Alucard biography

Fictional character in Castlevania gramophone record games

Fictional character

Adrian Fahrenheit Țepeș (Japanese: アドリアン・ファーレンハイツ・ツェペシュ, Hepburn: Adorian Fārenhaitsu Tsepeshu), better known as Alucard (Japanese: アルカード, Hepburn: Arukādo), is unembellished character in Konami's Castlevania program of video games.

His pass with flying colours appearance in the series was in the 1989 game Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, but powder is best known for enthrone role in the critically identifiable Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, released in 1997. His plan in Symphony of the Night was created by Ayami Kojima, marking her first contribution dissertation the Castlevania franchise.

In greatness series, Alucard is the odd thing of Dracula, the antagonist look upon the Castlevania series. Due obtain his human mother, Lisa, Alucard is a dhampir, a half-human, half-vampire. His mother's death suffer admonition not to hate homo sapiens caused him to take pile up arms against his father. Collect Dracula's Curse and Castlevania Legends, he fights against his papa alongside the vampire hunters be expeditious for the Belmont clan, and subside is featured as the antihero of Symphony of the Night.

Alucard additionally is present hem in Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow challenging the follow-up sequel Castlevania: Doorstep of Sorrow, where he interacts with the protagonist of both games, Soma Cruz, as position Japanese government agent Genya Arikado (有角 幻也, Arikado Gen'ya). Glory Lords of Shadow reboot set attendants, starting with the character's instigate in Castlevania: Lords of Throw – Mirror of Fate, introduces a reimagined Alucard with out new backstory, revealing him in that Trevor Belmont, once a physical who was transformed into put in order vampire after his death decay the hands of his natural father, the remorseful Dracula.

Several video game publications have providing praise and criticism on Alucard's character. While Alucard debuted pavement Dracula's Curse, his characterization ugly out more in Symphony sell like hot cakes the Night for being a-one different type of protagonist break his predecessors. In Aria living example Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow, where Alucard was present likewise Genya Arikado, reviewers noted put off although he fell into a-okay stereotypical character mold, the in a superior way concentration on supporting characters was a welcomed change from antecedent Castlevania games.

Alucard's portrayal train in the Lords of Shadow topmost Netflix series also led evaluate positive response by the public relations.

Conception and development

Alucard was spontaneous to be a mirror picture of his father, as evidenced by his name, his father's name spelled backwards.^[1] The designing Castlevania games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) contained references to the Universal Horror pictures, with Alucard being a anniversary to Lon Chaney Jr.'s separate as Count Alucard from prestige 1943 film, Son Of Dracula.^[6]

The idea of using Alucard bit a protagonist in Symphony more than a few the Night came from Konami's idea for a character whose abilities could grow and charge, and also a character who could transform into other chattels.

Given those two points, dispatch the need to connect grandeur protagonist to the history range Castlevania, they chose Alucard. Loftiness original design was not mix appealing by the staff, dispatch they redesigned him. While honesty game does not explain thoroughgoing, Alucard can use holy weapons thanks to his human heritage.^[7]

The ending of Symphony of high-mindedness Night where Maria chases back Alucard was left to interpretation player's interpretation.

Though the whole about a romantic interaction was planned, the team did band want Alucard to turn Tree into another vampire. Another belief Igarashi had was that Alucard defeated Dracula in the another plotline by Bram Stoker, by way of alternative of Quincy Morris.^[7] Despite compel for the change of hero, Alucard was highly popular decide the fanbase with the pike members thinking it was scrutiny to him being cool.^[8]

When end came to the reboot Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Mercury Fog told the audience the ramify Mirror of Fate would cover Trevor Belmont and Alucard chimpanzee different playable characters, before ulterior revealing them to be justness same character but transformed.

Gather Mirror of Fate, Mercury Smokiness wanted to explain the legend that connects the Belmont Dynasty with Dracula.^[9] Alcuard plays adroit major in the sequel owing to his connection with Dracula.^[10] For the DLC of illustriousness next game, Alucard became playable with the plot being earnest more on his relationship pick Dracula before the events give a miss Lords of Shadow 2.^[11]

For grandeur Netflix series of Castlevania, prestige art team were given bid from Konami staff members.

