- For the original timeline version of this character, see Juste Belmont.
- "I was the most powerful magician the Belmont line ever produced. Barely needed the whip. I could roast a whole nest of them with a burst of flame."
- — Juste to Richter in "Guilty Men to be Judged"
Juste Belmont (ジュスト・ベルモンド Jusuto Berumondo?) is a character in the Netflix original animated series, Castlevania: Nocturne. He is Richter Belmont's grandfather, who became estranged from his family after the death of his loved ones and continued living his life at the margin of society.
He is voiced by Iain Glen.
History[]
Juste is a member of the Belmont family of vampire hunters and was a powerful magician in his youth, like his ancestress Sypha Belnades. He claims to have killed thousands of vampires in his prime. He then married Lydie and had Julia. When his wife Lydie and friend Maxim were murdered, he lost the will to fight, and his magic left him. He also refused to leave with his daughter to hunt vampires in the New World. When Julia was killed by Olrox, Juste watched over Richter from a distance, sending money to Tera to help support him.
Years later, Juste is found eating in a tavern and sees his grandson at the bar attempting to get a meal, and he tells the bartender to put it on his own tab. When Richter thanked him, Juste told him not to expect another one. A vampire then enters the tavern and demands Juste to show himself, as Juste had promised to kill the vampire prior if they showed themselves in town. Richter was about to grab his whip, but it was gone, as Juste had taken it and used it to kill the vampire. He then returned the whip to Richter, but the latter followed him, demanding to tell him who he was. The old man then revealed that he was Juste Belmont, his grandfather, and left with Richter following him, looking for answers from the stranger.
Walking with Richter, Juste jokes he is going to kill Tera, assuming she told Richter of him and where to find him, although he takes back his mild cursing of her when he learns Richter found him simply by chance. Arriving at Juste's cottage, the younger Belmont is ashamed at the state of the lodging, noting that as a Belmont Juste shouldn't be hiding in a tiny hovel in the woods.
Juste then tells his past life story to Richter, including the brutal slaying of Richter's grandmother and Juste's best friend, and then asks if Julia died quickly. Sadly, Richter tells him she suffered greatly at the hands of Olrox. Juste then asks why Richter was there, and Richter then breaks down crying. Juste seems to embrace his grandson in his sorrow, but he hesitates and sits silently.
Later, as Juste walks away to relieve himself, Richter senses vampires approaching. Unfortunately for him, he was overpowered by Nikolai and his goons and restrained along with Juste. Nikolai taunts Richter about his failings to save his new family as Juste watches, unable to do anything. Just as Richter is about to be killed, he turns to Juste to find the old man staring at him in the exact same way his mother did before she died. This awakens his latent magic, and he kills the vampire goons. Juste frees himself, takes the whip, and helps Richter kill Nikolai.
Season 2[]
Juste is attacked by vampires off-screen during the eclipse but manages to take them all out. When Richter and others arrive, they panic when they see his hut on fire. Juste is seen relieving himself in the lake; Juste happily greets Alucard but then notes that his presence means nothing good. Juste then talked about the situation with Alucard Richter and Annette. After a strategy meeting, Juste offered to go with his grandson to Paris. However, Richter said that Erzsebet was still in Machecoul, and he needed Juste to protect Maria from doing something stupid. Juste was hesitant at first, but Richter pleaded that Maria needs him and he owe it to Tera, Juste is then surprised by a hug from Richter.
