There have been a lot of characters in the Castlevania series. Although the series original started out as the adventures of Simon Belmont against the forces of Dracula (one hero, six bosses), with the second game reusing a few of those same bosses (adding in one new one: Carmilla), the series quickly got out of control, adding in a different Belmont, Trevor, and three other heroes -- Grant, Sypha, and Alucard -- plus a bunch of new bosses all within the third console title for the series.
From there it just went off the rails -- each new game seemed to feature a new Belmont (or some other related kin) and newer and more different bosses were thrown in just to keep things "fresh".
That's where we come in. We at the Inverted Dungeon feel it's our duty to try and make sense of the convoluted continuity, and we'll do our best here to give context for every hero and villain, talking about their personal stories, what games they were playable in, and where you, the gamer, should go for your best fix of heroic vampire slaying goodness. Heroes are presented in alphabetical order by clan (with their first chronological game in parenthesis):
(Note: Where possible we will also include any historical, mythological, and/or pop-culture context we can for the origination of these characters.)
Protagonists and Helpers
The Belmont Clan
Leaders of the charge against Dracula, the Belmonts have been the primary hero of the series since 1094 AD (or 1450 AD, or 1046 AD, depending on the continuity you go with). They are the first, last, and best line of defense against Dracula and the forces of evil under the demon prince's command.
- Christopher Belmont (The Castlevania Adventure)
- Dolores and Zoe Belmont (Castlevania: Order of Shadows)
- Desmond Belmont (Castlevania: Order of Shadows)
- Gabriel Belmont (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
- Hanz Belmont (Castlevania: The Bloodletting)
- Illyana Belmont (Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy)
- Julia Belmont (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- Julius Belmont (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow)
- Juste Belmont (Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance)
- Kokoro Belmont (Otomedius Excellent)
- Leon Belmont (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Marie Belmont (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
- Richter Belmont (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- Simon Belmont (Castlevania)
- Simon Belmont III (Konami Wai Wai World)
- Sonia Belmont (Castlevania Legends)
- Soliel Belmont (Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge)
- Trevor Belmont (Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse)
- Victor Belmont (Castlevania Resurrection)
Due to the questionable story of Castlevania: The Arcade, we're not sure if the whip-wielder in that game is a Belmont or not, or even what his story may be.
The Belnades Clan
The magical counterpoint to the Belmont's whip-wielding clan of warriors, the Belnades is a clan of witches who use their magical abilities to battle Dracula and keep the lands of Wallachia safe from the demons and devils that regularly appear.
- Carrie Fernandez (Castlevania for the Nintendo 64)
- Charlotte Aulin (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin)
- The Elder (Castlevania: Season 1)
- Sypha Belnades (Castlevania: Judgment)
- Yoko Belnades (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow)
One additional playable sorceress is included (as a secret character) in Castlevania: The Arcade. While the character, the Little Witch, does use the Belnades spells, there's just not enough story available for us to know who she really is.
Additionally, Camilla Fernandez, a minor villain in Castlevania for the Nintendo 64, was technically a member of the Belnadez caln, at least before she was turned into a vampire by the evil Actrise.
The Lecarde Clan
Introduced in the 1900s, the Lecardes were the keepers of a powerful companion item to the famed Vampire Killer, the Alucard Spear. These heroes worked alongside the Belmonts to ensure Dracula never returned.
The Totoyan Clan
Introduced in Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy, this clan acts as protectors of the Vampire Killer during the time of Christopher Belmont... and possibly beyond.
Keepers of the Whip
After 1800, the Vampire Killer passes hands among many of the Belmont kin (and other powerful heroes). These are the Keepers of the Whip, the few mighty warriors entrusted to protect Wallachia in the absence of the Belmont clan.
Additional Playable Heroes
Alongside the Belmont and Belnades clans (along with the other clans that have been entrusted to carry on the legacy of the Vampire Killer) there have been a selection of notable heroes that have taken up the charge of defeating Dracula and ridding the world of his foul curse.
- Aeon (Castlevania: Judgment)
- Adrian "Alucard" Fahrenheit Tepes (Castlevania Legends)
- Albus (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- Cornell (Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness)
- Elvis (Castlevania: Moonlight Rhapsody)
- Getsu Fuma (Getsu Fuma Den)
- Grant DaNasty (Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse)
- Hector (Castlevania: Curse of Darkness)
- Henry Oldrey (Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness)
- Maria Renard (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- Pumpkin (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Shanoa (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- Soma Cruz (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow)
- Tera (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
A female hero is also available in Castlevania: The Arcade. Called the Lady Gunner, very little is known about her (beyond the fact that she uses a gun).
