled “Our Lady of Sorrows,” you’ll witness Ken delivering a powerful shoryuken uppercut to knock out M. Bison, immediately followed by Dante sending the mercenary crashing into the Street Fighter arcade machine.

In the subsequent episode titled “The Deep and Savage Way,” two additional references emerge. When Enzo brings up the “Raccoon City job,” this alludes directly to the notorious city that became the focal point of the T-virus outbreak in Resident Evil. Shortly afterward, you’ll notice a highly detailed Mega Man action figure affixed to the dashboard of one of the moving trucks.

It’s possible, though subtle, that the universe of Devil May Cry and Resident Evil could overlap. A casual mention of Raccoon City might have been incidental, but consider this: The initial concept for Devil May Cry was intended to be a precursor to Resident Evil 4. Additionally, in the first episode, President Hopper references “bio-organic weapons” which suggests a connection between the two series.

It suggests that either Dante witnessed the outbreak firsthand, or he could have been among the soldiers dispatched to eliminate the infected.

6. “Jackpot!”

Catchphrase!

At the start of episode one titled “Inferno,” Dante rescues a mother from being slain by some bony demons. Just as he was about to eliminate the final demon, he exclaims “Jackpot!” and takes a fashionable aimed shot with a bullet inscribed with the same phrase.

In a simplified and conversational style: “The spirit of Devil May Cry is summed up by the term ‘Jackpot,’ which is a phrase Dante uses throughout the series. He often says ‘Jackpot’ just before defeating an enemy with his guns, Ebony and Ivory. The first time Dante exclaims ‘Jackpot’ is when he vanquishes the demon king Mundus in Devil May Cry 1.

In the game DMC3, it is revealed that “Jackpot” was a phrase that Jack (Dante) and Vergil used to exclaim together during their childhood. This term of excitement is demonstrated in a powerful scene where they both use their signature weapons, Ebony and Ivory, to defeat Arkham.

5. Lucia

An Unexpected Cameo

In the first episode, Vice President Baines is seen making efforts to apprehend every demon hunter in town. During this process, you’ll see Dante’s associates. Some of you might spot a red-haired woman who is later arrested and questioned by DARKCOM.

Lucia serves as a key, playable character in DMC2, a game often criticized for being the weakest in the Devil May Cry series. This demon hunter was trained by an elderly woman named Matier. In the storyline of Vie de Marli, Lucia teams up with Dante to dismantle Arius and his nefarious corporation Uroboros.

In an unexpected twist, it turns out that Lucia is not a human at all, but rather a flawed Secretary demon conceived by Arius. Yet, despite this supernatural origin, she manages to rise above her nature, teaming up with Dante to ultimately vanquish Arius and Argosax.

Although Lucia appears briefly in this series, we can eagerly anticipate her potential role in the upcoming season of the Netflix adaptation, as it seems Arius could become the primary antagonist.

4. Enzo

Fuggetaboutit!

In the Netflix version, Enzo Ferino assumes a significant part as Dante’s trustworthy yet slippery friend and ex-colleague. This rotund, Italian-American character seems to have a knack for landing in perilous predicaments, and it frequently falls on Dante to protect him from danger, although Enzo usually emerges shaken by the ordeal.

In the wider world of Devil May Cry, I, a devoted fan, have come to discover that Enzo is quite the influential character, making appearances in the novels, manga, and CD dramas beyond just the games. He’s more than just a casual acquaintance for Dante – he’s the go-to guy for jobs, information, and even the occasional Devil Arm swap, with a hint of mutual benefit involved.

Interestingly, Enzo shares screen time in both the series Bayonetta and DMC, serving as the lead character’s confidant and resource for matters concerning the supernatural, particularly heaven and hell. In essence, Enzo in both franchises is an ordinary individual who finds himself embroiled in perilous supernatural incidents.

It’s possible that this is just a coincidence, as both Enzo from Bayonetta 3 and the version of him in the Devil May Cry Netflix adaptation share a similar color palette.

3. White Rabbit And His Minions

Some Familiar Faces

In the White Rabbit character from our story, there are some similarities with the character from the Devil May Cry 3 manga. However, it’s important to note that his lieutenants are actually enemies that Dante has previously encountered during the course of the game series. We’ll discuss each enemy in the order they first appeared.

In the captivating world of Devil May Cry 1, I encountered an adversary on my initial journey – a being known as Plasma. Though his true identity remains uncertain, what’s clear is that Plasmas are versatile, lesser demons serving as formidable foes within the game. They possess the extraordinary ability to mimic not only their physical appearance but also the abilities of those they encounter.

