Studio: White Fox
Directed By: Naoto Hosoda
Created By: Satoshi Wagahara
Episode Count: 13
Audio: Japanese, English
Subtitles: English
Format: DVD, Blu-ray
Classification: 15 (BBFC)
Licensed By: Manga Entertainment UK
The Demon Lord Satan’s plans of conquering the World of Ente Isla comes crashing down around him, as the hero Emilia and her comrades subdue two of his generals. Both Lord Satan and Demon General Alciel barely escape through a dimensional portal, where they land in modern day Japan. Upon exiting the portal, their demonic forms are changed to that of mere humans and their powers diminish substantially due to the lack of magic in the World. Now they are forced to do all they can to survive in this society for a time, so they can come up with a plan on how to replenish their lost abilities. In order for them to stay off the streets, they must acquire accommodation and funds to pay for such. Luckily Satan, who now goes by the name of Sadao Maó, successfully gains a part-time job in a fast food restaurant named MgRonald.
This is perhaps the funniest show I have watched in some time. It began as a pure fantasy showdown, a story of good versus pure evil. By the end of the series, my opinion had changed immensely. Before we get there though, let me explain the show a bit further. Luckily for Satan’s quick thinking, he was capable of opening up a portal as a means of escape to what would have been his almost certain defeat at the hands of the hero. Thing is, I don’t think he had enough time to plan out the final destination. Thus two of the purest monsters to have ever existed in Ente Isla now reside in the modern World. They quickly begin to adjust to their surroundings, after being brought back to the station by two police officers. Satan, now known as Sado, acquires a part-time job at a fast food restaurant, manning the chip fryer. There he dedicates himself to working up the ladder, in order to make shift manager. Whereas his Demon General Alciel, now known as Shirō Ashiya, takes over the task of researching ways to regain their lost powers, as well as becoming somewhat of a housemaid for Sado. Their lives may have kept quiet for some time, if it wasn’t for the sudden appearance of the Hero Emilia into their World!
The Hero Emilia, now going by the name Emi Yusa, followed through the portal and is now in the same predicament as her vile demon enemies. Trapped in modern day Tokyo, she seems to have fared much better in finding more comfortable accommodation and a job. Her sights are still forever set on defeating Satan once and for all, but perhaps it is the sight of his human form and behaviour that tends to calm her eagerness to destroy him for now. Off the battlefield, both opponents have very different demeanors, Emilias’ can even be seen as slightly clumsy. Ashiya is frugal when it comes to spending money and seems to excel when it comes to being a househusband. Over the course of these episodes we meet many more characters, but I don’t want to spoil anymore seeing as the series is this short.
All the expected fantasy action scenes deemed worthy of the Devil himself are mostly in the first five minutes of the show, when it is all set in Ente Isla. That is not to say however, that there aren’t any battles taking place in Tokyo. Although they are now underneath railway bridges and outside convenience stores at night, the action is still there. Those on the side of good, that our Hero Emilia fights for, even have their own hidden agendas and secrets that she is unaware of. It’s not long before what was once a clear definition of Right from Wrong, black from white, begins to become a mix of grey as secrets are revealed. For Satan, his battle now lies against a rivalling fast food restaurant that has just opened up straight across from MgRonalds’.
The Devil Is a Part-Timer! first began as a light novel series in 2011 by Satoshi Wagahara. It is still on-going today with 24 volumes currently available and is being translated and released in English by Yen press. The following year in 2012, Wagahara adapted the story into a manga series which is also still on-going with 16 volumes out now. This is also being translated into English and released by Yen Press. A spin off 5 volume manga series named The Devil Is a Part Timer! High School! also got the same Yen Press treatment. Then in 2013 this anime series was released by the studio White Fox. A studio which has been around since 2007 and has released some very memorable shows, including Steins; Gate, Akame ga Kill! and Goblin Slayer.
Although the show was only given a 13 episode run, there is plenty of manga and light novel material being realised if you wish to explore the series a bit longer. At the moment you can stream The Devil Is a Part-Timer! over on the FunimationNow app and you can buy the physical release from Manga Entertainment UK.
Overall: 9/10
