Can the Semi-Canon Castlevania Games Fit in the Timeline?

The Castlevania franchise has had a lot of writers adding to and subtracting from the series timeline for decades, and it's left some of the games in the series in a state of limbo. Could some of the games that previously were considered non-canon but not declared fully-canon still fit in the lore, including the Nintendo 64 Castlevania titles and Circle of the Moon? I discuss this and go through what might and might not make that possible.

Music:
"The Watchtower" (Castlevania 64 & Legacy of Darkness) - Masahiko Kimura, Motoaki Furukawa
"Sinking Old Sanctuary" (Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness) - Michiru Yamane, Masahiko Kimura, Motoaki Furukawa

Sources Referenced:
Castlevania 64 & Akumajō Dracula: Mokushiroku
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness & Akumajō Dracula Mokushiroku Gaiden: Legend of Cornell
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

[Elle_Vain]

My personal headcanon is that the 64 games and CoTM were legends spread by the people of transylvania to explain Dracula's defeat in the 18th century, Since all records of Ecclesia's existence vanished after the events of OoE.

[andrewtaylor]

Something that intrigues me is that Shanoa is described as being ONE OF Ecclesia's warriors, and likewise, Albus is described as being its Chief Researcher. Which begs the question as to what happened to the rest of Ecclesia's members and what they were doing before, during, and after the events of Order of Ecclesia. Especially with Grimoire of Souls adding that Ecclesia is some shadowy organization that was funded by the leaders of the world, who later cover up its existence so completely that no one knows about it.

One potential solution to the timeline would be to base all the 19th century events around Order of Ecclesia and the titular order only being able to defeat Dracula for short periods of time due to not having the Vampire Killer (or if they do, its full power. For example:

1797, Symphony of the Night, ends with the Belmonts disappearance and the world scrambling for a replacement.

1820~, Barlowe founds Ecclesia. The order has initial success against Dracula, sealing him for 10 years, though with some heavy losses.

1830, Circle of the Moon, sees Ecclesia experimenting with prototype glyphs (DSS System) and their own holy whip.

1844, Legacy of Darkness, lets say the Man-Beast Tribe's true origin is that they were created by Ecclesia as a result of an experiment to graft glyphs onto human bodies, turning them into monsters much like how later Shanoa will perfect it and be able to assume were-beast forms with her glyphs.

1852, Legacy of Darkness/Castlevania 64, Reinhardt and Henry are actually members of Ecclesia.

1860~, Order of Ecclesia, ends with Barlowe's betrayal and Ecclesia dissolving and being covered up.

[darian]

Great video! I’ve always stood by these games being canonical, because they don’t explicitly contradict anything unless you look with a magnifying glass. Also, something else to mention in regards to C64, is that Reinhardt’s original name during development was “Schneider Belmont”. There’s remnants of this within the game’s dialogue as well, as enemies keep referring to him as such. Like when Death calls him “scum of a Belmont”.

So another way one could look at it, is that Reinhardt actually IS a Belmont, but their clan changed their surname to “Schneider” to remain hidden from the public. Then once Reinhardt slays Dracula, he gives the whip over to the Morris family.

As for Circle of the Moon, I don’t like the argument against it that just because the Belmonts aren’t mentioned and that you’re not using the Vampire Killer automatically makes it non-canon. That’s an evidence of absence fallacy. It’s possible that Morris Baldwin just never mentioned the Belmonts to Hugh or Nathan. I agree that the placement of events makes it a bit tricky. But as we’ve seen in the franchise before, Dracula has been resurrected multiple times in the span of a decade, so it’s not impossible.

One argument I’m surprised you didn’t bring up against CotM was the fact that Dracula can only be killed by the Vampire Killer, or a denomination of his own power (example being Alucard and Shanoa). Here’s my answer to that. Nathan was able to slay Dracula by using the power of the DSS Cards. Because those cards drop from monsters within the castle, and thus contain their powers. See where I’m going? So yeah, I think if you really wanted to, you can consider these games canon. I think they really add to the Castlevania universe rather than take away from it.

[Mudkip]

The devs of Circle of the Moon from the start said that they never considered their own game part of the timeline.

[thomasffrench]

I’m pretty sure that Legends and Circle of the Moon weren’t ever meant to be canon. I feel like Castlevania 64 duology is unclear tho.

[ethanmichaelcrane]

I think IGA's claim that the creators of these games intended them to be gaiden is accurate, evidenced by the inconsistencies with the main games of the series that preceded them. CV64 outright ignores the events of Rondo and SotN (Dracula as Malus stating that he's been gone for 100 years), and Legacy of Darkness doesn't correct this timeline error (though the CV64 remake within it contradicts even LoD if I recall correctly by still asserting it's been 100 years when we know this to be false). Similarly, Legends contradicts CV3 being the first Belmont vs. Dracula event. Even if one could make the case that CV64 might have been in development around the time of SotN (likely) and so might be forgiven for its chronological confusion with regard to that game, it certainly wasn't in development before Rondo was released--and Legends most definitely was in development long after CV3.

