Devilman: Crybaby

Devils cannot take form without a living host. However, if the will of an individual is strong enough, they can overcome the demon and make its power their own, becoming a Devilman.

Weak and unassuming, Akira Fudou has always had a bleeding heart. So when his childhood friend Ryou Asuka asks for his help in uncovering devils, Akira accepts without hesitation. However, to Akira's surprise, the place they go to is Sabbath: an immoral party of debauchery and degeneracy. Amidst bloodshed and death, demons possess the partiers, turning their bodies into grotesque monsters, and begin wreaking havoc. In a reckless attempt to save his best friend, Akira unwittingly merges with the devil Amon and becomes a Devilman, gaining the power to defeat the remaining demons.

Though it grants him great power, this new partnership awakens an insatiable and primeval part of Akira. Having the body of a devil but the same crybaby heart, Akira works alongside Ryou, destroying those that harm humanity and his loved ones.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Asuka, Ryou Main

Murase, Ayumu Japanese

Fudou, Akira Main

Uchiyama, Kouki Japanese

Devilman Main

Uchiyama, Kouki Japanese

Satan Supporting

Murase, Ayumu Japanese

Makimura, Miki Supporting

Han, Megumi Japanese

Kuroda, Miki Supporting

Koshimizu, Ami Japanese

Kukun Supporting

Young Dais Japanese

Wamu Supporting

KEN THE 390 Japanese

Silene Supporting

Tanaka, Atsuko Japanese

Amon Supporting

Choi, Eun-Young Producer

Shintaku, Youhei Producer

Yuasa, Masaaki Director, Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation

Kimura, Eriko Sound Director

Reviews

Feb 14, 2025

H-Kyouma

Recommended

Fellow warriors of the infinite timelines, heed my words! For I, Hououin Kyouma, have traversed the chaotic, despair-ridden world of Devilman Crybaby, and I return with my grand proclamation-a judgment!

This anime is a tempest, a violent storm of emotions and spectacle, wrapped in Masaaki Yuasa’s frenetic, liquid animation style. From the first episode, it seizes you by the soul and drags you into a world of madness and beauty, never once stopping for breath. The pace is blistering-too fast at times, as if it were a runaway time machine hurling toward destruction. Some moments feel rushed, their impact blunted by the sheer velocity of ... the storytelling, but the sheer intensity makes up for it.

And yet, despite the brevity of its 10-episode length, four entire episodes felt like filler, unnecessary detours in an otherwise apocalyptic odyssey. Such an inefficient use of precious temporal resources! Why, Yuasa?! Nevertheless, the plot twists struck like bolts of lightning, each one more shocking than the last, ensnaring my mind in an unrelenting vice of intrigue and horror.

But what truly earns my accolades-what elevates Devilman Crybaby into the echelons of legend-is its climactic progression. The way tension escalates, the way events spiral into an inevitable and harrowing crescendo-it is among the greatest I have ever witnessed. A masterstroke of narrative construction that makes the final act all the more devastating, exhilarating, and unforgettable.

Would I recommend it? Only to those who dare to embrace the madness! To those who can withstand its breakneck speed, its visceral imagery, and its haunting themes.

And with that, my review reaches its terminal point. 8.6 out of 10
El Psy Kongroo.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Dec 13, 2024

LotteGiants

Mixed Feelings

I can see how this would've been mindbending and a cult classic back in the 70s and even this version might've been something special if I had less perspective when I saw it but at this point in my life it just feels like a rather cheap bunch of nonsense. I respect that it was able to absolutely go 100% for a nihilistic message but as a well-adjusted adult I fundamentally find that messaging laughable on a core level. Horrible things do actually happen in history but when fictional media portrays it seriously without any balance I find it to be a waste of time. ... If you actually think this portrayal of humanity is really really true then there is no point in living and if there's no point in living then there's an easy remedy to that. Which is why its a waste of time to take that seriously and anyone that stays alive to argue that is a maladjusted poser.

As for the quality of the storytelling in this show...it isn't good. Aside from a few beats about who the characters are (in the literal sense, not their personalities) you could cut out like half the episodes and miss nothing. Nobody really changes during the course of the show and everything basically turns on why Ryo is such a piece of shit. I figured it out around episode 6 or 7 and then the show goes for a bunch of unearned emotional moments by overloading how shocking the deaths of these paper-thin nobodies are. The rappers are really the only characters that have any sort of arc, honestly. Like, the first three episodes where Miki has that stupid photographer trying to molest her are so insanely pointless in retrospect. Not that it felt like a well-told plotline at the time but by the end it feels like literal filler.

