Review of Devilman: Crybaby

***This review will contain spoilers*** I want to preface this by saying that this is my first review, so I apologize if it's sub-par. Devilman: Crybaby shook me to my core. I started it out of pure curiosity after getting it recommended on Netflix, and I seriously don't regret watching it all in one night. Story: 10/10 As I am not familiar with the source material or any other Devilman adaptations, I truly have nothing to compare it to; even so, I feel I can still say in full confidence Devilman: Crybaby's story is one of the best written I've ever seen. From the beginning, everything goes ata relatively fast pace giving the viewer very little room to breathe, making the ending even more heart-shattering as everything almost screeches to a halt when Satan (Ryo) is talking to Akira's corpse, reminiscing about their past together. What makes this pacing work so well is that it feels like the viewer is truly an outsider just observing a story slowly unfold; nothing is directly explained but just presented to the viewer, allowing them to draw their own conclusions while going through the rollercoaster that is Devilman: Crybaby.

Art: 10/10

Devilman: Crybaby's art style is deliberate, unique and recognizable, and paired with some very smooth animation that really makes the characters come to life. I really have nothing more to say in this regard as I feel the art and animation truly speak for themselves.

Sound: 10/10

This shows OST is something else. It's so carefully constructed to create a coherent story that the viewer could relive the emotional anguish through its OST alone.

Character: 10/10

Every character in Devilman: Crybaby is incredibly written. Although we don't get to know all the characters on a profound level due to how short this anime is, it feels natural considering the scale of the story.

Enjoyment: 10/10

Combining the visual sound and story creates a delightful experience that feels smooth and somewhat effortless. Although the ending was jawdropping (for me) in a way that left a deep ache in my soul, I truly enjoyed the existential themes presented throughout.

Overall: 10/10

I must admit, at first, I was slightly taken aback by how explicit the show was, but by the end of the first episode, I had already adjusted to it. Overall this anime left a strong impression on me, from the way it portrays Satans love to the way it addresses perfectionism, Devilman: Crybaby is an almost perfect show that addresses humanity directly with a semi-biblical approach and a beautifully sombre ending.