Review of Devilman: Crybaby

Some parts of Devilman: Crybaby do fall flat, but what it does well, it does extremely well. It's a short series filled with a lot of instant gratification: eye-catching art and a gratuitious amounts of violence and sex, but its main strength isn't in its looks or soundtrack. This series is all about emotional payoff. If you let Devilman: Crybaby take you on a very wild ride, and forgive some of its weaker aspects, you'll definitely find it stuck in your head for weeks. The art is beautiful, albiet a little unique, and really helps convey the tone of each scene. It hops between heavily stylizedand realistic but always manages to nail the right atmosphere, whether that's family dinner night or massacring people at the club. Animation wise, the combat and fights themselves aren't really anything special, instead it's the contrast between scenes: flat to 3-D, static to dynamic that shine.

Music is a central part of the show, and really helps set the dark and exciting atmosphere. Something about the pulsing, 80s synth makes it perfect for the copious amounts of bloodshed and nudity, but it is always well tempered with other tracks. You won't necessarily find a stand out song, and the OP and ED don't feel super noteworthy, but the soundtrack is incredibly atmospheric, and is inexorably connected to the unique feeling of each scene.

Unfortunately, plot and character development isn't one of the strong suits of the series. Devilman: Crybaby has a story to tell, and distinct and memorable characters, but telling that story and character development are never a priority. It's not a series with significant twists and turns, arcs, or substantial growth. Fights are sometimes skipped over, characters come and go, and the pacing of the overarching story feels all at once too slow and too fast.

But you should still give this 10 episode series a try.

SPOILER IN THIS PARAGRAPH:
Devilman: Crybaby requires a little immersion and suspension of disbelief. As awkward as it feels, the story moves us along, and somehow the pacing does fit perfectly with the show's climax. The first half of the series feels stretched and moves leisurely, before crumbling just a bit too quick into insanity. Conciously we may be ready for the shift in tone and everything that is thrown at us, but even while watching, it's hard to let go of what we see. What the story lacks in plot intricacies it makes up for in emotional depth. You might not remember the details behind each scene, but you definitely will remember the way it made you feel. If you're willing to go along with it, Devilman: Crybaby builds up and pays off. It's not a show that's meant to run on and on or be entertaining weekly. Ultimately this series is about just a select few moments. Maybe just one.