Alucard (Castlevania)

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Alucard

Alucard in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, artwork by Ayami Kojima
Game series Castlevania series
First game Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
Designed by Ayami Kojima[1] (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
Voiced by (English) Robert Belgrade[2] (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
Yuri Lowenthal[3] (Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles)
Voiced by (Japanese) Ryōtarō Okiayu[4]

Adrian Farenheights Tepes (アドリアン・ファーレンハイツ・ツェペシュ Adorian Fārenhaitsu Tsepeshu?), better known as Alucard (アルカード Arukādo?) is a fictional character in Konami's Castlevania series of video games. His first appearance in the series was in the 1990 Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse,[5] but he is best known for his role in the critically acclaimed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, released in 1997.[6] His design in Symphony of the Night was created by Ayami Kojima, marking her first appearance in the Castlevania franchise.[1]

In the series, Alucard is the son of Dracula, the titular antagonist of the Castlevania series. Due to his human mother, Lisa, Alucard is a dhampir, a half-human, half-vampire. His mother's death and admonition not to hate humanity caused him to take arms against his father.[7] In Dracula's Curse and Castlevania Legends, he fights against his father alongside the vampire hunters of the Belmont clan, and he is featured as the protagonist of Symphony of the Night. Alucard additionally is present in Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and follow-up sequel Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, where he interacts with the protagonist of both games, Soma Cruz, as the mysterious Japanese government agent Genya Arikado (有角 幻也 Arikado Gen'ya?).[8][9]

Several video game publications have provided acclaim and criticism for Alucard's character. His role in Symphony of the Night was particularly noted, with several reviewers celebrated the depth and complexity his status as Dracula's son added to the plot; Games Are Fun called him "the best anti-hero to ever star in a videogame [sic]."[10][11] In Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow, where Alucard was present as Genya Arikado, reviewers noted that although he fell into a stereotypical character mold, the greater concentration on supporting characters was a welcomed change from previous Castlevania games.[12][13]

Contents

[edit] Conception and design

Alucard first debuted in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for the Nintendo Entertainment System, where he was designed by T. Fujimoto and I. Urata.[5][14] He was intended to be a mirror image of his father, as evinced by his name, his father's name spelled backwards.[5] Much of the original artwork for the game was lost during the Great Hanshin Earthquake.[15] Alucard's subsequent appearances would largely be designed by Ayami Kojima, who managed the character designs for Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.[1]

Kojima's work in Symphony of the Night was her first breakthrough into the gaming industry, and her dark, gothic style borrows heavily from bishōnen-style art.[1] In Aria of Sorrow, Kojima's designs followed the "different route" motif that producer Koji Igarashi was attempting to pursue with Aria of Sorrow by placing it in a futuristic setting.[16] Following this motif, Alucard's appearance as Genya Arikado was made much more contemporary, sporting modern attire as versus the medieval appearance of previous Castlevania characters.[16] Kojima was not present in the design team for Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, and Arikado, along with the rest of the cast, were drawn in an anime style. Igarashi, also the producer of Dawn of Sorrow, wished to utilize the anime style as a marketing technique due to his belief that the Nintendo DS targeted a younger audience than previous Castlevania games had.[17][18] The anime style would also serve as a litmus test as to whether future Castlevania games would incorporate the style.[19]

[edit] Voice actors

In Symphony of the Night, voice actors were used for the first time in the series for the characters.[6] The seiyū for Alucard was Ryōtarō Okiayu, and the English voice actor was Robert Belgrade.[4][2] In Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, Alucard was voiced by Yuri Lowenthal.[3] Igarashi noted that due to the complaints over the poor voice acting by Belgrade and the other voice actors in Symphony of the Night, a new script for the game better translating the original Japanese text, as well as a set of new voice actors were used.[20][21]

[edit] Appearances

[edit] Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

See also: Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
Alucard's portrait in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.
Alucard's portrait in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.

In Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, Alucard is initially a boss encountered over the course of the game by the primary protagonist, Trevor Belmont. If the player defeats Alucard, he can be utilized as a playable character in the game.[22] This was a significant departure from previous Castlevania games, which only featured Simon Belmont as the primary playable character, and Alucard's abilities, a fireball attack and the ability to transform into a bat, were unique elements introduced into the series.[22][5] Following the defeat of Dracula and the game's conclusion, Alucard voluntarily goes into a protracted sleep to ease his feelings of patricide and to prevent his powers from harming the world.

