And so this eternal dance begins once more, gentle readers – another season, another year…
OP: “Devilman no Uta” (Devilman’s Song) by Avu-chan
There’s plenty to talk about with the first episode (and that’s all I’m covering in this post) of Devilman: Crybaby, believe me. But the situation here is weird enough that the accessory stuff does demand a bit of discussion. In the first place it’s fitting that this episode hit on the same day Amazon decided to end their “Strike” channel – for although Devilman is a Netflix production, both mega-corporations are hugely important both to anime’s present and future. While the double paywall of Amazon Strike was always a terrible idea and its failure probably inevitable, any serious anime fan should hope this move doesn’t signal that Amazon is getting out of the anime production business. Any look at 2017 reveals that it would have been a much poorer anime year without the series they bankrolled.
As for Devilman, Netflix – for a change – released it in the United States on the same day that it premiered in Japan. This is good – perhaps an acknowledgement of their biggest mistake in anime distribution (though they’re not abandoning the notion of releasing series in America three months late). But it kind of sucks for me as a blogger, because (and ReLIFE was really the only other show where it came up) it places me in a conundrum about how to cover Devilman: Crybaby. I’m not a huge fan of binge releases generally, and it’s not like I have time to binge watch this show, never mind bingeblog it. I suppose I’ll watch it as fast as time and mood permits, and cover it as I do – and ask your indulgence to follow along, if you so desire (and please – avoid spoilers in the comments section).
That’s a long preamble, especially with a series as notable as Devilman: Crybaby. Any time you get a Yuasa Masaaki-directed TV anime you’ve got an event, and when you pair that with the fact that it’s based on a manga by the legendary Nagai Go the hype factor is off the charts. Yuasa-sensei has been extremely busy of late through his new studio, Science Saru, and he seems like a natural fit to partner with Netflix on a series pitched to an international audience. Is he a natural fit with Nagai-sensei? That, perhaps, is a more difficult question – and one I’m not prepared to answer based on one episode.
Nagai is not to everyone’s tastes, that’s for sure – his stuff is wildly misogynistic and often shockingly violent (this premiere is both). To be honest Yuasa isn’t always to my tastes either, though I freely acknowledge that he’s a genius – sometimes his surrealistic St. Vitus’ Dance can overwhelm the material. I don’t think that’s a risk with Devilman, which (like everything Nagai writes) is way larger than life – these two idiosyncratic sensibilities actually seem to mesh together pretty well. And the premiere is fantastically produced, a genuine work of art. I’m just not sure yet if it works as a story (though I’m also not sure how much that matters).
I don’t know a whole lot about the Devilman franchise, which has been several manga and was a TV anime way back in the 70’s, and was also a live-action movie. This “Crybaby” update centers around two teenagers, the timid Akira (Uchiyama Kouki) and the batshit crazy Ryou (Murase Ayumu), who’ve been friends since they were small boys. Ryou is, somehow, a “professor in America”, while Akira attends high school with track star and idol Miko (Koshimizu Ami), and Miki (Han Megumi), who acts as his protector.
One day Ryou shows up at their school (nearby it, to be more precise) and whisks Akira away – ostensibly to help him prove that devils exist, he being of the opinion that devils are possessing people left and right across the world and it’s being covered up by the government. What follows is one of the more disgusting scenes in anime for a while, the “sabbath” party where a bunch of sybarites get high on ‘Devidevi” and engage in a bacchanal of sex acts before Ryou goes crazy with a broken bottle and starts stabbing everyone. Why? Why, because in order for this to be a real devil-summoning there needs to be blood, and what Ryou wants is for Akira to be possessed by a devil. And not just any devil, but Amon – the strongest of the lot. With friends like that…
There’s not a lot of explanation here, but that’s fine – that’s Nagai and Yuasa at work, really. As a sensory experience Devilman: Crybaby is certainly powerful, and it’s clear that this is as far from standard-issue modern anime as you get. I’m not convinced there’s a point to it beyond that, but maybe there doesn’t have to be – I guess we’ll find out. The character stuff isn’t bad – it’s kind of interesting to see Uchiyama and Murase cast as they were, because it would have been much easier for their roles to be reversed – but it kind of works the way it is, somehow. Devilman: Crybaby is a virtuosic, graphic and unsettling head trip – there’s a ton of brilliance on display here, but that was almost a given. Whether it has the chops to hold together as a story is something I’ll discover over the next nine episodes, however long that takes…
sonicsenryaku
January 5, 2018 at 10:34 pmI’m binge watching the series right now as we speak; Ill be back with my opinions regarding whether the series holds up but my first impression was generally around the same as yours. I had almost forgotten how ultra violent and sexually graphic devilman was. This is a manga that is a remnant of its time; iconic for its candid and opulent presentation of drugs, sex, and violence that while ostensibly “advante garde” for its time, might come off to some as exploitative in this new environment of media consumption. From what i’m seeing right now, the show feels like the violence and sex is meant to be a sort of social commentary (that’s all ill say for now for so as to not encroach on spoilers) but ill have to finish the show to be sure if it really has anything substantial to say. From ep 1 you get the feeling that the violence and sex is meant to represent the fucked up course the world is heading as the influence of demons slowly permeates through society. If there’s a point to the explicit content in this series, then for now that would be it. I can see why this series chose netflix as a platform to be released on; doing this on japanese tv airwaves would have had the censors working overtime.
