Key Takeaways:
– The Netflix series Castlevania experienced significant changes after its second season.
– Warren Ellis, writer and co-showrunner of Castlevania, has never played the Konami video game that inspired the series.
– Ellis learned about the game and its narrative from Wikipedia and fan pages, not playing the game.
– Ellis owns no devices capable of playing the video game and struggles with technology.
‘Tech-less' Ellis Breathes Life into Castlevania
It's hard to think that Warren Ellis, the script-master behind Netflix's Castlevania series, has never played the popular Konami video game. It might come as a surprise to fans, but Ellis gained all his knowledge of the game from Wikipedia and other fan pages. The backdrop of a dark vampire world makes Castlevania one of the most gripping video game adaptations ever.
The Evolution of the Series
Starting from the third season, Castlevania underwent substantial changes. Not only did the number of episodes increase, but the storyline started incorporating more aspects from the originating video game. Despite Ellis never having played the game, this development managed to add more depth and richness to the plot.
Ignorance from ‘Not Knowing What He Didn't Know'
In an interview with The Verge, Ellis confessed about his lack of first-hand knowledge of the Castlevania video game. He stated, “Famously, I never played the games, so I just learnt from what's on Wikipedia or a fan page.” But this didn't hamper his creativity. The third season gave him the artistic freedom to expand the character pool, introducing new characters like Saint Germain. This reflected Ellis's fascination with the European period of itinerant magicians and astrologists.
Warren Ellis – The Old School ThinkPad User
Ellis's unfamiliarity with the Castlevania video game didn't stem from mere disinterest. He explained that he doesn't own any devices capable of playing the game. His technology accessories consist of an old ThinkPad, proving he's not well-acquainted with advanced tech. Furthermore, Ellis revealed that his only gaming console was an Atari, gifted by his grandfather back in 1982.
Big Rescue by the Deats Brothers
Executive producer, Kevin Kolde, mentioned how the directors of Castlevania, Sam and Adam Deats, played a considerable role in connecting the anime with the video game. They're massive fans of the game, which assisted them in weaving in elements from it into the series.
While Ellis's lack of video game experience could have been a roadblock, his skillful adaptation of fan-based information filled the gap perfectly, providing an engrossing experience for fans of the game and anime alike.
Making the Most of a Unique Situation
Even though the Castlevania anime series doesn't follow the video game precisely, it includes numerous narratives and plot points to provide fans a similar experience. Ellis's technology limitations didn't stop him from creating one of the best video game adaptations. He capitalized on freely accessible information, proving it's not always essential to have firsthand experience to create a masterpiece.
With Castlevania available on Netflix, audiences can experience Ellis's unique approach to the popular game. Taking a step back, it might be comforting to remember that technology barriers don't always negate creativity.
Endnote: Whether you are a fan of the Castlevania game, the anime, or both, Warren Ellis's ability to weave captivating tales with limited gaming experience proves that sometimes, a little ‘ignorance' might just be bliss.
