As of October 8, 2026, Rotten Tomatoes lists Season 1 of Netflix’s animated Devil May Cry at 96% on the Tomatometer, its critics measure, from 28 reviews. The Popcornmeter, its audience measure, shows 66% from more than 1,000 ratings. The gap between those two numbers is the most useful part of the reception story, and it is more informative than the critics percentage on its own.
Which score is which
Rotten Tomatoes reports two separate measures for each title. The Tomatometer aggregates professional critic reviews. The Popcornmeter aggregates audience ratings. They are not averaged together and they draw on different people, so a title can score very differently on each. When you cite the show’s score, name the measure.
| Measure | Score | Base | Snapshot and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatometer (critics) | 96% | 28 reviews | Rotten Tomatoes season page, as checked October 8, 2026 |
| Popcornmeter (audience) | 66% | More than 1,000 ratings | Rotten Tomatoes season page, as checked October 8, 2026 |
| Tomatometer at launch | 95% | Count not stated in the reporting | GameSpot, April 10, 2025, citing Rotten Tomatoes at that time |
A critics score built on 28 reviews can move noticeably as individual reviews are added, so the current 96% should be read as a snapshot of a small pool rather than a fixed verdict. The audience figure rests on a much larger base, which makes the 66% the more stable of the two numbers on the page.
Launch-period figures
Season 1 premiered on April 3, 2025. A GameSpot report dated April 10, 2025 relayed two performance figures that Netflix had disclosed: 5.3 million views in the first three days, and a No. 4 debut on Netflix’s global Top 10. The same report gave the Rotten Tomatoes critics score as 95% at that time.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
![Devil May Cry [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sefsrkpgL._SL160_.jpg)
- The disk has English audio and subtitles.
These are launch-period numbers. They describe the first week of availability, and they are not a current measure of the show’s performance. Because the April 2025 critics figure and the October 2026 figure come from different points in time and with different review counts, they should not be presented as a trend line showing the score rising or falling.
What the series is
Netflix describes Devil May Cry as an animated adaptation based on Capcom’s video game franchise. Adi Shankar leads the series, and Studio Mir handles the animation, according to Netflix. The synopsis centers on Dante, an orphaned demon hunter for hire, and a plot involving a portal between the human and demon realms.
Rank #2
![Devil May Cry - The Complete Series S.A.V.E. [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXBo-CbPL._SL160_.jpg)
- Factory sealed DVD
Rotten Tomatoes lists the season’s release date as April 3, 2025, names Netflix as the viewing service, identifies Adi Shankar as creator, and shows eight episodes. Netflix lists the title for subscription viewing, and availability may vary by territory, so check the service in your country before assuming access.
What critics and viewers wrote
The critics consensus
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics consensus reads: “Honoring its source material’s flair for the bombastic, Devil May Cry slices and dices its way into the animation medium and makes a bloody memorable first impression.” That line is the collective summary of the critics on the page, not the view of a single reviewer.
Rank #3
- PS5X-0057
A critic on newcomers
Lyra Hale, writing for Fangirlish in a Rotten Tomatoes review dated April 11, 2025, said: “Having zero knowledge of Devil May Cry, I had a great time with Netflix’s new anime of the video game franchise without feeling like I was missing out on key information.” It is one reviewer’s experience, but it speaks directly to whether the show works without prior familiarity with the games.
An audience reviewer on pacing
A Rotten Tomatoes audience review reads: “Good animation. Quality overall. Good characters but the story feels like a build up for something else and the pacing is slow as a result.” This is one viewer’s wording. It shows a specific complaint, slow pacing and a story that feels like setup, but it does not represent the views of the 1,000-plus people who rated the show.
The creator’s framing
In Netflix’s media center, Adi Shankar said: “I’m honored that Netflix and Capcom have entrusted me to shepherd the DEVIL MAY CRY franchise.” That is the creator describing his role, not an assessment of the show’s quality.
Reading the gap between the two scores
A 30-point difference between critics and audiences is the clearest signal in the current numbers. It suggests that professional reviewers responded more favorably to the show than the broader audience that rated it, and the audience review above points toward one likely source of that split: pacing and the sense that the story is still setting up later events. Those are readings of individual comments, not findings about the whole audience.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Best Value
- Tribute for DMC Global Gamer Fans：A sincere wearable tribute to the iconic stylish action game Devil May Cry, featuring fan-favorite protagonist Dante, his legendary Rebellion sword and iconic Ebony & Ivory dual pistols spanning the whole DMC game series. This pendant turns your countless all-night gaming, boss-battle and combo-styling memories into wearable fandom. Wear it to show your deep love for the demon hunter saga and connect instantly with fellow DMC gamers worldwide.
- Premium Material & Exclusive Themed Craftsmanship：This custom necklace is crafted with detailed DMC-themed pendant molded after classic game symbols and Dante’s core weapon elements. Made of high-quality hypoallergenic polished alloy with advanced anti-tarnish electroplating to avoid rust, fading and darkening. perfect for daily wearing and long-term game memorabilia collection.
- Versatile Dark Styling for Daily & Cosplay Outfits：Boasting cool gothic and retro demon-hunter styling matching DMC’s dark aesthetic, this necklace pairs perfectly with casual hoodies, biker jackets, cargo overalls and punk streetwear. Wear alone for subtle gaming flair or stack with simple silver chains for layered standout look. Ideal for game conventions, DMC cosplay events, comic cons and everyday street outings.
- Perfect Fit & All-Day Wearing Comfort：Equipped with an adjustable extender chain to freely customize wearing length for men, women and teen fans. Lightweight compact pendant with fully smoothed rounded edges never rubs or irritates neck skin. Secure structure stays steadily in place without slipping, delivering relaxing comfort for long-hour convention trips and daily all-day wear.
- Sentimental Gift for Birthday, Holiday & Game Occasions：A meaningful collectible keepsake for every devoted Devil May Cry and action-game enthusiast. Perfect as birthday surprise gifts, game souvenir presents, Christmas and Thanksgiving holiday favors. Full of precious nostalgic gaming memories from your DMC playthroughs, it is an unexpected delightful treasure every hardcore DMC fan cherishes deeply.
What the gap does not establish
- It does not explain why the ratings differ. The sources here include reviewer and viewer comments, but no survey of why people scored the show the way they did.
- It does not establish a causal link between the show and the video game’s sales. Netflix describes the series as based on Capcom’s game IP, but no source here measures game sales.
- It does not show what viewers expected. The word “surprising” in the headline is editorial framing. The sources document a high critics score and a lower audience score, and nothing more about expectations, so avoid claiming the show surprised critics or fans unless a source says so.
Where the game fits
The video game is the source franchise, not a companion that unlocks the series. Netflix’s own description of the show as based on Capcom’s game IP is the reason to mention it, and Lyra Hale’s review suggests the series can be followed without playing the games first. Anyone who wants to explore the franchise’s origins can start with the games, but doing so does not give access to the Netflix series.
Limits of the current evidence
- Rotten Tomatoes scores and counts change as reviews and ratings are added. The figures here are as checked on October 8, 2026, and may differ when you read this.
- No broader audience survey of the show’s reception was available. The audience picture rests on the Popcornmeter aggregate and the individual reviews quoted above.
- The launch figures come from GameSpot’s April 10, 2025 report, which relayed Netflix disclosures. They were not independently audited.
The defensible reading of the reception is that critics responded very positively to Season 1, while the audience rating is substantially lower. Both can be true at once, and the reasons for the gap are not established by the available evidence.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
