25 Things You DIDN'T Know About Devil May Cry
25 Things You Didn’t Know About Devil May Cry
Welcome to MojoPlays and today we’re getting stylish as we hack and slash our way through all the hidden details, easter eggs and behind the scenes facts about our favorite demon slayer and his iconic series.
A Rejected Prototype
It should come as no surprise that one of the coolest action series in gaming started life as something completely different. Back in the late ‘90s, director Hideki Kamiya and his team at Capcom were hard at work on a prototype for Resident Evil 4. This early version featured a cocky, superhuman hero named Tony Redgrave fighting his way through a gothic castle packed with horror elements. But Capcom quickly realized the combat they were building was far too action-heavy for a proper survival horror game. So they made the smart call to scrap the Resident Evil plans, rename the character Dante, and spin the whole thing into an entirely new franchise. In doing so they accidentally invented the character action genre and gave us the stylish demon hunter we all love. Sometimes the best games happen when developers have the guts to walk away from a safe plan.
Familiar Face
Ever wonder why Dante and Resident Evil’s Leon look eerily similar? No? Just us? Well, there’s actually a good reason for that. Because the original Devil May Cry prototype shared assets with what eventually became Resident Evil 4. Dante’s early design and body proportions were built directly on Leon’s model. Same face shape, same height, same everything. When they split the projects apart, that shared foundation stayed in place, which is why the two characters still look like long-lost cousins to this day. It’s one of those funny little development quirks that makes you appreciate how intertwined these Capcom series once were. Without that leftover Leon DNA, Dante might have ended up looking completely different, and we probably wouldn’t love his cocky grin quite as much.
The Inferno
The whole Devil May Cry series is one giant love letter to classic literature. Dante, Vergil, Trish, and even Eva are all named after characters — or the author himself — from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. Capcom didn’t stop at just borrowing names either. They leaned hard into the literary roots to build the entire demon-hunting mythology, complete with demonic pacts, family drama, and trips through hellish realms. It gives the over-the-top action a surprising amount of depth and makes the whole universe feel like a heavy metal opera based on a 14th-century poem. Who knew demon-slaying pizza enthusiasts could be so cultured?
Influential Direction
It should come as no surprise that the man who started it all only stuck around for one game. Hideki Kamiya directed the original Devil May Cry, where he basically created the “stylish action” genre with its combo system and style rankings that still define the series today. After that, he handed the reins over to Hideaki Itsuno, who shaped everything from the infamous DMC2 salvage job all the way through to the masterpiece that is DMC5. Kamiya lit the fuse, but Itsuno is the one who kept the fireworks going for two decades. It’s a classic case of the right people being in the right place at the right time to make gaming history.
Sequel Disaster
DMC2 was a rushed mess that somehow got saved at the last second. While the first game was still being localized, a completely different team started work on the sequel and immediately steered it off course. The project was in such bad shape that Hideaki Itsuno was given only four to five months to finish it. That breakneck timeline explains the infamous story disconnect, the brooding silent Dante, and the mixed reception the game still gets. Yet that disappointment lit a fire under the developers, directly leading to the much stronger DMC3. Sometimes the worst entries end up saving the franchise in the long run.
Always One in the Chamber
Ebony & Ivory never need reloading for one very simple reason: Dante makes the bullets himself. His demonic powers let him generate infinite ammo on the fly, which is why he can spam hundreds of shots without ever pausing to reload. Those custom rounds are also far deadlier against demons than normal bullets, giving the twin pistols their signature bite. It’s a perfect little detail that fits Dante’s half-demon nature perfectly and saves him from ever looking uncool in the middle of a fight. Nothing kills the stylish vibe like stopping to reload, right?
A Sticking Point
Dante gets impaled in literally every main game except DMC2, and it’s become one of the series’ most dramatic running jokes. Trish pins him with Force Edge in the first game, Vergil runs him through with both Yamato and Rebellion in DMC3, Nero stabs him in DMC4, and he even stabs himself in DMC5 just to trigger Sin Devil Trigger. Just half-demon resilience at its most theatrical. The guy has been turned into a demonic kebab more times than most characters get shot, yet he just brushes it off like it’s another Tuesday. It’s the kind of over-the-top family drama that only Devil May Cry can pull off without feeling completely ridiculous. DMC2 somehow dodged the trend, probably because Dante was too busy brooding to get stabbed that time.
Forever Young
Dante ages way slower than humans thanks to that powerful Sparda bloodline running through his veins. He’s only 19 in Devil May Cry 3, already around 28 or 29 by the time of the first game, and pushing 45 in DMC5—yet he still looks and fights like a guy in his prime. No dad bod, no creaky joints, just endless pizza-fueled acrobatics and cocky one-liners. It’s the ultimate power fantasy: the ability to party like you’re twenty while technically being old enough to have a mid-life crisis. While the rest of us are out here googling knee braces, Dante’s still doing backflips off buildings and slicing demons in half. Some guys really do get all the breaks.