I also think this show is very ugly. Ping Pong is one of my favourite anime and its art is also quite ugly in stills. The difference is that Ping Pong uses that to show extreme deformation of characters while they play and it can integrate fantastical stuff quite easily and it creates its own unique look that is fantastic. Devilman Crybaby does a bit of psychedelic stuff early on and then it gives up on doing anything interesting with its art and hides its obligatory action behind darkness and bad editing. It wants to look like Shingeki no Kyojin but it doesn't have the chops and it just suffers for it. I have no idea what the budget was for this show but the end result makes it seem like it was done cheaply by a studio without enough experience to pull off the kind of action scenes needed.

I'm honestly not entirely sure how I feel about the sound design for this show. I do like the music and it feels like it nods to the 70s show while being modern but I'm not sure if it actually blends well with the show itself. A good OST is fine but it doesn't feel like it enhances the show just by being good. As for sound effects and the like, I don't think this show does anything special. I have this same complaint about Dandadan. Not every studio can make sounds as instantly iconic as David Production or do what Sunrise does with its Gundams but I can't think of any particularly amazing sounds from this show. Its all just fine.

Honestly, this show was good enough to get me to finish without forcing myself so I can't say its bad but even though I went in with no expectations I'm still somehow disappointed. I think Masaaki Yuasa just doesn't make things I think are genuinely good other than Ping Pong (which is a legacy cementing masterpiece). I don't like phrasing criticism this way but he truly does make stuff that people love to think is very smart but is actually just directionless crap. Not that Devilman doesn't try and say anything at all but I think its substance is very slight and people that haven't ever seen anything trying to say what it gestures toward will think it is very smart and deep despite it being some cheap gut punches and silly nihilism and nothing more.

I think I wrote a review here that sounds like a 3/10 but I feel comfortable with a 6/10 ("Fine" as MAL rates that). It was somewhat entertaining and it at least takes a shot at some big themes even if they are all muddled and trip over each other. This show will be a catalyst for some people to think more about anime and story-telling in general and maybe bigger things than those. I do hope that those people eventually rewatch this years later and see that it isn't the pinnacle of anything though.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Mar 29, 2025

Raphilim

Not Recommended

Unfortunately, I didn't like the ending.
"Devilman Crybaby" is a series that feels almost cruel in the way it builds hope, only to mercilessly crush it. The anime starts off strong, with a unique mix of surreal horror and social commentary, but it tends to disappoint by dragging the viewer into despair as if it enjoys breaking expectations. Everyone dies, and the tragic conclusion left me frustrated—yet oddly impressed.

The story can best be described as if "Tokyo Ghoul" and "Neon Genesis Evangelion" had a baby. It explores themes of identity, fear, and human nature with a nihilistic touch. The plot may seem predictable in hindsight, but ... the way it delivers its message makes it impactful. The show’s unrelenting bleakness is not for everyone, but it’s memorable.

The art style by Masaaki Yuasa is unconventional—fluid, exaggerated, and unsettling—which perfectly fits the show’s chaotic tone. The animation captures raw emotion and brutality, enhancing the disturbing atmosphere. The soundtrack, a mix of modern beats and haunting melodies, effectively sets the mood.

While Akira and Ryo are compelling leads, some side characters lack depth and mainly serve to drive the plot forward. Their actions can feel extreme or rushed, a downside of the show’s fast pacing. Still, the characters’ reactions are raw and believable given the circumstances.

If you enjoy psychological horror and dark, existential themes, this anime might leave a mark. However, those seeking a satisfying or uplifting story may feel disappointed. "Devilman Crybaby" is an intense, unforgettable experience—whether you end up loving or hating it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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	Poll: Devilman: Crybaby Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 ) lordzeru - Jan 5, 2018	165 replies	by ilovebl00d »» Apr 14, 7:51 PM
	Poll: Devilman: Crybaby Episode 10 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) lordzeru - Jan 5, 2018	532 replies	by AbrazaFarolas69 »» Apr 12, 8:47 AM
	Poll: Devilman: Crybaby Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) lordzeru - Jan 5, 2018	102 replies	by TheDerkus »» Apr 6, 6:49 PM
	Poll: Devilman: Crybaby Episode 9 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) lordzeru - Jan 5, 2018	210 replies	by Adnash »» Mar 5, 12:18 AM
	Poll: Devilman: Crybaby Episode 8 Discussion ( 1 2 ) lordzeru - Jan 5, 2018	95 replies	by Adnash »» Mar 4, 1:35 AM