Adaptations of video games into films and television shows are infamous for being notoriously, cringe-inducingly terrible. I admit the “Legend of Zelda” television show entertained me as a child, but that animation hurts my eyes now. Between the recent boring catastrophe that was “Assassin’s Creed” with Michael Fassbender and the insultingly dull “Prince of Persia” with Jake f***ing Gyllenhaal (somebody please tell Disney that ancient Iran wasn’t white), video games are having a tough time having their lore and essential characters translated outside of their interactive medium.

When it seemed like all hope was lost, Netflix released “Castlevania”, a surprisingly colorful and richly Gothic television series based on the 1989 entry in the long-running franchise, “Dracula’s Curse”. Konami itself should be grateful for the good publicity, considering their less-than-hospitable treatment of their former associate, Hideo Kojima. I have to wonder what virgin sacrifice was made in order to bring us this wonderful little Netflix original, as “Castlevania” spent an entire decade in development hell. The series reminds me a bit of the animation I’ve seen from Studio Manglobe’s “Samurai Champloo” and the 1997 “Berserk” anime - fluid, slightly off-kilter, stylized, but also bent on a somewhat realistic portrayal of medieval times. The art is also heavily influenced by the legendary “Symphony of the Night” entry, and I hope Ayami Kojima is somewhere smiling at the tribute to his art.

I won’t spoil anything for you, but if you’re at all familiar with “Castlevania” lore from the games (and really, you don’t have to be to appreciate this all too short animation), then you’ll love the set-up:It’s the mid to late 15th century, we’re in Romania, particularly the principality of Wallachia, and the Church rules day to day to life. Predictably, the Church pisses off Dracula, and Dracula is intent on sending demonic legions and hellfire to punish the citizens of Wallachia, and possibly the entire world. Of course, as in every incarnation of “Castlevania”, there’s a guy from the House of Belmont who isn’t going to let that happen. Richard Armitage is here getting some killer voice acting work as our chief protagonist, Trevor Belmont, and we pick up some other characters along the way, as well as a compelling performance from Matt Frewer as the Bishop. The four episodes that comprise this first season (for indeed, eight more episodes have been ordered for the second season) are all very restrained and self-contained, steadily building up to the cliffhanger we see in the final fight versus a familiar face. The pacing does seem off, and the character development of the Big Bad, Dracula seems oddly uneven, but the animation is so damn gorgeous it almost doesn’t matter. One other big complaint I have is Lisa Tepes - she deserved far more screen time and her place in the series is more plot function than character. That said, atmosphere and action is a primary factor in what I love about this series - there’s one scene where Trevor rallies the town of Gresit’s defenses against the demons that particularly stands out to me, as it both subverts some elements of Christian mythology while making good use of other tropes. If I keep going, I’m sure to give away the whole plot, so I’ll leave you with that tidbit.

I never had the opportunity to play any of the old “Castlevania” games as a kid, I was mostly a Zelda and Pokemon boy, but I’ve always admired the series’ Gothic presentation and gameplay from walkthroughs I’ve watched on Youtube. For both fans of the series and newcomers to the franchise, I highly recommend Netflix’s “Castlevania”, although be warned, this is very much an R-rated sort of animation, with gore and foul language.

8.5/10 Some of the best Western animation has to offer, and I can’t wait to see more.