Alright, anime lovers and demon-slayer newbs, pick up your big swords and turn up the Limp Bizkit because Devil May Cry: The Animated Series (2025) is ready to blow your mind! Netflix released this eight-episode masterpiece on April 3, 2025, and already, it’s cutting its way to the top of the rankings, sitting at #4 on the platform with a whopping 21 million hours watched in the first week alone. Based on Capcom’s legendary video game franchise, the show is a love letter to the early 2000s, with the obligatory nu-metal needle drops and a devil-may-care disposition. So, why is it so good? And what can we look forward to when Dante returns for season 2? Let’s jump into the mayhem, avec to be sure!
Why Devil May Cry (2025) Is Freakin’ Awesome
Dante's Got Swagger for Days
Meet Dante, the part-human, part-demon hunter who's as cool as a leather trench coat during a heatwave. Voiced by the iconic Johnny Yong Bosch (who also voices Nero in the games), Dante's a cocky, goofy, and heartbreakingly torn mess of a character. He's over here demon-slaying, blowing lines, and flunking Dance Dance Revolution—yes, really! Bosch has a boyish swagger that makes Dante feel like your messy best friend, even when he's grappling with his tragic history (mom and brother deceased, ouch). Sure, some fans complain he's a tad too Deadpool-ish at the beginning, but by the end, he's the white-haired tragic boy that you're rooting for.
Animation That Hits Harder Than a Demon Tail
The studio that's pulling the strings, Studio Mir (X-Men ’97, The Legend of Korra), has served up a feast for the eyes here. The 2D animation is smooth, with skull-crunching action that's got the over-the-top feel of the games right down to the band-torn dance floor to Rage Against the Machine's "Guerrilla Radio" or a high-speed freeway chase to the tune of Papa Roach's "Last Resort." The 2D-animated episode 6, co-executed with Studio La Cachette, stands out, going mostly dialogueless with a looser, more emotional look that's already being hailed as one of 2025's greatest animated sequences. The only speed bump is the occasionally jarring 3D demon designs that look like they strayed in from a PS2 cutscene. But that's about the only misstep. Overall, it's a stylish delight that’ll tickle your peepers.
There's a soundtrack that screams 2000's nostalgia
If you spent your adolescence blasting nu-metal into your Walkman, you're in the right place. The background score is a time machine to the early aughts, sprinkled with such classics as Limp Bizkit's "Rollin'" in the credits, Linkin Park, and even an actual Evanescence song, "Afterlife," for the close-out. These needle drops don’t simply play in the background—compounding perfectly with the audio of Dante's gunfire and sword flashes, every fight sequence is an AMV you'd see on YouTube in 2004. It's gaudy, it's brassy, and it's so Devil May Cry, you're embarrassed you ever questioned the tone of the game. Even if you're a non-millennial who shopped at Hot Topic, you're already headbanging by episode two.
The White Rabbit: A Thief of the Limelight
Forget generic villains—the White Rabbit (voiced by Hoon Lee) is a stylish, Alice in Wonderland-inspired demon who's both charming and terrifying in equal measures. He has big ambitions to tear apart the fabric of the veil that separates Earth and the demon world, and his backstory in episode 6 will get you all riled up before you're thoroughly unsettled. Fans and critics are going wild about him, with a few claiming he's better even than Dante himself. His combination of menace and quick wit makes each scene he appears in a total vibe.
It's Got Heart (And a Bit of Brain, Too)
Don’t be misled by the nu-metal facade—Devil May Cry is surprisingly deep. The show grapples seriously with heavy subject matter such as grief (Dante’s still shaken by the loss of his mom) and identity (half-demon angst, anyone?) and even makes some social commentary about American politics during the post-9/11 era. The demon-hunting task force led by Vice President Baines (voiced by the late, lamentable Kevin Conroy) reads as an homage to the war-on-terror days under President Bush, with a cowboy-in-chief and religious fanatics added to the mix for good measure. It’s heavy-handed, but it’s also heavy, and lends serious heft to the action. And the odd couple relationship that develops between Dante and Lady (aka Mary Arkham, played by Scout Taylor-Compton) adds emotional resonance, even if Lady’s character development is a little undercooked at times.
