Is the Anime Really Finished?#
When asking “Is Devilman finished?”, the answer depends on which version of the story you are diving into. The core narrative of Devilman has been adapted into anime multiple times—most notably in 1972, 1987, and the more recent DEVILMAN crybaby (2018). Because the original story has several distinct adaptations, you can find a conclusion to the main plot within these series.
However, the Devilman universe is vast. If you are looking for a complete narrative experience, the anime adaptations are only part of the puzzle. To get the full picture, including sequels and alternate retellings, you may want to explore the original manga or related series. For instance, the story extends into sequels like Violence Jack and spinoffs such as Devilman Lady.
If you want to start your journey now, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
What to Expect: Themes and Appeal#
Devilman is a gripping blend of action, adventure, and horror. The plot centers on a terrifying premise: during the Ice Age, demons—humanity’s natural predators—were imprisoned in ice, but they are now escaping in increasing numbers. The story follows Akira Fudo, who, at the urging of his friend Ryo Asuka, allows himself to be possessed by a demon to gain the power necessary to fight back. By maintaining his human heart while wielding demonic power, Akira becomes Devilman.
This series is best suited for audiences who enjoy:
- Dark Fantasy and Horror: The constant threat of demon attacks and the struggle for human survival.
- High-Stakes Action: Intense battles between Devilman and the onslaught of demons.
- Tragic Themes: The psychological toll of being caught between two worlds.
If you enjoy these themes, you might also want to collect some Devilman merchandise to commemorate your experience.
Navigating the Watch Order#
Because of the numerous adaptations and spinoffs, the Devilman timeline can be confusing. Please refer to the relationship tree below the article for a detailed visual breakdown of how these titles connect.
Release Order#
For those who want to experience the franchise as it evolved over the decades, follow this sequence:
- Devilman (1972 Anime)
- Mazinger Z Vs. Devilman (1973 Anime)
- Devilman (1987 Anime)
- Go Nagai World (1991 Anime)
- Violence Jack (1986 Anime) $\rightarrow$ Violence Jack 2 (1988) $\rightarrow$ Violence Jack 3 (1990)
- Devilman Lady (1998 Anime)
- Amon: Apocalypse of Devilman (2000 Anime)
- Cyborg 009 Vs. Devilman (2015 Anime)
- DEVILMAN crybaby (2018 Anime)
Recommended Order for Newcomers#
If you are new to the series, we recommend starting with one of the main adaptations of the original story. DEVILMAN crybaby is a modern entry point, while the 1972 and 1987 series offer a more classic perspective. Once you’ve finished a main adaptation, you can explore spinoffs like Devilman Lady or Amon: Apocalypse of Devilman.
Completionist Order#
For the ultimate fan who wants every piece of media, we suggest a path that mixes manga and anime to fill in the gaps:
- Start with the original Devilman manga (1972).
- Watch the corresponding anime adaptations.
- Move into the Violence Jack manga and its subsequent anime sequels (1, 2, and 3).
- Explore alternate retellings and spinoffs like Devilman Lady (Manga and Anime), Amon: Apocalypse of Devilman, and Cyborg 009 Vs. Devilman.
- Finally, catch up with modern takes like DEVILMAN crybaby and recent manga like Devilman Gaiden -Ningen Senki-.
You can buy the manga to ensure you don’t miss any of the deeper lore.
Order for Manga Readers#
If you don’t mind switching between formats, we recommend reading the original manga first to establish the foundation, then using the anime adaptations as complementary experiences. This allows you to see how different eras interpreted Go Nagai’s vision.
If you found this guide helpful and want to keep our research going, feel free to support us on Ko-fi!
Additional Useful Information#
Keep an eye out for recent news regarding the franchise. For example, Discotek has been involved in “Deep Dives” projects involving Devilman and Devilman Lady, and there have been various North American releases for titles like Cyborg 009 Vs. Devilman and DEVILMAN crybaby on Blu-ray. This makes it a great time to start collecting the physical editions of these classic horror titles.
Devilman • manga • 1972-06-11 to 1973-06-24 (Shonen Magazine 1972 No.25 to 1973 No.27)
└─(adaptation)→ Devilman • anime • 1972-07-08 to 1973-04-07
└─(spinoff)→ Mazinger Z Vs. Devilman • anime • 1973-07-18
└─(adaptation)→ Devilman • anime • 1987-11-01 to 1990-02-25
└─(spinoff)→ Go Nagai World • anime • 1991-02-21 to 1991-06-27
└─(sequel)→ Violence Jack • manga • 1973-07-22 to 1974-09-29 (Shonen Magazine 1973 No.31 to 1974 No.40)
└─(adaptation)→ Violence Jack • anime • 1986-06-05
└─(sequel)→ Violence Jack 2 • anime • 1988-12-21
└─(sequel)→ Violence Jack 3 • anime • 1990-11-09
└─(alternate retelling)→ Shin Violence Jack • manga • 2005-05-13 to 2008-04-11
└─(alternate retelling)→ Devilman Lady • manga • 1997-07-23
└─(adaptation)→ Devilman Lady • anime • 1998-10-10 to 1999-12-29
└─(related)→ Cutey Honey vs Devilman Lady • manga • 2013-06-05 to 2013-10-04 (serialized in Champion Red Ichigo)
└─(spinoff)→ Amon: Devilman Mokushiroku: The Darkside of The Devilman • manga • 2000-01-21
└─(adaptation)→ Amon: Apocalypse of Devilman • anime • 2000-05-24
└─(spinoff)→ Devilman Mokushiroku: Strange Days • manga • 2005-07-22
└─(spinoff)→ Devilman Grimoire • manga • 2012-03-19 (serialized in Monthly Champion RED)
└─(related)→ Cyborg 009 Vs. Devilman • anime • 2015-10-17 (Japan theatrical screening)
└─(sequel)→ Devilman VS. Hades • manga • 2012-11-14 to 2014-07-09 (serialized in Monthly Young Magazine)
└─(adaptation)→ DEVILMAN crybaby • anime • 2018-01-05
└─(spinoff)→ Devilman Gaiden -Ningen Senki- • manga • 2023-01-23 to 2023-06-20 (Monthly Young Magazine, Feb - Jul 2023)
└─(side story)→ Shin Devilman • manga • 1981-12-16
