Castlevania’s 10 Best Episodes, Ranked

Running for four seasons on Netflix, Castlevania revolutionized TV series based on video games and proved the quality of the show through the best episodes across the seasons. The video game series has many iterations, and its dark fantasy thematic tone greatly influenced the violence and tone of the TV show. Following the story of a group of characters trying to stop Dracula from ending the world, Castlevania incorporates fantasy, horror, and action throughout the fast-paced and beautifully designed story.

Since Castlevania: Nocturne had a great ending in season 1, fans are all the more excited for the upcoming season 2 of the spin-off series. However, the success of the series has Castlevania to thank for paving the way for TV adaptations of the source material. Adapting a video game to the screen is always difficult, but Castlevania pulled it off flawlessly, especially in its dedication to art and animation. The series’ best episodes provide excellent character development and strong visual choices, immersing the audience in the world.

10
Witchbottle

Season 1, Episode 1

Castlevania can’t be discussed without mentioning the episode that started it all. “Witchbottle” serves as the show’s pilot, perfectly executing character introduction, exposition, and world-building. Throughout this, the viewer is engaged and pulled into a world of magic and monsters that’s impossible to turn away from. In “Witchbottle,” the audience gets the backstory for why Dracula is so determined to wipe out humanity and establishes empathy for him, so he’s not a one-dimensional villain. It’s revealed that his hate stems from his wife’s murder at the hands of a corrupt Bishop who believes she’s a witch.

9
Monument

Season 1, Episode 4

Castlevania season 1 only had four episodes, making “Monument” the finale. It’s a turning point for the series because the core group, Adrian/Alucard, Trevor, and Sypha, come together for the first time, united in their cause to stop Dracula. Alucard is one of the saddest characters in Castlevania, and this is illustrated from the moment Trevor and Sypha meet him. He’s locked himself away to end his bloodline because he hates being half-human and half-vampire. Although joining their quest to defeat Dracula gives him a purpose, it’s only the beginning of his story.

8
Abandon All Hope

Season 3, Episode 10

The season 3 finale, “Abandon All Hope,” sees a lot of changes for the central characters in Castlevania. Season 3 wasn’t as action-packed as other seasons of the show, but “Abandon All Hope” goes out on a high note of gore, violence, and tremendous setup for the upcoming season. Trevor, Sypha, and Saint Germain close a portal to Hell, battling unique creatures and showcasing the skills they’ve developed since season 1. However, it’s Alucard’s story that makes “Abandon All Hope” significant because he’s forced to kill Sumi and Taka when they turn on him, changing the trajectory of his character.

7
Old Homes

Season 2, Episode 2

This earlier episode in season 2, “Old Homes,” is easily overlooked, but it provides vital information about each character and builds the history between Alucard and Dracula. Carmilla, the vampire general, is also introduced in this episode, and she becomes a prominent antagonist in the series, frequently challenging Dracula and looking for a way to install herself as the conqueror of humanity. As Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard make a pilgrimage back to Trevor’s family home, the Belmont estate, the trio learn more about each other, and their vital bonds are strengthened.

6
You Must Sacrifice

Season 4, Episode 4

The midpoint of Castlevania season 4, the final season, is “You Must Sacrifice,” and pieces of the puzzle that have been hinted at throughout the season start to come together. Saint Germain plays a large role in discovering what souls need to be transmuted to control the Infinite Corridor. At the same time, Alucard starts to turn over a new leaf and agrees to help a village in trouble. This episode delves into the magic and lore of Castlevania, something that is always intriguing to the viewer and makes for a promising episode.

5
It’s Been A Strange Ride

Season 4, Episode 10

Though it’s the series finale of Castlevania, “It’s Been A Strange Ride” is more like an epilogue and satisfying closing of the book than an epic ending. After the massive battle that seemingly ended in Trevor’s death, Sypha grapples with the idea of life without him. It’s a reflective time for each of the characters, and despite the sadness that many characters feel, Alucard warms to the idea of opening himself up to others and letting them into his life. The payoff of “It’s Been A Strange Ride” comes from the character development that started in season 1.

4
For Love

Season 2, Episode 7

Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard finally fight Dracula with the enormous weight of the fate of humanity on their shoulders. Although both Trevor and Sypha have a lot riding on the outcome of the episode, it belongs to Alucard and Dracula. Their relationship is destroyed after the death of Alucard’s mother, Lisa, and the abandonment that he feels colors his actions throughout the entire series. Dracula forgets that Alucard was just as affected by the loss of Lisa as he was, but Alucard doesn’t succumb to his darkest impulses. All of this comes to a head in the episode.

3
The Harvest

Season 3, Episode 9

Before Castlevania season 3 concluded in the explosive season finale, “The Harvest” included some of the best moments of the entire series. Isaac meets with the Magician for the first time, and Alucard discovers why Sumi and Taka came to find him at his castle. Leading up to the finale’s events, it seems that Trevor, Sypha, and Saint Germain are battling against impossible odds, but the high stakes make Castlevania fantastic. Each character is at their best when their back is against the wall, and it seems there’s no way to succeed.

2
You Don’t Deserve My Blood

Season 4, Episode 6

Carmilla’s fate is sealed in “You Don’t Deserve My Blood,” an episode that stands out for its beautifully designed fight scenes and the epic character payoffs throughout the episode. The episode demonstrates what a worthy and skilled villain Carmilla has been throughout the series, and she decides to end her own life rather than see Isaac be the one to defeat her, even though he has earned his victory after years of careful planning. Isaac is an underrated but amazing character and a fantastic battle with him at the helm was something Castlevania had to include before the series ended.

1
The Endings

Season 4, Episode 9

In the penultimate episode of the series, “The Endings,” one of the best fight scenes in Castlevania has Trevor facing off against Death and each of the characters reckoning with their pasts. While the series finale includes many great moments, “The Endings” is the best episode of the series because of how well it captures the most iconic parts of Castlevania. There’s plenty of gore, romance, epic battle sequences, and genuine reflections about what the series represents and how the characters have grown.

In some ways, “The Endings” is a better finale than “It’s Been A Strange Ride” because it goes out with a bang, the way so much of Castlevania does. Seeing Alucard, Sypha, and Trevor reunited after all this time is an emotional moment for the characters and the audience. Additionally, the original plotline of Dracula and Lisa is brought full circle as Death tries to force Saint Germain to resurrect them and cause devastation on Earth. Though it ends on a cliffhanger, the episode could have been the perfect finale of the show.