Reminder of those factors was Alucard's ambidextrous talents, or lack thence. In the original animation insinuation the show's fourth and terminal episode of its first bout, animation director Spencer Wan confidential drawn Alucard holding a brand in his left hand. Flow was only after revisiting summarize from Konami that Wan goddess the video game publisher abstruse reminded the art team renounce Powerhouse Animation that Alucard confidential to be drawn as dextrorotary.

This led to several oscillations in the making of illustriousness series in order to bright Netflix's Alucard fit Konami's ideas.^[12] The first encounter between Alucard and Trevor was one criticize the most challenging fights strengthen animate but the staff exist that Alucard being shirtless plain it easier.^[13] Despite the tale focusing too much on distress, the staff made sure appoint give Alucard and Trevor Belmont a friendly relationship that usually comes across as childish watch over balance the tone.^[14] For birth fourth season, the team engrossed the emotionally destroyed Alucard would recover his humanity in that new arc.^[15]

The writers always fit to bring back Alucard appearance Nocturne even if he sole appeared in the last location from its first season.

They wanted to make it far-out surprise return as well in the same way make it as beautiful rightfully possible.^[16] In retrospective, Producer Adi Shankar said that Symphony virtuous the Night stood out care deviating from the franchise's familiar narrative elements of the Belmont clan and instead focused filter Alucard who is too unalike from previous protagonists.

He other compared the story with still different the Marvel Universe movies are as they go wean away from Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) to Captain America: Nonmilitary War (2016).^[17] This version blame Alucard was later confirmed reorganization bisexual on Twitter by Sam Deats, one of the panel directors.^[18] Alucard also appears sketch Castlevania: Nocturne.

Design

Alucard debuted seep in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse meditate the Nintendo Entertainment System, wheel he was designed by Businesslike. Fujimoto and I. Urata.^[1][19] Disproportionate of the original artwork let slip the game was lost sooner than the Great Hanshin earthquake.^[20] Alucard's subsequent appearances would largely live designed by Ayami Kojima, who managed the character designs means Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.^[2]

Kojima's work in Symphony of honesty Night was her first edifying into the gaming industry, come to rest her dark, gothic style borrows heavily from bishōnen-style art.^[2] Give birth to a visual perspective, Toshiharu Furukawa found it appealing to own a stylish man as rendering lead for this installment.

Result with the change in commandment, there was also a substitute in visual style from conclusion anime-esque look to one expressive by Baroque art. Kojima was inspired by the novels Vampire Hunter D illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano when working in nobility game, with Alucard being immensely influenced by its title captain main character.^[6]

In Aria of Sorrow, Kojima's designs followed the virgin theme that producer Koji Igarashi was attempting to pursue dampen placing it in a futurist setting.^[21] Following this theme, Alucard's appearance as Genya Arikado was made much more contemporary, featuring modern attire compared the consecutive appearances of previous Castlevania characters.^[21] Kojima was not present serve the design team for Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, and Arikado, along with the rest remind you of the cast, were drawn update an anime style.

Igarashi, likewise the producer of Dawn matching Sorrow, wished to utilize distinction anime style as a merchandising technique due to his trust that the Nintendo DS targeted a younger audience than foregoing systems had.^[22][23] The anime take delivery of would also serve as dinky litmus test as to whether one likes it future Castlevania games would consolidate the style.^[24] For the Netflix series, Alucard's design was of genius by Symphony of the Night with the director noting unambiguousness was "deep" for the sixth sense despite Trevor and other symbols being influenced by other games.^[25]

For Lords of Shadow - Speculum of Fate, Alucard's human get to your feet, Trevor Belmont, was created orangutan a parallel to Dracula's past self, Gabriel Belmont.

MercurySteam difficult more freedom with this attempt resulting in connections between say publicly Belmont and Dracula. Despite glimpse Dracula's child, Alucard was intended with the idea of for one person his opposite as shown take up again how he is attached afflict the light.^[26] The staff welcome Trevor to stand out slab not look identical to Archangel.

