17/05/2025

LYFE SATURDAY | MAY 17, 2025

25

TV SHOW REVIEW

Ű BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR

A DI Shankar continues to pompously attach his name to video games adapted for television with Devil May Cry , though the new made-for-Netflix animation series does not stick to the premise such as the Castlevania and Castlevania: Nocturne properties did. In fact, the only devils that will cry watching this are the fans of the video game franchise. Wildly different from the 24-year-old source material, Shankar and Netflix’s Devil May Cry twists and contorts the established story, characters and lore to fit a very specific political agenda that is pushed throughout the eight episodes. Set early in the demon hunter’s career, the half-human, half-demon Dante (Johnny Yong Bosch) finds himself being hunted by the US government’s Dark Realm Command (Darkcom) for the family heirloom that he carries, an amulet left by his demonic father Sparda. On top of Darkcom, the demon terrorist White Rabbit (Hoon Lee) seeks to obtain the same amulet, in the hopes of breaking the magical barrier created by Sparda to separate Hell and Earth. Everything Capcom has set with its game franchise is thrown out the window with Netflix’s show. Characters are written in a way that is uncharacteristic to their original versions, such as Dante talking, fighting and behaving like Nero, his nephew from the game franchise, or how every other sentence in Mary Arkham’s (Scout Taylor-Compton) dialogue involves heavy use of expletives. Capcom’s set in stone history behind Sparda is also radically changed, which affects the character itself and overall direction of the series. From a demon knight that rebelled against the demon king to protect mankind with an unflinching sense of justice for the weak, Shankar’s Sparda is depicted as a demon knight that does that, but also leaves behind helpless, innocent demons when he seals Hell, who are then oppressed by the reigning evil demons. The evil ones are depicted as huge monstrosities, often with gigantic horns or other demonic protrusions and limbs, while the good demons are illustrated with cute, humanoid designs. Did I mention how many

Devil May Cry strays far from source material o Netflix’s take on Capcom’s beloved game franchise disappoints Netflix’s version of Dante diverges from the permanently confident, wisecracking veteran fans remember from the games.

Mary’s portrayal as a military figure, marked by frequent profanity, contrasts sharply with her original quest for personal justice. – PICS FROM NETFLIX

superficial political window dressing is extremely out of place in what is supposed to be a fun animated series involving characters from a video game killing demons. From a glass half full point of view, Netflix’s Devil May Cry will certainly prove to be entertaining for viewers with no knowledge of the source material, while fans of the video game now have worthy adversaries to have pointless arguments with until Capcom releases the next game. Devil May Cry is streaming on Netflix.

of the good demons just happen to look like Arabs due to their turbans and scarves or how they are seeking to escape Hell to Earth as asylum seekers? The allusion to American imperialism and the crises in the Middle East is laid on thick and heavy, but the show does not really

commit to saying anything of substance beyond what it shows in arguably the laziest pandering to both sides of the American political spectrum. Notwithstanding Shankar’s own conservative political leanings, the dual agenda that Devil May Cry pushes with its

Local singer plays at New York City club

G-Dragon 2025 World Tour arrives in Malaysia

MALAYSIAN singer-songwriter Heerraa captivated audiences during her April 26 show at New York’s 54 Below with her intimate showcase “An Evening of Songs and Stories”. Hailed by The Harvard Crimson as “a powerful and vibrant voice”, her positive pop songs are aligned with her mission of changing the world through music, the evening was an intimate showcase featuring acoustic renditions of Heerraa’s hits and award-winning releases. The evening’s repertoire includes Feel Alive , Attention Island and Note to Self . With audiences coming from all over US, the artiste also performed the live version of her latest single Master of Your Own Mind , a self reflective retelling of how we are responsible for the realities we create and the lives we live. Throughout the show, this Harvard undergraduate seamlessly blended pop, R&B and folk melodies while narrating the stories that inspired each song. Friends and fans took to social media to share their post-show thoughts on how it was “such a soulful evening” and that “(Heerraa)’s energy and passion are contagious”. “It is always a dream to be in New York City, especially at 54 Below. To

G-DRAGON is bringing his 2025 World Tour [Ubermensch] to Malaysia. Marking his return to the stage, the BigBang frontman has sparked global excitement with the announcement of his new tour. The Kuala Lumpur show will take place on July 19 and 20 at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. Tickets go on public sale at 2pm on May 29. Members of G-Dragon’s official fan club will have priority access during the presale window on May 26 from 4pm. Recognised for his musical talent and cultural influence, G-Dragon continues to push boundaries with

Heerraa is also a Grammy Voting Member.

G-Dragon is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, producer and fashion designer under Galaxy Corporation.

perform here again and share this evening with friends and fans – it is magical,” she added. Heerraa is also the co-founder of Ascendance, an organisation that has impacted 55,000 Gen Z youth across 26 countries. Her mission of “Changing the World With Music” reflects her commitment to creating

uplifting, thought-provoking music that serves as what she calls “healthy brain food” for the heart, mind and soul. As the final notes of the night faded, it was clear that Heerraa is not just a performer. She is a storyteller, light-bearer and a voice for a generation.

every project. This world tour marks not only his return to live performance, but also a dynamic blend of visual art, music and fashion. Fans can expect striking stage production,

updated renditions of his hits and a high-energy show. The tour launched in Seoul with over 60,000 fans in attendance, blending nostalgia with forward-thinking artistry.