Devilman Crybaby arrived on Netflix in 2018 as a 12-episode adaptation of Go Nagai’s 1972 manga, and it did something unusual for an anime adaptation of a decades-old property: it turned a campy, occasionally absurd story about teenagers fighting demons into a grim, sometimes brutal character study. Directed by Masaoka Shinji and animated by Madhouse, the series takes Nagai’s original premise—a young man named Akira Fuse who transforms into a demon to protect humanity—and strips away the comedy, leaving behind a dark, often harrowing portrait of rage, grief, and the cost of being a hero.
The show is not for everyone. Its violence is graphic, its pacing can feel uneven, and its final stretch leans heavily on monologues rather than action. But when it works, Devilman Crybaby is a masterclass in tone and execution, a series that understands the weight of its own mythology and trusts its audience to sit with uncomfortable truths.
Trailer, via Netflix.
Akira Fuse and the Beast Within
The story centers on Akira Fuse, a high school student whose life is upended when he discovers he can transform into a demon to fight monsters threatening humanity. The transformation comes with a price: his human side is weakened, and his demon side, called Devilman, grows stronger. The series spends its early episodes establishing this dynamic, showing Akira’s struggle to balance his normal life with the monstrous power inside him.
What sets Devilman Crybaby apart is its refusal to treat this conflict as simple. Akira’s rage is not just a tool for fighting monsters; it is a wound, a response to loss and betrayal. His father’s death, his mother’s grief, and his own feelings of inadequacy drive the transformation, and the show does not let him forget that. The result is a protagonist who is both heroic and deeply flawed, a man who saves lives while also destroying himself.
The Demon World and Its Residents
The world of Devilman Crybaby is populated by a pantheon of demons, each with their own history and agenda. There is Mara, the leader of the demons, who believes humans are weak and must be destroyed. There is Amon, a former human who became a demon and now serves Mara, torn between loyalty and disgust. And there is Ramiel, a powerful angel who opposes Mara and seeks to save humanity from both demons and themselves.
These characters are not one-dimensional villains. Mara is charismatic and persuasive, genuinely convinced that humans are doomed. Amon is a tragic figure, a man who made a deal with the devil and now watches it consume him. Ramiel is a stoic force of nature, embodying the show’s central tension between salvation and damnation. The show’s willingness to give its antagonists depth is one of its greatest strengths.
The Animation and Its Style
Madhouse’s animation is a standout element of Devilman Crybaby. The show uses a mix of fluid motion and sharp, angular designs, with the demons often rendered in grotesque, exaggerated forms. The transformation sequences, where Akira’s body shifts and tears apart, are particularly striking. The series also employs a color palette that shifts from warm tones in everyday scenes to cold blues and reds during battles, creating a visual language that reinforces the emotional state of its characters.
The show’s pacing is not consistent throughout. Some episodes drag, particularly those focused on exposition, while others deliver intense action and emotional payoff. But the best episodes—like the ones dealing with Akira’s family history or the climactic battles—carry a weight that few other shows achieve.
The Music and Its Soundtrack
The music, composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, is a driving force behind the show’s atmosphere. The main theme, “Kamen,” is a soaring, anthemic piece that captures the epic scope of the story. The battle scores are tense and layered, building to climactic crescendos. The sound design is also notable, with the roar of demons and the crash of fists landing with real force.
| Element | Devilman Crybaby |
|---|---|
| Director | Masaoka Shinji |
| Animation studio | Madhouse |
| Composer | Hiroyuki Sawano |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Length per episode | Approximately 20 minutes |
The Story’s Dark Turn
The middle portion of Devilman Crybaby takes a sharp turn toward tragedy. Characters die, betrayals occur, and the show refuses to offer easy answers. This is where the series earns its reputation for being grim, as it forces viewers to confront the idea that some conflicts have no resolution, only consequences. The show’s handling of grief and loss is particularly strong, with several scenes that linger in the mind long after the credits roll.
The final stretch of the series leans heavily on monologues, with characters explaining their beliefs and actions at great length. While this can slow the pace, it also deepens the themes of the show. The series is ultimately about belief—belief in humanity, belief in redemption, belief in the self—and it ends on a note that is both hopeful and melancholic.
The Legacy of Go Nagai
Go Nagai’s original manga was a product of its time, full of humor and spectacle. Devilman Crybaby respects that legacy while recontextualizing it for a modern audience. The show acknowledges its roots while building on them, creating a version of the story that feels fresh even to those familiar with the source material. It is a reminder that classic stories can be retold in new ways without losing their power.
The series also benefits from the cultural context of its release. In 2018, there was a growing appetite for adult-oriented anime that dealt with serious themes. Devilman Crybaby arrived at a moment when audiences were ready for something darker, and it delivered.
Where the Show Falls Short
Not everything about Devilman Crybaby works. The pacing issues mentioned earlier are real, and some episodes feel padded with unnecessary dialogue. The show’s reliance on monologues in the final stretch can also be exhausting, especially when compared to the kinetic energy of its action sequences. The character of Akira’s girlfriend, Naoko, is underdeveloped, serving mostly as a plot device rather than a fully realized person.
These flaws are not fatal, but they do keep the show from reaching perfection.
The Final Verdict
Devilman Crybaby is a bold, ambitious series that succeeds more often than it fails. Its animation is stunning, its characters are complex, and its themes are thoughtfully explored. It is not an easy watch, and it is not for everyone, but for those willing to engage with its darkness, it offers a rich, rewarding experience.
The show’s score of 8.9 out of 10 reflects this balance. It is a mark of respect for a series that dares to be difficult, and it rewards viewers who are patient enough to see through the rough patches to the emotional core beneath. Devilman Crybaby is a landmark in modern anime, a show that pushes boundaries and asks hard questions. It is not perfect, but it is essential viewing for anyone interested in the medium’s evolution.
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