The next three are bosses that Dante beats and earns unique Devil Arms from.

Moving forward, we encounter Agni and Rudra; these characters represent twin demonic entities introduced in DMC3. They possess the ability to command fire and wind respectively, and they are armed with large, curved swords. Notably, their sword pommels can link together, forming a powerful double-ended sword for increased might.

In the Netflix adaptation, Agni and Rudra possess physical forms with heads, whereas in the game, they’re intelligent blades carried by golem figures without heads.

In the action-packed game DMC4, Echidna is introduced as a snake-like demon adversary. Both Dante and Nero, a more youthful descendant of Sparda, cross paths with this demonic entity. Upon vanquishing Echidna in combat, Dante gains control over the Gilgamesh Devil Arm, an artifact that endows him with the ability to unleash powerful punches and kicks.

As a gamer, I’d say that Echidna, much like me when I’m stuck on a level, stays relatively unchanged throughout the game. You see, she possesses some serious green thumb magic, able to manipulate and control any flora in her vicinity, just like how I can’t seem to get past this boss without using all my power-ups!

To conclude, we encounter Cavaliere Angelo, a character who introduces an incongruity in the flow of DMC5. He is actually an incomplete replica of Nelo Angelo, combined with Dante’s ally Trish and tasked with eliminating him. It’s unfortunate that Dante doesn’t obtain a new Devil Arm upon defeating him.

2. Arius And Uroboros

He Won’t Be The King Of This World

The Netflix version pays tribute to each game in the Devil May Cry series, including DMC2, which, despite being known as the weakest game in the series, even surpasses DmC: Devil May Cry.

In the gripping finale of episode eight, I find myself face to face with the series’ chief adversary – Arius. The ominous presence of Arius emerges as the U.S. government launches an invasion into a realm known as Makai, or Hell. Over time, we witness the government rounding up lesser demons and exploiting the resources of this netherworld with the assistance of the enigmatic Uroboros Corporation.

In the final scene of episode eight, I come across the main bad guy, Arius, as the U.S. government invades a place called Makai (Hell). They start imprisoning smaller demons and using Hell’s resources with help from the mysterious Uroboros Corporation.

As a game enthusiast diving into the lore of Arius, it seems like his essence as a character remains largely untouched, even in the Netflix adaptation.

It’s highly probable that Uroboros continues to carry out brutal experiments on demons and integrates them into military machinery, potentially igniting the plotline for season two.

Regardless of personal opinions, let’s cross our fingers that Arius will be portrayed more effectively in the Netflix version, given his character was essentially a wealthy villain obsessed with achieving immortality.

1. War On Terror

Pretty On The Nose

The Netflix version of Devil May Cry appears to be heavily influenced by the political climate during the early 2000s, particularly the War on Terror era when George W. Bush was president. Given its edgy and gritty atmosphere, it’s no surprise that this show incorporates some political commentary.

Indeed, here’s the gist of it – Even though TopMob usually focuses on pop culture, for this particular entry, we’ll need to provide a quick rundown of historical background to explain why it fits on this specific list.

Regardless of whether you’re deeply knowledgeable about U.S. history or old enough to recall the events of September 11th, the War on Terror was a lengthy and brutal global military conflict that lasted for approximately 19 years. This conflict resulted in the tragic loss of countless lives, with civilians being among the most severely affected.

It’s quite evident that Adi Shankar isn’t just making an ordinary action game with Devil May Cry; rather, he seems to be employing it as a commentary or criticism on the War on Terror.

Makai serves as a comparison to the Middle East, with its inhabitants, or Makaians/lesser demons, symbolizing the ordinary people who find themselves caught up in the conflict between their rulers and the advancing armies from the West.

In Devil May Cry, the characters of the President and Vice President are not subtle hints but rather strong reminders of George W. Bush and his Vice President Dick Cheney. The President, Hopper, has a physical build similar to Trump, but it’s his southern accent and relaxed demeanor that make him more reminiscent of Bush than any other president in the game.

VP Baines wielding exceptional authority is reminiscent of an ongoing jest or speculation that Cheney was secretly controlling the nation.

The selection of Green Day’s “American Idiot” and Rage Against the Machine’s “Guerrilla Radio” for the show’s soundtrack was a fitting choice, given that these songs are not only iconic punk rock tunes from the 90s-00s, but also because both bands are renowned for their anti-war and countercultural messages.

2025-04-18 18:41

11 Best References In Netflix’s Devil May Cry