Much of the drama stems from Akira’s constant battle to keep Amon’s violent impulses at bay.
Amon's look varies across the franchise's decades-long history: devilman amon
When most people talk about Go Nagai’s seminal masterpiece Devilman , they talk about the tragic hero, Akira Fudo. They talk about the shocking violence, the nihilistic ending, and the infamous “Sirene” bathhouse fight. But lurking just beneath the surface of Akira’s muscular, red-skinned frame is a ghost—a demon so ancient, so purely malevolent, that even in defeat, he might have won. Much of the drama stems from Akira’s constant
Go Nagai draws this beautifully. When Akira fights as himself, his movements are deliberate, almost pained. When Amon surfaces, the art becomes jagged, the shadows deepen, and Akira’s face twists into a rictus of pure hatred. But lurking just beneath the surface of Akira’s
The relationship between Akira and Amon is the central tension of the series. Unlike typical superhero stories where the power is a simple tool, Amon is a sentient, hateful being trapped within a human host.
The OVA is notorious for its pacing. The first half is a slow-burn psychological horror, while the second half explodes into frantic action. The transition can be jarring, leaving viewers feeling like they missed a bridge between the emotional grief and the fist-fights.