Juste is then seen retrieving a chest from the remnants of his home, containing his red cloak and weapons from his glory days. Juste then visits the grave of his late wife, Lydie. He told her that he must rejoin the fight and that their grandson was also risking his life. Juste made his peace with his wife and then walked over to a wall memorial and opened a hidden compartment, revealing a ring while saying evil perhaps doesn't always have to win. Juste is then seen walking through town and is on edge due to the state of the townspeople. Juste then appeared to protect Maria from Tera as he saw her as a vampire that must be killed; after a brief scuffle, Tera pinned Juste to the ground and was about to feed on him, but Tera regained her senses. Juste and Tera talked about what Tera was teaching Maria, but they both noticed that Maria had vanished; Tera then begged Juste to stop Maria from killing her father. Juste appeared at the Abbey and begged Maria not to kill Abbot Emmanuel as her mother didn't want that and that she shouldn't let corrupt men dictate her life choices; Maria responded that most of the world's problems were because of corrupt men like her father, Juste then watched in horror as Maria used a Black Dragon to incinerate the Abbot. Juste then had to save Maria from the Dragon as she couldn't control it, but thanks to Juste reawakening his magic and Tera piercing the dragon's snout with an Icicle Spear, the dragon backed down and returned to the Abyss. Just then, he caught Maria in his arms as she fainted from exhaustion. Juste then picked her up in his arms, and as he walked out of the Abbey, he told Tera, who had just arrived, that those monsters were not something Maria should be messing with, or else they would corrupt her mind.
Juste then returned to the hideout and lay Maria on a wall; Juste then noticed Mizrak, who had arrived with food and water. Juste introduced himself as Richter's grandfather. Mizrak also introduced himself. Juste then told Mizrak about Emmanuel's death; Mizrak asked Juste if his former superior faced his death as a man; Maria, who had just woken up, sarcastically stated that her father died a coward; Mizrak asked if the devil took the Abbot, Juste stated that something took him, but he had no idea what it was, Juste then tried to talk to Maria about killing her father, but Maria told him that he was Richter's Grandfather and not hers and stormed off, Juste then noted that having kids was a pain. He jokingly praised Mizrak as Mizrak was a monk who swore a vow of chastity, not knowing that Mizrak was not only not a virgin but he was also homosexual, which are two things Christians were against. Juste then approached Maria, asking her if she needed anything; Maria told him that she wanted to be left alone. Juste honored her wish, but he sat outside where she was sleeping to guard her.
Approaching Maria, Juste notes the peculiar nature of staring into a void. Maria claims she knows that he disapproves of having her father killed, and Juste tries to reason with her, citing while she is talented, she's far too inexperienced. After Maria claims that he was using the same flawed logic about magic he told her before, Tera arrives, stating that her father deserved to die. Despite Just demanding that Maria not approach her mother, Maria does and compliments her newfound power. This leads to a debate about how Maria should embrace the light and not the darkness; however, Maria refuses and insists that her mother bite into her neck. In light of this, Juste lights up his hands and demands that Tera back away from Maria. Despite this, Tera does not bite into Maria's neck and decides for their betterment. They part ways and rediscover each other. Before running away, Tera entrusts Just with watching over Maria. Tera then runs away, causing Maria to pursue her, but she falls midway, and Juste then approaches her as she cries in anguish.
Afterward, Juste sits across from a forlorn Maria, who is still trying to process being separated from her mother, and Maria states that a war is happening. Although Juste claims they should warn others about it, Maria states they shouldn't and fight in it instead.
Juste stood on guard with Mizrak as Maria tried to reseal a red wolf back through a portal. He advised her on how to summon a familiar properly and stated how Richter reminded him of who he was. When Maria notes her frustration about not belonging to anyone, Juste claims they're family now, despite Maria not carrying the Belmont name. The words by Juste move Maria, who, after having a flashback, tries again to summon a creature and successfully summons a tamed white tiger.
Eventually, Juste stands beside Mizrak as Maria joins them, where the eclipse occurs in the sky again.
Arriving in Paris with Maria and Mizrak, Juste assists Richter and the embodiment of Sekhmet in a fight against Erzsebet's cult members and then against Erzsebet herself. Juste manages to briefly incapacitate Erzsebet into a building using a giant ice spear and later pins her to the ground with ice spikes. However, he and Maria are blown away and knocked unconscious by Erzsebet.
After the battle with Drolta is over, Juste awakens Maria from her unconscious state, and they join Annette and Richter in gazing at the sunrise.
Afterward, Juste has a heart-to-heart with Alucard about not being a part of his youth more. Alucard admits he was traveling a lot during those times, mainly to Japan and India. Alucard apologizes for not being there for Juste during his childhood, but Juste is fine with that.
