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)