And if you're interested in see how all these heroes stack up, we have a look at the various bonus character modes from throughout the Castlevania series.
Other Vampire Hunters
Along with the playable characters of the series, additional heroes have cropped up who have done their part to try and fight the forces of darkness. Weapon in hand, their attempts have helped to bring down the minions of evil.
- Abraham Van Helsing (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
- Angela (Pachislot Akumajo Dracula)
- Arthur Holmwood (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
- Charlie Vincent (Castlevania for the N64)
- Claudia (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
- Coller (Castlevania for the Nintendo 64 - Early Alpha)
- Deimos (Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy)
- Edouard (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- Felicia (Pachislot Akumajo Dracula: Lords of Shadow)
- Greta (Castlevania: Season 4)
- John Seward (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
- Jonathan Harker (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
- Mina Murray (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
- Mizrak (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- Morris Baldwin (Castlevania: Circle of the Moon)
- Sumi and Taka (Castlevania: Season 3)
- Victoria Florescu (CR Pachinko Akumajo Dracula)
- Zamfir (Castlevania: Season 4)
Additional Characters of Note
And then we have a selection of aides, allies, and non-player characters who influence the quests of the heroes and serve to further the plot and adventures.
- Ada (Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness)
- Annette Renard (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- The Captain (Castlevania: Season 3)
- The Captain of the Insurrection (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- Cecile (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- The Deputy's Daughter (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- Edouard (Castlevania: Nocturne: Season 1)
- Esther (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- The Ferryman (Castlevania II: Simon's Quest)
- Elisabetha Cronqvist (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Hammer (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow)
- Iris (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- Jacques (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- The Judge (Castlevania: Season 3)
- Julia Laforeze (Castlevania: Curse of Darkness)
- Liberty (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- Lisa (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
- Lucy "Gwendolyn" Seward (Castlevania: Bloodlines)
- Lucy Westenra (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
- Lucy Westenra (Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls)
- Lydie Erlanger (Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance)
- Master Librarian (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
- Mina Hakuba (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow)
- Renon (Castlevania for the N64)
- Rinaldo Gandolfi (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Rosa (Castlevania for the N64)
- Rosaly (Castlevania: Curse of Darkness)
- Saint Germain (Castlevania: Curse of Darkness)
- Sara Trantoul (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Vincent Dorin (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin)
Antagonists and Enemies
Primary Antogonists
Standing opposed to the Belmonts (and other heroes) are Dracula and his forces of darkness. These leaders of darkness hope to further Dracula's agenda, growing his power to one day take over the world.
- The Abbot (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- Actrise (Castlevania for the Nintendo 64)
- Barlowe (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- The Bishop (Castlevania: Season 1)
- Brauner (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin)
- Carmilla (Castlevania II: Simon's Quest)
- Celia Fortner (Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow)
- Dario Bossi (Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow)
- Death "The Grim Reaper" (aka Zead, Seward, Varney, the Alchemist) (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Dmitrii Blinov (Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow)
- Elizabeth Bartley (Castlevania Bloodlines)
- The Forgotten One (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Graham Jones (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow)
- Isaac (Castlevania: Curse of Darkness)
- Matthias Cronqvist (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Maxim Kischine (Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance)
- Ortega (Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness)
- Rohan Krause (Castlevania: Order of Shadows)
- Satan (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
- Shaft (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- Vlad III "Tepes" Dracula (Castlevania Legends)
- Walter Bernhard (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
Prominent Bosses and Foes
Aiding Dracula is a motley assemblage of villains and tricksters, beasts and beings of great power and evil intent who seek to further Dracula's nasty plots and schemes.