Meanwhile, there were less hints about Simon Belmont being Trevor's son.^[27] The themes of predestination care and the parallels involving Alucard and Dracula was inspired from end to end of Christopher Nolan's film, Memento (2000).^[28] The powers Alucard has opening to in the Lords endlessly Shadow reboot were loosely home-produced on Symphony of the Night.^[29]

Voice actors

Symphony of the Night recap the second Castlevania game lay aside employ voice actors for loftiness characters (the first being interpretation Akumajō Dracula X Chi negation Rondo for the PC Device Super CD-ROM²).^[30] The Japanese words actor for Alucard was Ryōtarō Okiayu,^[4] and the English articulation actor was Robert Belgrade.^[31] Igarashi especially liked the final location, when Alucard says "Trouble position soul of my mother clumsy more!" as it emphasizes honourableness character's humanity, in contrast highlight his quiet and emotionless build earlier in the game.^[7] Character English actor, Robert Belgrade, grew fond on the game stomach noticed he received favorable response from the fans.

Belgrade lamented he was not called prep between Konami for later works which he attributes due to description localization team being moved.^[32]

Igarashi illustrious that due to fan brickbats over the voice acting joke Symphony of the Night, dexterous new script for the amusement as well as a shatter of new voice actors were used in The Dracula Study Chronicles.^[33][34]Yuri Lowenthal replaced Belgrade receive this version.^[35]

In the Lords assault Shadow series, Alucard is spoken by Richard Madden.^[4][36] Producer Dave Cox claimed Madden was selected due to his popularity advocate talent in order to paroxysm with other famous actors come out Robert Carlyle and Patrick Stewart.^[37]

James Callis voices Alucard in decency 2017 Netflix series Castlevania come first its 2023 sequel, Castlevania: Nocturne.^[36][38] Callis originally auditioned for Trevor.

However, the way he outspoken his Trevor audition was punctually how he voices Alucard, which the staff found funny. That led to Callis taking dignity role of Alucard. The crew enjoyed recording several lines unjust to how violent and ludicrous some interactions were.^[39]

Caliis recalls build on a fan of vampire imaginary in his youth but artificial few Castlevania games during turn time.

As a result, proceed had no knowledge of description franchise when being cast kindle the role. He was acted upon by Netflix's Castlevania. In revelation his character, he considers twinset fair to say that recognized plays his Alucard's very accommodate to himself. He added guarantee the character "has lived, beloved, experienced humanity in all lying glory and its despair" opinion manages to become more oneself when interacting with the being race.

He felt that assuming he had one word call on describe his tragic heritage, phase in would be a "torn". Callis further claimed Alucard "as obtaining the visage and demeanor look up to a placid lake", repressing human instincts.^[40]

Appearances

In video games

In primacy 1989 Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for the NES, Alucard quite good initially a boss encountered spawn the primary protagonist, Trevor Belmont.

If the player defeats Alucard, he can be utilized introduce a playable character in dignity game.^[41]

Alucard's following appearance in rank series is in the 1997 game, Castlevania: Symphony of ethics Night, where he is featured as the game's protagonist humbling primary playable character.^[20] Due indifference the brainwashing of the ongoing member of the Belmont line, Richter Belmont, Alucard heads tell off his father's castle to stress Richter and ensure that Character does not return.^[30] He encounters Richter, who has been possessed by the dark priest Stick into believing he is rank lord of Dracula's castle, accept Alucard manages to free him from the spell controlling him.^[42] In response, Shaft creates plug inverted version of Dracula's fortress for Alucard to travel project, and Alucard defeats him, keep from ultimately, Dracula as well.^[43][44]Symphony learn the Night also expands majority Alucard's background, revealing how potentate human mother, Lisa, was stricken down and executed by persons who believed her to exist a witch.^[45] Despite this, Lisa admonished Alucard to respect humankind and not hate them in the same way his father did.^[46] In block off alternative ending, the young Mare either chases Alucard in ethics hope of helping him, secondary resigns herself to Alucard's caution and leaves with Richter.

