Devilman Help

[Harmagedo]

Hello everyone, forgive me if I’m out of place in this post but I am new here and in desperate need of clarification on some details regarding one of my all time favorite horror series, Go Nagai’s Devilman. Unfortunately finding an English site that is easy to use, organized or informative is basically non-existent so knowledge of this series outside of what can be bought on DVD is needless to say, hard to come by. I am a fan of the series and wish to know everything I can about it, such as all the characters (which is harder to come by than you think), the relation between the lists of multiple Devilman manga, side stories, novels and others various incarnations (as illustrated in the link below), as well as decent locations to purchase Devilman action figures if such a thing is possible. I’m sorry if this seems like a lot to ask for and you may be thinking, “Hey guy, do the research for yourself, we all did.” But the fact is I have searched and searched the web and I’m sorry if my detective skills aren’t as keen as those whom I share this forum with but I would greatly appreciate what knowledge can be lent unto me.

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First of all, Issue 1. I would appreciate any websites that would help me out in my search, I’ve found a few but most seem immune to search engines or are in a foreign language. All I can do is beseech you all for your help and understanding, hoping there is someone here more knowledgeable than me.

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Secondly, the Devilman Characters, here is the list I have compiled including characters exclusive to the OVAs and 1970s Anime:

Devilmen:
Akira Fudo / Devilman
Puffurle
Miko *Mico*
Yumi (OVA only?)

Humans:
Professor Asuka
Miki Makimura
Tare Makimura

Demons:
Ryo Asuka / Satan
Zenon *Zannin*
Psycho Jenny
Amon
Zan *Zann*
Siren *Silene*
Saylos (OVA only?)
Kaim
Jinmen
Gelmer *Geruma*
Weluva (Gelmer’s accomplice in the OVA only?)
Welvath
Texsch
Illuge
Medok
Masstuff

(1970s Anime exclusives)
Magdora
Lala

I don’t know which characters appear where original in the various Devilman manga and novels or which ones are exclusive to the OVAs so any info you can offer me would be of a great help.

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Thirdly, here is a link to the Devilman family tree, this was released with the Devilman Lady artbook back in the era of 1997-2000 so it’s a tad outdate but none the less illustrates some interesting aspects of devilman in both manga, novel and anime that would not otherwise be know to your common fan.

Untranslated:
http://www.cjas.org/~bchow/gonagai/devilman/images/j-genealogy.jpg (http://www.cjas.org/~bchow/gonagai/devilman/images/j-genealogy.jpg)

Translated:
http://www.cjas.org/~bchow/gonagai/devilman/images/e-genealogy.jpg (http://www.cjas.org/~bchow/gonagai/devilman/images/e-genealogy.jpg)

So this is how I understand it so far.

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- Devilman (Original Manga)

- Devilman Anime (Anime Series adjacent to Original Manga)


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- Mazinger Z vs Devilman (Manga spin-off of Devilman Anime)

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- Devilman (Nondescript listing, what is this?)

- Devilman (Nondescript listing, what is this?)

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- Devilman Senden (What is this?)

- Neo Devilman (Collection of Side stories to accompany the original Manga)

- Toushin Devilman (What is this?)

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- New (True / Shin) Devilman Manga (what is this?)

- True Devilman Novel (what is this?)

- Devilman OVAs (I'd assume OVAs based on the True / New / Shin releases?)

- Devilman Novel (Novelization of the OVAs?)

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- CB Go Nagai World (A fun little chibi OVA)

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- Amon: Apocalypse (destruction) of Devilman (Collection of Side stories to New / True / Shin Devilman?)

- Amon: Apocalypse (destruction) of Devilman (OVA sequel to previous OVAs loosely based on the namesake's manga)

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- Devilman Ghost (what is it?)

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- Devilman Lady (Manga spin-off od Devilman)

- Devilman Lady Anime (Anime of Devilman Lady manga)

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- Devilman in the Dark (What is this?)

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- Devilman Live action (is there an official name for this setting it apart from other Devilman components? Is it based on anything in particular within the Devilman compendium?)

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Last but not least, what are some good places to check out devilman action figures? Which ones are worth getting?

[dracul]

First of all, Issue 1. I would appreciate any websites that would help me out in my search, I’ve found a few but most seem immune to search engines or are in a foreign language. All I can do is beseech you all for your help and understanding, hoping there is someone here more knowledgeable than me.

http://www.devilworld.org That is my site, It should answer most of your questions, and get you started. I'm currently working on it, so if something doesn't work, email me and I'll fix it right up for ya. The Wikipedia article has been edited and added to by me, so it is more accurate than it was. Not trying to sound like I know it all, but I've been researching all that is Devilman for over a decade (I'm also writing a book on Devilman), and have even had Japanese fans tell me I am an authority on the subject.

