sorry for the terrible voice acting in this one, but i was trying to tap into that symphony cheese.. Here is what’s been in the works for a little while. I’ve spent a long time analyzing Castlevania over the past couple of years, and I thought having a video record/introduction to the more common textual readings would be a nice resource for people looking to get into the story. I think just looking at wiki summaries doesn’t quite communicate what Castlevania is about and the timeline can get a tiny bit confusing that way. I thought something like this would be more comprehensive- and I’ll always look for an excuse to discuss the games I love. Also, I included some text and notes on-screen during the video that I forgot in the script, make sure you check those out since they’re Important and Interesting. The Shanoa/Laura essay I mentioned: https://wygolvillage.neocities.org/shrines/ooe/analysisblog (it's the first entry on there, changed the link to one on my own website/OOE fanpage since I don't use AO3 anymore LOL) Also, very late in the editing process, a retranslated SOTN script was posted on Tumblr which is very interesting and actually has even more points that support my reading of the narrative: https://beevean.tumblr.com/post/704200678424363008/re-translating-symphony-of-the-night Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 3:40 Lament of Innocence 5:31 Dracula’s Curse & Curse of Darkness 10:47 GameBoy Games & Simon Duology 14:06 Harmony of Dissonance 18:01 Rondo of Blood & Symphony of the Night 30:04 Order of Ecclesia 42:40 Bloodlines & Portrait of Ruin 58:27 Aria of Sorrow 1:08:31 Conclusion Songs used: Game Clear (Castlevania) [used on every transition] ~ Admiration of a Clan (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence) Evergreen (Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse) ~ Lament of Innocence ~ Leon’s Theme ~ (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence) ~ Riddle (Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse) Overture (Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse) Flash Back (Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse) Abandoned Castle (Curse of Darkness) ~ Passepied (Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge) Bloody Tears (Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest) ~ Successor of Fate (Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance) Offense and Defense (Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance) ~ Portrait of a Ghost Ship (Castlevania: Rondo of Blood) Wood Carving Partita (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night) Dracula’s Castle (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night) ~ Ecclesia (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia) Heroic Dawning (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia) Cantus Motet (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia) Stones Hold A Grudge (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia) Rituals (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia) An Empty Tome (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia) Welcome to Legend (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia) ~ Iron Blue Intention (Castlevania: Bloodlines) Name Entry (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) Meeting of Destiny (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) Victorian Fear (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) Hail From The Past (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) Chaotic Playground (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) The Hidden Curse (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) Dance of Sadness (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) Portrait of Destiny (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) The Night Flows (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) ~ Vampire Killer (Castlevania) Ruined Castle Corridor (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow) Prologue (Mina’s Theme) (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow) Heart of Fire (Don’t Wait Until Night) (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow) You’re Not Alone (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow) Purification (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow) Epilogue (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow) ~ Voyager (Akumajou Dracula Tribute Vol. 1)