Manga Review: Devilman: The Classic Collection 1 by Go Nagai
In the beginning, demons ruled the Earth. Beings devoted to survival of the strongest, devouring lesser creatures and each other in a never-ending hunger for greater power. But then the Earth’s climate changed drastically (possibly due to a conflict with beings from space later known as angels) and most of the demons were trapped in polar ice. But now in 198X, anthropogenic climate change is melting the icecaps, and the demons are beginning to rise….
This highly violent and disturbing manga first appeared in 1972, and has numerous animated adaptations, sorta-sequels and spinoffs. It’s one of Go Nagai’s signature works. No surprise, then, that it’s now getting a premium collection format.
Akira Fudo is a shy, sensitive boy known as a bit of a crybaby. Currently he’s staying with his classmate Miki Makimura’s family as his explorer parents are on an expedition to the Himalayas. They haven’t checked in for a while, and he’s starting to get worried. Miki’s a quick-tempered girl, and teases Akira about his lack of macho.
When a gang of delinquents appears, Miki tells them what for while Akira freezes. Unfortunately, Miki’s mouth has written a check her combat skills can’t cash. Just then, Akira’s buddy Ryo shows up. The bullies aren’t too impressed until the stoned-looking Ryo reveals he’s brought a rifle to a fistfight. The delinquents run off, but Ryo has bigger things on his mind and pulls Akira away.
Turns out Ryo’s father is dead, a suicide. Ryo explains about demons, and how they threaten humanity. But Ryo has a plan. If a human with sufficient purity of heart and strength of will allows himself to be possessed by a demon but maintains control, he’ll have the powers of darkness, but still have a moral core. And Akira is the only other person Ryo trusts to undergo the process.
One incredibly violent orgy/mass murder sequence later, Akira has merged with the powerful demon warrior Amon, and become Devilman! He uses his powers to fight demons, though to be honest, in the early part of the story he doesn’t have to search them out as they are coming to him.
The merging also affects his human form, making him more muscular with a bolder personality. He easily defeats the delinquents in a rematch. Miki is thrilled that Akira has “manned up” and digs his new bad boy vibe. (She might be less thrilled if she knew why.)
After several chapters of the original series, we abruptly cut to the adventures of Akira and Ryo in time and space as they are for reasons not made clear in these chapters detached from their timeline. Presumably this is done because these adventures written later take place between chapters of the original.
We see how demons have interfered with the timeline of various famous figures, such as Joan of Arc and Marie Antoinette. Devilman acts to set the timeline aright, but there are some tragedies that can’t be avoided. (Content warning: The demon in the Adolf Hitler story deliberately mimics anti-Semitic propaganda.)
As previously mentioned, this series is full of violence, including sexual violence, presented in loving detail in Go Nagai’s visceral art style. Nudity is common, often in a sexual context. The series is nevertheless aimed at teenage boys, which is reflected in some immature humor which hasn’t dated well.
There’s some questions brought up about the true nature of humans, and about whether evil is an outside thing or inherent in our nature.
Recommended to fans of horror manga, and especially those who’ve enjoyed one of the animated adaptations.
And now, a jazz cover of the Devilman theme!