CotM is probably the least problematic of them continuity-wise but also features Bootleg Belmont with a Dollar Tree Vampire Killer (why should anyone be afraid of Dracula in an age without Belmonts when just anyone with a magic whip can stop him). On its face, this one is side-story territory.

And I'm saying this as someone who absolutely loves everything about the N64 games, the idea of Sonia, and the atmosphere of CotM.

[TrevorBelmont]

6:06 Reinhardt Schneider is a Belmont there is no Schneider clan. in the Castlevania 64 and LOD intro anologue the narrator says "Reinhardt Schneider heir to the ancient Belmont Clan of Vampire hunters. His blood dooms him to oppose the might of Count Dracula, welding the Holy Whip of his ancestors the young vampire killer begins his quest"

[alexandermckay]

I always loved the idea of Sonia and Alucard being lovers and the Belmonts secretly being linked to Dracula by blood. The existential dread of being one with your own worst enemy has always been a great plot device.

[mxx]

Konami really painted themselves into a corner with the once-per-century resurrection. I think you could probably get around most continuity errors by just coming out and saying that was a legend people spread because they didn't have accurate documentation back then, and all you need to bring back Dracula is powerful enough magic - it's just _easiest_ on the centennial anniversary, but not mandatory.

[StockeTepes]

Another excellent video. This is a topic I’ve been thinking about for such a long time now & it has always left me feeling so conflicted 😆

There’s absolutely a case to be made for the 64 games. But I think one of the biggest pieces of media lending to it’s canonicity worth mentioning is Cornell’s appearance in Judgment. All the characters like Carmilla & Death (the mainline versions of them) talk to Cornell like they’ve met him before, with his story mode in that game fitting in nicely before the events of Legacy of Darkness. And if Cornell is canon to IGAs timeline, absolutely not a stretch to consider Reinhart and his adventure as happening soon after. I can see Richter giving the whip to Reinhardts family, maybe them also being loosely related to the Morris Clan too? It’s possible!

Circle of the Moon is… a lot more difficult to justify 🤣 I always saw it as before Bloodlines but it’s veryyy difficult to say. Nathan certainly has the makings of a Morris/Schneider/Belmont but MAN Dracula would’ve been revived so many times in the 18th century lol.

I’ll always stand by all three games being canon if the player truly wants them to. It seems like the best way to go about it sometimes especially because all three have something unique to offer, and lend to the Castlevania series in fun ways. Always happy to see these three games get some more love

[summersetbanjo]

I would love to see you do a similar video for the metal gear spinoffs and the possibility of them canon and how. (games like ghost babel, snake's revenge, Survive, and mobile)

And yes I would love to see Castlevania 64/Legacy be reimagined as a Souls game.

[LadyLunarPhoenix]

Circle of the Moon, I figure dealt with a vampire that was NOT Dracula. Just as in the 64 game has a fake Dracula. I figure the guy could be posing as Dracula and have figured he would pretend to Be dracula to make himself sound more powerful and dangerous than he actual 'was'. Since Dracula had been told Lisa's last words he doesn't seem to be actively seeking war, its likely any other vampire could try to use his name and do whatever.

As for the 64 game, given in Aria, Vampire Killer still is active when Soma is 'human', its could be just that the Whip sensed Rosa as a 'vampire' first and figured she'd go the same way as Sara. So the Whip wouldn't accept her presence because she could go vampire again. Thus the whip is then sent to the Morris clan since it will work for them.

[Chris-gxei]

Sonia Belmont would fit if Konami changed her from being Trevor's mom into Trevor's Sister or something like that

[christlevania]

I always wondered if Castlevania Resurrection had never been canceled, how that would have affected the timeline. Sonia would definitely feature prominently in the story and that Victor Belmont fellow, too. Great analysis, by the way, I always enjoy your videos. 🥰

[derektereve]

Honestly, Sonia should have never been removed, as the whole Alucard being Trevor's Father is false

Yes Sonia has a relationship with Alucard, but he is

Maury Povich voice: not the Father

[chancemitchell]

This is me just talking but, I wonder if the Belmont’s handed off the whip for a while after Ricther was possessed by Shaft to resurrect Castlevania. Maybe the whip rejected them because of Richter. And Schneider’s being the cousin’s of Belmonts, Reinhardt could have had an affinity for the whip but perhaps couldn’t draw out its true power because he wasn’t a DIRECT Belmont descendant. Thus, handing it off to the Morris’ being another family branch who also had an affinity. And Johnathan could’ve had an easier time tapping into its true power.

[Bingo_the_Pug]

It’s obvious the developers intended for the N64 titles to be within the franchise canon, but Circle of the Moon seems like it wanted to be a 100% stand-alone game, which is odd considering Hugh was jealous that Nathan inherited the whip which implies that it could’ve been the Vampire Killer

[stefanhurtig]

The 1800s sure was a busy time for ol' Drac. Makes you wonder if he ever got tired of the constant resurrections.

[mikelhealer]

An interesting premise for me would be the 64 canon 100% in my opinion they fit better than New Generation.

[SakaMalignant]

So nobody's gonna say anything about Shanoa using a photo camera? It was invented in 1839 and I don't think anyone would pass you his own so easily before the end of the century...