Castlevania: The Belmont Family Tree Explained

As a devoted admirer, it’s common knowledge that Dracula takes center stage in the “Castlevania” saga; however, the valiant heroes who confront this terrifying creature often fly under the radar compared to their formidable foe. The esteemed Belmont family, a lineage of vampire slayers dating back to the 11th century, have been waging war against the shadows for countless generations.

Among the timeless video games that could translate effectively into TV shows, “Castlevania” emerges as a top contender. The series boasts an extensive mythology to delve into, and over the years, it has cultivated a dedicated fanbase. The initial Netflix “Castlevania” series featured a talented ensemble and left fans spellbound with its adaptation of “Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse.” Subsequently, the sequel series, “Castlevania: Nocturne,” surpassed expectations by reinterpreting the events of “Castlevania: Rondo of Blood” and enhancing the storyline beyond the original game.

As a diehard fan diving into the rich lore of Castlevania on Netflix, I can’t help but feel excited about the fresh perspectives they’ve given us on the Belmont lineage. These shows have brought forth various generations of the bloodline dedicated to vanquishing vampires, spanning centuries. Of course, the anime only scratches the surface of the Belmonts’ epic tale, so let’s delve deeper and uncover the complete saga of history’s most formidable vampire-slaying family!

Introducing the first Belmont

The Belmont lineage is well-known for its role as vampire slayers, yet the true beginnings of their forefathers remain shrouded in mystery, despite their long-standing reputation and near-legendary standing. However, the specifics about the first Belmont aren’t crucial because they didn’t adopt the role of vampire hunters until much further down the line.

The tale centered around the initial hunter in the family was presented in the video game “Castlevania: Lament of Innocence,” which came out on PlayStation 2 in 2003. The main character, Leon Belmont, is a church warrior during the 11th century. Instead of battling the creatures terrorizing the land, he was initially tasked with fighting heretics. However, when monsters abducted his fiancée, Sara, Leon abandoned his Church duties. In pursuit of his beloved, Leon ventures to a mystical castle governed by a vampire named Walter Bernhard.

Regrettably, Leon’s mission yields mixed results. When he eventually locates Sara, it’s too late as she has already started transforming into a vampire. To aid Leon in forging the infamous Vampire Killer whip, Sara makes the ultimate sacrifice. This empowered Leon to eliminate Bernhard. True to form, Leon uses the Vampire Killer and subsequently passes it on to his offspring, thereby initiating the Belmont lineage of vampire slaying. Centuries later, Trevor Belmont takes up the same whip in his heroic battle against Dracula.

Trevor Belmont comes to Wallachia

In the Netflix series “Castlevania,” created by Warren Ellis, Trevor Belmont, played by Richard Armitage, is among the main characters. Although he debuted in the 1989 game “Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse,” Trevor’s story takes place very early on in the “Castlevania” timeline. He’s actually the first Belmont to encounter Dracula face-to-face. The events of “Castlevania III” serve as a foundation for the first two seasons of the show and establish what follows in later seasons. However, the Netflix adaptation makes some changes to the characters, turning Dracula from a common villain into one of the most intriguing vampires seen on television.

In about four centuries after Leon’s time, Trevor’s tale unfolds, and by then, the Belmont family, renowned for their monster-hunting skills, are both feared and revered. Common folks in Wallachia shun Trevor due to his family’s association with the monsters terrorizing their realm, which Dracula has summoned. Despite not being a celebrated hero, Trevor is one of the few individuals who can prevent Dracula from annihilating humanity. The Netflix series introduces Trevor collaborating with other powerful combatants, including Dracula’s own son, to thwart the vampire from obliterating Wallachia’s population altogether.

Sypha Belnades stands at Trevor’s side

In the annals of the Belmont family’s history, Sypha Belnades stands as one of its prominent figures. First appearing in “Castlevania III” alongside Trevor Belmont, she was initially depicted as a magical warrior and addressed using masculine pronouns. However, the game’s conclusion left players astonished when it was revealed that Sypha is indeed a woman. The storyline culminates with her tying the knot with Trevor.

In the Netflix show, Alejandra Reynoso provides the voice for Sypha, a character who plays a pivotal role. As the story unfolds, Sypha is seen fighting alongside Trevor against monsters terrorizing Wallachia. Her magical skills give them an advantage in battles, and as time passes, their bond grows stronger. They develop feelings for each other while also forming a friendship with Alucard, Dracula’s son (portrayed by James Callis). The trio’s cooperation is crucial to the eventual victory. Interestingly, Dracula, despite being a compelling antagonist, is portrayed as a villain whose actions are justified due to Wallachia’s wrongdoings against his wife. However, because his triumph would mean the demise of beloved characters like Sypha, it becomes effortless to support their opposition.