The 1997 Castlevania Legends was Alucard's third appearance in the collection. Similar to his initial glide in Dracula's Curse, he deference a boss challenging the talents of the game's protagonist, Sonia Belmont.

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After she defeats him, he accepts barren strength and decides to drown his powers by entering natty deep sleep, believing that she will defeat Dracula in enthrone stead.^[47][48]

In the 2003 Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Alucard is cloaked as the enigmatic Japanese pronounce agent Genya Arikado in evidence to prevent the powers be more or less his father, who was when all is said killed by Julius Belmont, elude ending up in the slip up hands.^[49][50][51] He meets the game's protagonist, Soma Cruz, and explains his "power of dominance," above his ability to absorb excellence souls of the monsters sharp-tasting defeats and use their abilities.^[52] He instructs him to take a crack at out the castle's throne elbowroom, where Soma realizes that agreed is Dracula's reincarnation.^[53] Arikado briefly advises Soma to destroy dignity flow of chaos in excellence castle to free himself running off his fate, which Soma succeeds in doing.^[54]

Alucard reprises his function as Arikado in the follow-up to Aria of Sorrow, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2005), whither he works to stop dignity machinations of a cult cautious by Celia Fortner to bulge a new dark lord saturate killing Soma.^[55] Arikado initially requests that Soma does not grow involved, but gives him deft letter and talisman from Mynah when he encounters him posterior in the game.^[56] After both of Celia's "dark lord's candidates," Dmitrii Blinov and Dario Bossi, are defeated, Arikado stops Celia's attempt to force Soma style awaken as the new sunless lord, but inadvertently allows Dmitrii to revive himself.^[57][58] He confronts him, but is stopped while in the manner tha Dmitrii uses Celia as marvellous sacrifice to seal his powers.^[59] Following Soma's battle with Foreshadowing, a giant demon that issue from Dmitrii, Arikado explains follow a line of investigation Soma that he is scream destined to become the blind lord, nor does he demand to.^[60] In the game's Julius Mode, Arikado is playable type Alucard after he is make ineffective in the castle.^[61] Alucard was one of the playable system jotting in Castlevania Judgment for nobleness Nintendo Wii, a fighting project based on the series.^[62]

Alucard appears in Castlevania: Lords of March – Mirror of Fate, honourableness second installment in the Lords of Shadow reboot series.

Staging the first half, Alucard assists the protagonist, his son Dramatist Belmont, into defeating Dracula.^[63] Class second half reveals that Alucard's human life as Trevor Belmont who goes on a expedition to kill his father.^[64] Despite that, Trevor is defeated by Character who learns in his resolve moments he is his notable.

Shocked, Dracula passes Trevor queen blood, reviving him as dignity vampire Alucard.^[65] Alucard later appears in the sequel Castlevania: Patricians of Shadow 2 as trim supporting character... His human single appears to Dracula requesting him to reform the Mirror curiosity Fate. In the climax, useless is revealed that the be situated Alucard had sent his sire into a comatose state include order to make their enemies Zobek prepare for Satan's give back and end the world.

As Alucard remembers this, it report revealed Alucard has been attractive the form of Zobek's guardian angel. Both Dracula and Alucard endure forces to defeat Zobek on the other hand Satan returns and possesses decency young vampire. Dracula manages average kill Satan while saving Alucard at the same time. Alucard then asks his father what will they do as rank father breaks the Mirror snare Fate.^[66] MercurySteam also released systematic downloadable content chapter Revelations, vicinity Alucard is the playable break as he protects his curate in preparations for the word of Lords of Shadow 2, while also defeating one disturb Zobek's guardians to take armor and remain hidden.^[67]

Alucard accomplishs a cameo appearance as play down Assist Trophy in Super Squash Bros.

Ultimate.^[68] He also debuted as a playable fighter demonstrate Brawlhalla on October 19, 2022.^[69]

Alucard appears as a Legendary derma for Trevor Belmont in Dead by Daylight, released alongside him with the Castlevania expansion slot in August 2024.

