Beelzebub Review: The Toughest Delinquent in School Has to Raise the Demon King's Baby
by Ryuhei Tamura
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Quick Take
- The strongest delinquent at the toughest school accidentally becomes the guardian of the infant Demon King, who cannot be separated from him without catastrophic electrical discharge
- Comedy action manga with genuine heart beneath the delinquent fighting and baby-raising chaos
- 28 volumes, complete
Who Is This Manga For?
- Readers who want action comedy with an unusual premise that commits completely
- Fans of delinquent school manga who want supernatural escalation
- Anyone who wants a complete series that balances ridiculous humor with genuine warmth
- Readers who liked Gintama's comedy energy in a different setting
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T (Teen) Content Warnings: Delinquent school fighting, mild baby nudity (it's a baby), comedy violence
Accessible. The baby being naked is a recurring comedy element, not anything concerning.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★☆☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★★☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★★ |
| Reread Value | ★★★☆☆ |
Story Overview
Oga Tatsumi is the most feared delinquent at Ishiyama High School, a school populated almost entirely by delinquents. He finds an enormous man floating down a river, who splits open to reveal a baby. The baby immediately climbs onto Oga and refuses to leave.
The baby is Beelzebub IV — infant son of the Demon King, sent to the human world to be raised by a suitable guardian. The criteria for "suitable guardian" is being the strongest, most violent human the demon butler could find. Oga qualifies. Separating them now causes Beelzebub to cry, which releases massive electrical energy.
The manga follows Oga's reluctant father role alongside his continuing career as Ishiyama's most terrifying student, with escalating supernatural intrusions as the demon world takes interest in Beelzebub's human guardian.
Characters
Oga Tatsumi — Violent, direct, genuinely attached to Beelzebub despite his protests. His development into something resembling a responsible guardian is the manga's warmth engine.
Beelzebub (Baby Beel) — The Demon King's infant son; electrically dangerous, loyal to Oga, and portrayed with the specific comic energy of a powerful entity that is also just a baby.
Hilda — The demon maid sent to monitor Baby Beel's upbringing; her relationship with Oga is one of action comedy manga's better slow-burn dynamics.
The Ishiyama Delinquents — The school's cast of fighters, each with specific personalities and fighting styles.
Art Style
Tamura's art is energetic and expressive — the delinquent fighting sequences are dynamic and comedically staged, and Baby Beel's expressions are the manga's most consistently funny visual element. The demon world designs are creative.
What I Love About It
Oga's actual attachment to Baby Beel. The manga's comedy premise is that he does not want to be the Demon King's guardian. The manga's emotional reality is that he absolutely is the guardian, in every way that matters, and his attachment is genuine well before he admits it. The baby-raising subplot is the manga's surprising heart.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Beelzebub has a warm Western following from the anime adaptation. Western readers appreciate the comedy premise's commitment and the Oga/Baby Beel dynamic. The ending is considered satisfying. The anime is considered a good adaptation through its run; the manga's conclusion is preferred.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
The first time Baby Beel demonstrates genuine loyalty to Oga — choosing Oga in a situation where that choice surprises everyone including Oga — is the chapter where the manga's emotional premise clicks. The baby is not just a comedy prop. He knows who his person is.
Similar Manga
- Gintama — Comedy action with genuine heart
- Assassination Classroom — School setting, comedy with emotional depth
- Reborn! — Similar reluctant-guardian-of-supernatural-baby premise
- One Piece — Large ensemble adventure, similar warmth
Reading Order / Where to Start
Volume 1. The premise is established in the first chapter.
Official English Translation Status
VIZ Media published the complete 28-volume series. All volumes available.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 28 volumes, complete, with a satisfying ending
- The comedy premise is committed to throughout
- Baby Beel is one of manga's most effective comedy characters
- Oga's actual character development is quietly well-done
Cons
- Story depth is limited by the comedy-action structure
- The delinquent school setting is familiar
- Some mid-series arcs drag before the final arc's energy
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | Standard VIZ release |
| Digital | Works well |
| Physical | Fine |
Where to Buy
Get Beelzebub Vol. 1 on Amazon →
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Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.