Trevor and Sypha’s child is a mystery

The long-running “Castlevania” series has spanned multiple decades, showcasing several generations of the Belmont family. However, despite the rich history, there are significant gaps in our understanding of the Belmont family lineage. For instance, neither game players nor fans of the Netflix “Castlevania” series have any definitive information about Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades’ child.

In the finale of “Castlevania” Season 4, it’s clear that Trevor and Sypha carried on their adventures and eventually had a child, though the Netflix series don’t provide much information about their later lives. Similarly, the games offer no insights into Trevor’s offspring. However, fans have been trying to gather any hints from supplementary game materials to fill in the gaps. One such clue is that somewhere between Trevor and Christopher Belmont’s timelines, a man named Frederick Belmont existed, who was not featured in any particular game. Yet, it remains uncertain whether Frederick was actually Trevor’s son.

The Netflix adaptation of “Castlevania” indeed had a follow-up, however, the narrative of “Castlevania: Nocturne,” set during the French Revolution and over 300 years after the original series, fails to shed light on this specific enigma. Given that this installment falls far in the Belmont family timeline, it seems we may be left in the dark about this branch of the family tree for quite some time.

The original Belmont arrives

To fully appreciate the Belmonts as they appear in “Castlevania: Nocturne” on Netflix, it’s essential to acknowledge the family patriarch, Simon Belmont, who was the main character in the original “Castlevania” game launched in 1986. He has made appearances in two subsequent games – “Castlevania: Simon’s Quest” and “Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance.” Despite his relatively few appearances, Simon is undeniably the most recognized Belmont, largely due to his distinctive character design and vampire-slaying moves. His impact on the series has been significant, shaping it into the beloved franchise we know today.

Simon resides in a time period that is approximately 200 years before Trevor Belmont and about 100 years before Richter. In the initial “Castlevania” game, he faces off against Dracula and manages to vanquish the vampire, but receives a cursed wound from him in the process. In “Simon’s Quest,” Simon attempts to break free from this curse and find a way to permanently halt Dracula’s evil influence. Though Dracula continues to return throughout time, Simon’s courageous actions help establish the Belmont family as heroes rather than beings feared for their ties to the demonic world. The Belmonts are eventually acknowledged as such due to Simon’s legendary exploits.

Richter Belmont takes center stage

Among fans of the popular game series “Castlevania”, Richter Belmont is undeniably one of the most recognized family members. Despite his debut in 1993’s “Castlevania: Rondo of Blood” only being released outside Japan in 2007, many gamers worldwide became familiar with Richter through his significant roles in the 1997 game “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night”, where he served both as a formidable boss and a hidden playable character.

In the Netflix series “Castlevania: Nocturne,” Edward Bluemel lends his voice to Richter, our leading character. This show, while loosely based on the events of “Rondo of Blood,” presents Richter’s early life in Boston as a child. A tragic event occurs when he witnesses a vampire slaughtering his mother. Overwhelmed with grief and determination, Richter flees to France, where he embarks on the journey to become an illustrious vampire slayer.

In the days before France’s revolution, numerous rulers of the country were actually vampires, providing abundant prey for Richter to hone his hunting skills. Although Richter has innate combat abilities, he finds it difficult to tap into the magic within his Belmont lineage. However, when Richter learns that certain cultists aim to resurrect a vampire messiah, it becomes crucial for him to unlock all of his powers in order to save mankind. Fortunately, Richter comes across Juste, an obscure Belmont relative who possesses strong magical abilities and could potentially guide Richter in mastering his powers.

Maria Renard becomes Richter’s sister

In the captivating world of “Castlevania: Rondo of Blood,” I wasn’t just a lone warrior; I was accompanied by a formidable ally, a young vampire hunter named Maria Renard. A prodigious magic user, she stood shoulder to shoulder with me in our battle against the undead. Across various games like “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night,” Maria has left an indelible mark, but it’s in the Netflix series “Castlevania: Nocturne” where she truly takes center stage. Portrayed by Pixie Davies, Maria becomes a pivotal figure in Richter’s team during our struggle against the vampires of 18th-century France.

