"Castlevania" known in Japan as "Akumajou Dracula", is a franchise of gothic horror games centered on the Belmonts, a clan of vampire hunters, and their fight with Dracula. The franchise has featured multiple genres such as platforming, RPG, action-adventure, hack and slash, and been released on a wide variety of systems/hardware. Castlevania is one of Konami's flagship franchises. The franchise has expanded into other media, including comic books, an animated television series, and several spin-off video games.

The Castlevania franchise heavily references the iconic horror movies. Werewolves, zombies, Frankenstein's monster, and Count Dracula himself make recurring appearances. Alucard, first introduced in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, is also a reference to the character of the same name from the 1943 film, Son of Dracula. The games also include folklore and mythological monsters such as Medusa, as well as direct references to literary horror. Castlevania mainly takes place in the castle of Count Dracula, who resurrects every hundred years to take over the world. With the exception of some games, the players assume the role of the Belmonts, a clan of vampire hunters who have defeated Dracula for centuries with the Vampire Killer. The Vampire Killer is a legendary whip that is passed down to their successors and can only be used by them.

Microbadges

Series theme music - Bloody Tears

† Vampire Killer is a parallel version of the original Castlevania. However, the MSX2 version was localized in Europe without the Castlevania branding that the franchise would start using abroad 1987.

‡ Castlevania Legends and Order of Shadows are considered non-cannon.

	Film	Publisher
	Castlevania	Netflix	An American adult animated television series. The first two seasons adapt the 1989 entry Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and follow Trevor Belmont, Alucard and Sypha Belnades as they defend the nation of Wallachia from Dracula and his minions. Characters and elements from the 2005 entry Castlevania: Curse of Darkness are featured beginning in the second season, and Alucard's backstory is drawn from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
	Castlevania: Nocturne	Netflix

Other Media:

Akumajō Dracula The Medal - electromechanical
Pachislot Akumajō Dracula - gambling device
Pachislot Akumajō Dracula II - gambling device
Pachislot Akumajō Dracula III - gambling device
CR Pachinko Akumajo Dracula - gambling device
Pachislot Akumajō Dracula: Lords of Shadow - gambling device