Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 Review: Netflix’s Gothic Adventure Continues to Be Brutally Epic

If there was any animated series from Netflix that would get bigger and better in the new year, it would be Castlevania: Nocturne. In fact, Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 is able to both give its side characters meaningful arcs while maintaining its clear focus on the vampiric war at hand.

This time, there’s much more emphasis put on exploring the backgrounds of both its protagonists and antagonists. Yet, throughout each episode, Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 uses this element to intricately lay the groundwork of the path each character takes.

There are indeed standouts, but all of it harmonizes together to create an amazing overarching tale. Plus, it’s got more of that fast-paced action and the charming dynamics that made Season 1 special. That is, to say, I’ve missed you so much, Richter and Annette.

Though Richter, Annette, Maria, and Mizrak were able to take down Drolta in Season 1, they still have to face the threat of Erzsebet Báthory. However, they found a new ally in Alucard, the brooding son of Dracula, who offers to help them eliminate Erzsebet once and for all. With new friends and dangers, Richter’s team race against the clock to save the world.

The introduction of Alucard in Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 was a shock, to say the least. As one of the most popular characters of the entire Castlevania series, it was expected that he would eventually make his way here.

Fortunately, from the first few moments of Season 2 Episode 1 “A Living Legend”, Alucard’s more heroic motivations are quickly set in stone.

As such, it makes his interactions with the team, specifically with Richter and Annette, all the more intriguing. His grim moodiness has this peculiar, slightly comedic, charm to it, showing that he does have this softer side.

Initially, he’s more stoic when he starts guiding Richter and Annette beginning on Season 2 Episode 2 “Angel of Death”. Yet, there’s these subtle, and intentional, bits of humor that Alucard provides that make him entertaining. However, when Alucard learns more about the two’s unspoken bond, his supportive side really shows in such a heartfelt way.

However, where new characters debut in Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2, old ones make their return, like Drolta. While she was “killed off” back in Season 1, Drolta’s comeback feels really impactful all in thanks to connected flashbacks.

Throughout Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2, there’s these historical glimpses from ancient Egypt to capture how the dynamic between Erzsebet and Drolta was forged. It feels kind of sad because as these flashbacks continue to dig deeper, you slowly realize how one-sided this relationship is.

There’s this undertone that Erzsebet is not fully what she seems, as to both her title and her allegiance. Yet, Drolta is fully engrossed by Erzsebet because of her powers and personal sacrifices, which really shows on “Ancestors”. Simply put, she’s gone too far in to be pulled out.

Erzsebet and Drolta’s plans heavily influence one side storyline in Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2, which involves the Night Creatures. While they mostly lingered in the background throughout Season 1, some particular characters begin to shine through. This additional development applies to Edouard in particular.

Starting on Season 2 Episode 4 “Monstrous Things”, Edouard starts to question the morality that Maria’s father, the Abbot, really had. Given how Edouard retained his humanity in Season 1, it helps him understand the situation.

There’s an event that occurs in Season 2 Episode 5 “Into the Abyss” nails in this mental divide in the community of the Night Creatures. Edouard simply wants to live in harmony with his circumstance and he gets that chance through this arc with another character. Still, this storyline is mostly kept towards the first batch of episodes.

Richter and Annette are still as delightful as ever in Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2. Their optimistic personalities continues to help them bounce off each other naturally, with shared bits of heartedness. The subtle humor of Season 2 works to a tee, but the narrative influence is placed more on Annette.

Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 emphasizes Annette’s personal journey and her familial connection to Erzsebet’s plan. There are teases that are dropped throughout the show, but Season 2 Episode 6 “Ancestors” brings Annette’s connections to light. Annette’s personal “hero’s journey” here, with the help of her family’s spirits, was very compelling and didn’t go over the deep end of things.

However, Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 also has this “will they, won’t they” arc between Richter and Annette. It’s that “unspoken bond” that also gets gradually built up throughout the season with their cute comments towards each other.

Yet, it’s developed in a way that doesn’t take up the main focus, instead allowing the overarching storyline to influence where Richter and Annette’s relationship goes.

On the other end, Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 also tries to resolve the interpersonal conflict between Maria and her mother, Tera. Though it may seem like Tera is neutral throughout all this, there are hints to show that she really wants the best for Maria. Yet, Maria’s stuck between light and dark powers, both metaphorically and literally.

Season 2 Episodes 2 and 3 highlights Maria’s arc, as this tug of war for her is fought between Tera and Juste, Richter’s hunter grandfather. These two episodes truly test Maria, who’s still emotionally facing the actions the Abbot brought upon their family. It’s a beautiful counter-storyline to Annette’s, balancing out Season 2’s lightheartedness with this magical tragedy.

As for Mizrak and Olrox, their relationship is further trudged in by the fact that Erzsebet and Drolta might catch on. Despite his past actions, Olrox really wants his relationship with Mizrak to work, but there’s this innate doubt. You start to feel bad for them, but it’s mostly played safe until the final two episodes.

Yet, Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 wants to make you feel sympathetic for Olrox because he’s playing both sides, being genuine on one side more than the other. Their interactions, specifically by Season 2 Episode 7 “Grenadye Alaso”, are heavy-handed, but in a good way.

Speaking about the final two episodes, Episodes 7 and 8 are pure visual spectacle as the story reaches its grand finale. Season 2 treats these episodes as a two-parter, but it’s mostly action-focused with this huge central battle. The visuals and the animation here really come together to keep you hooked until the end, even as it gets twisty a bit.

Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 has upped its game massively with strong character-centric arcs, a captivating overarching story, and its awesome, savage fights. While it feels conclusive with its ending to this two-season narrative, it also feels like there’s still more to be done. Yet, every character, from Richter and Annette to Alucard and Maria, is now on their own path with this conclusion.

Nonetheless, should Netflix decide to return to the world of Castlevania: Nocturne once more, the only step forward would be to go worldwide. Besides, with Richter and Annette heading back to Saint-Domingue, there’s a lot of challenges that are yet to be confronted by this era’s vampire hunters.

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Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 begins streaming on January 16 on Netflix.

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