I think you mean Rondo of Blood, the original animevania, but to be fair most of japanese games of that era and platform followed the same art formula
If SotN started something, it was the gothic/visual approach in the series' aesthetics, that was a signature of the series until the 2 first DSvanias returned to the bland anime shenanigans.
Even though most Metroidvanias didn't have anime art they still felt a fuck ton like anime- the action, the stories, and sometimes the music. LoI and CoD did as well. Then there's Judgement which added the titty jokes
I side with superc4 - didn't know there were so many people on the opposite fence who like the anime / cute / Japanese humor, which being an American, I never fully understood. The darker and more realistic art style, the better for me. LOS would have been great if better music, better game-play mechanics, and better script writing. CV64 had it all for me. You can drag me through the mud all you want on that. It looks like neither of us are getting what we want anymore anyway.
Pretty much my exact feelings too man. I grew up with SCV4, CV64 and COTM- each of them darker, grittier and a bit more grounded. CV games were the only ones I had that weren't so kid oriented like Mario and Sonic (not saying only kids play those franchises, hell I play them) and that's why I got so into them. Ppl say franchises need to change change change but that isn't the case. Sure add new things but don't change what made it so great- CV changing to anime was bad because the series lost it's identity. Sure they're all great games as well but they aren't what CV used to be. Then LoS went for a LOTR vibe.