Netflix started the year with a bang. Devilman Crybaby was released on January the 5th and it was an amazing series to watch on the streaming platform. The series is based on the original manga created by Go Nagai and this series follows the original story closely than any other adaptations, while also taking some creative liberties to adapt into more modern themes which we will tackle long the way.
The story follows Akira Fudo who is a regular High School student who one day encounters his old friend, Ryo Asuka, and tells him about demons living among humans and the problems that these would cause to humanity and therefore tries to create Devilman and that is the form that Akira takes and now he is tasked to protect humanity and demons alike.
The Series was released worldwide with various dubs including the original Japanese, English, Latin American Spanish, Castillian, Portuguese, and that was an amazing job to do as I watched the Latin American Spanish version and the voice actors did an amazing job at playing the title characters and the various emotions they carry along the series.
I like the evolution of Akira along the series as he develops his humanity against demons and how the series tackles themes that are relevant in today’s society and Japan’s society… although a little bit downplayed. For example: there is this flashback in which Miki remembers her childhood in which she was harassed for being Biracial and Akira defending her, this could’ve been a really cool theme to carry on, but it was downplayed and used on that specific flashback only. Yes, another aspects that they kind of talk about is Sexuality and the sense of belonging to a society are displayed in this series, but only the first aspect is downplayed in the series.
The series does resonate with today’s society with the last half of the series as Demons are considered a minority and a threat to humans as they are being hunted even before they can invade humans and its an amazing battle royale in which people hurt each other and thinking that what they are doing is a great responsibility.
An aspect that bugged me was that the original Devilman show from the 70’s exists in that universe and that there is merchandise of the character in Miki’s brother’s room and that is kind of weird.
Science Saru is the studio responsible for the show’s animation and they made an amazing job of doing some crazy and beautiful animation that makes the show look like nothing else on Netflix and that is what gives the show the appeal to watch it on the platform. The Transformations and the action are the highlights of the animation and that is just the tip of the iceberg as the animation improves as the show moves on with its story.
The Opening of the show is nothing compared to the original series’ theme sung by Ichiro Nagai and that theme is actually referenced in the show and its a pretty weird aspect. The Music is forgettable in that aspect and isn’t that relevant in a TV show as Devilman Crybaby.
Overall, I give the show an 8/10 because of the animation, story, fan-service to those who are fans of the original show and manga. It could’ve been a perfect 10/10 if not for the aspects of the downplay of certain aspects such as those stated up there, the music, and the animation when the Devilmen are running (which is pretty weird).
Give this a watch if you like if you are an Anime fan or a Fan of the original series. If you are not one of those fans stated up here, then you will also enjoy the story and the animation of the Crybaby.
El Rincón de Yayo 