Review of Devilman: Crybaby

Devilman Crybaby is a simultaneously psychedelic and depressing anime about demons taking human hosts and killing people, and how our empath MC becomes someone with the body of a demon and a human heart (Devilman, hence the title) and must defend the humans from this threat. Episodes vary wildly, from fights to introspective rap songs, to biblical talk, etc. Something really great about the anime is how strongly it sticks to its main traits: being psychedelic and depressing. I really think those two words sum up about every episode, and with them being so different it is really a wonder as to how they pulledit off. You will be drawn in by the psychedelic art, settings, and themes, only to be hit by a train of depression as a terrible event occurs. I feel that this anime is definitely a good anime, but because of these themes it is still too niche for widespread appeal, and I personally don't love these themes and as a result probably didn't enjoy it as much as I could have, although it was still very good.

If you like psychedelic art and themes along with becoming chronically depressed from a 20-ish minute animation, then this is for you. In case you aren't aware, there is a lot of sexual content and partial nudity (tits & butts) that can be filed as "enhancing the psychedelic theme" but I think it in there mainly because Netflix is the one doing it (they do it will a disproportionately large number of their original animated shows, see Castlevania). I don't feel that it qualifies as fanservice or smut, and it usually isn't in-your-face, more of a background thing. However, keep in mind that it's there, and if any normal amounts of this content makes you squeamish it's not for you.