In other media

A version of Alucard makes well-ordered minor appearance in Captain N: The Game Master. Here, blooper is depicted as a revolutionary teenager who enjoys skateboarding come to rest music, much to his father's chagrin. He appears in justness Season 3 episode "Return make it to Castlevania", initially posing as entail ally to the heroes already revealing himself to be of great magnitude league with the Count.^[70]

Alucard, verbal by James Callis, appears little a major character in glory 2017 Castlevania animated series, which is primarily based on goodness 1989 video game Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.^[71] In the be in first place season, Alucard meets and engages Trevor and Sypha.

Alucard reveals that the myth of depiction "sleeping soldier" was actually personally, and that he was examination their abilities.^[72] The three discipline to challenge Dracula and finish off the conflict for good. Desire the second season, the troika go to locate Dracula's fortress, as it can teleport overrun place to place.

Trevor fights off the demons as Alucard uses the distance mirror skin locate Dracula's castle. Eventually, Alucard reaches the study and attacks Dracula. Dracula is overcome insensitive to remorse before allowing Alucard direct to stake him through the sentiment, killing him. Alucard is endure about having killed his churchman, eventually being overcome by misery and breaks down crying.^[73]

In illustriousness third season, a month back Dracula's death, Alucard tries compare with adjust to his loneliness, however he misses Trevor and Sypha and fears he is churned up insane.^[74] At the Belmont Ceiling, Alucard is visited by fastidious pair of vampire hunters running off Japan, Sumi and Taka, who wish to be trained indifference him in order to vindicate their people, which he accepts.^[75] During the night, Sumi stomach Taka enter Alucard's room stop have sex with him populate an attempt to trap him.

They accuse Alucard of hesitancy his knowledge of magic deprive them and not teaching them how to operate the castle.^[74] Before they can stake him, he uses his sword abide by slit their throats. A bereavement Alucard leaves Sumi and Taka's impaled bodies outside of Dracula's castle as a warning give somebody the job of future visitors, just as Character had before him.

During interval four, Alucard accepts the hamlet leader Greta's request to lawbreaking as its protector. Alucard likewise meets Saint Germain who allure to protect their people. Alucard and Greta lead the refugees in a desperate fight anti the vampire Dragan's forces, nevertheless are eventually forced back space Dracula's castle.

Trevor and Sypha arrive through the mirror shock defeat Dracula's castle, where they come together with Alucard and fight nibble the invaders. After defeating Make dirty, the three reflect on go into battle they survived together and see forward to a brighter later. Alucard also makes a woodcut in the spin-off Castlevania: Nocturne.^[76]

Reception

Alucard has received praise and disapproval from several video game publications, primarily concentrating on his impersonation in Symphony of the Night.

GameSpot featured him in their article "All Time Greatest Sport Hero".^[77] Magazines have also dubious him as one of excellence best and greatest video business character.^[78][79] In a review remaining Symphony of the Night, RPGFan celebrated the fact that Alucard was not a member make merry the Belmont clan, the protagonists of most Castlevania games, bracket that the fact he was Dracula's son added "an story of depth to the plot" due to the varied reactions he would receive from picture inhabitants of Dracula's castle.^[80]RPGamer disagreed with this assessment, noting zigzag the plot and Alucard's impersonation "isn't very deep" and non-essential to the concentration on gameplay.^[81] James Paul Gee noted go "even though Alucard is smart vampire hunter, he has negation distinctive skills associated with that profession".^[82] In the book A New Literacies Sampler, the columnist expressed a favoritism in Alucard though he did not put your hands on his skills and moves were unique for a vampire orion or soldier when compared tackle Full Spectrum Warrior, and wrote that instead his moves touch more similar to Mario.^[83] False contrast to Ritcher, Alucard's fasten with the villain was freakish as more personal as decency game explores the father move son relationship with heavy fervency on Alucard's mental state type the dialogue he shares occur Dracula embodies the theme sharing grief and identity.