[edit] Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

See also: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Alucard's following appearance in the series is in the 1997 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, where he is featured as the game's protagonist and primary playable character.[15] Due to the brainwashing of the current member of the Belmont clan, Richter Belmont, Alucard heads to his father's castle to find Richter and ensure that Dracula does not return into the world.[6] He encounters Richter, who has been controlled by the dark priest Shaft into believing he is the lord of Dracula's castle, and Alucard manages to free him from the spell controlling him.[23] In response, Shaft creates an inverted version of Dracula's castle for Alucard to travel through, and Alucard defeats Shaft, and ultimately, Dracula as well.[24][25] Symphony of the Night also expands on Alucard's background, revealing how his human mother, Lisa, was hunted down and executed by humans who believed her to be a witch.[26] Despite this, Lisa admonished Alucard to respect humans and not hate them as his father did.[7] Alucard's placement as a protagonist was unusual for the series up to that point, as previous Castlevania games featured solely members of the Belmont clan as the protagonists.[10] Symphony of the Night would later be re-released as part of the Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360,[27] as well as part of Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, a compilation that contained Symphony of the Night alongside Akumajō Dracula X Chi no Rondo.[20] Aside from the changing of the script and Alucard's voice actor to Yuri Lowenthal, his role in the Symphony of the Night portion of The Dracula X Chronicles remains the same.[20][3]

[edit] Castlevania Legends

See also: Castlevania Legends

The 1998 Castlevania Legends for the Game Boy Color was Alucard's third appearance in the series. Similar to his initial appearance in Dracula's Curse, he is a boss challenging the skills of the game's protagonist, Sonia Belmont. After she defeats him, he accepts her strength and decides to submerge his powers by sleeping, believing that she will defeat Dracula in his stead.[28][29] Koji Igarashi later removed Castlevania Legends from the official canon of the series, meaning that the plot of the game never occurred in the series' continuity.[30][31]

[edit] Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow

See also: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Alucard as Genya Arikado in Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Artwork by Ayami Kojima.
Alucard as Genya Arikado in Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Artwork by Ayami Kojima.

In Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Alucard is present in disguise as the enigmatic Japanese government agent Genya Arikado in order to prevent the powers of his father, who was finally defeated by Julius Belmont, from ending up in the wrong hands.[8][9][32] He meets the game's protagonist, Soma Cruz, and explains his "power of dominance," or his ability to absorb the souls of the monsters he defeats and use their abilities.[33] He instructs him to seek out the castle's throne room, where Soma realizes that he is Dracula's reincarnation.[34] Arikado subsequently advises Soma to destroy the flow of chaos in the castle to free himself from his fate, which Soma succeeds in doing.[35]

Alucard reprises his role as Arikado in the sequel to Aria of Sorrow, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, where he works to stop the machinations of a cult headed by Celia Fortner to create a new dark lord by killing Soma.[36] Arikado initially requests that Soma does not become involved, but later gives him a letter and talisman from Mina when he encounters him later in the game.[37] After both of Celia's "dark lord's candidates," Dmitrii Blinov and Dario Bossi, are defeated, Arikado stops Celia's attempt to force Soma to awaken into the new dark lord, but inadvertently allows Dmitrii to revive himself.[38][39] He confronts him, but is stopped when Dmitrii uses Celia as a sacrifice to seal his powers.[40] Following Soma's battle with Dmitrii, Arikado explains to Soma that he is not destined to become the dark lord, nor does he need to.[41] In the game's Julius Mode, Arikado is playable as Alucard after he is found in the castle.[42]

[edit] Reception

Alucard has received praise and criticism from several video game publications, primarily concentrating on his role in Symphony of the Night. In a review of Symphony of the Night, RPGFan celebrated the fact that Alucard was not a member of the Belmont clan, the protagonists of most Castlevania games, and that the fact he was Dracula's son added "an element of depth to the plot" due to the varied reactions he would receive from the inhabitants of Dracula's castle.[10] RPGamer digressed with this assessment, noting that the plot and Alucard's role "isn't very deep" and secondary to the concentration on gameplay.[43] Games Are Fun called Alucard "the best anti-hero to ever star in a videogame" and that the relationship between Dracula and Alucard was "enthralling."[11] Alucard's graphical representation was the subject of praise from critics. GameSpot called Alucard's sprite and running animation "easily some of the most impressive visuals in the entire Castlevania library."[6] Games Are Fun extolled Alucard's sprite as "the star of the show," making note of its size, animation, and the variety of special effects that occur during gameplay, and also praised Alucard's design by Ayami Kojima as "absolutely stunning."[11]

