Anime features numerous plot points that enhance its storytelling, and among these are those involving demons or the supernatural. These anime portray demons as antagonists and, sometimes, as protectors that humanity needs.
However, what makes anime series about demons great is how they balance the supernatural elements with great character development while also integrating emotional nuance. Sometimes, these anime make viewers rethink the concept of good and evil, and there are times the concept is just for us viewers to have a bloody good time.
Here is a list of the best anime with demons.
10Hellsing Ultimate
A World Of Monsters
Hellsing Ultimate
The story revolves around a secret group, the Hellsing Organization, that fights to protect England from vampires and other supernatural threats. However, there is more to this story than just vampires and the supernatural; there are Nazis and demons, and the anime is also layered with some historical references.
If you are into demon lore, the anime does not disappoint, and the likes of Sir Integra Hellsing andAlucardmake the anime darker and more intriguing. Also, the anime portrays the nature of evil and the extent to which people go to achieve power.
Most especially, the character of Alucard redefines the concept of a monster. He is the kind of evil to summon to destroy demons, yet he is bound to a human. Hence, the paradoxical nuance in his character makes him unforgettable.
The Demon Pact That Cost A Child His Body
Dororo tells the tragic story of a boy, Hyakkimaru, without body parts; limbs, nose, ears, skin, etc., on a journey to recover his sacrificed body parts from 12 demons. Hyakkimaru’s father, Lord Kagemitsu, sacrificed Hyakkimaru’s body parts when he was an infant to 12 demons in exchange for power.
Hence, his father abandoned him as an infant, and Jukai, a doctor, found him. Jukai gave him prosthetic limbs and trained Hyakkimaru so he could venture on the journey to reclaim his body parts.
For every demon he slays, a piece of his body returns. During his journey, he meets Dororo, an orphan with her dark past, and they journey together across Japan.Dororo animeis a journey through pain, reclaiming identity, and healing, and it shines best through its great character development.
8Black Butler
The Boy Who Sold His Soul For Revenge
Black Butler
What got me hooked on Black Butler was how the series plays with the idea of demons.Ciel Phantomhive, a young English nobleman, witnessed the murder of his parents, so he made a pact with a demon, Sebastian Michaelis, to avenge his parents.
However, the catch is that once the demon helps Ciel with avenging his parents, Sebastian will devour his soul. The master-servant relationship of both characters is one of the most fascinating in anime.
As I venture deeper into the anime, I cannot help but wonder if something deeper is forming between the two or if Sebastian is just biding his time. Also, other demons like Claude Faustus and Grell made the series chaotic, but also spiced it up in a way. The anime depicts the cost of vengeance and the extent some people will go to achieve it.
7Blue Exorcist
Demons, Possessions And Exorcism
Blue Exorcist
Rin Okumura, a young boy, discovers that he is the illegitimate son of Satan, born from a human woman. His foster father, Shiro Fujimoto, who is also an exorcist, died while protecting him from Satan.
Satan wants Rin to return to the underworld so they can conquer it together. However, Rin decides to enroll at the True Cross Academy to become an exorcist and destroy Satan.
Rin has a dominant demon side, and every time, he fights an internal battle to keep his humanity intact. Watching Rin struggle with acceptance, guilt, and fear as he journeys to be a powerful exorcist makes me root for him, and oftentimes, his inner war often feels more intense than the actual fights in the series.
6Jujutsu Kaisen
The World of Curses
Jujutsu Kaisen
While the anime deals with curses, it is filled with many supernatural entities and grotesque figures that can also be regarded as demons. The story is about Itadori Yuji, a high school student who swallowed a cursed object, the severed rotten finger of a powerful curse, Ryomen Sukuna.
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This is the beginning of the end for Yuji because he became a sorcerer and a perfect vessel for Sukuna. What the anime does so well is how it frames its demons. Curses are born out of human emotions and usually come into the human world twisted.
Also, no one is safe in the anime, not even our favorite characters. Even the powerful Gojo Satoru and the elegant Nanami could not escape the ax of Gege Akutami.
The World Of Time Travel And Feudal Era
The anime begins in the modern-day era, when a high school student, Kagome Higurashi, falls into a well in her family shrine and ends up in Japan’s feudal era. During Kagome’s journey to the past, she awakens Inuyasha, a half-demon who was betrayed and sealed to a tree 50 years ago in the feudal era.
Kagome and Inuyasha then journey together to find a jewel that will grant its holder immeasurable power before it gets into the hands of the evil demon, Naraku. The demon, Inuyasha, aims to retrieve the jewel so that he can become a full demon, and his desire to become a full demon stems from fear of weakness and rejection, which is quite relatable. The anime does not portray demons as purely evil but as beings with motivation and personality.
4Devilman Crybaby
The Making Of A Devilman
Devilman Crybaby
Akira Fudo fused with Amon, a powerful demon, and became Devilman for the purpose of protecting humanity from some ancient demons. The merge between him and Amon made Akira half-demon and half-human.
Even when Akira lost friends and family, he still fought and believed in humanity. The story is tragic and ends with heartbreak.
If you are looking for something safe and comforting, this anime is not for you. However, if you want an anime specifically about demons that challenge you, then give it a go.
3Chainsaw Man
Blood, Gore And Devils
Chainsaw Man
The protagonist of this anime, Denji, is a poor teenager with a simple dream: good food, a warm bed, and someone to hold. In a twist of events, Denji merges with his pet devil, Pochita, to become a chainsaw man.
When Denji then joined the Public Safety Devil Hunters Agency, what followed was a series of chaotic events. Studio MAPPA nailed the animation, and they made every fight feel visceral, just like Jujutsu Kaisen.
Also, it is better not to get too attached to characters in the series, because they usually end up dead or worse, just like Himeno.
2Black Clover
A Magical World Of Warriors And Demons
Black Clover
Like many shonen anime, Black Clover has a protagonist who has big dreams and overcomes struggles through hard work and determination. Black Clover’s world is all about magic, and the protagonist, Asta, does not have magic but is fueled by the desire to become a great wizard king of the Clover Kingdom.
However, his childhood friend Yuno was a prodigy with great magical talent. As the series progresses, a group called the Dark Triad aims to use the power of the devils to destroy humanity.
When demons from the underworld begin to invade the kingdom and threaten to destroy humanity, Asta and his comrades must fight to protect everything that they love.
1Demon Slayer
Nichirin Swords Vs. Blood Demon Arts
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
The story follows Tanjiro Kamado, whose entire family was slaughtered by a demon, except for his sister Nezuko, who was turned into a demon. This ordeal prompted Tanjiro to embark on a journey to become a demon slayer to protect people from demons and find a cure for Nezuko.
Even though the strong bond between Tanjiro and her sister is the heart of this story, the anime did not paint all demons as mindless monsters. Some of the demons are victims of a cruel fate that leads them down the path of darkness, and the anime effectively portrays this notion.
The series has breathtaking animation, which brings each battle to life with its stunning visuals.
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