That night, Juste, Alucard, and Maria see Edouard, Richter, and Annette off, and as Juste walks with Alucard and Maria, Juste and Alucard admit they plan on staying in Paris.
The next day, Juste, with a basket full of bread, joins Maria and Alucard, observing the executions being held there.
Appearance[]
Juste is an older man with long white hair, a scruffy beard that follows his jawline, and a mustache. He wears a black shirt and brown pants with boots. After deciding to rejoin the fight, Juste donned a red velvet coat with two silver shoulder pauldrons bearing the Belmont Crest on them. He also started wearing his signature ring again.
Personality[]
Juste appears to be a depressed old man, weighed down by the heartbreaking death of his wife, Lydie, and the butchering of his best friend, Maxim, at the hands of the vampire Lord Ruthven some years prior. However, he still has some humor in him, as he uses clever comebacks and somewhat witty responses when conversing with Richter. Despite becoming a distant and reclusive man, Juste still possesses a caring side toward his grandson Richter, as it is demonstrated by how he has financially supported him, Tera and Maria for years with money he gains killing the vampires of the province, and how he buys dinner for Richter when he could not afford it himself. Furthermore, he is visibly worried about him when they are threatened by Báthory's hunters.
Powers and abilities[]
Powers[]
- Magic: As a descendant of Sypha Belnades, Juste was a very powerful mage with control over the elements. According to him, he was possibly the most powerful sorcerer the Belmont line ever produced, but he lost his power after losing his wife and best friend. His magical power and skill allowed him to defeat countless vampires during his youth. Back in his days, in his own words, he "could roast a whole nest of them with a burst of flame." He later reawakened his abilities to use magic again while protecting Maria from the dragon she summoned.
- Pyrokinesis: Juste can project powerful fire beams from his fingers. He stated that his flames were so powerful that he sometimes didn't even need his whip. He and Richter used their flames in combination with those of Maria's dragon to attack Erzsebet Báthory.
- Cryokinesis: Juste is able to create constructions of ice. When his magic resurfaced, he conjured an ice blade to pierce the mouth of the dragon Maria summoned. In the battle against Báthory in Paris, he showed unusual skills such as freezing the ground to slide on it, created ice stakes to impale his enemies, and constructs such as a hovering cross, which when rotated, released multiple icicles in rapid succession, and ice barriers that he used to defend Richter from Báthory's claws.
- Electrokinesis: Juste can create yellow lightning from his fingers. He used his lightning to attack Erzsebet Báthory.
Attributes[]
- Peak human conditioning: Despite his old age and depression, Juste remains in peak physical condition, with astounding levels of strength, speed, and reflexes. When facing off against the vampire Tera, Juste proved strong enough to harm Tera with unarmed blows, staggering her with punches to the face and knocking her back with kicks, and even managed to casually crack two of Tera's fingers in short order, causing her to yelp in pain, and fast enough to dodge her close-ranged bursts of fire while pressuring her with his sword.
Abilities[]
- Master martial artist: Despite no longer possessing the magical abilities of his youth, Juste is still a veteran vampire killer and a master martial artist. He is still incredibly proficient with a whip, using it deftly and with finesse to dispatch a vampire in the pub he met Richter in, and later again when Richter fought Nikolai. When he fought against the vampirized Tera, he demonstrated excellent skills in both unarmed combat and swordsmanship, being able to put Tera on the backfoot despite her mixing both vampiric physical prowess and magic in close-combat, forcing Tera to resort to catching him off-guard by manipulating a shard of ice from the wall encasing Maria to overpower him.
- Master knife thrower: Juste is highly proficient at throwing knives, being able to throw dozens of them at such a rapid rate that Tera was unable to retaliate against him while he was throwing the knives despite her superhuman speed and reflexes as a vampire, with a share of his knives landing on her despite her actively dodging and soon forcing her to go into the sky in order to avoid his knives.
Appearances[]
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Quotes[]
- -Juste: "Well, you know what they say about a free dinner."
