1989 · ISCO · Action · Adventure

Devilman

Devilman is a side scrolling platform action/adventure game based on Go Nagai's Devilman.

Released: 25 April 1989
Platforms: NES PlayStation
Genres: Action Adventure Beat 'em up Horror
Developers: ISCO
Publishers: Namco
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Action Horror
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese
Directors: Tomoharu Katsumata

About

Devilman (Japanese: デビルマン, Hepburn: Debiruman) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai. It follows high school student Akira Fudo, who absorbs the powers of the demon called "Amon" with help of his friend Ryo Asuka, in order to battle creatures hidden in human society, thus calling himself the "Devilman" in the process. The series was originally ordered by Toei Animation as a toned-down anime version of Nagai's previous manga series, Demon Lord Dante, although Devilman ended up having a darker tone which reflected Nagai's anti-war sentiments.

Devilman's 39-episode anime series was developed by Toei Animation in 1972, while Nagai's manga in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine debuted barely a month before the anime series started. The manga was published between June 1972 and June 1973, while multiple publishers have released it in collected tankōbon volumes. Seven Seas Entertainment published the English translation of the original manga in two volumes in 2018. The series has since spawned numerous original video animations (OVAs), manga spin-offs, novels, films, and a sequel.

›Story

The game follows the manga's story.

You start as Akira Fudo the boy who has the ability to change into Devilman. You wander around the town going into houses and talking to the people you find. When you find your friend Ryo he transports you to a basement room where you change into Devilman and battle on-coming hordes of girls who transform into demons. If you manage to survive you return to the town.

Now in between talking to the inhabitants you can increase your energy bar by defeating the monsters that roam around outside. You can change into Devilman and back by pressing select and choosing to change up or down.

Defeating monsters as Akira gives you more power when you are Devilman. This power allows you to fire fireballs when you press punch but the more you do this the more your power (represented by Devilman heads) decreases. If you visit Akira's friend Miki Makamura (in the guise of Akira) she will give you your energy back. In fact at one point in the game you play as Miki.

Then later still you can use Devilman's wings and fly to the mountains or the woods. Here you must find and save (or not if you choose) the humans trapped by demons.

Keywords

anime
brawler
action-adventure
superhero
based on - manga
based on - anime
licensed game
voice acting
fan translation - english

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Story

Akira Fudo is a shy teenager who lives in his friend Miki Makimura's house as his parents work abroad. One day, Akira's childhood friend Ryo Asuka reveals that the Earth is about to be invaded by demons, monstrous beings who have been hibernating for centuries. The only way to defeat them is to take control of their powers and fight them on equal terms. Ryo then involves his friend in a ritual called the Black Sabbath, an event where numerous demons plan to merge with humans to infiltrate society.

During the Black Sabbath, Akira merges with Amon, a demon warrior both idolized and feared among his kind for his incredible strength. However, instead of Amon holding control over Akira, the latter's pure soul triumphs over that of Amon, bringing the demon to heel and creating Devilman.

Development

Devilman evolved from Go Nagai's previous manga, Demon Lord Dante, after Toei Animation approached Nagai about turning Dante into a television series. The producers wanted certain elements toned down, and a more human-like anti-hero created. Devilman was born as a result of this. Devilman's outfit seems be inspired by a villain from the 1972 Gekko Kamen anime.

Go Nagai worked on the anime's scenario along with renowned screenwriter and science-fiction novelist Masaki Tsuji, who wrote the scripts for 35 of the TV series' 39 episodes. Along with the television series, Devilman was also produced as a serialized manga in Weekly Shōnen Magazine beginning in 1972. Go Nagai designed the manga to be more horror-like and mature than the anime version. When developing the Devilman manga, Nagai was told by his editor to write an alternative take of the anime aimed towards a more mature audience.

Reception

By March 2017, Devilman had over 50 million copies in circulation. In 2018, Anime News Network listed Devilman among the seven "Best New Manga for Grown-Ups".

Critical response initially focused on Akira's personality and the controversial themes portrayed before Akira becomes Devilman. Zona Negativa found the narrative simple since Akira and Ryo learn about the demons and through a party that involves orgies and other controversial themes Nagai is famous for. Anime News Network initially referred to Akira as an appealing hero based on his kind demeanor, but criticized his relationship with Miki due to how she berates these traits. As a result, when Akira becomes a more violent person due to absorbing Amon, the review believes Nagai was expressing the idea of a man undergoing growth but still retaining his kind self.