Netflix and Adi Shankar’s highly anticipated Devil May Cry anime has officially debuted on the streamer on April 3, and it’s already turning heads. Some fans are even calling it Netflix’s own Solo Leveling, a bold comparison that speaks volumes about the series’ explosive action, stylish direction, and faithful nods to its source material. Based on the Japanese video game franchise of the same name, Devil May Cry has earned positive review from critics, scoring an impressive 95% on Rotten Tomatoes

Crunchyroll has already had a bonafide hit with Solo Leveling, and Netflix could use a similar win. With comparisons in regard to its action, animation highlights, and baked in fanbase, DmC could improve Netflix’s standings in the 2025 anime season.

Devil May Cry Is On Par With Castlevania Season 1

Adi Shakar Incorporates Many Similar Elements

Following Adi Shankar’s breakout success with Castlevania, Devil May Cry had high expectations—and it delivers. Like Castlevania, its debut is strong, continuing Shankar’s streak of stylish, faithful adaptations for Netflix. Johnny Yong Bosch, known for voicing Nero in the games, a character designed to reflect a younger Dante, takes on the role of a less experienced Dante in the anime and shines. While Richard Armitage was praised for his portrayal of Trevor Belmont in Castlevania, Devil May Cry one-ups it by casting Bosch directly from the game series, lending an added layer of authenticity and fan appeal to the production.

Excellent voice casting isn’t the only element Adi Shankar carried over from Castlevania, as both Castlevania and Devil May Cry feature dark, demonic themes and fast-paced action, demanding equally intense animation. From first-person shots of Dante firing his pistols to dynamic angles reminiscent of Castlevania's later seasons, the attention to detail is clear. Most importantly, both series tap into beloved, long-standing franchises with devoted fan bases. Rather than feeling like just another anime, each show serves as a faithful continuation and tribute to the legacy of its source material.

DmC Could Be Netflix’s Own Solo Leveling

The Animation Is Just As Strong

Similarly, Solo Leveling has a loyal fanbase dating back to the original manhwa, and the anime builds on that foundation by elevating the source material, especially its side characters. As a result, the series has attracted new viewers who were introduced to the story through the anime alone. Devil May Cry is following a similar path, especially with episode six, which has been widely praised as a standout installment. Many fans consider it a beautiful short film in its own right, an artistic high point that the franchise has never reached before, drawing in both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Solo Leveling had an impressive first season, and now that season 2 has officially wrapped, it's easy to say it's even better than before, thanks to its elevated action, fast pace, and attention to secondary characters. Although care than what Sakamoto Days has received.

DMC Is A Fan-Faithful Adaptation

It Has An Excellent Soundtrack Just Like The Games

There are fans in equal measures who have played all the games, read all the manga, and watched the previous anime adaptation, who love the Netflix series, and others who feel the opposite. There are changes to the origins of the series that are explained in more scientific than fans are used to, but it doesn’t necessarily disqualify the possibility that there are real Demons and Hell is not just another dimension. However, much like Castlevania had to, there must be some changes when a work of art shifts mediums in order to craft a better story.

Adi Shankar clearly understands what Devil May Cry is all about, especially as a product of the same 2000s era the franchise represents. He knows how vital music is to the series, not just in of style but storytelling. The anime’s soundtrack features tracks from artists that embody both the franchise and the decade, creating a synergy between music and action that mirrors the games. Dante even fires his guns in rhythm with the OST, with the music intensifying alongside the combat. If you love Solo Leveling and are looking for an anime to match its dynamic action, Devil May Cry is the perfect follow-up.