Devoid
January 8, 2018 at 12:46 am(Reposting from RC. No plot spoilers here.) Watched the first 3 episodes, kinda got bored, but watched the last 2 to make sure I didn’t misjudge. Overall, this is very literally a “style over substance” anime. It’s not that there isn’t any substance, but the problem is that the stylish flair and at times breakneck speed make the whole thing into a detached spectacle where you (I) never really get a chance to form emotional ties to any of the characters. So even though the story turns way epic by the end and there’s this supposed catharsis of a major character, you (I) don’t feel it emotionally, just register it as a fact. So if you want a cool and outrageous show, this is definitely it – but don’t expect an emotional reward, other than perhaps a feeling of shock in case your mental constitution is more easily shaken.
Since I generally prefer shows that cater to my emotions as well, I consider Devilman Lady anime (the only other Devilman installment I’ve experienced in any media) superior to Crybaby, regardless of all the creator genius on display here (I do acknowledge it’s there, it’s just that its result is not very useful for my purposes).
sonicsenryaku
January 10, 2018 at 2:35 amI’d have to disagree; after binge-watching the whole thing, I think Yuasa does a great job balancing both the style and the substance of this series.I agree that the pacing is fast, but that just makes everything happening feel that much more relevant as this series does not waste your time stretching things out unnecessarily. The series aims to stimulate the viewer visually while using its fervent visual cues to contextualize its main themes, punctuating the characters experience and tribulations as they grow and face challenges throughout the series. I appreciate that kind of storytelling; the ones that explicate their narrative heft by the actions of the characters rather utilizing heavy exposition.
By the end of the series, I could feel the profoundness of the message Yuasa was out to convey and i think the series spent its time well building up to and nailing that emotional catharsis. This is a 8.25/10 for me; who knows, I might feel stronger about it upon re-watch. I understand that for some, this might be a series that they may appreciate existing or are thankful for experiencing rather than one that they actually like, but those who actually fall under the spell of this series’ ardent visual storytelling will find a lot to like about this adaptation. This is definitely a series that benefits from being distributed on netflix’s platform. I’m really starting to see what anime creators were talking about when they said in interviews that netflix provides them with freedoms they would not have had if they tried to produce anime under normal means. In an interview with Yuasa, he mentions how 3 or 4 of the eps of devilman crybaby where single-handily key animated by one person. Most directors would love to have to only direct one key animator; however the constraints of tv anime make that almost impossible. With netflix productions, animators have more time to complete their work, which means having one key animator have full command to permeate their identity all over an episode has become a reality, which is a very good thing for promoting artistic freedom in this constrained industry.
Mayuf
January 6, 2018 at 12:11 amThanks
Yuriel
January 10, 2018 at 8:18 pmThe art style and sometimes choppy/sometimes hyper smooth animation is really annoying me. Yuasa Masaaki has used the same art style for so many different genres and it worked for Tatami Galaxy, Ping Pong but is absolutely the worst possible choice for a show like Devilman. Might be impressive to have a single key animator for a bunch of episodes but if this is the result, I’d rather have a team working. Yuasa seriously needs to evolve and go beyond his one trick pony art style.
D
January 6, 2018 at 12:14 amJust a small correction, the character Miko (voiced by Ami Koshimizu) is the classmate/track runner with the long red hair. The one with the brown bob, featured more prominently in this episode, is Miki (voiced by Megumi Han).
Guardian Enzo
January 6, 2018 at 8:45 amGotcha, will correct, thx.
Simone
January 6, 2018 at 2:35 amWatched the premiere. Well, here comes a lot of work for psychoanalysts all over the world. I haven’t seen or read anything so sexually disturbing after the famous eating vagina scene in American Gods.
Shockingly violent, this surely was, but why misogynistic? Exploitative, sure, but I wouldn’t say it’s quite the same thing. All nakedness that was shown was in the context of an orgy rave party, which is one of the few places where I certainly WOULD expect to see it…
Anyway, props to Ryo for worst buddy ever. With friends like these, who needs enemies?
Matti
January 6, 2018 at 3:39 amBinged this earlier in the week (via Netflix) and frankly, despite my admiration for Yuasa – not a popular opinion here, but I rate him light-years above Shinkai – this one needs a purge from my system. Maybe it’s my fault for going into this expecting another Kemonozume, but this was definitely more Nagai than Yuasa, which is an utter shame because Yuasa is a much better writer than Nagai. I wouldn’t call it bad, but among the list of Yuasa directed series’, this one’s bottom-feeder along with the equally disappointing Tatami Galaxy. All the themes on display simply ring hollow by the end of it. There’s simply no resonance. Will probably still end up better than 90% of anime out this season, but that won’t be much of an achievement. Still, not a completely bad year for Yuasa fans – Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta was quite brilliant.
