Netflix’s latest anime adaptation, Devil May Cry, has fans talking—and not just because of Dante’s trademark swagger. While the cocky demon hunter has been praised for his faithful on-screen portrayal, not everyone is thrilled with the direction the series took with another fan-favorite: Lady.
Lady, a beloved character from the Devil May Cry video game franchise, was expected to shine in the new series. And shine she does, just not in the way longtime fans hoped.
When the series premiered on April 3, many were eager to see how Netflix and producer Adi Shankar would bring the characters to life, especially the dynamic between Dante and Lady, a fan-favorite pairing since Devil May Cry 3. However, as the show progressed, viewers quickly noticed a glaring disconnect between Lady’s in-game persona and her anime counterpart.
After watching Netflix’s Devil May Cry more times than I should have, I can confidently say that Netflix gave Lady the spotlight she needed but in the worst possible way.
writes anime critic Vamsi Krishna.
Lady is no stranger to trauma or action, fans know her as the fearless fighter who took down her own father to avenge her mother. In the anime, she’s introduced as a high-ranking lieutenant under Vice President William Baines at the mysterious organization DARKCOM. A respected leader and a formidable combatant, she commands respect and leads her team with confidence.
But despite her commanding presence and combat prowess, her personality feels jarringly off.
In the series, Lady’s portrayal leans heavily into what fans are calling an “angsty teen” trope. She’s seen constantly cussing, often without context or necessity.
Cussing in response to frustration is natural, but cussing whenever you get the chance is just annoying.
Krishna explains
A widely shared fan post echoed the sentiment:
“Yeeeeeahhh, I agree with everyone, I don’t like this portrayal of Lady. Swearing doesn’t make you cool, I repeat: swearing doesn’t make you cool. Plus, I hate the stupid trope of making someone cool and competent at the expense of the main character.” — @TrainerRad164, April 4, 2025
Another criticism? Lady’s lack of discernment. In the games, she’s known for her ability to read people especially in recognizing that Dante, despite being half-demon, is far from evil. The anime strips away this nuance, presenting her as a soldier who blindly follows orders, even when they come from the clearly suspicious Baines.
She doesn’t realize Baines’ true intentions and nature even after he tells her that her team is expendable. Instead of turning against Baines, she continues to obey him and this shook me.
Krishna points out.
This shift in personality might have been more forgivable had Lady played a background role, but in Netflix’s adaptation, she is arguably the central figure of Season 1. That spotlight, paired with a drastically altered personality, has left fans frustrated.
While wanting to dissect a character and explore their darker nuances is a great move, leaning into it so much that it changes up the entire personality of a well-known character is not. The decision made everyone cringe and putting her in the spotlight with this new personality was the worst choice.
Krishna concludes
Despite the mixed reception of Lady’s portrayal, Devil May Cry is streaming now on Netflix and with a second season already in the works, fans are hopeful the next chapter will bring a more balanced take on the iconic demon-slaying heroine.
Source: FandomWire
