Demon Love Spell Review: A Shrine Maiden Seals a Playboy Incubus's Power and Has to Let Him Live with Her
by Mayu Shinjo
*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick Take
- A classic supernatural romance premise — the powerful being rendered powerless must cooperate with the human who did it — executed with Shinjo's characteristic shojo energy
- Kagura's incubus nature (he feeds on love/desire) creates specific comedic and romantic tension with the shrine maiden setting
- 6 volumes complete; short complete shojo supernatural romance
Who Is This Manga For?
- Readers who want short supernatural shojo romance with clear comedy-romance balance
- Anyone who enjoys the "playboy supernatural being learning genuine feeling" character type
- Fans of Shinjo Mayu's other supernatural romance work
- Readers looking for very short complete supernatural romance
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T (Teen) Content Warnings: Incubus supernatural nature involves romantic/desire themes; mild sexual tension; supernatural action
T rating — the incubus concept is present but handled within teen standards.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★☆☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★☆☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★☆☆ |
Story Overview
Miko Hashimoto has grown up at a shrine and has performed the rituals without being able to see the spirits the rituals are meant to address. This is embarrassing for a shrine maiden.
When an incubus named Kagura — a supernatural being who feeds on the romantic emotions of women — begins causing problems near the shrine, Miko performs the sealing ritual. It goes wrong in a specific way: she seals his powers rather than his physical presence. Kagura can no longer feed on random women. His power recovers through the one person whose ritual touched him — Miko.
The incubus who has never had genuine feeling must now be in proximity to a shrine maiden and cannot use his usual approaches because his powers are sealed. The romantic development follows from this specific inconvenience.
Characters
Miko Hashimoto — A shrine maiden whose inability to see spirits makes her an unusual protagonist for this setting; her directness and determination compensate for what she cannot perceive.
Kagura — An incubus whose reputation for superficial romantic manipulation is placed against a situation where his usual tools don't work; genuine feeling develops from the position he is put in.
Art Style
Shinjo's shojo art is distinctive — expressive character work, clear romantic staging, and the supernatural elements integrated into the typical shojo aesthetic. Character designs are appealing and appropriate to the supernatural romance genre.
Cultural Context
Demon Love Spell ran in Cheese! magazine from 2009 to 2012. Mayu Shinjo is known for supernatural shojo romance. The shrine maiden setting draws from Shinto tradition, and Kagura's name is also the name of a type of Shinto ritual performance — a connection the series uses for thematic resonance.
What I Love About It
The inversion. Kagura is the supernatural being whose entire existence is built around emotional manipulation. The sealing puts him in a position where he cannot manipulate — he must negotiate genuinely, which is a new experience. His development from surface to something real is the series' most interesting content.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers describe Demon Love Spell as a pleasant short supernatural shojo romance — specifically noted for the incubus/shrine maiden dynamic being fun comedic material, for 6 volumes being a satisfying length for the premise, and for Kagura's development being enjoyable within the short format. Recommended for shojo fans who want supernatural romance without heavy investment.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
The scene where Kagura encounters a genuine romantic threat — someone else approaching Miko — and his reaction reveals that his feelings have become more than feeding instinct is the series' most character-revealing content.
Similar Manga
- Kamisama Kiss — Shrine maiden and supernatural being romance with similar energy
- Inu x Boku SS — Supernatural servant and human partnership with similar dynamic
- Black Bird — Supernatural being pursuing human girl in similar shojo register
- Absolute Boyfriend — Supernatural being learning genuine feeling in different premise
Reading Order / Where to Start
Volume 1 — The accidental sealing and Kagura's situation establish the premise quickly.
Official English Translation Status
Viz Media published the complete English series. All 6 volumes available.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incubus/shrine maiden dynamic is fun
- Short and complete at 6 volumes
- Kagura's development is enjoyable
- Classic shojo supernatural romance quality
Cons
- Formula is familiar
- Depth limited by short length
- Some readers may find the incubus concept uncomfortable
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | Viz Media; complete series |
| Digital | Available |
Where to Buy
Get Demon Love Spell Vol. 1 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.