Devilman Crybaby Non spoiler This review will be my first attempt at a spoiler free review. An attempt at convincing you either why this show is great and deserves to be watched balanced with man this show absolutely sucks and you should keep it away from you. My arguments will hopefully not be too vague as most spoiler free reviews are. Plot Devilman Crybaby is in light of production surprising because it is a Netflix original work the way that the story is presented is in a very Western way. What I mean by Western is the themes and the view toward the foundation of the plot. Demons in this show is viewed with a lens generally not used in Eastern Mythology Middle Eastern is probably the closest. I found this aspect of the show interesting because the setting was still Japan. Yet the family we follow is not Japanese or seems Westernised. I thought that it was particularly fascinating that they used the Book of Revelation within the foundation of the plot now I dont argue this as Western but I do think generally it is seen as Western. I thought the plot was a bit jagged in direction most of the time but I valued its lack of direction as a plot tipping point. Especially since throughout most of the show we know little about the villain of the show and his actions. Until it hits us straight in the face. Even though it was very chaotic structurally oddly enough it fit the theme of the show. The story is significantly linked with the villain and his actions and is very ambiguous for most of the show. But this is not a weakness this is a strength and will be appreciated if you do some investigation behind what people believe about the Book of Revelation versus reality. Characters As I mentioned from the villain we dont really see much of his actions till the latter half of the show yet this build up really makes you hate his guts and is implemented well. In all honesty the only characters developed throughout the entirety of the show is the Main Character and Miki with long hair I valued those characters the most out of the show mainly because they had the most to struggle against. There are a lot of other side characters and supporting characters that had a lot of potential but was never capitalised on. Generally there are a lot of deaths in this show but I dont think they were unexpected this show doesnt lie to you even through the characters. I dont think that the value of the deaths are supposed to be something we care about deeply but rather points us to the impact they have on the Main Character and the plot. The show makes it clear who the important characters are and I wasnt disappointed by the way they implemented that. As a whole the plot was well integrated with the general established purpose of each character even the ones you dont care about too much. This is generally how I view those deaths by the end of the series you value the lack of impact most of the deaths had on you because it gives you a true view into the characteristics of the villain. Music There is something magnificent about the OST in this show and its the value they put on rap music. There are multiple scenes that you read dialog of someone rapping within the show and it is directly linked either symbolically or literally to what is going on in the progression of the story. It is well written and has a massive impact on how you perceive the episode. But dont be surprised when all of a sudden a soothing master piece closes the episode or a rough punch hits you in the ear drum like a sucker punch to the face. The music was produced well and implemented well into the show to give meaning beyond just sounding great. Art Style and Animation Dont be put off by it without it the character of the show would not be able to flourish. There is a big impact made by it due to the major theme of the show spirituality. In life we generally have this view of reality versus fiction/myth and I think the attempt to draw that made an effect weird enough to get the artists to this style. There are times where the animation seems really out of place and thats okay the show is attempting to draw you away from thinking it to be fantasy at the same time as keeping it a fantasy. Its amazing how the art is able to fit in with the theme so well. To quote The Usual Suspects The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing everyone he didnt exist. In conclusion I would recommend this if you are looking for a really good depiction of demon mythology or reality which ever perspective you prefer to view them in. I dont recommend it to people under the age of 20 because of its themes. Furthermore I dont think people appreciate the themes if they havent read the Book of Revelation at least once. I quote C.S Lewis from The Screwtape Letters It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out. Overall the show is a solid 7.5/10 most of the lost points are due to character development even though I talked it up and argued for some of its faults there are still some lost opportunities.