The Bootleg Multiverse[a] is an American animation franchise created by Adi Shankar, which he named after his Bootleg Universe project of unauthorized productions based on popular culture satires.[1] The series comprising this franchise are based on diverse video games from several companies around the world, featuring an anime-influenced style by various artists.
| Bootleg Multiverse | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Adi Shankar |
| Owners | Bootleg Universe Netflix |
| Films and television | |
| Animated series |
|
Overview
edit| Series | Season | Episodes | Originally released | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castlevania | 1 | 4 | July 7, 2017[2] | Castlevania by Konami |
| 2 | 8 | October 26, 2018[3] | ||
| 3 | 10 | March 5, 2020[4] | ||
| 4 | 10 | May 13, 2021[5] | ||
| Castlevania: Nocturne | 1 | 8 | September 28, 2023 | |
| 2 | 8 | January 16, 2025 | ||
| Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix | 1 | 6 | October 19, 2023 | Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon by Ubisoft |
| Devil May Cry | 1 | 8 | April 3, 2025 | Devil May Cry by Capcom |
| 2 | 8 | May 12, 2026 | ||
| 3 | TBA | TBA |
List of featured animated TV series
editCastlevania (2017–2021)
editWhen his wife is burned at the stake after being falsely accused of witchcraft, the vampire Count Dracula declares all the people of Wallachia will pay with their lives. He summons an army of demons which overruns the country, causing the people to live lives of fear and distrust. To combat this, the outcast monster hunter Trevor Belmont takes up arms against Dracula's forces, aided by the magician Sypha Belnades and Dracula's dhampir son Alucard.
The series is based on the video game series by Konami, and is written by Warren Ellis and produced by Frederator Studios, Powerhouse Animation Studios, Shankar Animation, Project 51 Productions and Mua Film.[6] The first season of four 30-minute episodes was released on July 7, 2017.[2] The second season is eight episodes long and was released on October 26, 2018.[3] The ten-episode third season was released on March 5, 2020.[4] The series ended with the release of its fourth season on May 13, 2021.[5]
Castlevania: Nocturne (2023–2025)
editOn May 11, 2021, Netflix announced that a new series set in the Castlevania universe with a different cast of characters was being planned.[7] The series focuses on Richter Belmont, a descendant of Trevor and Sypha, alongside Maria Renard during the French Revolution.[8] The eight-episode first season was released on Netflix on September 28, 2023,[9] and the eight-episode second and final season was released on January 15, 2025.[10]
Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix (2023)
editThe series is set in 1992, in an alternate history in which the United States has become Eden, a dystopian technocracy controlled by the megacorporation of the same name and populated by humans and artificially created anthropomorphic animals called "Hybrids", who are treated by humans as slaves, livestock and beasts of burden. Dolph Laserhawk, a supersoldier modified by Eden Tech Military, escapes and becomes a fugitive alongside his boyfriend Alex Taylor. During a final heist, Taylor betrays Laserhawk, who is captured and incarcerated in Eden's black site prison, Supermaxx. Under the direction of Supermaxx's warden, who has implanted an explosive device inside him, Laserhawk is selected to lead a team of other captive rebels, known as the Ghosts, on a series of covert operations to undermine Taylor's plans.[11]
The series was announced in June 2021. It is inspired by Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon while featuring remixed versions of several prominent Ubisoft properties.[12][13] The series was released on October 19, 2023 on Netflix.[14]
Devil May Cry (2025–present)
editWhile being hunted by the government organization Dark Realm Command (DARKCOM) under Vice President William Baines, Dante, a cambion demon hunter for hire, comes into conflict with a demon-obsessed terrorist called the White Rabbit who seeks revenge on the human race.
