Welcome To Demon Hunting, Akuma-kun. Akuma-kun 2023 is a middle-shelf Netflix anime. Not excellent but not a stinker. In fact, it's pretty good. I’ve never watched the 1989 anime but this sequel does an excellent job of introducing new viewers to the world and story without it feeling alienating. In a world where demons lurk and make contracts with humans, it's up to the new Akuma-kun, a title handed down by those chosen by the Flute of Salomon to fight against demonic forces with the help of his trusty demon companion Mephisto III… which is easier said than done when Mephisto III is a weaker, half-breed demonand Ichirou, the new Akuma-kun, is an emotionally stunted genius whose cold and calculated attitude and approach to people, demons and the cases brought before him rub people the wrong way. This gives Ichirou and Mephisto a Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson character dynamic which is unfortunate because neither of them is particularly likeable at the beginning of the series. Especially Mephisto, who is supposed to be Ichirou's social and moral parameter but ends up being dead weight most of the time as Ichirou’s almost 100% right about everything nearly all the time. However, they both grow on you further into the season as they develop as characters and thanks to the wide range of side characters they interact with.

As a supernatural mystery anime about two people solving demonic crimes, I was a bit weary that the show would use magic to pull a solution out of its ass because the writers couldn’t be bothered to write a good mystery. Thankfully that's not the case. The plot of Each episode revolves around a different case involving different demons, but the show gives the viewers all the information they need to piece together the mystery for themselves and satisfyingly follow Ichirou's thought process to its impressive conclusion.

I love the art style. It feels like a mixture of the old 1989 Akuma-kun anime and the creepy yet endearing Halloween vibes of Soul Eater. The characters are colourful and striking and I especially love some of the demons’ designs. It lends itself well to animation too. Overall it's a wonderfully crafted anime.

Akuma-kun 2023 is pretty good. It won’t be everyone’s thing and I will admit the finale was a bit lacklustre, but I had a good time with it regardless. It's one of those shows you have to let the 3/4 episode rule apply before you decide on whether or not you like it.

7/10 Good.