Familiar Familiars
V’s familiars are literal manifestations of Vergil’s DMC1 trauma. Griffon, Shadow, and Nightmare are more than just cool summons—they’re echoes of the exact demons Dante fought in the original game, pulled straight from Vergil’s painful memories while he was trapped as Nelo Angelo. It’s a brilliant bit of storytelling that turns gameplay mechanics into deep character psychology. Every time V sends out those nightmarish pets, he’s basically fighting his own past. Capcom snuck in some real emotional weight behind the stylish action, which makes V feel like more than just a new playable character. He’s a walking therapy session with demonic familiars.
Poetry Slam
DMC5 is packed with William Blake poetry references from start to finish. V constantly quotes the poet, carries around his book like a security blanket, and even Nico rocks a tattoo of his lines. Capcom clearly decided to double down on the series’ literary DNA and it works beautifully. The heavy metal demon hunter franchise somehow feels right at home mixing Blake’s romantic poetry with shotgun blasts and slicing demons. It gives the game an extra layer of style that most action titles wouldn’t even attempt. Who else could make quoting 18th-century poetry while summoning demons feel completely natural?
Resident Enemies
Almost every enemy in the original Devil May Cry is a sneaky Resident Evil reference. The Marionettes act like zombies, the Blades are basically Hunters, and those giant bugs feel pulled straight from RE’s bug-infested labs. Even Dante and Vergil (as Nelo Angelo) were originally meant to parallel Leon and Wesker. The whole game was built on the bones of what started as Resident Evil 4, so these connections make perfect sense. It’s interesting to see how Capcom took horror assets and turned them into stylish action fodder. What began as survival horror leftovers became the foundation for an entirely new genre.
Classic Homage
Almost everything about Dante’s personality was inspired by a 70s manga anti-hero. Hideki Kamiya modeled the Son of Sparda’s red coat, cocky attitude, and endless one-liners after Cobra from Space Adventure Cobra. The only real change? They swapped the cigars and hard-drinking for pizza and strawberry sundaes to keep things semi family-friendly. Well, as family-friendly as demon slaying can get anyways. It’s the perfect blend of cool, sarcastic rebel with a heart of gold that makes Dante so magnetic. Without that manga DNA, we might have ended up with a brooding, silent protagonist instead of the wisecracking pizza addict we all love. Sometimes the best characters are just beloved troublemakers borrowed from another medium and given a demonic upgrade.
Job Security
Reuben Langdon basically defined Dante for two full decades. He has voiced the character and provided the motion capture since Devil May Cry 3, turning him into the acrobatic, wisecracking icon we all know and love. Every cocky taunt, every stylish flip, and every dramatic pose carries Langdon’s performance DNA. It’s rare for one actor to own a role so completely across multiple games and generations but thanks to him, Dante feels like a living, breathing legend who’s been annoying demons (and us) in the best possible way for twenty-plus years.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Trish gets two fun little shop cameos in Devil May Cry 5. Keep an eye out for “Trish’s Greasy Spoon” and “Gloria’s Greens”—her undercover alias from DMC4. These hidden vendor names are Capcom’s cute way of saying she’s still around and part of the crew even when she’s not kicking demon ass on screen. It’s the kind of small detail that makes the world feel alive and connected. After everything she’s been through with Dante, it’s nice to know she’s out there running greasy spoons and health food spots when she’s not busy being an electric demon badass.
Mission Accomplished
Ever since DMC1, the devs have cleverly hidden the mission numbers in each mission’s opening cinematic, and some of them are really quite cleverly hidden. Whether it’s a pizza box for Mission 1 or some other sneaky background detail, Capcom has been hiding the mission number in plain sight since day one. It’s such a small developer wink that most players never notice it on their first playthrough. These little touches show how much personality the team poured into the series right from the beginning. Even after all these years, finding them still feels like getting a private high-five from the developers.
V-ery Easy
DMC5’s newcomer V might seem underpowered compared to his counterparts, but he was deliberately designed to be “easy style.” Hideaki Itsuno made sure that playing as V lets you rack up those sweet SSS ranks almost effortlessly so new players would instantly fall in love with him. They used the same clever trick they pulled with Nero back in DMC4. It’s a smart move that lowers the barrier without dumbing down the core experience. Newcomers get to feel like stylish badasses right away, while veterans can still push for perfect ranks. Thanks to this thoughtful design, V became an instant fan favorite instead of another frustrating newcomer. Sometimes the best way to welcome people into a hardcore series is to let them look cool while they learn the ropes.
Reboot Reference
DMC5 quietly nods to the 2013 DmC reboot in a couple of cool ways. Nico burning a cigarette into a demon’s face mirrors a moment from one of the DmC trailers, and V’s white hair when he enters Devil Trigger is another subtle bridge between the two timelines. Capcom didn’t make a big deal about it, but these little references show they’re at peace with the reboot’s legacy. It’s a classy move that acknowledges the past without forcing it down anyone’s throat. Even when fans were divided, the developers still found ways to weave both versions of the legend together. And for the record, DMC gets far more hatred than it deserves.
