The Netflix adaptation of Devil May Cry manages to encapsulate the exhilarating hack-and-slash essence of the beloved franchise. Although it departs significantly from the original storyline—with several adjustments that might not align with the established lore—the show’s soundtrack and overall aesthetic evoke the spirit of edgy AMVs from the 2000s that many viewers fondly remember from their teenage years.
Showrunner Adi Shankar has made clear efforts to respect the original lore while simultaneously crafting a unique vision for this two-decade-old series. Like many adaptations that cater to passionate fan bases, Devil May Cry is peppered with references to the franchise and popular culture throughout its narrative.
Whether you are a dedicated DMC aficionado or simply experienced the cultural zeitgeist of the early 2000s, chances are you’ll spot at least one reference. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of Easter eggs embedded in the show, each offering a deeper connection to the source material.
Warning: The following list contains spoilers regarding the Netflix adaptation of Devil May Cry, which may also reference plot points from the games and other media.
11 Iron Man Reference
Time To Play Barrel Of Monkeys
In the aptly titled fifth episode, “Descent, ”following Dante’s defeat of Agni at great heights, Rudra dramatically rips open the airplane, leading to a chaotic plunge of everyone aboard.
Enzo quips, “Why can’t you be one of those rich superheroes with flying armor?”—an apparent nod to a memorable scene from Iron Man 3, where Iron Man heroically saves a group from a falling plane.
While Dante lacks an armored suit, he activates his Devil Trigger, unveiling powers that allow him to fly and make crucial rescues. Intriguingly, both Enzo and the “chunky monkey”character in Iron Man 3 are the last to be saved in their respective scenarios.
10 Dante’s Dance Moves
Smokin’ Sexy Style!
Dante, notorious for his stylish combat, doesn’t quite shine when it comes to rhythm games.
In the climactic end of episode one, titled “Inferno, ”he is humorously seen attempting to play Dance Dance Revolution, hitting none of the notes.
This scene not only references the beloved arcade classic but also features a fedora that notably resembles Dr. Faust, a Devil Arm from Devil May Cry 5. Both versions of Dante strikingly mirror the same final pose.
9 Dante’s Motorcycle
“Damn, He’s Cool”
Despite plot adjustments and valid criticism from fans, the Netflix adaptation maintains the series’ signature cool factor, deftly showcased through impressive action choreography.
In the third episode, “The Deep and Savage Way, ”DARKCOM agents find themselves in peril when confronted by White Rabbit and his demonic associates while attempting to seize Dante’s necklace. During a high-speed motorcycle pursuit, Dante battles these minions with exhilarating finesse.
He takes a daring leap off his bike onto Agni and Rudra, using the vehicle as a weapon in a manner reminiscent of his stunts in DMC3.
Additionally, his technique of revving the motorcycle to inflict damage echoes how he wields Cavaliere, a motorcycle-buzzsaw hybrid Devil Arm featured in DMC5. The spikes from Echidna gleaming on his front wheel further exemplify this resemblance.
8 Strawberry Sundae
Dante’s Favorite Dessert
Known for his passion for pizza, it’s no surprise that Dante’s sweet tooth leads him straight to a strawberry sundae for dessert.
Although this preference doesn’t appear in the main game series, it’s featured in the 2007 animated adaptation where he often enjoys sundaes, often frustrated when interrupted, especially by Patty.
The Netflix series highlights this fondness in episode one when Dante dines at Fredy Diner—a clear tribute to the restaurant from the animated series.
Notably, Cindy from the animated series appears, though the titular diner owner is notably absent when the establishment faces an attack.
7 Other Capcom Games
It’s All Connected
As a franchise under CAPCOM, it’s to be expected that the series contains Easter eggs referencing other beloved CAPCOM titles. Three such nods stand out in the adaptation.
In episode two, “Our Lady of Sorrows, ”viewers can observe Ken delivering a powerful shoryuken to M. Bison, right before Dante sends the mercenary flying into a Street Fighter arcade cabinet.
Further references emerge in “The Deep and Savage Way, ”where Enzo refers to the “Raccoon City job, ”a direct shoutout to the notorious locale from Resident Evil, known as the trigger for the T-virus fiasco. Shortly thereafter, an intricate Mega Man figurine is seen inside one of the trucks.
This Raccoon City mention may serve as a casual quip, yet it suggests a possibility of a shared universe between Devil May Cry and Resident Evil, considering that the original Devil May Cry was initially envisioned as a prototype for Resident Evil 4. Additionally, President Hopper’s dialogue referencing “bio-organic weapons”suggests he may be dealing with the chaos from the outbreak.
Ultimately, this indicates that Dante might have been a part of the operations during the outbreak or was among the mercenaries dispatched to purge the infected.
6 “Jackpot!”
Catchphrase!
