Netflix’s Devil May Cry season one is the perfect introduction for newbies but still has enough to please longtime gamers.
As a massive fan of the Devil May Cry games, I was cautiously optimistic about the Netflix anime series from the moment I heard about it. Thankfully, there was nothing to be worried about because it delivered on everything that I wanted and more.
Adapting a video game is no easy task. Players form a connection with the main character in a game very easily because they are playing as them. That alone is difficult to recreate, but especially when you know some of the people watching the series or movie will be completely new to the story.
When a portal between the demon world and the human world opens up, the government must recruit demon hunters to stop the demons that are crossing through. At the same time, the White Rabbit, the main villain of the series, is trying to make that portal big enough for all the demons to come to the human world – and Dante is a key part of his plan.
From a gaming standpoint, Dante is a lot of fun. He is a quirky, confident demon hunter who can be charming and is quite handy in a fight. He has his reasons for tracking these creatures down, but you need to watch the series or play the game to get the full scoop. What I will say is that his backstory is very much the catalist for who he has become.
Dante in the Netflix Devil May Cry series does a wonderful job of capturing my favorite things about him in the game. His mannerisms are similar, he knows when to crack a joke, and he knows how to kick some serious butt. I love watching him take on these demons just about as much as I love playing him while he does so in the games.
Anime was absolutely the correct choice for the style of animation for Devil May Cry‘s adaptation, there is no doubt about that. While certain elements remind me of Prime Video’s Invincible – the demon brothers give off Mauler Brothers vibes for sure – it also feels like something completely its own.
Season one is just eight episodes long, which fly by thanks to incredible pacing, well-timed jokes, and a whole lot of intense action. This show is not afraid to bring the blood and the gore, which is very much appreciated. It needs to go there so that viewers can feel the high stakes of what is going on.
When Dante realizes his true origins, things get very interesting and propel the story forward. In a smart move by the creators of the series, this is done very early on. Gamers will know this going in, and so will anyone who has done any bit of research on Devil May Cry, considering it is a major part of the story.
As a big fan of the games, I am here to say, do not worry about how that demon form looks because they absolutely nail it. It truly looks like it was ripped out of the games.
I often say that a show is only as good as its villain, and the White Rabbit does not disappoint. He is menacing and terrifying, and I am obsessed with his design. He is a formidable foe and I loved every time I saw him go up against Dante.
There is one episode in particular, towards the end of the season, that has very minimal dialogue. The episode itself is gorgeous, featuring different animation styles and a melody that is meant to tell an emotional story. While I cannot go into details for fear of spoilers, it is one of the most touching episodes of television I have watched so far this year.
Devil May Cry delivered everything I wanted it to do. There are Capcom Easter eggs and references (I about died when someone mentioned Racoon City), the fight sequences are incredible, and there is the perfect amount of blood and gore mixed in with a dash of humor.
The story welcomes newcomers to this world with ease but still brings enough surprises for those who have played the game. I truly cannot wait for more.
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About Devil May Cry
In this animated adaptation of the popular Capcom game and from the vision of Adi Shankar, sinister forces are at play to open the portal between the human and demon realms. In the middle of it all is Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, unaware that the fate of both worlds hangs around his neck.
Shankar said, “I’m honored that Netflix and Capcom have entrusted me to shepherd the DEVIL MAY CRY franchise. Alex Larsen and I love these characters, we are part of the fandom, and vow to surpass the exceptionally high bar we set for ourselves.”
Devil May Cry is now streaming on Netflix.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.