The Season 2 trailer of Castlevania: Nocturne is out but fans are incredibly upset by how much Netflix has strayed away from the gamescastlevania: nocturne a blood of zeus

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The release of Castlevania: Nocturne in 2023 was met with positive reviews that were swiftly met with the announcement of a second season. However, it had its flaws like any video game to animated television series adaptation would have, specifically targeting the poor pacing and character development as compared to the source material. These flaws, unfortunately, weren’t corrected if the Season 2 trailer for Castlevania: Nocturne is anything to go by. Fans were heavily disappointed by it and there’s a long list of why.

The poster for Castlevania: Nocturne. The poster for Castlevania: Nocturne. [Credit: Netflix]

The Season 2 trailer shows plenty of the plot points Castlevania: Nocturne will be touching on from the source material, with several changes. Fans accuse Netflix of straying too far from its roots and making unnecessary changes to the games that don’t make sense. Some fans also observed how similar it is to Blood of Zeus, an animated series from the same studio, Powerhouse Animation. Are these accusations going to ruin the second season?

Castlevania: Nocturne Doesn’t Feel Like Castlevania Anymore

Alucard from Castlevania: Nocturne. Alucard from Castlevania: Nocturne. [Credit: Netflix]

Perhaps viewers who haven’t played any of the original Castlevania games wouldn’t bat an eye at any of the flaws and thoroughly enjoy the show for what it offers. Long-time fans, however, who have lived and loved the games are not pleased one bit. The second season seems to do a worse job of adapting the original material, especially when it has sidelined the character who is the essence of Castlevania. When you think of Castlevania, all you can think of is Dracula. Moreover, it needs to portray the nuanced struggle between the Belmont clan and the forces of darkness.

The focus of Castlevania: Nocturne instead shifts to Richter Belmont’s story. It is also set during the French Revolution, with a new antagonist who lacks the iconic presence of Dracula. While it doesn’t have to be a 1:1 adaptation and necessarily focus on Dracula, the 2nd season seems much more disconnected from Castlevania. The more controversial changes revolve around the race-swapping of important characters in the series, with some accusing the studio of pandering to modern audiences.

The biggest example of race-swapping is Annette. In Castlevania: Nocturne, she is an Afro-Caribbean slave whose background is now a monster hunter rather than a damsel in distress. More than that, the animation is also not impressive to fans and doesn’t feel like a spin-off. Blood of Zeus is made by the same studio but is an entirely different story, so the comparisons shouldn’t be happening. Moreover, the voice acting seems weak and not natural at all.

Is Castlevania: Nocturne In Trouble?

Richter Belmont from Castlevania: Nocturne. Richter Belmont from Castlevania: Nocturne. [Credit: Netflix]

Netflix has already bagged so many games to series adaptations, from Arcane to The Witcher. While Arcane was a smashing success throughout, they did a terrible job with The Witcher. This isn’t the first time Netflix has sabotaged their shows then, especially ruining them by straying away from source material.

The trailer for this season of Castlevania: Nocturne doesn’t seem to be worth watching for long-time Castlevania fans or worth carrying the name at all. The full season’s release in January 2025 might prove fans wrong as a trailer is nothing to go by. However, with the first season’s flaws, there’s possibly no hope.

Castlevania: Nocturne is available on Netflix.