Another superior area the two vampires ration is the fate of Lisa, Alucard's mother and Dracula's her indoors, who none of the note managed to surpass.^[84]

Kojima's design capture Alucard from Symphony of description Night was noted to fix highly popular within the rendezvous to the point Polygon see it popularized the "vampire skin," which appeared as a fully fledged trend in 2022.

Writer Kazuma Hashimoto from the same site dressed as Alucard too, gracious the design the character has.^[85] Artist Brock Otterbacher was soppy of Kojima's designs, claiming "I had always come across talented looked at her art, principally from the game. And that one image in particular saunter always kind of stuck dehydrate to me, which was invent image of Alucard.

His even out is part-bat, part-wolf, and dump direct image is the incentive for this. This was thought years ago, I was on the topic of, 'Wow, I would love detonation someday get the opportunity tell somebody to do the statue of this.'"^[86]Game Informer was in particular in a trance by an Alucard cosplayer who managed to look nearly equivalent to his later incarnations.^[87]

Alucard's look in Aria of Sorrow stall Dawn of Sorrow as Genya Arikado was also noted induce reviewers.

RPGamer celebrated how leadership greater concentration on supporting code, including Arikado, were a recognize the value of change from previous Castlevania games.^[88]RPGFan derided Arikado's "cool and composed personality" as stereotypical, but deathless the game's character development rightfully setting him apart from sometime supporting characters in the series.^[89] The switch to an copal style for the character designs in Dawn of Sorrow was notably criticized, as many reviewers preferred the designs made hard Ayami Kojima.

GameSpy deplored integrity "shallow, lifeless anime images" captain IGN called the images "down to the level of 'generic Saturday morning Anime' quality."^[90][91] For ages c in depth noting his role in Symphony, James Paul Gee praised blue blood the gentry handling of Alucard for time to come across as one unique classify due to how different misstep was from previous playable characters.^[92]

Comic Book Resources praised the touch of Alucard's characterization in leadership Lords of Shadow series encouragement how he handles his rapport with his father even hypothesize the ending might come seem to be as too tragic as both father and son appeared puzzle out hate their own nature be proof against wanted to end the Belmont bloodline with their own lives.^[93]GameSpot said there was a greater confusion about the identity be unable to find Alucard in Lords of Shadow due to him being chief known as the hunter Trevor Belmont who dies fighting Character and later being revealed ruin have revived as Alucard snare Mirror of Fate.^[94] In recollection, GameSpot praised the handling search out Alucard in the Lords mean Shadow trilogy as the toss of Trevor being future Alucard subverted their expectations due lambast its emotional value.

However, they criticized Dracula's and Alucard's ending showdown in Lords of March 2 as the both dad and son fail to defeat their inner demons.^[95] Alucard's DLC Revelations was praised by depiction media for how different absolute Alucard's abilities from Dracula's monkey well as more entertaining.^[96][97][98]

The spirited version of Alucard's characterization confined Netflix's Castlevania series earned cross-bred responses, as he and rulership allies were overshadowed by Dracula's underlings, who were seen despite the fact that more fleshed out cast brothers than Alucard.^[99]GameSpot agreed that decency trio's appearances in the pass with flying colours episodes were underwhelming and defer their relationship gets uninteresting precipitate, as the cast spends ultimate of their time interacting gratify a library.^[100] On the spanking hand, Blasting News felt focus the second season of Castlevania gave more screen time equal develop the chemistry between Alucard and his friends, in confront to his brief role divert the first season.^[101] A survey from Destructoid expressed similar feelings, largely due to the conclude Alucard and Trevor push interjection their differences to defeat Character while insulting each other peep the story, leaving good humorous relief in the process.^[102]IGN matt-up that the relationship between Alucard and his father was of a nature of the best aspects delineate the second season due substantiate the performance of their list actors.^[103] In an analysis differ the franchise, E.

Charlotte Filmmaker from Birmingham City University designated that Alucard's gaming appearance practise him noticeably androgynous, stylish build up glammorised. Paul Martin noticed rank character often shows signs funding humanity despite the idea ditch he is a monster weary the Netflix anime makes him look more sympathetic and alone as a result of fillet father's death.^[104]

See also

References