Devil May Cry (2025): Reasons to Watch and Reasons to Skip - Is It Worth It?

The new anime adaptation of Devil May Cry, released in 2025 by Netflix, has sparked mixed reactions. With a bold approach, striking visuals, and a powerful soundtrack, the anime also fell short in narrative aspects and consistency with the franchise. In this article, we list the main reasons to watch - and reasons to think twice before hitting play.

The series seems aimed at longtime fans with direct references to the games but also tries to reach a new audience - which may explain some of its more controversial creative decisions. The production is helmed by showrunner Adi Shankar, known for adaptations like Castlevania.

Why It’s Worth Watching Devil May Cry (2025)

The music is one of the anime’s strongest points. With heavy and tense tracks, it perfectly sets the demonic and dark tone of the series. The soundtrack enhances action scenes and captures the Devil May Cry universe well, with influences of metal, electronic, and gothic ambience reminiscent of the games.

Visually, the anime is a spectacle. It features well-choreographed fights, urban settings with a grim atmosphere, and stylized character designs that stay true to the franchise. The action scenes are visually immersive, with impressive light and shadow effects and dynamic sequences involving guns and swords.

Fans of the series will recognize plenty of nods to the original material: Dante’s attitude, his classic weapons like Ebony & Ivory, and scenes inspired by epic fights from the games. Elements like Dante’s sarcastic humor, the presence of Lady, and his connection to demon hunters directly reference the Capcom titles.

One of the most viral scenes was Dante’s “little dance” during a fight - a playful homage to the character’s irreverent moments in the games. While it split opinions, the scene shows the creators aimed to maintain the franchise’s eccentric tone.

The arc involving refugees and the white rabbit adds a social layer to the plot. There are some good ideas behind the story, including critiques of authoritarianism and exploitation by powerful entities - though the execution wasn’t perfect.

Reasons to Think Twice Before Watching

One of the biggest issues pointed out by fans and critics was how Dante is portrayed. At times, he seems invincible - dodging bullets and defeating hordes of demons with ease. At others, he’s tricked by regular humans or stunned by a simple purse hit from a woman on the street. This power fluctuation makes it unclear how much danger Dante is really in - hurting narrative tension and his credibility as a character.

The anime seems to have good ideas but runs into limitations with time and development. The story moves too quickly, characters are underdeveloped, and the ending - especially regarding the refugee arc - feels rushed and inconclusive. There are also moments when the plot gets lost between action and character development.

Lady, for example, comes in way too strong - even managing to fight toe-to-toe with Dante - despite being human. The lack of explanation is frustrating. The government-created demon hunters are also underdeveloped and all die in episode 4, wasting a concept that had great potential.

The universe doesn’t hold up under its own logic. If humans are fighting demons, there should be some element - like demonic blood - to justify their abilities. However, the series offers no explanation, which undermines the viewer’s suspension of disbelief.

Game References and Dante’s Irreverence

For Devil May Cry fans, the 2025 anime delivers plenty of nods to the games that helped define the series’ identity. Iconic weapons - like the Rebellion and Ebony & Ivory pistols - are featured, along with gothic aesthetics and the frantic pace of battles. Additionally, some scenes highlight Dante’s sarcastic and theatrical side, a trait long established in the games.

One standout scene was when Dante breaks into an unexpected dance mid-battle. While out of place for those expecting a more serious narrative, the now-famous “little dance” is actually a direct nod to the irreverent tone of the games - especially Devil May Cry 3 and 4, where the protagonist behaved eccentrically even during the most dangerous moments. This creative choice divided fans but serves as an attempt to preserve the character’s bold and stylized essence.

Despite criticisms about the inconsistency of his power throughout the episodes, moments like this show that the anime tried to keep the original spirit of the series alive - even if the execution faltered elsewhere.

What the Critics Are Saying

According to sites like Screen Rant, the series fails to fully capture the franchise’s spirit. Critics highlight that while the visual elements are sharp, the narrative development and character depth fall short. In a recent article, the site stated the anime “has all the ingredients to be great, but stumbles on its own ambitions.”

Other specialized outlets praised the art direction and visual fidelity to the game universe but criticized the lack of narrative consistency and the superficial treatment of complex themes like social oppression and political manipulation.

If you’re a fan of the franchise or looking for a stylish action anime with a killer soundtrack, Devil May Cry (2025) might be for you. But if you expect a solid narrative, well-developed characters, and full fidelity to the games, you might end up disappointed.

In the end, the series is a mix of technical hits and narrative missteps. The potential is there - but like a poorly timed strike from Dante, the anime misses its mark.

Still, it’s worth checking out for yourself. For some, it might be a fun entry point into the franchise’s universe; for others, a missed opportunity. As with any adaptation, Devil May Cry (2025) may appeal more or less depending on viewer expectations.

And you - what did you think of the anime? Tell us in the comments!