With a Castlevania spinoff series in the works at Netflix, and with talk of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot makes the rounds, fans of both vampire-centered series have a lot to look forward to (and debate).
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Castlevania have more in common than just the presence of vampires (and the specific crossover character of Dracula). Both series follow unlikely team-ups through the ongoing battle against supernatural evil, and both feature lovable, flawed characters who strive continuously to be better. Looking closely, fans will notice distinct similarities between both shows' heroes, villains, and those who fall somewhere in between.
Isaac & Adam
With more than a little influence from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Castlevania's Isaac and fourth-season Buffy villain Adam are both interested in experimenting with life. Isaac, a Forgemaster and disciple of Dracula's cause, resurrects the dead as night creatures to terrorize humanity. Adam, himself an experiment of the Initiative, is a composite creature of human, demon, and machine.
Adam, turning on his creator, seeks to learn about the inner workings of life, then aims to assemble his own army of human-demon hybrids to inherit the earth. Isaac, likewise, once Dracula is out of the picture, forges a terrifying horde of his own night creatures. Both characters are deeply inquisitive about human (and monster) nature, both are heavily wronged by humanity, and they envision a similar means of revenge.
Lisa & Jenny
When Lisa of Lupu arrives at Dracula's castle, she seeks modern knowledge of science to enhance her career in medicine. Her desire for scientific wisdom in a highly superstitious age eventually labels her a witch. Similarly, Jenny Calendar joins the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Scooby Gang as a computer science teacher and modern knowledge-seeker.
As Sunnydale's resident techno-pagan, she stands in contrast to Rupert Giles, who prefers books, physical media, and old-fashioned methods of pursuing wisdom. Both Lisa and Jenny inspire the characters around them to see the world in a new, modern way, and both become involved in doomed romances, with Dracula and Giles, respectively.
Dracula & Giles
It is tempting to compare Dracula to his literal counterpart in Buffy the Vampire Slayer's fifth season premiere, "Buffy vs Dracula." The more apt comparison, however, is Rupert Giles, Buffy's watcher and the most reliably intelligent character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Both Dracula and Giles are the holders of ancient wisdom and keepers of vast libraries. Both have a dark past they attempt to escape. Giles was known as "Ripper" before he become the gentle, compassionate librarian, and Dracula briefly abandons his conquest of humanity out of love for Lisa. Both, when motivated by the loss of a loved one, turn to violence and vengeance.
Carmilla & Glory
The Vampire Queen of Styria and the Beast Glorificus would both gladly call themselves "the original one-eyed chicklet in the kingdom of the blind." Power-hungry and self-motivated, both Carmilla and Glory lose themselves in wild ambition by the end of their lives.
Carmilla, who rises to power by overthrowing vampire men, grows increasingly zealous about world domination, to the point where even her allies feel it is unsustainable. Glory, similarly, is so single-mindedly determined to return to her hell dimension and punish her enemies that her efforts would destroy all worlds. Drunk with power, both villainesses ultimately meet their deaths in a tower. Both, coincidentally, look great in red.
Saint Germain & Spike
The wandering alchemist Saint Germain and Buffy fan-favorite Spike both serve various purposes in their respective shows. Moving fluidly through heroic arcs, villain turns, and romantic storylines, both enter as side characters and prove critical to each series' final battles. Both are, at times, manipulated by darker forces in The First and Death, but they land on the side of good.
Spike is a vampire and serial monogamist whose great loves, Drusilla and Buffy (with apologies to Harmony and Cecily), motivate his acts of evil or heroism. Serving by turns as antagonist, comic relief, minor annoyance, and love interest, Spike ultimately redeems a life of darkness with a moving sacrifice that proves he's one of the bravest characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Saint Germain, who strives to open the Infinite Corridor to reunite with his lost love, returns in Castlevania's final season as the thorn in Greta's side. While he abandons his morality in the quest to resurrect Dracula, Saint Germain's final sacrifice gives Trevor the key to defeating Death.
Alucard & Angel
Not quite a vampire, and not quite a man. Tormented by the past. Fond of shirts with deep v-necks. Alucard, the son of Dracula and Lisa, shares a lot in common with Buffy's first love, Angel.
Despite their inner vampire nature, both Alucard and Angel strive to be good men by fighting against the forces of evil. Alucard feels unexpected tenderness for Trevor and Sypha, and he even dedicates himself to the building of a town around his castle. Angel, meanwhile, proves a dedicated lover and friend to Buffy and later companions on his spinoff series. If pushed, however, both men will bare their fangs, accessing the darkness inherent in the vampire.
Lenore & Anya
Projecting beauty and confidence, Lenore and Anya's centuries on earth have given them each a fair amount of wisdom (and regret). A vampire and a thousand-year old vengeance demon, respectively, Lenore and Anya are literal monsters. Yet each has deep capacity for love, and each feels, at some point, remorseful of their past.
Anya and Lenore both admire the workings of commerce; Lenore respects it as a facet of diplomacy, and Anya becomes a full-blooded capitalist when she gets the smell of cash. Additionally, both vocally enjoy sex and are the more sexually liberated partner in their primary relationships. Finally, both Anya and Lenore die honorably at the end of their series, each leaving behind a grieving lover.
Hector & Xander
Hector and Xander tend to be underestimated by those around them, but both are loyal and surprisingly savvy. Hector, who spends much of his series imprisoned by the Council of Sisters in Styria, plays his part while observing the weaknesses of his captors. Xander, meanwhile, lacks supernatural ability, making him one of the more unseen and observant members of the Scooby Gang.
Both men are perhaps too easily swayed by sex, and each is drawn in particular to non-human women. Hector falls for the vampire Lenore, and Buffy features a running gag wherein Xander is attracted to demons, giant shapeshifting insects, and the like. As for Forgemaster Hector's ability to resurrect the dead, fans will remember that in Season Three's "The Zeppo," one of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's best filler episodes, Xander too reluctantly tried his hand at necromancy.
Sypha & Willow
Every adventure party needs a mage. In Buffy's case, that means a witch, and in Castlevania's, a Speaker Magician. Both Sypha Belnades and Willow Rosenberg become powerful magic users who are indispensable in combat.
Beyond their access to supernatural power, both Sypha and Willow demonstrate immense capacity for empathy on their respective series. Sypha, witnessing human evil in Castlevania's The Judge, and disgusted with the lack of human support in the struggling community of Targoviste, puts her anger to good use as an organizer. Willow, similarly, is rocked to her core when she first sees Sunnydale High overrun by vampires. When her character later takes a dark turn, this empathy for human suffering galvanizes her plans for ending the world.
Trevor & Buffy
Buffy Summers and Trevor Belmont share a unique burden: they are scions, whether they like it or not, to an ancient line, destined to protect humanity from the forces of darkness. They attempt to shoulder this burden alone, but both find comfort and strength in their friends and fellow fighters.
There are mysteries to uncover in both the Belmont clan and the Slayer lineage. Trevor discovers much about his history and inherits the legendary Morning Star Whip while exploring the Belmont Hold. Seeking knowledge of the First Slayer through visions and dreams, Buffy eventually receives the Scythe, her own powerful weapon of destiny. While both Trevor and Buffy sometimes resent their charge, both face off against evil time and again, ready to sacrifice themselves for the lives of others.