On the surface, Akuma-kun looks like a fun and child-friendly anime featuring wide-eyed characters in vivid backgrounds, but underneath lies an impressively dark supernatural premise that explores significant themes like the sins of humanity and more. Here’s our review of Akuma-kun Season 1.
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Akuma-kun Season 1 Review: Is It Good or Bad?
Just reading Akuma-kun's premise piqued my interest in the Netflix anime, let alone the powerful advertising poster and trailer, which showcase these wide-eyed characters who reminded me of some of my favorite 90s animations when I was younger.
Nowadays, it's difficult to discover anime episodes that have that distinct 90s classic charm, so I was quite excited and completely sold on Akuma-kun, as was Pluto, which was also recently released on Netflix.
The first few episodes of Akuma-kun evoked a flood of emotions and nostalgia. I especially like the background animation done by Encourage Films, which takes the focus away from the characters themselves.
It employs hand-drawn and traditional approaches, which, when combined, result in a distinct, gritty, and edgy animation.
Furthermore, the color palette utilized for each episode of Akuma-kun added to the story's impact. It left us with a darker and rougher impression, which complements the anime's unsettling storyline.
Akuma-kun is surprisingly grim for an anime that appears to be lighthearted and family-friendly. It delves into several key subjects that will prompt you to examine your views and morale.
The anime examines humanity's crimes, facets of human life, the fine line between good and evil, family relationships, and even philosophy.
The difference between the major characters adds to the anime's complexity. While Akuma-kun (Ichiro Umoregi) acts logically and apathetically most of the time, his sidekick, Mephisto III, lends positivity and optimism to the plot.
While this contrast is positive, Akuma-kun's disregard for others, particularly his adoptive father, Shingo, and his clients, irritates me at times.
The other thing I noticed in Akuma-kun is the number of female characters who died or were killed off in the series. It’s the one thing that bothers me the most since I’m a woman myself. I think they deserved more.
On the other hand, for viewers unfamiliar with Shigeru Mizuki's Akuma-kun manga series, the anime's out-of-the-box supernatural premise feels fresh.
This is the first Akuma-kun anime I've ever seen, and I was impressed. It's not the best anime out there, but it's a good watch for anyone who likes mystery and the occult.
Unfortunately, no matter how amazing the anime was at first, it eventually fell flat. Akuma-kun appears to be at a loss for direction, leaving many questions and gaps.
It truly requires a second-season adaptation to address these issues and allow everyone to move on.
The finale of Akuma-kun feels rushed, and the resolution to the conflict is ineffective.
There is a plot twist at the conclusion that will surprise you, but the Akuma-kun ONA will be remembered for its mesmerizing animation.
I like Akuma-kun's characters, but I never really attached to them after watching the anime's 12 episodes.
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So, Is Akuma-kun Worth Watching?
Yes, Akuma-kun is still worth watching, especially for those who are into the supernatural genre. It’s not the best supernatural and mystery anime there is, but it’s worthy of your time.
Akuma-kun Season 1 promises a fun and spooky adventure with unique visual imagery, strong voice-acting performances, resonating characters, and an unpredictable supernatural premise, but the ending feels flat, dull, forced, and rushed.
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