Dein
January 6, 2018 at 5:45 amI didn’t know anything about this except the premise and checked it out last night on a whim. If I thought the Magus’ Bride made me feel out of touch with the mainstream anime community, this show turned me into an alien.
Even after sleeping on it, I’m having a hard time finding the right words to describe it. Some people jumped down my throat already, saying things like “it’s meant to be weird!” and “different”, but that’s not really my issue. If I left feeling shocked, or disgusted, or at least curious – or anything at all to signal an emotional response, I’d be willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. As it stands, it left me mostly checking the time as the episode dragged on. I’m not sure if Devilman is meant to be gritty, brutal, insightful or an obscure parody, but to me it was none of those things. It wasn’t funny, or scary, or uncomforotable to watch. Just an array of visual vomit thrown together seemingly at random. It just screams of adolescent nonsense. But look! Sex! Violence! Drugs! Guns! Orgies and the devil! Makes you think, don’t it?
This wouldn’t be so confusing for me if A) it wasn’t getting such overwhelming praise and B) if there was even a hint of substance to it. Putting aside the (almost literal) flatness of the animation and subject matter, the story and characters aren’t exactly anything to write home about. I’m gonna give it another episode or two, but based on the premiere, I can safely say this is the stupidest and most pointless thing I’ve ever seen.
Guardian Enzo
January 6, 2018 at 9:30 amI don’t see the overwhelming praise actually – the reviews I’ve seen have included a lot like yours along with the glowing ones.
Yukie
January 6, 2018 at 5:54 amUgh..not sure I want to watch this series anymore. This and the Ito Junji: Collection are both series where I’m intrigued by the art but ultimately repelled by the content.
Dein
January 6, 2018 at 10:57 amThat has not been my experience, but we’ll see, I suppose. If anyone is covering this on RC, the comment section there is usually a good indicator of popular opinion.
Dein
January 6, 2018 at 10:58 amUgh, sorry Enzo, this was meant as a reply to you, not Yukie. I got my reply buttons mixed up.
Guardian Enzo
January 6, 2018 at 1:09 pmGosh, I wonder if anyone will post on it at RC…
UndeadCalamari
January 6, 2018 at 7:14 amBinged the entire series in almost one sitting yesterday and I can only do that for compelling shows. And Jesus was this show compelling.
I won’t spoil anything, but let’s say it completely caught me off guard and subverted my expectations. Surprisingly emotional and effective, though it didn’t exactly make me cry. It did however leave me with “holy shit…what a ride” feeling when all was said done. And of course the show is visually a trippy feast that should be experienced by anyone who can stomach ultra violent and sexual content.
Kurik
January 6, 2018 at 12:08 pmIt’s interesting as at the end of the first episode I was saying to myself I haven’t been this disturbed watching an anime or art style since Kaiba and Kemonozume. Then I decided to look up who did those and lo and behold – its Masaaki!! So clearly he has a talent not following the beaten track. I must say though its intriguing to say the least and I will watch until the end as i have done with those other two I mentioned. Very psychedelic but has a deeper story going on as well.
•̀.̫•́✧
January 6, 2018 at 2:26 pmYou got the OP wrong. Devilman no Uta is the insert song.
Color2413
January 6, 2018 at 7:25 pmAesthetically, regarding the stylized art and the sex & violence, this reminded me of a more perverse version of 1973’s “Belladonna of Sadness,” which I saw for the first time a few months ago. So I think that the aesthetics actually go at least a decade further back than the late-80s “Ultra-violent” OVAs that many commentators have referred to.
JAWZ
January 7, 2018 at 11:02 amBoys, you have to watch the whole thing before you knock it, rollercoaster ride of emotions in this one. Closing song in ep 9 is insane. An ocean of underlying themes. Graphic, but isn’t that the way of the natural world? A bravo, followed by an extremely slow clap.
Gerard
January 15, 2018 at 6:20 amDevilman Crybaby is just GARBAGE! The style of drawing is childish, flat, horrible, unprofessional, cheap!
Gerard
January 15, 2018 at 6:31 amI hope Apple buys Netflix…so that the quality of Animes will be better.. The quality of “Devilman Crybaby” is very low. This Devilman Crybaby is an insult to human intellect. If you want to see masterpieces: Star Blazers 2199, Getter Robo Armageddon, Lady Oscar, but please leave Devilman Crybaby alone.
Miyu Fan
January 16, 2018 at 8:29 amI watched the first two episodes and I’m more surprised at myself that I am not shocked at all for the blatant violence and sex. I guess the normal anime fanservice which sometimes borderline porn must have desensitized me that I can appreciate it to be direct rather than weird camera angles and such in your standard anime.