In the series, it’s revealed that Maria is Tera Renard (played by Nastassja Kinski)’s daughter. When Richter initially arrives in France, he’s welcomed into Tera’s home where she raises him and Maria as foster siblings. This close bond between them, both emotionally and strategically, proves to be crucial. Without Maria’s assistance, it’s highly likely that the aristocratic vampire cult in France would have eliminated Richter and potentially taken over globally.

Luckily, Maria’s innate skill with magic provides a significant advantage in battle, making her one of Richter’s key assets in their fight against wickedness. Despite grappling with the allure and danger of dark magic herself, Maria remains on the side of righteousness, largely due to support and guidance from Juste Belmont.

Annette and Richter fall in love

In the game “Rondo of Blood,” Annette is initially portrayed as Richter Belmont’s romantic interest, who finds herself in trouble due to Dracula’s captivity. Her predicament serves as additional incentive for Richter in his battle against vampires. Later appearances of Annette include “The Dracula X Chronicles” and “Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls.” In these games, she transforms into a vampire and becomes a boss character that players must overcome.

In the Netflix series “Castlevania: Nocturne,” Thuso Mbedu portrays Annette, and her character’s narrative is given a fresh take. Throughout the show, Annette spends her childhood as a captive of the vampire Vaublanc (Alastair Duncan), who cruelly oppresses her people in the French colony of Saint-Domingue. Similar to Richter, Annette witnesses her mother’s brutal death at the hands of a vampire. When she manages to escape from Vaublanc, her hidden magical abilities emerge. With her newfound powers, Annette inspires a slave uprising in Saint-Domingue and, eventually, travels to France accompanied by a man named Edouard (Sydney James Harcourt). Along the way, she encounters Richter.

As Richter and Annette battle against the French vampires and the approaching threat of a vampire messiah, their affection for each other develops. By the end of “Castlevania: Nocturne” Season 2, Richter confesses his love to Annette, marking the start of their relationship. Though details about the child they share remain unknown to game fans, it is known that the Belmont lineage continues into the 21st century.

The last of the Belmonts?

The two Netflix series based on “Castlevania” seamlessly blend elements from various games in the franchise. The initial show follows the narrative of “Castlevania III” and includes aspects from “Castlevania: Curse of Darkness” and “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.” Subsequently, the second series reinterprets the happenings of “Castlevania: Rondo of Blood.” Collectively, these Netflix productions span several centuries of Belmont family history, yet the game lore extends further into our future.

2003 saw the debut of “Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow” on the Game Boy Advance, where players were introduced to the last known descendant of the Belmont lineage. Set in 2035, the game revolves around a high school student named Soma Cruz who is mysteriously drawn into Dracula’s castle during a solar eclipse. Within the castle, Soma encounters Julius, a man afflicted with amnesia and unaware of his Belmont heritage. This aspect of the game is intriguing for fans who have played earlier installments in the series, as Julius later appears as a boss character, employing classic Belmont moves against both Soma and the player controlling him.

In 2005, Julius last appeared in the game “Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.” The events unfold one year after the previous storyline. Now, Julius has recovered his memories, but he remains a secondary character within Soma’s narrative. Despite being as formidable a vampire hunter as his forebears, Julius seems to indicate a shift in significance for the Belmont family during their ongoing battle against Dracula.

What if the Belmonts became vampires?

In the 1400s, it’s possible that humanity would have perished at Dracula’s hands had it not been for the intervention of the Belmont family, who have consistently proven to be the world’s most formidable force against vampirism in various “Castlevania” narratives. In 2010, the game “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow” sparked a series of events that provoked long-time fans with an intriguing query: What if the Belmonts themselves transformed into vampires?

The “Lords of Shadow” series unfolds in an alternate reality, reshaping the original storyline of “Castlevania.” These games follow the journey of Gabriel Belmont, a deeply religious warrior who mourns his departed spouse. Driven by the conviction that this quest will save the world from darkness and resurrect his wife, he embarks on this journey; however, everything he assumes turns out to be falsehoods. As Gabriel’s adventure unfolds, it corrupts him, culminating in the revelation at the end of “Lords of Shadow” that hundreds of years have passed since then, and Gabriel has become the infamous vampire known as Dracula.

In the continuation of “Lords of Shadow,” players find themselves back in Gabriel’s perspective. However, this time he embodies not only a Belmont but also the age-old foe of the family lineage. The narrative of “Lords of Shadow” represents an exhilarating reimagining of the Belmont legend, and despite some gameplay aspects receiving mixed reviews, fans believe that the story more than compensates for it, making the series a worthwhile playthrough.

2025-07-16 15:31