The King of Devils
Dante’s Dr. Faust hat dance in DMC5 will be familiar to anyone with even a passing knowledge about the “King of Pop”. The entire sequence is an unapologetic MJ tribute, complete with the moonwalk, hat tricks, and smooth choreography that feels straight out of Thriller. It’s ridiculous, over-the-top, and absolutely perfect for Dante. In the middle of a demon apocalypse, he still finds time to pull off the smoothest dance moves this side of the Neverland Ranch. Only in Devil May Cry would a magical hat become an excuse for one of the most entertaining easter eggs in the series. Respect where respect is due — Dante knows how to moonwalk on demons and we all had the same reaction as Nico watching Dante’s performance.
Dante Rocks!
As the worst kept secret in the entire series, Dante has a clear love for music. He shreds on the guitar-shaped Devil Arm Nevan in DMC3 and has drum kits and guitars scattered all over his office. His hybrid demonic reflexes apparently make him an absolute god on any instrument he picks up. The guy doesn’t just hunt demons — he could probably headline a festival while doing it if he felt like it. It also fits his personality perfectly: cocky, flashy, and always ready to show off. While most heroes get epic swords, Dante gets legendary weapons that double as sick musical instruments. Some people really do have all the talent.
Just A “Cool Girl”
Despite much fan speculation over the years, the iconic female silhouette in the DMC shop logo isn’t Trish. Kamiya himself finally confirmed after 20-plus years that she’s just “a cool girl,” not Trish or any other specific character. Fans had been theorizing and arguing about it for decades, only to find out it was never that deep. It’s the ultimate developer troll that kept the community guessing for generations. Sometimes the simplest answer really is the right one, even if it took twenty years and countless forum threads to get there. The mystery is finally solved, and the cool girl remains cool.
Stockpiled Arsenal
Ever wonder what Dante does with all those awesome weapons he collects throughout the years? According to the official CD drama lore, weapons like Alastor, Agni & Rudra, and several other relics are tucked away in the back closet of his shop. He just never uses them anymore. After all these years of collecting legendary demon-slaying gear, Dante has basically turned his Devil May Cry office into a supernatural trophy room. It’s a fun reminder that even the most stylish demon hunter has a sentimental side. While he’s out twirling fancy new swords, his old favorites are gathering dust like forgotten guitars in a rock star’s garage. Some weapons are just too legendary to throw away, even when you’ve moved on to shinier toys.
Mysterious Origins
The origins of Dante’s classic Ebony & Ivory’s creator lore has changed so many times over the years, we doubt even Dante remembers how he got them anymore. First it was said that Dante made the twin pistols himself. Then the story shifted to an unnamed friend crafting them. Later the novels claimed it was Nell Goldstein, Nico’s grandma. And finally DMC5 confirmed Nell as the gunsmith once and for all. Capcom kept retconning the details across games, novels, and other media. It’s the kind of long-running lore shuffle that only long-time fans notice, but it shows how much the team kept tweaking the world even after launch. In the end, it doesn’t really matter who built them — as long as Dante can keep dual-wielding those infinite-ammo beauties like the stylish slacker he is.
Quick Time Overload
DMC1 gameplay was almost completely different from the genre defining pioneer we ended up with. Early prototypes planned to include a bunch of QTEs, but time constraints killed the idea before they made it into the final game. Thank goodness they did, because the series might have gone in a very different and much more frustrating direction. Instead of stopping the flow every few minutes for button prompts, we got pure, uninterrupted stylish action that still feels incredible today. It’s one of those rare cases where technical limitations actually saved a game from a bad design choice. There’s nothing wrong with a well placed quick time event, but they don’t have any place within the DMC series.
Devil Triggered
Devil May Cry inspired countless imitators, but Bayonetta from DMC creator Hideki Kamiya is understandably absolutely loaded with Devil May Cry love letters. From the iconic “Let’s rock, baby!” line to the “Team Little Angels” credit instead of “Team Little Devils,” the references keep coming. There’s even a character named Antonio Redgrave. On top of that, the gameplay itself pulls straight from Kamiya’s original stylish action vision. It’s basically one massive thank-you note from one genre-defining director to the series he helped create. Rather than just serving as a spiritual successor, Bayonetta acts as a proud relative, flaunting the lessons it picked up from the family legacy.
Hail to the King
Who do you think is the most popular character in all of Capcom’s video game library? Just like us you probably immediately thought of Leon, but you’d be wrong. In the 2024 Capcom Super Elections, Dante beat out every Resident Evil and Street Fighter icon combined. After twenty-five years, the Son of Sparda is still sitting on the throne. It’s a massive statement considering the competition includes legends like Leon, Ryu, and Chun-Li. Dante’s perfect mix of cocky attitude, pizza obsession, and demon-slaying swagger has kept him at the top for a quarter of a century. Some characters peak and fade. Others, like Dante, just keep getting cooler with age. Long live the king.
What’s your favorite little known fact about Dante and what’s your all time favorite Devil May Cry game? Share your picks in the comments.
