Netflix’s Devil May Cry drops a bombshell with its Raccoon City connection

The horror fantasy anime series Devil May Cry dropped on Netflix on April 3, 2025. The series is based on Capcom's eponymous video game series and sees the demon hunter Dante facing off against the villain White Rabbit, who is determined to break open the rift that keeps Earth separated from Hell.

However, before Dante comes face to face with the White Rabbit, he and his frenemy Enzo get captured by Lieutenant Mary Arkham in episode 3 of Devil May Cry.

On the order of Vice President Baines, Mary is taking them to Darkcom. In a conversation between Dante and Enzo, a Resident Evil reference is dropped, and fans cannot stop talking about it.

---

Enzo mentions Resident Evil's Raccoon City in Devil May Cry

The series ended with White Rabbit dying as Dante and Mary work together to prevent the human-turned-demon from surviving. By separating the amulet from the sword, Dante also made sure that the vortex closes so that the demons who crossed over to Earth go back to Hell.

Before dying, the White Rabbit revealed that Dante's brother, Vergil, is alive. Later, Vergil appears and frees several captives of Makai, announcing that they should be grateful to King Mundus. He also states that the greatest threat to humanity is none other than himself. With Dante cryofrozen, thanks to Baines and Mary, and King Mundus out, the story has left fans with a strong cliffhanger.

Dante complains to Enzo that this is one of the worst missions he has brought to him. Enzo is quick to point out that Raccoon City was worse than this. For those unversed, Raccoon City is the town that kicked off the Resident Evil franchise.

Raccoon City was a central location in the Resident Evil franchise during the first three installments, known for being overrun by zombies and monsters created by the T-virus outbreak. Eventually, the U.S. government destroyed the city with a nuclear strike to contain the infection, effectively wiping it off the map.

Netflix already has a Resident Evil animated series titled Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, which was released in 2021. This series was set between the events of the video games Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5. There is also a live-action series that was released on Netflix in 2022.

While Raccoon City has been featured in the live-action reboot film, Welcome to the Raccoon City, a series related to the location has not been released so far. This Easter Egg in Devil May Cry might be a simple Capcom reference besides the many others, or it might be part of a bigger plan

---

Adi Shankar confirmed it's a prequel, not a game adaptation

In an interview with TV Insider published on April 2, 2025, creator Adi Shankar said that the Devil May Cry series is not based on the first video game. Instead, he said:

“Season 1 is based on a prequel manga to the third game. That’s the closest comparable, but it is its own thing while also being very much a prequel, again.”

The show is a part Shankar’s Bootleg Universe which includes Castlevania, Castlevania: Nocturne, The Guardians of Justice, and Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix.

---

Devil May Cry is available to stream on Netflix.