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“Devilman Crybaby” is a new Japanese anime series based on Go Nagai’s manga “Devilman” that is currently streaming on Netflix and receiving all kinds of hype.

The story follows a sensitive high school student named Akira Fudo who is one day informed by his mysterious friend Ryo Asuka that an old race of demons has returned to the world to take over and eliminate the human race. Akira is later persuaded to unite with a demon in order to be able to destroy demons by incorporating their powers.

He then becomes what is known as a Devilman, possessing the powers of a demon while still maintaining a human heart.

What is so gripping about the show at first glance is the artwork and the music incorporated. The art and animation is very stunning and draws you in with its vivid colors and simplistic imagery. Nothing about the artwork is over-exaggerated or overwhelming.

It perfectly sets the darkness and lightness as well as the themes of love and loss in the story with simplicity and unusual visuals. The music is a great companion to the visuals. It sets the right atmosphere of edgy grittiness with ominous chanting and bass lines, and scenes of grief and nostalgia with softer symphonies.

The storyline is not quite as captivating. While the plot and characters are interesting enough to keep you watching, some aspects of it were either a bit much or were a bit lacking. The show is certainly one of maturity with themes of sex, drugs, violence, and biblical clashes.

However, the sexual themes seemed a bit over the top and not as necessary as portrayed. There was enough oversexualization to the point of eyerolls and pondering why it is needed in the storyline in certain areas.

A factor that there was not enough of was characterization, but due to the show only consisting of ten episodes, perhaps it was unavoidable.

While there was quite a bit of build up to make characters likable, there wasn’t enough to the point of feeling any throb of loss when the darkness of the show eventually took hold.

“Devilman Crybaby” is full of stunning visuals, an excellent soundtrack, and likable characters. Perhaps it could have lived up to its full potential if there were only a few more episodes added on to the season.