Sometimes, it takes an outsider’s point of view to reveal the peculiarities of traditional belief systems – especially when it comes to religion. This is likely why so many people are fascinated with Japanese artists that incorporate Western religion into their work. From the apocalypse of Neon Genesis Evangelion to the pacifism behind Trigun, there’s a long history of anime and manga borrowing from Christian imagery and beliefs in order to tell engaging stories.
In fact, one of the most successful examples of this special kind of cultural fusion happened back in 1972 with the release of Go Nagai’s seminal manga series, Devilman. Long before the days of similar hell-themed heroes like Spawn and Hellboy (or even Marvel’s revamped Ghost Rider, which came out a couple of months later), Nagai cooked up a horror/superhero hybrid that managed to turn a demonic outbreak into a terrifying anti-war parable.
Despite the series’ strange artwork and graphic violence, it became a surprise hit amongst shonen fans, leading to numerous adaptations that tended to tone down the source material. It was only in 2018 that we’d see a new adaptation attempt to tackle Nagai’s original tragic ending, courtesy of a partnership between Netflix and Science Saru. And with the ensuing Devilman Crybaby celebrating its 5th anniversary, I think that this is the perfect time to look back on the brilliance of this infamous modern-day reboot.
A fan of the original manga, Science Saru co-founder Masaaki Yuasa jumped at the opportunity to revisit one of Japan’s most underrated superheroes once Netflix informed the team that they wouldn’t be held back by pesky Network Television guidelines. Not only did this mean that the studio could try their hand at concluding the story with the aforementioned tragic finale, but it also allowed Yuasa to up the violence and sexuality, with the director figuring that Nagai’s original work had been naturally censored by 1970s shonen sensibilities.
Other changes included a Greek chorus of sorts in the form of hip-hopping teenagers (which replace the traditional bullies of the manga), as well as elements of social media outrage once news of the demons gets out. And in a clever fourth-wall breaking twist, the original Devilman anime somehow exists in this world, showing up on TV and posters as the story goes on. However, the overall plot remains largely the same as the manga, especially when it comes to characterizing our noble protagonist.
“Demons exist. There could be one right next to you.”
In the finished series, we follow sensitive high school athlete Akira Fudo as he reconnects with his childhood friend Ryo Asuka and discovers that demons exist. After a plan to expose the demons in a nightclub goes awry, Akira becomes possessed by the demonic influence of “Amon” but manages to resist his murderous urges through sheer force of will, transforming into the super-powered Devilman in the process. What follows is a peculiar mix of gory super-hero adventures and wartime paranoia as Akira comes to terms with his new abilities while navigating a world torn apart by the newly revealed existence of demons.
Much like its source material, Devilman Crybaby is much more than the sum of its bizarre parts. From brutal gore and extremely graphic sex scenes to moments of genuinely touching teenage drama, there’s nothing else quite like it even in the anime world. While the plot initially follows familiar superhero tropes as our young protagonist learns how to use his powers for the greater good, this premise is eventually abandoned in favor of a fascinating geopolitical allegory that dives into the consequences of prejudice and media manipulation.
This ambitious tapestry of narrative threads means that the pacing is a bit wild, with the story allowing almost no time for the viewer to reflect on events as conflict continuously escalates in 20-minute episodes that have little to no breathing room, but this ends up giving Devilman Crybaby an infectious energy that keeps you hooked from the very beginning.
As if that wasn’t enough, the animation alone here is already enough to keep up your eyes glued to the screen. Science Saru is known for their highly stylized action (which is likely why they were hired for last year’s Scott Pilgrim Takes Off), but the Netflix budget and minimalist art style make this one of their best and most fluid works yet. Vivid colors and solid motion make for some of the most memorable visuals in animation history, and it’s all boosted by a kick-ass soundtrack that effortlessly mixes techno, hip-hop and rock into a unified experience.
“You’re not a demon, you’re not a human either.”
Of course, it’s the horror elements that make this superhero story stand out, and while the disturbing monster designs and excessively detailed gore are terrifying enough, it’s the faith-based terrors that make Devilman Crybaby such a chilling show. Borrowing from the darker side of Christianity and human history as it depicts a society on the verge of collapsing while humans turn on each other, this is one of the most unique takes on religious horror to ever come out of Japan. The origins of these demons and the angelic antagonist might not be 100% “lore-accurate,” but the scenes showing how Christian characters react to this terrifying test of faith are proof that the creators took the source material seriously.
These quieter moments make the horror hit that much harder, with the show juggling themes of family and identity while also showing that the demons can often be more human than human as they indulge in mindless sex and violence. I also really appreciate how Akira doesn’t really have a traditional character arc, starting out as a sensitive and caring person and continuing to celebrate these qualities to the bitter end like a slightly more demonic Superman.
And speaking of the end, you can’t discuss the first adult-oriented Devilman adaptation without diving into its controversial ending. While I won’t get into details in order to avoid spoilers for newcomers, I will say that this is the perfect conclusion to a story about the horrors of war and persecution even if it does come out of left field. Honestly, I’d rank it up there with The Mist as one of the most meaningful downer endings of all time.
At its core, Devilman Crybaby is a story about the viral nature of empathy and hatred, which is something that we’ve seen play out in real life time and time again since the anime’s release. Science Saru may have recontextualized the story for a new generation, but moments like that final relay race where students literally pass a baton of empathy to each other in the middle of the climactic showdown are proof that the studio understood the decidedly human heart of Nagai’s creation.
Sexy, brutal and captivating, Devilman Crybaby still hasn’t been surpassed in the five years since its release. The frantic pacing and graphic content mean that it’s probably not for everyone (especially if you’re not used to over-the-top anime stories), but I’d argue that even non-anime fans should give this strange little show a chance.
