Netflix has a lot on its 2023 anime slate, though few shows will excite gamers as its second go at theCastlevaniafranchise, now tracking the adventures of Richter Belmont, as well as the newly revealed Maria Renard whose redesign is already getting plenty of praise.Castlevania: Nocturnewas first announced in August 2021, but it wasn’t until this past summer that Netflix shared the first teaser for it including the first look at Trevor Belmont’s great-great-grandson, Richter. Led by veterans from the original Netflix animated series co-directors Samuel and Adam Deats, writer Clive Bradley and showrunner Kevin Kolde, this sequel certainly has the makings to reprise the success ofCastlevania, which is still widely regarded as one of the streamers best adaptations.RELATED:Castlevania: 10 Most Powerful Characters In The Netflix Anime, RankedIt was precisely Samuel Deats who shared this holiday treat in the form of a short animated clip of Maria Renard, Richter’s companion inCastlevania: Rondo of Blood, that seems to be more inspired from her design inThe Dracula X Chronicles, a PSP remake of that same titled. The key difference is that version of Maria was always depicted to be a 12-year-old child, whereas this rendition appears to have aged her up quite a bit, at least to her late teens, since she is 17 inSymphony of the Night.
Suffice it to say, fans on Twitter were quick to express their excitement over Maria’s makeover which definitely takes after the animation style used in theCastlevaniaanime, despite only seeing 5 seconds of total footage. In the images, Maria can be seen sporting a green ribbon on her blonde hair, and if one pays close attention the color of her dress matches the pink color on bothRondo of Bloodeditions, as opposed toSymphony of the Nightwhere her outfit is mostly green.
This tiny clip is much less informative than the official announcement teaser put out by Netflix, since Richter design was already shown to blend elements from several of the character’s appearances inCastlevaniatitles and their respective artworks.Castlevania: Nocturnewill be set during the French Revolution in the late 1700s, mixing plot lines from theRondo of BloodandSymphony of the Night, hence why Alucard will be coming back for the sequel along with his everpresent father.
WhileKonami has leftCastlevaniagames dormantfor the past 7 years, save for pachinko machines and mobile games likeGrimoire of Souls, the franchise indeed has found new life in anime formor even inBrawlhallacrossovers.
