Devil May Cry Anime Review – A Wild Ride Without Enough Dante

Netflix's Devil May Cry Series: Stylish, Slick, and Slightly Off-Target

After nearly six years of waiting, a whole fandom holding its breath, and one anime-sized mountain of hype, Devil May Cry has finally slashed its way onto Netflix. If you’re anything like us—longtime fans who’ve pulled off a few SSS combos in your day—this series has probably been sitting on your watchlist longer than a demon’s grudge. But after binging all the episodes? We've got thoughts. Sharp, stylish, mixed-up thoughts.

Let’s set the stage: This isn’t a direct adaptation of any Devil May Cry game. Instead, it’s more of a remix, borrowing pieces from the manga, the third game in the series, and even inventing a few wild new storylines. The story centers around a young and cocky Dante (of course), a mysterious pendant, and a looming demonic war led by a very white rabbit-esque villain that might just be anime's weirdest homage to Alice in Wonderland yet.

But here's the plot twist: Dante isn’t the main focus.

Yep. You read that right.

Lady Takes the Spotlight – For Better and for WTF?

In a move that will surprise some and frustrate others, Netflix’s Devil May Cry anime shifts a surprising amount of its attention away from the franchise’s poster boy, Dante, and instead shines the demon-slaying spotlight on Lady. That’s right—Lady, the stoic, gun-slinging badass first introduced in Devil May Cry 3, takes center stage in a way that almost feels like the show should’ve been called Lady May Cry. And for better or worse, she owns the screen… most of the time.

Let’s start with the good. Lady’s character arc is layered, intense, and emotionally driven. Her vendetta against demons is given real depth through flashbacks, trauma, and a strong sense of personal agency. She’s not just a sidekick here—she’s a co-protagonist. Her connection to the government agency Darkcom and her mentor, Arkham (yes, that Arkham, in a nod fans will deeply appreciate), creates a storyline with stakes and complexity. Her combat scenes are stylish and brutal, and the voice acting brings just the right mix of grit and vulnerability.

But here’s the issue: the more screen time Lady gets, the more noticeable Dante’s absence becomes. At one point, he literally vanishes for an entire episode. For longtime fans who showed up expecting demonic mayhem with Dante’s signature flair—complete with witty one-liners and insane weapon combos—it’s a jarring narrative choice. Lady’s scenes might be solid, but they lack the chaotic charm and over-the-top energy that defines the franchise.

It’s not that Lady doesn’t deserve the spotlight. It’s that the balance is off. When your main character is MIA for chunks of the series, even a well-written co-lead can’t quite carry the weight. The result is a good story—just not always the one Devil May Cry fans came to see.

The Good, The Great, and The "Wait, What?"

✅ The Good:

• The action scenes are beautifully choreographed and stylish, staying true to the game’s spirit.
• The art direction nails the look of Devil May Cry—over-the-top, gothic, and glorious.
• The lore nods are delightful, from Capcom Easter eggs to a few Konami curveballs (not the one you’re thinking of).

✅ The Great:

• That finale? Absolutely electric. One boss fight includes a move ripped straight from the games, recreated so faithfully it’ll give longtime fans chills.
• The rabbit villain gets a surprisingly emotional backstory that, while divisive, is handled with care.

❌ The "Wait, What?":

• Dante’s voice. Let’s talk about it. For some reason, the series uses the voice actor of Nero to play Dante. While talented, the result is… jarring. It never quite clicks, especially when everything else about Dante’s look and vibe is so on point.
• The middle of the season drags a little. There’s a tonal confusion between emotional backstories and high-octane demon hunts.
• That episode where Dante doesn’t show up at all? Fans might riot.

Final Verdict: Cool, Stylish, Not Quite Legendary

So here’s the deal: Netflix’s Devil May Cry isn’t a bad show—far from it. It’s stylish, action-packed, and polished with moments of brilliance. It’s just… not always the Devil May Cry you might expect.

If you walk in hoping for a faithful game adaptation packed with wall-to-wall Dante moments, this might leave you a little cold. But if you’re open to something fresh, featuring a compelling Lady arc and some seriously cool animation, there’s plenty here to enjoy.

Just don’t be surprised if you finish the show saying:
“This was cool… but where the hell is Dante?”

Stay stylish and stay sharp, demon hunters—more anime and game reviews await in the Devil’s lair we call Land of Geek Magazine!

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