Castlevania: The Complete Series released on Blu-ray last week, but only as a pricey Limited Edition[1] that’ll set you back $148 at the moment. That sounded expensive when compared to buying individual seasons on Blu-ray already, but now the price gap is even wider thanks to Amazon’s Buy Two, Get One Free Blu-ray[2] promotion during Big Deal Days[3]. Castlevania fans can get all four seasons[4] of the original Netflix animated series for $39.41 at Amazon. The Seasons 1-2 Blu-ray bundle[5] ($17) will be free if you also buy Season 3[6] for $19.53 and Season 4[7] for $19.89.
Castlevania: The Art of the Animated Series[8] hardcover book is also eligible for Amazon’s B2G1 free promotion.
B2G1 Free Castlevania Animated Series on Blu-ray
Castlevania: Nocturne Season 1[9] isn’t included in Amazon’s promotion, but you can buy it separately for $23.26 (was $40). And for what it’s worth, Castlevania: The Complete Series doesn’t come with Nocturne either. It remains to be seen if Nocturne Season 2 will release on Blu-ray, but we do know it’s getting an official art book from Dark Horse[10] next March.
In case you missed it when it first aired, the original Castlevania series follows vampire hunter Trevor Belmont, powerful witch Sypha, and Alucard as they take on Dracula and his demonic armies. The second half of the show focuses on a coven of vampires looking to create their own undead kingdom, as well as the foul-mouthed Grim Reaper himself (this might just be Malcolm McDowell’s best role ever).
As you’d expect, the show is violent and has beautifully animated action scenes, as well as banter sharper than a razor blade during some of the more quiet scenes. The Blu-ray editions come with behind-the-scenes videos, voice actor interviews, storyboards, art galleries, and other special features.
Set hundreds of years after the original Castlevania animated series, Nocturne Season 1 followed Richter Belmont and took inspiration from the 1993 PC Engine game Rondo of Blood, which some fans may know better by a different name. Rondo of Blood was exclusive to Japan at launch; Konami brought the story to North America on Super Nintendo as Castlevania: Dracula X. Nocturne Season 2 answered many of the remaining questions from Season 1 while leaving the door open for a third season.
Netflix hasn’t renewed Castlevania: Nocturne for Season 3. There’s also a chance that instead of continuing Nocturne’s story, a new Castlevania arc begins. The Castlevania animated series has been a bright spot for the franchise in recent years, so hopefully it continues in some fashion.
Another Netflix animated series based on a video game franchise is steeply discounted during Big Deal Days. Arcane Season 1’s 4K and 1080p Blu-ray Steelbook Editions[11]–there are two of them–are on sale for their lowest prices ever. Check out our Arcane roundup for more details[12] on these deals and the upcoming physical editions of the second and final season.
References
- ^ pricey Limited Edition (www.gamespot.com)
- ^ Amazon’s Buy Two, Get One Free Blu-ray (amzn.to)
- ^ Big Deal Days (www.gamespot.com)
- ^ get all four seasons (www.amazon.com)
- ^ Seasons 1-2 Blu-ray bundle (www.amazon.com)
- ^ Season 3 (www.amazon.com)
- ^ Season 4 (www.amazon.com)
- ^ Castlevania: The Art of the Animated Series (www.amazon.com)
- ^ Castlevania: Nocturne Season 1 (www.amazon.com)
- ^ an official art book from Dark Horse (www.amazon.com)
- ^ Arcane Season 1’s 4K and 1080p Blu-ray Steelbook Editions (www.amazon.com)
- ^ our Arcane roundup for more details (www.gamespot.com)