Devilman

Akira Fudo is a shy, introspective teenager who ends up on a Himalayan climb with his father that ends in tragedy. His body becomes the vessel for a demon warrior called Devilman, who hides inside a human form to blend into society while pursuing a larger plan. As Devilman fights to keep his humanity intact, he discovers a deep attachment to his childhood friend Miki Makimura and vows to protect her and the wider world from the threat of other demons. His alliance with people he would normally fear and despise forces him to question what power really means. In a world where monsters and longing collide, loyalty becomes its own kind of strength.

Premiered in 1972 as a television anime, Devilman adapts Go Nagai's manga for a serialized audience. The show is credited to a Japanese animation team and helped establish a darker tone for superhero storytelling on TV during its era telecast.

Devilman helped open doors for darker themes in anime, mixing brutal monster battles with moral ambiguity and romance. Its concept of a demon living inside a human protector influenced later works and paved the way for more adult oriented stories on screen. The 2018 Netflix adaptation Devilman Crybaby and other modern takedowns borrow its bold fusion of horror and heroism.

Critics regard the early run as daring for its time, balancing lurid spectacle with themes of power, responsibility, and the cost of choosing mercy over might. Akira's struggle to remain humane while wielding terrifying power gives the series a sobering center that still resonates with audiences today. Its blend of danger and tenderness invites reflection beyond typical action fare online.

Box office data does not apply to this television series. It aired on TV in the early 1970s and was not released as a standalone film with theatrical grosses.