Devilman Crybaby shocked audiences worldwide in 2018, reeling in a brand new generation of fans and refreshing the hearts of long-time ones alike. With it grueling atmosphere and modern re-telling of the manga, Crybaby came here to conquer the feelings of many. Now let’s go back in time to the 80s, where a similarly-accurate but different-in-style adaptation reigned freely: the Devilman OVAs.
A staple of 80s anime horror, the Devilman OVAs have proven to be a timeless classic. They provided a focus into producing an accurate adaptation of the 1972 Devilman manga by Go Nagai, down to the art style. Starting with Devilman: The Birth and concluding with Devilman: The Demon Bird, both cover the first half of the manga. Same as the manga, The Birth kicks off with two long time friends Ryo and Akira, whom seek to possess the treasure of Devilman: gaining the powers of a demon whilst retaining the soul of a man.
The OVA’s have gained a small cult following over the years on the internet due to its hilarious English dub, which can only be described as ‘so bad it’s good’. Even for someone who is not a fan of the series, they would surely get a laugh out of the absurd voice acting!
Exemplifying the bonds of friendship, this two-part series shows what it means to stand together against all odds, even when Hell’s very own demons are breathing down one’s neck. An action-packed adventure, Devilman will leave the viewer wanting more, which leads into a very unfortunate truth: the series was never continued. Rather, a parody OVA named CB Chara Nagai Go World came out in 1991 which showcased a variety of colorful characters from most of Go Nagai’s works. While being a great OVA in itself, it doesn’t further adapt the manga and leaves the series at a standstill….
….That was until someone by the name of Masashi Yuasa decided to revive the series with an anime that has been branded as a modern classic! Make sure to check out both!
More Anime Reviews:
Crimson Climax (2004) Anime Review – A Dark Tale of Human Sacrifice, BDSM, and Murderous Mannequins
Crimson Climax is a three-part erotic yuri horror drama based on the Adult visual novel game Hotaruko by Tiger Man Project. The anime was directed by Daiitiya Otosime and Katsuma…
Anime Review: The Magnetic Rose, a Sci-Fi Horror by Kōji Morimoto
Isolation and vast emptiness are a very basic fear for humanity, the mind often creating horrors far greater than anything set in reality as paranoia takes hold of rational thought….
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou (2021) Review: A Deep Dive into Time Loops of Discomfort
With the latest Higurashi series wrapped up as of just last week, it’s time for a spoiler-filled review for the fans that want to dissect the heart (and other organs)…
Best Horror Anime Music – A Look at Anison
With the release of the new ‘Cowboy Bebop‘ live-action show, and a new Yoko Kanno soundtrack, perhaps it’s time to look at one aspect of anime that is often neglected:…
Top 7 Yandere Anime Characters That Are Not Yuno Gasai
Sometimes love makes you crazy, and sometimes makes you want to stab someone right in the middle of their chest. Just as the Japanese term defines it, a “yandere” is…
Mezzo Forte (2000) NSFW Anime Review – Ultra-Stylish, Crime Solving Action!
Fairly popular in the anime community, Mezzo Forte (2000) is an adult-orientated action thriller OVA from the mind of the infamous creator and director of the anime Kite, Yasuomi Umetsu….
A.J Sunderland is a spooky child at heart from the Midwest. Their favorite books compromise of Battle Royale and anything the King has to offer. Besides writing, their other hobbies include cosplaying, music, and everything DIY.