- -Richter: "Do they say anything?"
- -Juste: "They say, "Go back to where you came from and don't expect another one". Or maybe that's just me." ("The Natural Order")
- "Please, call me anything but granddad." (to Richter) ("Guilty Men to be Judged")
- "I was a hero... once. I lost count of how many vampires I killed... "heroically". The whip was mine, then, of course. But I had other powers. One of our ancestors 300 years ago was a great sorceress." ("Guilty Men to be Judged")
- "I had a wife. Your grandmother, Lydie. And a friend too, if you can believe that. His name was Maxim. A vampire killed them both. Lord Ruthven." ("Guilty Men to be Judged")
- "I held her in my arms, pleading with her to come back to me. 'Come back to me.' Holding her. So limp. So cold. So cold. And across the hall, Maxim, my friend, butchered. And for a while, not quite dead. All because of me. The magic left me. I had nothing. Nothing left." (Describing the death of Lydie and Maxim and how he lost his ability to use magic to Richter in "Guilty Men to be Judged")
- "Evil will always win, Richter. Whatever it is, evil. And it's everywhere. It will always be stronger than us. And you can kill this or that devil. A Lord Ruthven, a Dracula, maybe even an Olrox. But there'll always be more, more and worse. And they'll murder the people you love. No one around you are safe. Evil will always win." ("Guilty Men to be Judged")
- "Forgive me, Lydie. I haven't brought any flowers. But that's not why I'm here. I have to rejoin the fight. I can't hide away anymore. Perhaps this time, evil doesn't have to win." ("Angel of Death")
- "Now you show me a rat that's different from any other rat. I've seen hundreds of vampires in my life, and they're all the same." ("The Widow's Window")
- "Because you're good, Maria. Your power is a force for good in the world. Not for killing stupid old men." ("Monstrous Things")
- "These dark, monstrous things. she should leave them alone. Or they'll corrupt her and destroy her. Is that what you want?" ("Monstrous Things")
- "When Richter regained his magic, he said it was because he had to."("Monstrous Things")
- "Fire and ice and wind, they're just the elements. Things in this world we learned how to bend to our will. But those things you conjure, they're a place we don't understand. Maybe the same place where your father's soul was dragged... Whatever it is, those monsters, they're conjured from despair, Maria. Despair will rot you from inside out."("Monstrous Things")
- "It shouldn't feel good, Maria. The world can be a dark place, full of horror. But if you surrender to the darkness, what's the point in living? None of us counts for much. All of us will be forgotten eventually. But there's something miraculous about us being here at all. To see this world. Breathe its air. Smell the forest at night. Feel the sun on our skin. If we're still able to do that... there is a point in living." ("Into the Abyss")
- -Juste: "You have to want to put your magic right"
- -Maria: "I don't know how."
- -Juste: "Start with what's in here. I know loss. I know what it's like to fight your way back to yourself. Richter reminded me of what I'm a part of. What brings my magic to life."
- -Maria: "I'm not a part of anything anymore."
- -Juste: "We're family. Even if you don't carry the Belmont name."
- — ("Ancestors")
- "Turns out I'm not too old for magic after all." ("Grenadye Alaso")
Gallery[]
- Main article: Juste Belmont (animated series)/Gallery
Trivia[]
- During the episode "Guilty Men to be Judged", while Juste is talking about his past to Richter in his hut, the fireplace illuminates his shirt and this acquires a reddish tone, making reference to his signature red coat from the games.
- In Season 2 of Castlevania: Nocturne, he begins wearing his iconic red coat.
- In the game Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Juste is able to collect pieces of furniture from all over the castle to decorate a special room he can access, creating a lavish abode. In Castlevania: Nocturne, Juste's tiny cottage barely has any furniture, and he even looks to be sleeping on the floor, hinting as to how far into depression he has fallen since losing his loved ones.
- Juste mentions his grandfather to Alucard in the Season 2 finale of Castlevania: Nocturne, "A Line of Great Heroes". This could possibly be Simon Belmont as in the video games continuity.