Anime Review: Devilman Crybaby (Netflix)

Devilman Crybaby
January 5, 2018
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Written by: Ichirō Ōkouchi
Music by: Kensuke Ushio
Studio: Science Saru
Netflix
Season 1: 10 episodes
Akira's best friend tells him that ancient demons have returned to take back the world from humans and suggests that he unite with a demon. Akira successfully does that, transforming into Devilman, a being with a demon's powers but who retains the soul of a human. This sends Akira into a brutal, degenerate war against evil. With fear of demons gripping the world, humanity devolves into paranoia and violence and Akira sets out to save other demon-human hybrids like himself.

A little background on the Netflix-exclusive Devilman Crybaby anime. Devilman originated as the manga, Demon Lord Dante by Go Nagai. Toei Animation wanted to turn Dante into a television series (anime). But a toned down version. The 39 episode long anime called Devilman ran from July 1972-April 1973. Around the same time as the anime, Nagai created the Devilman manga that was released through Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen* Magazine. It had a dark tone with graphic violence, casual blasphemy, and theme of using evil itself to fight evil.
* Shōnen manga is aimed at boys between the ages of 12 to 18.
Source - wiki

Akira (becomes Devilman), Miki (Akira's best friend, who he secretly loves) and Miko (best friend to Miki)

I love a good horror story and this one was making a lot of noise online. Most people resonding with "What did I just watch?" So, I HAD to see it.

Ryo (mystery) and Akira (Devilman)

I binged all 10 episode (only takes about 3 1/2 hours to do) a few weeks ago and I still haven't gotten over it. It is definitely a tragedy through and through, but on you can't stop watching. If you find yourself thinking "They won't go there." Don't. They go there!

It is exteamly violent, but we are talking demons that eat people. And there is a lot of sex...boobs everywhere! Not something you want to let young kids see. It would cause nightmares for a long time. At this point you are either afraid to watch Devilman Crybaby or running to watch it.

The animation is strange. With weird drawing perspectives sometimes. But don't let that deter you. The series does sag a bit in the middle but those last three episodes will blow you away emotionally. There is a lot of symbolism and metaphores. Some took me days of thinking about the ending to realize. According to the creator, Nagai, it is an anti-war message.

 "There is no justice in war, any war, nor is there any justification for human beings killing one another. Devilman carries a message of warning, as we step toward a bright future." - Nagai ( "Devilman Revelations". devilworld.org. Archived from the original on 2006-06-20.)

If you are looking for something to make you think and kick you in the feels then check this one out.

There were things I thought about lowering my rating for, but the fact that it delivered such a gut punch that I still think about it...it deserves all 5 Sheep.

5 "Devil" Sheep

SharonS