It looks like Dante’s rocking a smokin’ sexy style with a side of the Power of Grayskull. First introduced in Devil May Cry on the PlayStation 2, Dante’s journey has spanned five mainline games, countless crossovers, and even a previous anime adaptation over two decades. Now, Netflix is reviving the franchise in animated form, with Adi Shankar overseeing the project. Known for his work on Castlevania and Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, Shankar has been vocal about his love for Devil May Cry, making it clear that this adaptation is a passion project.
With the premiere date fast approaching, IGN Fan Fest 2025 debuted a new preview that highlights Dante’s signature mix of stylish combat and sarcastic humour, including a throwback reference to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. In the exclusive clip, Dante steps into action against a trio of demons terrorising a defenseless woman. Without hesitation, he pulls out Ebony and Ivory, his signature pistols, and delivers a brutal yet effortless takedown. Even when one demon attempts to use the woman as a shield, Dante remains unfazed, dispatching the creature with pinpoint precision before dropping a classic “Jackpot!” line. However, his post-fight quip doesn’t come as naturally as he’d like, leading to an awkward moment before he finally lands on a joke, referencing Skeletor’s longevity: “Man, Skeletor did not hold up since the 80s.”
Netflix has been no stranger to Eternia in recent years, having already delivered Masters of the Universe: Revelation and its sequel Revolution, both produced by Kevin Smith. While Revolution ended on a post-credits tease hinting at more to come, no continuation has been confirmed. In addition to these animated projects, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe offered a family-friendly CG adaptation. Meanwhile, Masters of the Universe is preparing to return in live-action with Amazon MGM Studios planning a 2026 film featuring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, Jared Leto as Skeletor, Idris Elba as Duncan, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, among others.
Dante’s return to animation isn’t unprecedented. Devil May Cry: The Animated Series first aired in 2007, produced by Madhouse. Though it ran for twelve episodes, it never received a second season and largely followed its own original storyline. This time around, Netflix is enlisting Studio Mir, the animation house responsible for The Legend of Korra and My Adventures with Superman, ensuring high-quality action sequences and fluid motion that align with Dante’s signature acrobatics.
Shankar has been developing Devil May Cry for Netflix since 2018, marking another collaboration with writer Alex Larsen, who also worked on Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix. Johnny Yong Bosch, known for voicing Nero in Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 5, has been cast as Dante, maintaining a connection to the franchise’s established voice talent.
While the anime is set to premiere in April, no news has emerged about a potential new game instalment. Devil May Cry 5, released in 2019, was widely praised and provided a satisfying conclusion to the series, leaving fans wondering whether Dante will return in another mainline entry or a spin-off. Though Capcom has remained tight-lipped, the upcoming anime could reignite interest in the franchise, potentially paving the way for a future gaming announcement. Until then, fans can look forward to seeing the legendary devil hunter back in action when Devil May Cry arrives on Netflix on 3 April.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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