Devilman

A very problematic show worth more for its historical value rather than the entertainment. the over all premise of the show is generally intriguing, intense, sweet and romantic but the whole potential is going to waste. I'd really love to see a new series that would try to bring this story to life. I've watched it now for the 1st time so there was no nostalgic appliance for me. The show has an extremely episodic structure, and past the first 3 episodes there's no importance to the order you're viewing them, including the final episodes! I myself got fed up with the show's static and unprogressive naturearound episode 12 and skipped to 37 - I was amazed at how much nothing was changed storywise, and it seemed like a smooth continuation of where I left off. The last episode's later moments does have a small dramatic turn of events but it's way too little and way too late to be respected. The monster of the day episodes, which are probably 100% of the show, are watchable and some has ok ideas but they have no effect on the story and they are all repetitive (monsters arrive, Devilman beats everyone, everything comes back to normal - Miki doesn't find out Akira is Devilman). Also, an average episode contains an unlimited amount of inconsistencies, questions left unanswered and plot holes. Regardless of the story's undevelopped mess the show's strong side is its character balance and chemistry. I liked Akira and Miki's general archetypes. He might have been too aggressive for his own good, unlikely for modern shounen heroes, but Miki had the upper hand and Akira was hers. On the visual department I actually like the art style although it failed to maintain its quality and the animation and movement is laughable, but you should expect that and besides it's the least of the show's problems. P.S. I must say i got along quite well with the HK rips if you're looking for English subtitles.

I will be talking about the dubbed version. Why? Because I can and I will explain in a sec why I belive this is actually superior version. The artstyle is nothing special for times it was made in, and is even a bit too bland in comparison to manga and even newest version. Characters are fun but you know, kudos to the manga rather than the anime here. And I would even go so far saying that the "I am DEVINMAAAAAN" thing was actually kinda anticlimactic comparing anime to manga, it was like attempt of making superhero movie with Jigsaw as the protagonist. Let's go to thedub related stuff. The first thing that strikes the viewer is the noices indicating really poor quality recording tools and enviroment (like it was recorded with walkman in a basement or something), the second is lack of care about acting from the voice actors. It's like you were watching abridged version or some youtube poop. The edginess is overflowing from every sentence and I am really drawn to it. It is so bad it's good. This is true out of body experience if watched with english dub. Otherwise don't even bother.

If you are already an established fan of the Devilman franchise, be warned, this series does not follow the narrative of the original story... at all. You should go into this story expecting more of a monster-of-the-week, "Kamen Rider"-like story, as opposed to a philosophical look at the dichotomy between good and evil. This show has not aged very well, and perhaps, is far too zany for its own good! ⚠️ This review of Devilman (1972) will contain light spoilers ⚠️ —Story/Characters This is the fifth installment of the Devilman series that I consumed in a long list: the first was Devilman: Tanjō Hen ("The Birth"), second wasYochō Sirene-hen ("The Demon Bird"), third was CB Chara Go Nagai World, and the fourth was reading the original manga. So, by the time that I ordered the Discotek release of this series off of eBay, I was already entrenched in the franchise! I didn't really know what to expect from the cover, Devilman looks less like a monster and more like a man wearing a stag-beetle helmet with kabuki make-up... but the answer is: goofy, it is plain absurdity, this show is not a Devilman series at all, but more like what ※"Space Black Knight" is to "Mobile Suit Gundam"! ※"Space Black Knight" is a bootleg rip-off of the original Gundam series, where a cheaply rendered version of Char Aznable gets unmasked and is actually Amuro Ray. I would suggest looking into it, if you want a quick laugh. Akira Fudō doesn't undergo much of a life-altering change in this iteration, he just demon whips the followers of Ghandi! Yes, this is something that actually happens. If there's a positive development to any given character, it would be to Miki Makimura — in other versions of the story, there is small moments of playful banter between her and Akira, but this series showcases her "comic strip"-like frivolousness and that was refreshing to see. We only see her transform into an Olive ("Popeye") in the manga, so it's refreshing to see her be a part of Akira's life in a more meaningful way. Which reminds me, the most pivotal character in the manga, Ryō Asuka, does NOT exist in this anime! The episodic writing varies from episode to episode, sometimes it can be entertaining (in a trippy way) and other times, it's just boring and monotonous, tacking a poorly rendered "filler" monster at the end of each segment. The designs that aren't