Castlevania Musical Receives High Praise from Series Veteran Koji Igarashi

The legacy of Konami’s iconic franchise, Castlevania, continues to reach new heights beyond video games.

One of the latest examples is Takarazuka Revue’s stage production "Castlevania ~Awakening under the Moon~," a musical adaptation that has captivated audiences in Japan.

While video game musicals have a notable history in the region, this production stands out not only for its ambitious scope, but also for the acclaim it has garnered from both fans and industry veterans. Recently, Koji Igarashi—a pivotal figure in Castlevania’s history—attended a performance and publicly voiced his admiration for the adaptation.

Igarashi, often affectionately referred to as ‘IGA’ by fans, worked extensively on the Castlevania series.

His roles spanned assistant director, programmer, and scenario writer for the acclaimed "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night," and he served as the series' primary overseer at Konami from 1999 to 2011.

Under his stewardship, classic titles such as "Aria of Sorrow," "Dawn of Sorrow," "Lament of Innocence," and "The Dracula X Chronicles" were realized, solidifying Castlevania’s reputation among action-platforming and Metroidvania fans—especially on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation. Reflecting on his theater experience, Igarashi posted a message on social media that emphasized his appreciation for the musical's authenticity.

He noted that the production impressed him with faithful costume reproduction and the direct use of dialogue from the games.

Igarashi stated that the musical exhibited such a strong adherence to the source material, it might not be fully understood by those unfamiliar with Castlevania’s legacy.

Ultimately, he expressed deep satisfaction with the adaptation, recognizing the cast and crew's respect for Konami’s enduring franchise. Since leaving Konami in 2011, Igarashi has gone on to found his own development studio, ArtPlay, where he created the spiritual successor "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night." Bloodstained, released on multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch, has been embraced by fans as an unofficial continuation of the Metroidvania formula immortalized by Castlevania. Takarazuka Revue’s success with "Castlevania ~Awakening under the Moon~" demonstrates the remarkable cultural influence of Konami’s property.

With industry veterans such as Koji Igarashi lauding its execution, the production cements itself as a significant entry in the ongoing celebration of video game history in Japan.

Konami Castlevania Koji Igarashi Takarazuka Revue Bloodstained ArtPlay Symphony of the Night Aria of Sorrow Dracula X Chronicles Dawn of Sorrow Lament of Innocence