Secondly, the Devilman Characters, here is the list I have compiled including characters exclusive to the OVAs and 1970s Anime:

I have noted those who are not main characters, and where they appear:
Devilmen:
Akira Fudo / Devilman <-- Manga, TV, OVA
Puffurle <-- Manga, Supporting character
Miko *Mico*<-- Manga, 3rd OVA Supporting character
Yumi (OVA only?) <-- 3rd OVA, Amon Manga (If I recall correctly)

Humans:
Professor Asuka <-- Manga, OVA
Miki Makimura<-- Manga, TV, OVA
Tare Makimura<-- Manga, TV, OVA

Demons:
Ryo Asuka / Satan <-- Manga, OVA
Zenon <-- Manga, TV, OVA
*Zannin* <-- Manga, TV
Psycho Jenny <-- Manga, TV, OVA Supporting character
Amon <-- Manga (only mentioned), 3rd OVA, new Manga
Zan *Zann* <-- Manga, Supporting character
Siren *Silene* <-- Manga, TV, OVA
Saylos (OVA only?) <-- 3rd OVA
Kaim <-- Manga, OVA
Jinmen <-- Manga, OVA
Gelmer *Geruma* <-- Manga, TV, OVA
Weluva (Gelmer’s accomplice in the OVA only?) Actual name is Aguwel<-- Manga, OVA

The following are briefly in the Manga, and or OVAs and If I recall correctly not even mentioned by name:
Welvath
Texsch
Illuge
Medok
Masstuff

(1970s Anime exclusives)< -- You are correct on this, in fact all demons in the TV series with few exceptions are exclusive to the series.
Magdora
Lala


So this is how I understand it so far.
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- Devilman (Original Manga)
- Devilman Anime (Anime Series adjacent to Original Manga)

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- Mazinger Z vs Devilman (Manga spin-off of Devilman Anime)
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- Devilman (Nondescript listing, what is this?)
- Devilman (Nondescript listing, what is this?)
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- Devilman Senden (What is this?)
- Neo Devilman (Collection of Side stories to accompany the original Manga)
- Toushin Devilman (What is this?)
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- New (True / Shin) Devilman Manga (what is this?)
- True Devilman Novel (what is this?)
- Devilman OVAs (I'd assume OVAs based on the True / New / Shin releases?)
- Devilman Novel (Novelization of the OVAs?)
----
- CB Go Nagai World (A fun little chibi OVA)
----
- Amon: Apocalypse (destruction) of Devilman (Collection of Side stories to New / True / Shin Devilman?)
- Amon: Apocalypse (destruction) of Devilman (OVA sequel to previous OVAs loosely based on the namesake's manga)
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- Devilman Ghost (what is it?)
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- Devilman Lady (Manga spin-off od Devilman)
- Devilman Lady Anime (Anime of Devilman Lady manga)
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- Devilman in the Dark (What is this?)
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- Devilman Live action (is there an official name for this setting it apart from other Devilman components? Is it based on anything in particular within the Devilman compendium?)


Now as for the rest . The Animated Series came first. It was a result of a re-working of an earlier Go Nagai manga called Mao Dante. Toei Animation approached Go to develop it into a series, but change certain elements making it more kid friendly. The result of the changes was the Devilman TV series. Around the same time, Go developed this new character into a ongoing series, which was published as a serial in Shonen Magazine over 53 issues.

The two were actually coming out almost simultaneously, with the series going in one direction and the manga in a decidedly more adult direction. The entire run was collected and published in the five manga from Kodansha that year as well. The 'Shin Devilman' is actually a new volume that Go created that actually replaced the third volume of the original manga series (why this is I am not sure, but the first volumes of manga have the original and repressings have Shin Devilman).

Everything else in that list to my knowledge, is various manga that had been released over the years, either officially via manga and magazine or fan released. The Amon series, is a rework and expansion of the original ending and Devilman Lady is essentially an alternate world version of the original story, and both written by Go. 'Devilman In The Dark', was a brand new story created by Go exclusively for the ARK boxset that also included the Neo Devilman series. The Neo series is basically fan manga from up and coming artists and writers in Japan at the time. The Go Nagai World was a three volume manga series that was developed into a series also which is quite funny.

The live action movie was written by Go, but was almost unwatchable and if it had a seperate title it would be 'terribly disappointing and depressing to watch my favorite anti-hero go down the tubes'.

The OVA's are highly recommended as they are very faithful (despite minor changes) to the source, although the second one reverses the order of everything for some reason (Devilman actually fought Silene first not Jinmen). The Amon OVA is incredible, as is Devilman Lady. For a glimpse of what Devilman came from, I highly recommend Mao Dante, which was released under the title 'Demon Lord Dante' over here in the States.


Last but not least, what are some good places to check out devilman action figures? Which ones are worth getting?

To save you ALOT of time, check ebay. There is usually a flux of figures, and from time to time you can find rare ones. Yahoo Japan is also good too, but unless you have a contact there you'll have to go through a service which isn't cheap. They are all worth getting in my opinion, but the most detailed and interesting to look at are the Fewture Models figures designed by Nirasawa.

Hope that helps
Chris

[Harmagedo]

Thanks for you time clearing that up for me, love your site (checking it out right now). Sorry to be a nuissance but if you could take the time to clear a few facts for me at the time being I would greatly appreciate it.

1. Is Zenon and Zannin two seperate characters or just two different spellings of the same name used to differentiate between the Devilman manga's Zenon and the Devilman TV's Zenon which is essentially Zenon from Mao Dante?

2. Is there a list of the demons and assorted characters from the TV series anywhere? How about Devilman Lady as well?

3. I haven't been able to find any resolution for many of my quieries on this chart so I thought I'ld make this to help illustrate my dillema. I don't know if you can help me or not because the chart is probably a confusing mess even to an expert.

http://Serv3.imagehigh.com/imgs/04/32273_untitl.jpg (http://Serv3.imagehigh.com)

4. While your site is still under construction I think it would be great to have sections that would illustrate the basics to lamens and noobs to the series such as a page listing all the characters, who they are, what series, etc. And a page illustrating the various manga incarnations of Devilman and their relations (not just a listing of all the publications for each year).


P.S. Was anyone else pissed that Geneon censored the american release of Mao Dante (Demon Lord Dante)?