Alucard's appearance in Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow as Genya Arikado was also noted by reviewers. RPGamer celebrated how the greater concentration on supporting characters, including Arikado, were a welcome change from previous Castlevania games.[12] RPGFan derided Arikado's "cool and impassive personality" as stereotypical, but praised the game's character development as setting him apart from previous supporting characters in the series.[13] The switch to an anime style for the character designs in Dawn of Sorrow was notably criticized, as many reviewers preferred the designs made by Ayami Kojima. GameSpy deplored the "shallow, lifeless anime images" and IGN called the images "down to the level of 'generic Saturday morning Anime' quality."[44][45]

[edit] See also

Video games Portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Creative Uncut - Artist Profile: Ayami Kojima. Creative Uncut. Retrieved on 2007-02-17.
  2. ^ a b Robert Belgrade. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  3. ^ a b c Yuri Lowenthal. Anime News Network. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  4. ^ a b Ryotaro Okiayu. Anime News Network. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  5. ^ a b c d Bozon Mark (2007-01-18). IGN: Castlevania: The Retrospective - Page 2. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  6. ^ a b c d Whalen, Mike; Varanici, Giancarlo (1998-09-10). The History of Castlevania - Page 11. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  7. ^ a b Konami. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Konami. PlayStation. (in English). (1997-10-02) “Dracula: What...what were Lisa's last words? / 'Alucard: She said do not hate humans. If you cannot live with them, then at least do them no harm. For theirs is already a hard lot. She also said to tell you, that she will love you for all of eternity.”
  8. ^ a b Konami. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Game Boy Advance. (in English). (2003-05-06) “Yoko: You've met Aluca... um, I mean, Genya Arikado right”
  9. ^ a b Konami. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Nintendo DS. (in English). (2005-10-04) “Genya Arikado: You're late, Julius. / Julius Belmont: Arikado? Or should it be Alucard? / Alucard: That doesn't matter. I had to transform to draw out my full power.”
  10. ^ a b c Gann, Patrick (2007-12-10). RPGFan Reviews - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. RPGFan. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  11. ^ a b c Kontul, Christian (2003-05-20). GAF - Import Review - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PlayStation). Games Are Fun. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  12. ^ a b Boulette, Bryan. RPGamer > Staff Retroview > Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. RPGamer. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  13. ^ a b Thomas, Damian (2005-10-16). RPGFan Reviews - Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. RPGFan. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  14. ^ Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for NES - Technical Information, Game Information, Technical Support. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  15. ^ a b Kalata, Kurt (2006-07-26). Tales From The Crypt: Castlevania 20th Anniversary Blowout from 1UP.com - Page 2. 1UP.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
  16. ^ a b Nutt, Christian (2003-01-18). GameSpy: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Preview. GameSpy. Retrieved on 2007-02-17.
  17. ^ Barres, Nick Des. TGS2005 - Koji Igarashi. playonline.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  18. ^ Sheffield, Brandon (2005-08-15). Whip Smart: Konami's Koji Igarashi On Mastering Castlevania. Gamasutra. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  19. ^ Payton, Ryan (2005-11-03). A new art style for Castlevania. 1UP.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  20. ^ a b c Shoemaker, Brad (2007-02-02). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles Hands-On First Look. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  21. ^ Rorie, Matthew (2007-07-12). E3 '07: Castlevania Dracula X Chronicles Hands-On. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  22. ^ a b Whalen, Mike; Varanici, Giancarlo (1998-09-10). The History of Castlevania - Page 5. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
  23. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Konami. PlayStation. (in English). (1997-10-02) “Richter: Ma... Maria? / Maria: Richter. / Richter: You saved me.”
  24. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Konami. PlayStation. (in English). (1997-10-02) “Alucard: It seems your power is insufficient. / Shaft: Five years, five years to gather my powers for this, and all for not. / Alucard: You claimed to love the darkness, go then and dwell there for all eternity.”
  25. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Konami. PlayStation. (in English). (1997-10-02) “Alucard: Go back once you came, trouble the soul of my mother no more. / Dracula: H...how...how, how is it I've been so defeated?”
  26. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Konami. PlayStation. (in English). (1997-10-02) “Dracula: You have ever been the ally of humans. Have you forgotten what they did to your mother?”
