Netflix’s new “Devil May Cry” animated series has quickly climbed to #3 on the streaming platform, behind “Gone Girls” and “Love on the Spectrum.” The show has earned praise for its faithful adaptation of Capcom’s popular video game franchise. The eight-episode series currently holds a 94% critic score and 68% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it among Netflix’s better video game adaptations.
Developed by Adi Shankar, who previously worked on “Castlevania,” the series features Johnny Yong Bosch as Dante, a demon hunter caught in a plot to destroy the veil separating Earth from the demon realm. The late Kevin Conroy voices Vice President Baines, while Hoon Lee portrays the primary villain, White Rabbit.
Studio Mir, known for “The Legend of Korra” and “X-Men ’97,” handles the animation with their signature fluid action sequences and detailed character designs. The show particularly shines in its sixth episode, where Studio La Cachette (known for “Primal”) temporarily takes over animation duties in a nearly dialogue-free story exploring White Rabbit’s background.
The series blends elements from across the game franchise while setting its story before the main games. Critics note it captures the essence of “Devil May Cry” with its stylish combat, gothic atmosphere, and Dante’s cocky yet heroic personality. The adult animation format allows the show to explore darker themes and present graphic action sequences that align with the franchise’s tone.
Music plays a significant role in the series, with early 2000s tracks like Limp Bizkit’s “Rollin” serving as the opening theme. Other needle drops include Rage Against The Machine’s “Guerilla Radio” and Green Day’s “American Idiot” during key scenes.
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Some reviews mention that dialogue occasionally tries too hard to be edgy, and the CGI used for demons looks out of place. However, most agree the show moves at an engaging pace with plenty of well-choreographed action sequences.
Shankar noted that his take on Devil May Cry “is modeled after my memory of the world pre- and post-9/11,” with the fictional DARKCOM organization representing themes of government-encouraged xenophobia during that era.
Though not officially renewed yet, the show is not listed as a miniseries, and based on Netflix’s pattern with similar successful video game adaptations, more seasons may be coming. Given its current trajectory, “Devil May Cry” appears poised to join Netflix’s roster of successful video game adaptations alongside “Arcane,” “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners,” and “Castlevania.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Netflix’s Devil May Cry is an animated adaptation of Capcom’s popular video game franchise. The story follows Dante, a demon hunter who finds himself caught in a plot to destroy the veil separating Earth from the demon realm. The series is set before the events of the main games and blends elements from across the game franchise, including novels and manga. It features the signature stylish combat, gothic atmosphere, and Dante’s cocky yet heroic personality that fans of the games will recognize.
The Devil May Cry series was developed by Adi Shankar, who previously worked on Netflix’s successful “Castlevania” series and “Captain Laserhawk.” The animation is primarily handled by Studio Mir, known for “The Legend of Korra” and “X-Men ’97,” with a special episode featuring animation from Studio La Cachette (known for “Primal”). Johnny Yong Bosch voices the main character Dante, while the late Kevin Conroy voices Vice President Baines, and Hoon Lee portrays the villain White Rabbit.
The first season of Netflix’s Devil May Cry consists of eight episodes. The series covers a complete story arc while setting up potential future seasons. Episode 6 is noted by critics as a standout, featuring a different animation style and a nearly dialogue-free story exploring the villain White Rabbit’s background.
Yes, the series is designed to be accessible for newcomers while also satisfying longtime fans. The show explains the “science” of its demons and the world they occupy early on, making it easy to follow even if you’ve never played the games. While the series contains references and nods to the games that fans will appreciate, the story stands on its own and doesn’t require prior knowledge of the franchise to enjoy.
The Devil May Cry series has received strong reviews, currently holding a 92% critic score and 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This places it among Netflix’s better video game adaptations, though still behind some of the platform’s most acclaimed game adaptations like “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” and “Arcane” (both with 100% critic scores). Critics praise the animation quality, action sequences, and faithfulness to the source material, though some note issues with dialogue trying too hard to be edgy and CGI for demons looking out of place.
While Netflix hasn’t officially announced a second season yet, the prospects look good. The series is not listed as a miniseries, and it has performed well, quickly reaching #3 on Netflix’s charts. Based on Netflix’s pattern with other successful video game adaptations, most of which received multiple seasons, it seems likely that Devil May Cry will continue. The positive reception from both critics and audiences further supports this possibility.