lifted from Nagai's manga usually look really corny! For example, in Episode 21 — Devilman battles a demon that looks like a red color variant of the Michelin "Tire Man"! Believe me, there are some really stupid-looking monster designs in this! There also doesn't seem to be a consistent continuity with what Devilman's utility belt does, Akira will shout "Devil Beam" and the command will account for several different attacks! It doesn't make any sense, at all! There's a new character that becomes a reoccurring (love interest?) third wheel to Akira and Miki's budding romance! She's a demon named Lala, and while her voice is very cute, she was entirely useless to the story. It felt like she only existed to be a complete idiot and get in the way of their pre-established love affair. It wasn't a very well orchestrated plot point, but nothing in the story really has any staying power after a single episode. Even as an obsessed "Devilman" fan, it was difficult to immerse myself in any of it, I think I mostly zoned out when things hadn't gone completely bananas because (aside from more of a focus on Miki Makimura) none of the characters were the ones that I had grown to love; everything seemed to have been modeled to fit a televised time slot, rather than do anything in the story justice! —Technical Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅ Tomoharu Katsumata (director), notable works: * Anderson Dōwa: Ningyo-hime ✅ * Captain Future * Cutey Honey ✅ * Dai Yamato Zero-gō * Daikū Maryū Gaiking * Daisōgen to Hakuba ("The Princess and the White Horse") * Entaku no Kishi Monogatari: Moero Arthur * Ginga Nagareboshi Gin * Hashire Melos * Kagayake! Yūjō no V Sign * Magnerobo Ga-Keen * Mazinger Z ✅ * Nagagutsu Sanjūshi * Ningen Kakumei * Saint Seiya: Meiō Hades (series) * Saleryman Kintarō * Uchū Senkan Yamato: Kanketsu-hen ("Space Battleship Yamato: The Final Chapter") * UFO Robo Grendizer * Waga Seishun no Arcadia ("My Youth in Arcadia") * Yamato yo Towa ni ("Be Forever Yamato") * Yukiguni no Ōji-sama * Yume Senshi Wingman Commentary: I grew up watching "Anderson Dōwa: Ningyo-hime", a.k.a. the anime version of "The Little Mermaid", so I have a sense of nostalgia for Mr. Katsumata's work! From what I've seen in "Cutey Honey" and "Waga Seishun no Arcadia", his biggest problem is nailing the pacing and keeping plots from feeling tiring and repetitive, which is why his directing on a shorter project like "Anderson Dōwa: Ningyo-hime" may have been more optimal with his style of composition! I would say that the screenplay was okay, the scriptwriting is probably what plummeted this series down to the level of awful for me! Good Seiyū Work = ✅ Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅ One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅ Ryō'ichi Tanaka as Akira Fudō (or "Devilman"), notable roles: * Amon, CB Chara Go Nagai World ✅✅ * Rō Kaioshin and Dr. Briefs, Dragon Ball Kai and Dragon Ball Super * Cancer Death Mask, Saint Seiya ✅✅✅ * Rocky Andrew, Taiyō no Kiba Dagram * Kentarō Takaoka, Tiger Mask (1969) and Tiger Mask W (2016) ✅ Commentary: Mr. Tanaka makes Akira Fudō seem like less of a friendly wimp, before his fusion with the spirit of "Devilman" and more of a harsh, mecha pilot protagonist — since, he emits the same kind of energy as Koji Kabuto in the first "Mazinger Z" cartoon! He's incredibly talented at what he does, and I love him as Cancer Death Mask in "Saint Seiya"! Incredible work! Sumi Sakai as Miki Makimura, notable roles: * Midori Hayakawa, Attack No. 1 * Yukihime, Dororon Enma-kun ✅✅ Commentary: Ms. Sakai voices Miki in a way that is, so far, my favorite iteration of her! She's stubborn, gutsy, and on the spicy side! The spiritual progenitor to characters like Frau Bō ("Mobile Suit Gundam") and Akane Tendō ("Ranma ½"), she did a wonderful job as both Miki Makimura and the original Yukihime ("Dororon Enma-kun")! Great job! Hiroshi Matsuoka as Demon General Zannin, notable roles: * Zenmaijikake ("Gizmo"), Anime Oyako Gekijō and Personal Computer Travel Tanteidan * Geronimo Jr. ("005"), Cyborg 009 (1968) * Muten-Rōshi ("Master Rōshi"), Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT ✅✅✅ * Jam Oji-san ("Uncle Jam"), Sore Ike! Anpanman (series) Commentary: Mr. Matsuoka as Demon General Zannin is one of the more memorable roles in the series! He has such a ghastly eminence! I have only ever heard him in the Japanese dub of "Dragon Ball Z" as Master Rōshi, but he was superb in this show, too! Rest in peace, Mr. Matsuoka, your presence will be greatly missed! Kōsei Tomita as Gelge, notable roles: * Daemon Abashiri, Abashiri Ikka * Dr. Hell, CB Chara Go Nagai World, Mazinger Z, and Mazinkaiser ✅✅ * Danbei Hayami, Cutey Honey ✅ * Jirokichi Suzuki, Detective Conan ✅✅ * Doraemon, Doraemon (1973) ✅ * Professor Saotome, Getter Robo * Ayanoroji Mashumaro, Hana no Kakarichō * Bakabon no Papa, Heisei Tensai Bakabon * Oyaji Hige, in every Osamu Tezuka adaptation ✅✅✅ * Doctor Watson, Meitantei Holmes ("Sherlock Hound") ✅✅ * Sniff, Mūmin * Hakka Don, SF Saiyūki Starzinger * Yohei Hayami, Shinkai no Kantai: Submarine 707 * Bouleuse Gotho, Sōkō Kihei Votoms * Gandal, UFO Robo Grendizer * Dr. Oedo and Tamaga, Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace Commentary: Mr. Tomita's role of a bumbling lackey fits well with other characters that he's played: Dr. Hell ("Mazinger Z") and Danbei Hayami ("Cutey Honey") being a couple of prime examples! His roles range from incompetent crony, to doddering old man, to reticent sidekick! Mr. Tomita had a very expressive voice to fit with his lively, cartoonish roles! Rest in peace, Mr. Tomita, your voice will be missed! Hidekatsu Shibata as Zenon, notable roles: * King Enma, Dororon Enma-kun ✅ * Igneel and Narrator, Fairy Tail ✅✅ * Geese Howard, Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf * King Bradley, Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood ✅✅✅ * Backbeard, Gegege no Kitarō (1985) and Gegege no Kitarō (2007) * Gregor von Muckenberger, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu ✅ * Bill, Ginga Nagareboshi Gin * Count Mecha, Ginga Tetsudō 999 ✅✅ * Baron Ashura, Mazinger Z (1972) and Mazinkaiser ✅✅ * Degwin Sodo Zabi, Mobile Suit Gundam (movie) ✅✅ * Hiruzen Sarutobi, Naruto ✅ * Monkey D. Dragon and Calgara, One Piece * Guilty, Saint Seiya ✅✅✅ * Mars, Saint Seiya Omega ✅✅✅ * Ching Tao, Shaman King * Daitetsu Minase, Super Robot Wars OG (series) * General Hengel, Tentai Senshi Sunred * Mr. X, Tiger Mask (1969) and Tiger Mask W (2016) ✅✅ * Captain Dan, Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace Commentary: Mr. Shibata has a legendary villain voice, this man's timbre can shake the temerity of any weak-spirited mortal! That's just how much of a prolific actor this guy is! I would compare his role as the main demon ("Zenon") to his performances as King Enma ("Dororon Enma-kun") and Baron Ashura ("Mazinger Z")... such a godly rendition of the Zenon character is wasted on such a silly show! I'm waiting for there to be a tit-for-tat retelling of the "Devilman" story with this version of Zenon incorporated into the script! That would be incredible! Amazing performance! This show is really defective, when compared to the source material. I may have enjoyed it more if I wasn't already so invested in the manga and those beautifully animated OVA adaptations! The 1972 adaptation deracinates the story of any of the original solemnity and catharsis on morality, and how human history can repeat itself, and strips the marrow so much that it makes the original ※"Casshern" series look like the best anime ever made, by comparison! Devilman (1972) gets a 3/10! ※I really did like the original "Casshern" (1972) series, but I rated it a 6/10. Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Monster of the week tokusatsu series with no real plot or character progression, with almost every episodes being carbon copies of each other. Nobody figures out who Devilman is. No one is proactive towards achieving anything. Devilman doesn't need to train to get stronger since he's just busted right out the gate. Character relations aren't worked on. etc, etc. The fact that Go Nagai worked on this with Toei and decided to go the exact same route a few years later with Great Mazinger is wild to me, especially when he worked on titles with better narrative structure in-between. But hey, whatever makes money, Iguess. For being a tokusatsu, the fights are a bore. Akira has a few attacks that he uses. Three are brawling moves, two more are powered up range attacks, and lastly, he has this one big finishing move that can pretty much one shot anyone called devil beam that he can use multiple times in a row. Now, here's the thing, 95% of all fight scenes are structured in a way to pad out time. Outside of maybe two or three encounters, where there's an in-story reason for why he can't just his devil beam attack immediately and call it a way, they all happen in way to last as long as possible in order to stretch the runtime. Instead of just seeing whoever he needs to defeat and blasting them to kingdom come, he'll kick them, chase them around, wrestle, punch them, and finally, after jerking off for six minutes, he'll use his devil beam to finish them off. The fact that it bothers to give a reason a few times as to why he couldn't just one shot them makes every other battles all the more insulting, as well as making every fight scenes super formulaic. Despite all the characters starting off as completely unlikeable some of them do get better. The MC becomes less of an asshole. He doesn't grow, he just becomes less of a dick. The little kiddo, Tare, becomes more than just a comedic relief character that pisses his pants every time something happens. This is mainly due to him him getting a little girlfriend. There's also one character that gets introduced in the last quarter that I found to be the redeeming part of the entire thing that made finishing the series much more bearable. Unfortunately, it has no conclusion or resolution to speak of. The last episode may as well be any other. The big bad still has a legion of demons at his disposable ready to go hunt Devilman. The series just kind of ends abruptly. Production-wise, outside of the first one, there's maybe five or six other episodes that are nice to look at. The rest are average to below average in terms of art and animation. Sound design is also pretty average. In the end, much like Great Mazinger, 1972 Devilman is a show that doesn't care or try to be anything more than an episodic monster of the week series. If you really want to watch Devilman, watch any other entry in the franchise.

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