At the outset of episode one “Inferno, ”Dante heroically saves a mother from imminent danger posed by skeletal demons. Before dispatching the final foe, he exclaims “Jackpot!”and executes a stylish trick shot featuring a bullet inscribed with the same phrase.
If any catchphrase embodies the essence of Devil May Cry, it’s “Jackpot, ”which Dante has been using throughout the series. He typically utters it just before finishing off his adversaries, often utilizing his guns, Ebony and Ivory. This phrase first emerged when he took down the demon king Mundus in DMC1.
Interestingly, this catchphrase also has roots in Dante’s childhood with Vergil, highlighted during their epic confrontation against Arkham in DMC3.
5 Lucia
An Unexpected Cameo
During episode one, VP Baines efficiently strives to gather every demon hunter in the vicinity, leading to the revelation of Dante’s allies. Astute viewers may recognize a familiar, red-haired woman among those apprehended by DARKCOM—Lucia.
Lucia serves as a playable character in DMC2, often regarded as the weakest title in the series. Trained by an older warrior named Matier, she collaborates with Dante to thwart Arius and his malevolent corporation, Uroboros.
Though Lucia’s nature is unveiled to be that of a flawed Secretary demon created by Arius, she ultimately embraces her potential, assisting Dante in overcoming both Arius and Argosax.
Despite her brief appearance, fans hope Lucia will make a more considerable impact in future seasons, considering Arius may emerge as the next prominent antagonist.
4 Enzo
Fuggetaboutit!
In this adaptation, Enzo Ferino emerges as Dante’s trustworthy yet humorous friend and former companion. A portly, Italian-American character frequently caught in peril, he embodies the role of Dante’s comedic relief, often fraught with anxiety yet loyal to his friend.
While Enzo does not appear in the mainline games, he frequently surfaces in the expanded universe, including novels, manga, and CD dramas, serving as Dante’s source for jobs and intel while occasionally pawning his devil arms for gain.
Coincidentally, Enzo is also featured in Bayonetta as an informant assisting the titular heroine in her supernatural quests.In both franchises, Enzo represents an everyday character swept into extraordinary circumstances.
The aesthetic similarities between Enzo in Babyonetta 3 and the Netflix adaptation are worth noting, with a similar color palette utilized in both versions.
3 White Rabbit And His Minions
Some Familiar Faces
The character White Rabbit draws inspiration from a similarly named figure in the Devil May Cry 3 manga, while his minions consist of foes that Dante battles throughout the games. We’ll touch upon these rivals in their order of appearance.
The first adversary Dante confronts is Plasma. Although the name might not be canonical, Plasmas are shapeshifting lesser demons from DMC1 that replicate enemy abilities.
Next, Dante confronts three formidable bosses from which he earns unique Devil Arms. Notably, in the adaptation, Agni and Rudra are depicted with heads, diverging from their game representations as sentient swords wielded by headless golems.
Echidna, a serpentine demon featured in DMC4, may appear again, maintaining her control over flora as her signature trait.
Last but not least, Cavaliere Angelo’s introduction complicates the established narrative of DMC5, as he is depicted as a creation deeply tied to Dante’s friend Trish, sent to challenge him without yielding a new Devil Arm.
2 Arius And Uroboros
He Won’t Be The King Of This World
The adaptation pays ample respect to all iterations of Devil May Cry, including DMC2, despite its unfavorable reputation within the community.
Arius, its central villain, reappears in the closing moments of episode eight when the U. S.government launches an assault on Makai, or Hell. The narrative hints at the government detaining lesser demons and utilizing Hell’s resources through the Uroboros Corporation.
Fans may hold onto hope for a more nuanced portrayal of Arius in the series, as his character in the game was often criticized for being one-dimensional, characterized merely as a greedy billionaire obsessed with immortality.
1 War On Terror
Pretty On The Nose
The Netflix adaptation of Devil May Cry draws significant inspiration from the War on Terror that transpired during the early 2000s, coinciding with the presidency of George W. Bush. What defines a gritty show rooted in 2000s culture without incorporating elements of political critique?
Familiar to those versed in U. S.history or those with firsthand memories of 9/11, this extensive military campaign resulted in appalling civilian casualties amidst widespread violence.
Analyzing the narrative’s deeper implications reveals that Adi Shankar leverages Devil May Cry as a lens to critique the War on Terror.
Makai serves as an allegory for the Middle East, while the Makaians and lesser demons symbolize the civilians ensnared in conflicts between foreign military powers and their oppressors.
Characters like President Hopper and Vice President Baines are thinly veiled representations of significant political figures, with Hopper’s demeanor echoing Bush’s while Baines projects the unchecked authority often attributed to Cheney.
Further cementing this critique, select tracks from Green Day, such as “American Idiot, ”and Rage Against the Machine’s “Guerrilla Radio”serve as poignant soundtrack choices, renowned for their anti-war sentiments during the 90s and early 2000s.
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