Honestly, for Adi Shankar, this Devil May Cry anime isn’t just a job or another project to check off the list. It’s something he’s been dreaming about for years—like, since he was a kid. At CinemaCon 2025, he shared a lot of stuff that kinda hit home. This show really means a lot to him personally. And now that it’s finally coming to Netflix, he’s letting fans in on what it took to bring this to life, especially when it comes to casting the voices.
One moment that really stood out was when he talked about getting Kevin Conroy—yeah, the voice of Batman—for the show. It turns out, that was Kevin’s final role before he passed away in 2022. And hearing Shankar talk about it… you could tell it wasn’t just business for him. It was emotional.
From Playing the Game as a Kid to Making the Show
So here’s the thing—Shankar’s been into Devil May Cry since way back. He grew up playing the games, getting into the whole gothic vibe, the wild action, and the deeper stuff too—like the family drama and all the emotional baggage the characters carry around.
When he finally got the green light to make the anime, he didn’t want it to be just flashy fights and cool music. He wanted it to feel real. You know, like something that hits you in the chest a little. He said casting the voices was more than just picking people who sounded right. It was almost like… spiritual for him. Like, he needed actors who got the world, who really understood what these characters go through and what makes the story matter.
Kevin Conroy’s Final Role: A Moment That Meant Everything
This part honestly gave me chills. Shankar shared how getting Kevin Conroy on board was something super personal. He grew up hearing Kevin’s voice as Batman, just like a lot of us did. That voice? It stuck with him. And when he had the chance to work with Kevin for this anime, it was a full-circle kind of moment.
Kevin recorded his role shortly before he passed away, and that made it even more meaningful. Shankar called it one of the most emotional moments of his whole career. He said Kevin brought something special to the character—like, real heart, real depth. And yeah, fans are probably going to feel that the moment they hear him speak in the show. It’s a heavy, bittersweet moment knowing it’s Kevin’s last performance.
Keeping the Soul of the Game but Adding Something New
If you’re a long-time Devil May Cry fan, don’t worry—Shankar’s not trying to mess with what makes the series special. He said the anime is staying true to the original world and tone of the games. But he’s also bringing in his own flavor. If you’ve seen stuff like Castlevania or The Guardians of Justice, you’ll probably notice that vibe here too.
He’s focusing not just on the cool fights and stylish action (which, of course, are gonna be there), but also diving into deeper themes. Stuff like identity, purpose, and all the inner conflict Dante deals with. That’s the kind of storytelling Shankar’s aiming for—something that respects the game’s legacy but also brings new layers to it.
For a glimpse of the series, you can watch the official trailer below:
