Castlevania Games That Should Be Adapted Into Anime

Key Takeaways

Castlevania: Order Of Ecclesia stands out with deep narrative evolution and the Order of Ecclesia vampire hunters.
Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow offers a dark story reboot with the potential for an animated series adaptation.
Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow introduces a modern twist and reincarnation story worth exploring in an anime.

As a long-time enthusiast of the Castlevania franchise, I must say it’s high time we delve deeper into the rich lore and captivating stories that have been woven throughout these games. Among all the characters, one that has always intrigued me is Juste Belmont, the son of Trevor Belmont who appeared in the original game but was poorly depicted and left us hanging with a sluggish conversation with a young Richter.

Castlevania stands out as one of the greatest dark fantasy/action series ever developed, yet it frequently sparks discussions among fans regarding which games are worthy additions to its lore. Certain titles boast such rich and impactful storylines that it’s a pity not to explore their mythology, world-building, and characters further.

That’s precisely why this list summarizes the Castlevania games that could be great to adapt into an anime. With so much raw potential ready to be taken by an enlightened producer, these titles are part of the Dracula versus Belmont mythos, and fans are eagerly awaiting a chance to see them displayed as an animation like Castlevania the Series, or Castlevania: Nocturne.

1 Castlevania: Order Of Ecclesia

A Different Protagonist, But Same Good Taste

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that Order of Ecclesia stands out as an exceptional demonstration of the Castlevania franchise’s growth and transformation over time. In this game, we find ourselves in a universe where the legendary Belmont clan has mysteriously vanished from recorded history. This vacuum creates a unique situation: it’s up to the Order of Ecclesia, a band of vampire and demon hunters, to shoulder the burden of battling Dracula and his minions of darkness. They harness the potent energy of Glyphs, using them as tools to combat evil in all its shapes and forms.

Shanoa serves as the central character in the narrative, demonstrating herself as a deserving successor to the legacy of the franchise’s vampire-hunting hero. Following the acclaim of “Dawn” and “Aria of Sorrow,” this game has established itself as a worthy successor to “Symphony of the Night.” It boasts an engaging main storyline, making it suitable for adaptation into an animated series.

2 Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow

The Origins Of Dracula, Re-Imagined

Lords of Shadow I & II represent a significant shift in the core concept of the franchise, offering a new narrative and a gameplay style that combines RPG and hack-and-slash elements. These games tell the origin story of Dracula, initially portrayed as Gabriel Belmont, who transformed into a monster after clashing with God and being deceived into slaughtering his own kin. Featuring a dark and brooding atmosphere, and a non-canonical tale that serves as a reboot for the series, it’s unfortunate that this narrative didn’t resonate strongly with fans.

Despite some reservations, the game’s narrative and gameplay are outstanding, making another sequel a strong possibility, assuming Konami agrees. However, it might be more fruitful for the Lords of Shadow series to explore new horizons on a different platform. It would indeed be intriguing if the creators leveraged the rich lore to develop an animated series, allowing us to witness how the Dracula origin story unfolds on screen. The potential of adapting these screenplays is an exciting prospect.

3 Castlevania: Harmony Of Dissonance

Juste Belmont Showing Fans The Ropes Of Vampire Hunting

Among all the members of the Belmont lineage, none garners such affection as myself, Juste Belmont – the hero of Castlevania: Harmony Of Dissonance. As the grandson of Simon Belmont, I’ve earned a reputation as one of the most formidable sorcerers and vampire hunters to traverse the haunted Transylvanian terrain. Tracking down Dracula’s minions with an unrivaled skill, I make it look easy.

When Juste first emerged in “Castlevania: Nocturne”, fans likely experienced a variety of feelings. However, the portrayal of Juste as a failed and retired vampire hunter may have left some “Castlevania” aficionados wondering about his past. While some hints are given through a slow conversation between him and a young Richter (a character also not fully fleshed out), hardcore fans of the “Castlevania” series might argue that this is still insufficient information. Many would love to see Juste Belmont as an animated protagonist in his prime, so why not create a standalone series for him? Such a move could be a brilliant decision by producers.

4 Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest

An Underrated Game, Its Story Deserves Another Chance

In the Castlevania series, Simon Belmont – offspring of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades – takes center stage in the second installment, initially released on NES systems back in 1988. This game has sparked much debate, with some claiming it to be the toughest in the entire series, while others may hold a different viewpoint. Essentially, Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest is quite divisive. Despite its less-than-stellar reputation among pre-Symphony of the Night games, it’s easy to see why some might not consider it the pinnacle of gaming perfection by today’s standards.

But it is also true that the story of Simon Belmont is both awe-inspiring and worthy of exploring, and the lore derived from his struggles to destroy Dracula once and for all while also dealing with a curse that was affecting him, is absolute series material. All of that is accompanied by a masterfully crafted soundtrack that is recognized among fans of the franchise as one of the best, especially “Bloody Tears,” which ended up becoming the iconic part of the soundtrack for the rest of the franchise (and even made a cameo in the Netflix series). Perhaps his story, retold from the perspective of modern producers, will fill the gaps between the events of Castlevania: The Series and Castlevania: Nocturne.

5 Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow

Maybe It’s A Phase, But It’s A Good One

In the game titled “Aria of Sorrow“, the narrative undergoes a shift as players join protagonist Soma Cruz, who unbeknownst to him, is the reincarnation of Dracula. Living a seemingly ordinary life as a student, Soma experiences bizarre visions and inexplicable dark impulses as darkness rises yet again, aiming to instill fear in humanity. Unlike the traditional games, this story unfolds in contemporary times, with the ancient history of the Belmont lineage and Dracula fading into obscurity, but his influence continuing to haunt mankind. Soma and Mina Hakuba, his closest friend, were traveling through Japan when an eclipse triggered a transporting effect that catapulted them both into Dracula’s Castle. The story commences with the main character, unaware of his actions, gradually realizing his supernatural powers and absorbing the souls of vanquished monsters to grow stronger.

As the narrative unfolds, there comes a surprising turn where Soma is unveiled as the reborn Dark Lord from ancient times. This means he’s either destined to annihilate humanity or rescue it from his past life’s consequences. Despite how bizarre this may seem, the game is fantastic, engaging, and boasts an exciting adventure with the Soul system and a collection of contemporary weapons (plus some legendary ones such as Excalibur and Longinus). In order to create such a story into an anime, the budget should be substantial. Fans wouldn’t tolerate anything less than heartfelt effort – whether for the Aria of Sorrow‘s timeline or any future Castlevania anime productions.

2024-09-20 08:04