CASTLEVANIA SEASON 4: A GRAND FINALE

NON-SPOILER REVIEW

The final season of Castlevania is one of the best things on television right now and I say that with much conviction. I was quite dissapointed to find out that the fourth season would be the last, as the Castlevania series has been a much welcome addition to the Castlevania lore. That being said, the decision to wrap things up after four seasons doesn't hinder the assertiveness of the finale. 

At the end of season two, Trevor and Sypha left Alucard (as the 'caretaker' of Dracula Castle and the Belmont Hold), in search of adventure and a well earned rest (the latter of which they never seemed to find). A direction which could have seen the series span several more seasons chronicling their adventures, as they faced new and various supernatural threats vying to fill the power vacuum caused by Dracula's death. But while those foreseen adventures only lasted a season (and a vignette in the opening episode of the fourth season), the show circumvents this brevity to come full circle as the protagonists deal with the repercussions of Dracula's death.

There's a lot more elaboration on science and philosophy this season, as well as on other human themes. The characters have experienced noticeable growth and development; with some of these changes showing new and more vulnerable sides to them and providing interesting and humorous conversations. Alucard becomes more than a brooding manchild lacking the human connection, Trevor isn't the reluctant hero we meet at the beginning of the series and Sypha has just become a total magical badass who's adopted more of Trevor's vocabulary than she'd like. Dracula's forgemasters - Isaac and Hector, go through their own metamorphosis, while Carmilla and her sisters seemingly fight the existential crisis that comes with being immortal. 

The feelings between Sypha and Trevor, and Hector and Lenor, aren't at the forefront of their interactions but it's subtly insinuated in their little arguments and the playfulness of all of it. Feeling more real than fantasy. 

The season also boasts some of the best animated action scenes out there right now. The fight action animation is easy to follow and even easier on the eye - real edge of your seat stuff. 

Through it all, the Draculian saga comes to an end with simple, yet intricate themes of power, duty and change, while rounding up any loose ends and giving its characters satisfactory closure. Trevor, Sypha and Alucard's stories are over, and in truth it feels a bit premature, but at least, they got to go out on a high with arguably the best entry in the series. A monster hit!

Reject Rating: 9/10