Much to the delight of fans, Netflix has announced an all-new spin-off for its Castlevania series. Details are still slim, but an early announcement mentions Richter Belmont, Maria Renard, and a setting in 18th-century France. This information has lead many to wonder if the Netflix Castlevania spin-off follows Symphony of the Night, the most acclaimed game in the series. As it turns out, the show may actually follow a lesser-known Castlevania release.
Could the new Netflix Castlevania spin-off be Symphony of the Night?
There is no official confirmation that the upcoming Netflix Castlevania spin-off follows the Symphony of the Night storyline. However, the new Netflix series and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night both share a similar setting and characters.
Specifically, the early announcement for the new Castlevania series mentions two characters: Maria Renard and Richter Belmont. Series fans will recognize these characters immediately, as they both first appeared in 2003 Castlevania release Rondo of Blood. However, they’re probably much better known for appearing in Symphony of the Night, which released in 1997.
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Then there’s the setting. Symphony of the Night doesn’t make a big fuss about its setting, so you could be forgiven for not realizing the story takes place in the year 1797. Because it’s a direct sequel, SotN is set five years after the events Rondo of Blood. Naturally, it also takes place in the Castlevania series’ signature (but otherwise vague) European-inspired, Middle Ages-era world.
With all that said, there is some evidence that the new Netflix Castlevania show will not follow Symphony of the Night. Namely, Richter Belmont is not a major character in SoTN. Instead, the bulk of the action centers around Alucard, with Maria appearing in a supporting role. Plus, the Netflix teaser says the show is set in 1792, exactly five years before the Symphony of the Night story begins. Beyond all that, Executive Producer Kevin Kolde previously said adapting the SotN storyline could prove challenging.
Given all of the evidence, the new Netflix Castlevania spin-off likely won’t follow the Symphony of the Night storyline. It’s much more likely that the new show will follow Rondo of Blood, given its setting in 1792 and a major focus on both Richter Belmont and Maria Renard. Of course, the show and the games don’t follow the same timelines, so there’s certain to be a few changes in store either way.
