Joachim Armster

Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

Joachim Armster is a villain/enemy within Castlevania: Lament of Innocence. He's a vampire and former lieutenant of Walter Berhnard. Joachim, seeking freedom and more power, tried to usurp him. Walter, in retaliation, trapped him in the castle dungeon, surrounded by water, and left with nothing to feed on, playing with Joachim like a toy.

When the main character, Leon Belmont, finds Joachim, he has gone mad with hunger. He's not only filled with hunger, but bloodlust towards Walter, and anger what he has been put through. Fueled by resent and hunger, he attacks Leon Belmont, only to be killed.

I have many thoughts on Joachim as a character, personally speaking. I've made an entire section dedicated to my headcanons as well as an alternate timeline where he lives, unrelated to Joachim Mode. I don't know what it is about him that has captivated me so. I believe part of it has to do with this idea that his hubris got the better of him and he's paying the price, but also of this idea that people above you are going to be cruel and mean when you try and fight back. His character has some interesting parallels to punk ideologies at times, but you aren't really here for my pretentious bullshit, you're here because Joachim Armster is your favorite pathetic vampire, and because he's mine too. If you are here for that shit, check out my headcanons or AU.

Cool Joachim Facts

The name Joachim means established or raised by God in Hebrew. I find this of particular note since the name implies that he was raised to his position of power by Walter, and then that power is taken from him. It's an ironic twist of fate.

You can hear part of his boss theme, Melancholy Joachim in the ending credits song in the game Order of Ecclesia. I'm not really sure why this is but I do think it's neat! If anyone has theories, I'd be happy to listen to them! Perhaps it has to do with the fact Joachim and Shanoa are both people seeking freedom from oppressive people who gave them their power.

His English VA also has voiced Amuro Ray of the Gundam series! Not really relavent other than it sows seeds for my eventual Gundam shrine

While an afterthought of design or a happy coincidence, it's pretty cool that Joachim's swords in Lament of Innocence looks kind of like the Spectral Sword in Symphony of the Night!