It's a Fresh Take, Not a Copy-Paste
It's different from the 2007 Devil May Cry anime, of course, since that followed the games more in their monster-of-the-week format. Written by Adi Shankar (Castlevania), it takes from the games, manga, and books but isn’t shy about remixing them. Dante's goofier, Lady's grittier, and the story's a blockbuster-style 48-hour romp. Some fans protested the deviations (Lady's sass has been dialed up to 11, naturally), but others appreciate the new timeline as an easy entry point for new fans. It's a cover song, really—familiar but with a new beat.
What's Not So Hot? (No One's Perfect)
Okay, let’s keep it real. The first half drags a bit, spending too much time on exposition and world-building. Dante’s early humor can feel forced, like he’s auditioning for a Marvel movie, and Lady’s aggressive edge doesn’t always land. The political themes, while bold, can feel heavy-handed, with the “America bad” vibe rubbing some fans the wrong way. And those 3D demons? They’re the animation equivalent of a party guest who doesn’t vibe with the playlist. But stick with it—the second half, especially episodes 6-8, is where the show finds its groove and leaves you hyped for more.
What to Expect in Season 2 (Get Ready!)
Great news: Netflix renewed Devil May Cry for a second season just a week after its debut, so Dante’s not hanging up his sword anytime soon! Here’s what we’re crossing our fingers for, based on the finale’s cliffhanger and fan buzz:
Vergil's Grand Entrance: The season 1 finale had a bombshell Vergil reveal, including his classic "Judgment Cut" attack and the legendary "Bury the Light" song in the credits. Count on Dante's brooding, katana-carrying brother to bring huge drama. Will they fight like they did in the games, or will the show remix their beef? Fans are already losing their minds over this hype.
More Demon-Slaying Adventure: The season finale's "bonkers" ending established a high benchmark, with Dante taking down the White Rabbit's anarchy. The action is bound to be turn up to 11 in Season 2, with Studio Mir hopefully abandoning the wonky 3D for more of the beautiful 2D action. Perhaps, at last, we shall see Dante's Devil Trigger (demon mode) in all its glory?
Broader Character Arcs: Dante's identity crisis and Lady's back story were touched upon, but there's potential to be explored. Season 2 might explore the demon part of Dante's bloodline or allow Lady some development as a character beyond the hard-gal tropes. And with Vergil now in the picture, we're predicting some interesting family conflicts.
More Nu-Metal Madness: The soundtrack was a highlight, so expect more 2000s bangers or maybe some fresh tracks to keep the vibe alive. Could we get a My Chemical Romance needle drop? A girl can dream!
New Characters and Locations: The show premiered new characters such as the White Rabbit, so season 2 may add new faces or old ones such as Nero or Trish. The demon world, Makai, was teased, so perhaps Dante goes to fight battles in hell itself.
The slower opening was picked apart by fans and critics, so season 2 may cut down the setup and jump right into the action. Shankar's going for the "Hollywood blockbuster" feel, so a big, bold story that maintains the heart and the humor can be expected.
You Should Watch It (Like, Right Now)
Devil May Cry is a thrill for fans of the game and anime alike. If you're a fan of the games, you'll appreciate the references to Dante's swagger and the fashionable action. If you're new to the scene, the standalone story and concise eight-episode, 30-minute season make the show easy to binge. There's enough humor to make you laugh, enough heart to get you to care, and enough demon-slaying to get your pulse racing. And, as an added bonus, it's the right mood for anyone who longs for the early 2000s or who just wants to get lost in a world in which the hero battles to Papa Roach. Stream the show on Netflix, and you're hooked by the time Dante's dancing to "Guerrilla Radio."
Final Thoughts: A Devilishly Good Time
It's a Devil May Cry: The Animated Series is a stylish, action-packed love letter to Capcom's iconic franchise, combining nu-metal nostalgia, jaw-dropping visuals, and newfound depth to Dante’s demon-slaying shenanigans. Sure, the first episode struggles with a clumsy start-up and some dubious 3D, but the emotional resonance of the second half and insane conclusion make it a must-see. News of season 2 having already been picked up and Vergil preparing to steal the show means the future's looking as rosy as Dante's crimson coat. So, turn the volume up, down a few slices of pizza (Dante would be proud), and immerse yourself in this devilish treat. Bring on more demon-slaying, more tunes, and more Devil May Cry mayhem!