  27. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (2007-03-16). Castlevania sinks fangs into XBLA next week. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  28. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Legends. Konami. Game Boy Color. (in English). (1997-11-27) “Alucard: Ooww! I had no idea you had become so strong. / Sonia: Oh, Alucard! / Alucard:It looks like this time it is I who have learned a lesson. / Sonia: Alucard, did you purposely...? / Alucard: No, Sonia. You have made me believe in your strength.”
  29. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Legends. Konami. Game Boy Color. (in English). (1997-11-27) “Alucard: Do not trouble yourself about it, Sonia. Now, I must sleep. I fear we shall not meet again. Farewell, my beloved, my beautiful vampire hunter.”
  30. ^ Bozon Mark (2007-01-18). IGN: Castlevania: The Retrospective - Page 6. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  31. ^ Kalata, Kurt (2006-07-26). Tales From The Crypt: Castlevania 20th Anniversary Blowout from 1UP.com - Page 5. 1UP.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  32. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Game Boy Advance. (in English). (2003-05-06) “J: My real name is JULIUS BELMONT. I am a descendent of a clan that has fought against Dracula for ages. / Soma: And that person who destroyed Dracula in 1999 was... / Julius: Yes. It was me...”
  33. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Game Boy Advance. (in English). (2003-05-06) “Arikado: So it has awakened. / Soma: What? What has? / Arikado: The spirit of the creature you killed has just entered your body. You have the power to absorb the abilities of the monsters you kill.”
  34. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Game Boy Advance. (in English). (2003-05-06) “Soma: Finally... I clearly understand... everything. I am... Dracula.”
  35. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Nintendo DS. (in English). (2005-10-04) “From the Library Menu: Soma Cruz: The rebirth of Dracula, he has the ability to dominate the souls of monsters and use their powers as his own. A year ago, he learned that he was destined to become the dark lord. However, he overcame the chaos that raged within and escaped that fate.”
  36. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Nintendo DS. (in English). (2005-10-04) “Genya Arikado: They want to resurrect the lord of darkness. Like some sought to do with Dracula. / Soma Cruz: I guess they don't like the fact that I didn't become the 'lord of darkness'. / Genya Arikado: Not only that, they intend to create a new lord by eliminating you.”
  37. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. (2005-10-04) “Genya Arikado: Also, Mina entrusted me with this. It's for you. / Soma Cruz: What? A letter? And a talisman?”
  38. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Nintendo DS. (in English). (2005-10-04) “Genya Arikado: That Mina is a fake! / Celia Fortner: Arikado! Why must you always get in the way? / Genya Arikado: How clever of you to use a Doppelganger. Ah, but you haven't won just yet...”
  39. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Nintendo DS. (in English). (2005-10-04) “Dmitrii Blinov: I should thank my lucky stars for making good my escape. I managed to loosen myself when the boy's emotions shifted momentarily. / Celia Fortner: I thought you'd died... / Dmitrii Blinov: Shedding my former body was a desperate gamble. But it has worked out quite well.”
  40. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Nintendo DS. (in English). (2005-10-04) “Soma Cruz: You killed your own ally? / Dmitrii Blinov: She had always dreamed of seeing the dark lord. She served me to the end in my becoming. She should feel honored. Not only that, she even helped me take care of that pesky Arikado. / Soma Cruz: ?! / Genya Arikado: He's right. His sacrifice reversed the flow of my dark power”
  41. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Konami Tokyo. Nintendo DS. (in English). (2005-10-04) “Soma Cruz: Then that means there will always be a need for a dark lord. All because I ducked out from becoming the next in line! / Genya Arikado: Don't misconstrue me! Perhaps there is a need for the dark lord...But there is no reason at all for you to become the dark lord. / Soma Cruz: But if it weren't for me, none of this would have happened! / Genya Arikado: You're neither a god nor a demon. You're only human. You have no chance at ever achieving perfection. Or are you saying you want to be the dark lord? / Soma Cruz: No...Of course not.”
  42. ^ Pavlacka, Adam (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Review. Yahoo! Games. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  43. ^ Jackson, Jordan. RPGamer > Staff Retroview > Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. RPGamer. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  44. ^ Leeper, Justin (2005-11-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Review. GameSpy. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  45. ^ Harris, Craig (2005-10-04). IGN: Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Review. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.

[edit] External links

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