I used him, however, to test how would a more logical approach to the whip attack work for a Belmont-like character:
Actually the normal Castlevania representation isn't far off from how you would actually use a whip. Due to the console limits, and later probably homage and gameplay flow, it was never fluid or exactly accurate. But just 'slashing' with a whip is missing a LOT of the power a whip strike can have. It doesn't have the "crack". The crack produced by hitting an object and the real "whip crack" are separate things. The real whip crack isn't produced by the whip hitting itself, but exceeding the speed of sound. It is a mini-sonic boom. If you can hit something with the whip while it enters this phase of the strike, it'll shred through the target like a sword. What does the whip look like when doing this? It's generally straight out in front of the user.
What is not accurate is that enemies take damage anywhere in the hit box of the whip. Only the top would do the real damage. The closer to the person's body the much less damage it will do. Could be an interesting mechanic too, if hit with the absolute tip enemies take more damage...
So yeah, CV's typical representation of the whip is actually pretty on point for leather whips at least. Chain whips are a whole other story and do not operate anything like a leather whip. They just use it for the imagery of the powerup. There are of course countless different ways to use a whip in combat, and while a whip 'slash' like you represented has it's uses, it is a much weaker attack in reality. Easier to hit though. But a master whip wielder can hit the flame off a candle without a problem.
Also, I believe Lament has one of the light attack animations actually being a pretty proper forward whip crack.