Castlevania
It was a game first. The series arrived thirty years later – and brought an entirely new audience.
Techbox, Thessaloniki
First, the question that separates two entirely different buyers
It is the key to this whole category.
The game series began in 1986 – forty years of titles.
This audience knows the castles, the whips and the classic artwork – and often wants retro aesthetics.
The animated series began in 2017 and brought a huge new audience.
Many of them have never played a single game – they know the series artwork.
Why it matters: merchandise from the two worlds does not look alike. The same character is drawn one way in the games and another in the series.
One question settles it: "did they play it or watch it?"
Alucard – the only one who bridges everything
Alucard – Dracula's son – is the one character who appears everywhere: in the games, in the original series, and in its sequel.
He returns even in the newer series, set three hundred years later – because, being immortal, he is the only one who can.
For a gift that makes him the safest choice – he works for the player and the viewer alike, without you having to ask.
The rest are era-specific: Trevor Belmont and Sypha in the original, Richter Belmont, Annette and Maria in the newer one. And of course Dracula.
Animation does not mean children's
This is worth saying plainly: the series is adult animation.
It is heavily violent, with dark content and adult language. It is not a children's series, animated though it is.
It is aimed at adults – and it is among the most acclaimed shows in its genre.
Where the series stands – honestly
The original series finished in 2021 with thirty-two episodes. Its sequel reached a second season in early 2025. Forty-eight episodes in total.
Both were exceptionally well reviewed – the sequel's second season reached even universal critical approval.
Worth knowing though: a third season has not been greenlit, and the story remains open for now. The creators have said they would like to continue, but nothing has been announced.
For a collector that means something simple: nothing in circulation today will be dated by a new season – and forty-eight episodes is a complete body of work in its own right.
What to choose
- Figures & Funko POP: Alucard first – he works for everyone.
- Apparel: adult sizes, usually dark and understated.
- Posters & art prints: this is where it stands out – the gothic look is striking on a wall.
- Replicas & collectibles: for the more committed.
- Mugs & desk items: with symbols and logos.
- Keyrings & small items: affordable gifts.
The safest choice: something with Alucard. He is the only character present in both the games and the series, so you do not need to know where they know him from.
Age: adults. The series is heavily violent – animated, but not for children.
Same audience: Resident Evil and The Last of Us – both share the same dual identity as game and series.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Castlevania a game or a series?
- Both, in that order. The game series began in 1986; the animated series in 2017, bringing a huge new audience who have never played. Merchandise from the two worlds does not look alike – one question settles it: "did they play it or watch it?"
- What is the safest gift?
- Something with Alucard. He is the only character present in both the games and both series – he works without knowing where the recipient knows him from.
- Is it suitable for children?
- No. The series is adult animation: heavily violent, with dark content and adult language. Animation does not mean children's.
- Is a new season coming?
- It has not been greenlit. There are forty-eight episodes in total and the creators have said they would like to continue, but nothing has been announced – the story remains open for now.
- In what order should someone watch it?
- The original series first (thirty-two episodes), then the sequel. The second is set three hundred years later with new characters – but Alucard returns, and the connection lands better if you have seen the first.
