Devilman Grimoire Review
by Go Nagai / Rui Takato
*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick Take
- A reimagining of Go Nagai's classic Devilman for a new generation
- Takes the core concept — human merged with demon to fight demons — and updates the setting
- Interesting as a companion piece to the original but feels lesser on its own
Who Is This Manga For?
- Fans of the original Devilman or Devilman Crybaby who want more
- Horror action fans interested in demon mythology
- Readers who appreciate darker reimaginings of classic manga
- Anyone curious about Go Nagai's creative legacy
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: M (Mature) Content Warnings: graphic violence, nudity, body horror, demonic content
Please read the content warnings before diving in.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★☆☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★☆☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★☆☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★☆☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★☆☆ |
Story Overview
Devilman Grimoire reimagines the Devilman story in a new setting: a high school where the class representative Miki is drawn into a demonic conspiracy when her childhood friend Akira merges with the demon Amon to become Devilman. Unlike the original's cosmic scale, Grimoire has a more intimate school setting, though the demons are just as violent and the stakes eventually expand to world-ending territory.
Characters
Akira and Miki are recognizable from the original but with updated personalities appropriate to the contemporary school setting. The demon designs are inventive and disturbing. The story introduces new characters who don't appear in the original, giving it some surprises even for Devilman veterans.
Art Style
Rui Takato's art is slick and contemporary — more mainstream seinen than Go Nagai's raw 1970s style. The action sequences are dynamic and the demon designs are genuinely creative. If you come expecting Nagai's vintage aesthetic, you'll need to adjust your expectations.
Cultural Context
Go Nagai's original Devilman (1972) was a landmark of darker manga — combining action, horror, and tragedy in ways that shocked readers and influenced generations of creators. Netflix's Devilman Crybaby brought the story to international audiences. Grimoire is part of an ongoing project to keep Nagai's creation relevant across eras.
What I Love About It
I have complicated feelings about Devilman Grimoire. The original Devilman broke me emotionally — its ending is one of the most devastating in manga history. Grimoire cannot replicate that because it's working within established mythology where readers know what's coming. But taken on its own terms, as dark action horror, it delivers.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Reviews from international readers are mixed. Devilman purists find Grimoire too sanitized compared to the original's transgressive extremity. Readers who come fresh find it a solid dark action horror manga. The consensus is that it's good but not essential except for franchise completists.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Spoiler Warning: The scenes where Akira first loses control of his demonic side, overwhelmed by Amon's battle hunger, effectively capture the core horror of the Devilman concept — what happens to the human soul when inhabited by something that hungers for destruction.
Similar Manga
- Devilman — The original — essential, devastating, and irreplaceable
- Violence Jack — Nagai's post-apocalyptic continuation of the Devilman universe
- Chainsaw Man — Modern horror action with similar human/devil merge concept
Reading Order / Where to Start
Read the original Devilman first. Grimoire is best understood as a companion piece.
Official English Translation Status
Status: Complete Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment Volumes Available in English: 5 of 5
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Accessible entry to Devilman mythology
- Contemporary art style
- All 5 volumes in English
- Creative demon designs
Cons:
- Cannot compare to the original's emotional impact
- Feels safer than Nagai's transgressive source material
- Better as supplement than replacement for classic Devilman
Format Comparison
| Format | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paperback | Amazon | Seven Seas edition — all 5 volumes |
Where to Buy
You can find Devilman Grimoire on Amazon:
👉 Buy Devilman Grimoire on Amazon
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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.