From timeless classics like Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and Neon Genesis Evangelion, to the latest and most trending series like Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, and Jujutsu Kaisen, the Japan-born anime have witnessed a growing surge in popularity all over the world. In India, anime has evolved into a wellspring of both entertainment and inspiration for numerous individuals, much in part due to its intricate narratives and captivating artistic expressions.
It was only a matter of time before popular media streaming sites caught wind of its increasing demand and viewership in recent years: Netflix made its debut in anime in late 2015 (with Knights of Sidonia, which is not currently with the platform), introducing its inaugural feature film, Blame!, in 2017. Skip ahead a few years, and the streaming platform reports that approximately 90 per cent of its subscribers tuned in to watch anime content on its service in 2022, according to Kohei Obara, director and anime creative at Netflix. The platform has since acquired and produced some of the biggest anime titles, with a new addition announced to add to its growing collection: Devil May Cry.
Big Names for the Game
Netflix is adapting the immensely popular video game Devil May Cry, which boasts a global sales figure of approximately 30 million copies, into an anime series, and it has fans all over the world raging. Devil May Cry stands as a cornerstone video game series that immerses players in battles against demonic hordes. First released by Capcom in 2001, players take on the role of Dante in the game, a demon hunter driven by the quest to avenge his mother’s murder by eradicating these malevolent creatures.
Adi Shankar, the creator of Castlevania, is taking on the role of showrunner and executive producer, joining forces with Hideaki Itsuno from Capcom and Seung Wook Lee from Studio Mir. Throughout his career, Shankar has consistently adhered to a fan-centric approach in all his endeavours, and Castlevania has garnered praise from numerous sources as one of the finest video game adaptations ever produced – so hopes are high for Devil May Cry.
Alex Larsen, who has recently written the script for Yasuke, is also involved in crafting the script for the series. At the Drop 01 event, Netflix unveiled the anime series and even treated the audience to an exciting trailer. The rich narrative world of Devil May Cry, entwined with high-speed action, supernatural incursions, and a diverse cast of characters, is faithfully reflected in the teaser.
In an interview with IGN, Shankar remarked that collaborating with Capcom on this project has been ‘a dream.’
A Look into the Plot
Anime News Network reported that the producers Shankar and Larsen completed the script for the initial season of the series as of November 2021. Additionally, it has been officially announced that the show will extend across multiple seasons, with the first season comprising eight episodes. The inaugural season is expected to centre around the core characters from the video game series, including Dante, Vergil, and Lady.
As far as the trailer goes, Dante’s signature, carefree demeanour is vividly depicted as he participates in intense, undisclosed combat with his iconic pistols, Ivory and Ebony. Fans may be curious about the actor lending their voice to the iconic demon hunter. Regrettably, the cast list for the series has yet to be disclosed.
Capcom and Netflix have kept the release date for the anime series under wraps, but what we can confirm is that Devil May Cry will be making its way to the subscription-based platform ‘soon’.