Based on the video game series of the same name by Capcom. The second animated adaptation after Devil May Cry: The Animated Series (2007).[15] The eight-episode first season was released on Netflix on April 3, 2025[16][17][18] and the eight-episode second season was released on May 12, 2026.[19] The series has been renewed for a third and final season.[20]
Other media
editBooks
edit- Castlevania — The Art of the Animated Series
- Castlevania: Nocturne — The Art of the Animated Series
- Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix — The Art of the Animated Series
- Devil May Cry — The Art of the Animated Series
Comics
edit- Captain Laserhawk: Mega City Blues (November 8, 2023): The comic book one-shot was supervised by Adi Shankar, written by Faouz.b, with art by Grelin, and published by Glénat Éditions.
- Captain Laserhawk: Crushing Love (March 12, 2024): The manga published by Tokyopop was supervised by Adi Shankar, written by GLAAD Media Award-nominated writer Ben Kahn, with art by Bayou Kun.
Music
edit- Devil May Cry The Season 1 Soundtrack (April 3, 2025): The album includes the original song "Afterlife" by Evanescence.
See also
editReferences
editNote
edit- ↑ "Bootleg Multiverse" is a working title, as no official name has been announced yet.
Footnotes
edit- ↑ Gilman, Greg (August 8, 2013). "How 'Dredd' Producer Adi Shankar's Marvel Bootlegs Are Building a Buzzy Fanboy Brand". The Wrap. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
- 1 2 Hill, Jacob. "Netflix Quietly Announces Castlevania Series For 2017". CBR.com. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
- 1 2 Pereira, Chris (May 24, 2017). "Watch The First Trailer For Netflix's Castlevania Show; Release Date Announced". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 26, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- 1 2 Elfring, Matt (March 5, 2020). "Here's What's New to Netflix in March 2020: Castlevania Season 3, More Movies, TV Shows, and Originals". GameSpot. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- 1 2 "Netflix Announces Castlevania Season 4". Anime. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
- ↑ Narcisse, Evan (August 2, 2017). "The Animation Studio That Made Castlevania Explains Why It Was a Dream Project". io9. Gizmodo. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
- ↑ Frye, Patrick (May 11, 2021). "Castlevania 'Season 5' sequel confirmed by Netflix, Warren Ellis' involvement discussed in new interview". Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- ↑ "Netflix Unveils Castlevania Animated Show's Spinoff Series Castlevania: Nocturne". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
- ↑ Wolinsky, David (July 26, 2023). "Netflix's Castlevania: Nocturne Premieres September 28, Teaser Trailer Coming July 27". GameSpot. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Squires, John (September 16, 2024). "Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 Teaser from Netflix Announces 2025 Premiere". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (September 27, 2023). "Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix Gets Official Release Date, New Cast Members". IGN. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ↑ Shanley, Patrick (2019-10-10). "Ubisoft Planning Animated TV Adaptations of Popular Game Franchises (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
- ↑ "Netflix Announces Far Cry Blood Dragon Spinoff Animated Series". GameSpot. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (September 27, 2023). "Netflix Slates 'Devil May Cry' Anime, Teases 'Blue Eye Samurai,' 'Captain Laserhawk' & 'Sonic Prime' S3". Animation Magazine. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ↑ Griffin, David (November 16, 2018). "Devil May Cry Series Joins Castlevania In New Multiverse From Adi Shankar". IGN. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
- ↑ Valentine, Evan (November 5, 2021). "Netflix's Devil May Cry Anime Will Be "Multiple Seasons". ComicBook.com. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ↑ McWhertor, Michael (November 11, 2023). "Netflix shows off its new Devil May Cry anime at Geeked Week". Polygon. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ↑ Rayna, Leo (September 19, 2024). "Netflix Reveals Explosive Debut Teaser Trailer for Capcom's New Devil May Cry Anime Series". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ↑ Cacciatore, Francesco (2025-12-12). "Dante and Vergil return in season 2 of Devil May Cry, coming in 2026". Polygon.com. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ Otterson, Joe (June 4, 2026). "Devil May Cry Renewed for Third and Final Season at Netflix". Variety. Retrieved June 4, 2026.