SundayFilmRecommendation: Castlevania

What if I told you the greatest vampire tale ever told is not just a story but a journey into the mind of madness and love? We've all watched countless variations and portrayals of Dracula, the Count of Castlevania and the father of all vampires. However, the fictional character created by Bram Stoker was based on a real historical figure, Vlad the Impaler. Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, was a 15th-century warlord in what is now Romania, in southeastern Europe.

The author was fascinated by the word "Dracul," which in Wallachian means "devil." Recently, I watched "Dracula Untold," a 2014 portrayal of how Vlad gave his life to protect his son and his kingdom from the Turks. A very decent movie in its own right, but today, we are going to talk about an anime series called "Castlevania."

I stumbled upon this masterpiece one lazy evening, and with every passing episode, I realized it would eventually come to an end. Remember your first love? You never wanted it to end. This animated series is based on how Dracula loses his mind when he loses the love of his life and attempts to do anything, including destroying the world, to bring her back.

The character development is the best I have ever seen. For instance, Dracula's transformation from a loving husband to a vengeful destroyer is both tragic and captivating. His grief and rage are palpable, making his descent into madness profoundly relatable. Similarly, Trevor Belmont’s journey from a disillusioned drunkard to a determined hero provides a satisfying and complex character arc. The voice-over work is meticulous, with Richard Armitage soothing you through the whole series as Trevor Belmont. If there is any voice I would listen to audiobooks, it would be his.

The vast collection of characters is another highlight. Alucard, the conflicted son of Dracula, battles his own demons while trying to stop his father. Sypha Belnades, a powerful magician, brings both strength and wit to the trio. Even Carmilla, one of the antagonists, is portrayed with such depth that you cannot help but appreciate her cunning and ambition.

Personally, I might regret this in the coming years, but for me, this is the best animated show I have ever watched. Specific scenes, such as the climactic battle between Dracula and his son Alucard, are breathtaking both in animation quality and emotional intensity. The wit of the dialogues is not forced, and the British humour is well appreciated. The depth of the characters is hypnotic, and their experiences are so tied to the human plight despite being fictional.

This is a classic that needs to be inducted into the fiction film hall of fame and should be used as a benchmark for all other shows.