- Chaos (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow)
- Dragan (Castlevania: Season 4)
- Galamoth (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
- Gilles de Rais (Castlevania for the Nintendo 64)
- Godbrand (Castlevania: Season 2)
- Guido Szandor (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2)
- Hugh Baldwin (Castlevania: Circle of the Moon)
- Ivan Bartley (Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy)
- Joachim Armster (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Laura (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- Lenore (Castlevania: Season 3)
- Malus (Castlevania for the Nintendo 64)
- The Marquis and Marchioness (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
- Medusa (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Menace (Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow)
- Morana (Castlevania: Season 3)
- Prior Sala (Castlevania: Season 3)
- Nergal Meslamstea (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2)
- Olrox (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
- Raisa Volkova (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2)
- Ratko (Castlevania: Season 4)
- Sona Bartley (Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy)
- Striga (Castlevania: Season 3)
- Succubus (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Toy Maker (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate)
- Vaublanc (Castlevania Nocturne: Season 1)
Area Bosses and Lesser Enemies
And then there are the lesser foes, recurring villains and one-off monstrosities who populate the castles of darkness and seek to destroy the heroes to secure the rule of evil across Wallachia... and the world.
- Abaddon (Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow)
- Adrammelech (Castlevania: Circle of the Moon)
- Agreus (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2)
- Akmodan II (and other Mummies) (Castlevania)
- Arachne (Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness)
- Armors (Super Castlevania IV)
- Arthroverta (The Castlevania Adventure)
- Astarte (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin)
- Balore (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow)
- Bats (Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse)
- Beelzebub (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
- Behemoth (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- Blackmore (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- Bone Dragon King (Haunted Castle)
- Brachyura (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- Camilla Fernandez (Castlevania for the Nintendo 64)
- Cerberus (Castlevania: Bloodlines)
- Cho (Castlevania: Season 2)
- Coller2 (Castlevania for the Nintendo 64 - Early Alpha)
- Creatures Bat (Castlevania: Legends)
- Cyclops (Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse)
- Daemon Lord (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate)
- Dagon (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin)
- Dancing Specters (and other Ghosts) (Super Castlevania IV)
- Darkside (and other Wizards) (Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge)
- Devil (Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance)
- Dogether (and other Eyes) (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- Doppelganger (Castlevania)
- Drolta Tzuentes (Castlevania: Bloodlines)
- Dullahan (Castlevania: Curse of Darkness)
- Elementals (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Eligor (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- Executioner (Castlevania: Legends)
- Frankenstein's Creature (Castlevania)
- Gargoyle (Castlevania: Bloodlines)
- Gergoth (Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow)
- Gobanz (The Castlevania Adventure)
- Golem (Castlevania: Judgment)
- Goliath (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- Gravedigger (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
- Gravedorcus (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- Harpies (Super Castlevania IV)
- Headhunter (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow)
- Hermina (Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls)
- Hippogryph (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
- Hydra (Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles)
- Igor (and other Flea Men) (Castlevania)
- Iron Doll (Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge)
- Jiang Shi (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- Karasuman (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
- Keeper of the Void Sword (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 - Revelations)
- Keremet (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin)
- Koranot (Super Castlevania IV)
- Kumulo and Nimbler (Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge)
- Lady of the Crypt (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate)
- Legion (Castlevania: Curse of Darkness)
- Leviathan (and other Demons) (Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse)
- Magician (Castlevania: Season 3)
- Manticore (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow)
- Master Oldrey (Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness)
- Merman (and other Fishmen) (Castlevania)
- Miranda (Castlevania: Season 3)
- Minotaur (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- Night Watchman (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate)
- Ogre (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
- Old Axe Armor (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- Paranoia (Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow)
- Pazuzu (Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance)
- Princess of Moss (Castlevania: Bloodlines)
- Puppet Master (Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow)
- Puweyxil (and Maneater) (Super Castlevania IV)
- R.M. Renfield (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
- Rahab (Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow)
- Reaver (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate)
- Roland de Ronceval (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2)
- Rowdain (Super Castlevania IV)
- Ruler Sword (Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth)
- Rusalka (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- Scarecrow (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
- Scylla (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
- Shadow (Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance)
- Silhouette Demon (Castlevania: Bloodlines)
- Skull Knight (Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse)
- Slimes (Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance)
- Slogra and Gaibon (Super Castlevania IV)
- Swamp Trolls (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
- Twin Dragons (Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse)
- Undead Parasite (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)
- Undermole (The Castlevania Adventure)
- Vampire Brides (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
- The Visitor (Castlevania: Season 3)
- Wargs (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
- Werebat (Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth)
- Werewolf (and other Wolf-people) (Castlevania II: Simon's Quest)
- Wallman (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
- Wyvern (Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood)
- Zephyr (Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow)