Netflix recalls Devil May Cry merchandise after character name misspelling
The error, which spelled the name as "Virgil," appeared on a shirt depicting Dante and his brother, coinciding with the launch of the second season of the animated adaptation.
Netflix has issued a recall for official merchandise linked to its Devil May Cry animated adaptation after a t-shirt incorrectly spelled the name of lead character Vergil as "Virgil". The product, which featured a side-by-side portrait of series protagonist Dante and his brother, has been removed from the company’s online storefront.
The misspelling is notable given the literary origins of the character names. Vergil’s name is derived from the Roman poet Virgil, while Dante’s is inspired by Dante Alighieri. Despite the shared inspiration from historical writers, the merchandise correctly spelled the protagonist’s name while erring on the brother’s.
The recall comes as the second season of the Netflix adaptation began streaming earlier this week. The animated series has received positive reviews from critics and audiences, marking a significant cultural moment for the franchise.
This release follows a seven-year gap in new video game titles for the series, with the last entry, Devil May Cry 5, released in 2019. The animated show represents a major expansion of the brand into new media formats while the gaming franchise remains on hiatus.
The incident highlights the challenges of brand consistency in licensed merchandise. While the error is easily understandable given the phonetic similarity to the Roman poet, it required immediate correction to maintain accuracy for the property’s established lore.
