Akuma-kun is a classic series dating back to the mid-’60s and clearly has stood the test of time. The story of a genius human who contracts a demon to help him fight the forces of darkness begins again!
The series won’t see a premiere until the Fall of 2023. Until then, we have a cute but creepy trailer from Netflix Japan to enjoy. Toei Animation also uploaded a trailer, but it’s region-locked.
Not that Netflix would tell you, but the fine animators at Encourage Films and Toei Animation have set up a promotional home page and an official Twitter page to keep fans of the series, and potential viewers, up to date on new series announcements. Extras, including Key Visuals, have already been shown off.
A Genius of the Occult 10,000 Years in the Making
In the original series, and it’s not sure the new anime adaptation will adapt the source material this closely, Akuma-kun is both the title of the series and a title used by geniuses born once every 10,000 years. A brilliant scientist named Dr. Faust sought to become the next Akuma-kun, but he failed and decided to find the true successor to the title. To this end, he found Shingo Umoregi (voiced by Yuko Mita), who was already being called Akuma-kun by his friends due to his fascination with demons and the occult.
Following numerous failures to summon a demon, Dr. Faust teaches Shingo the process, and Shingo brings forth Mephisto to aid him in fighting off supernatural threats. Dr. Faust also gives him the Flute of Solomon, belonging to King Solomon himself, to control demons to his will. He also has the backing of Akuma-kun’s twelve apostles.
Akuma-kun Origins
Akuma-kun started making a silly nickname sound cool in the legendary manga series written and illustrated by Shigeru Mizuki. He was working on this series at around the same time he put pen to paper for GeGeGe no Kitaro.
The original manga run was published by Toshansha from 1963 to 1964 in three volumes. The second run was published by Kodansha in Weekly Shonen Magazine from 1966 to 1967 in one volume. The third and final run was published by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump between 1970 and 1971 in one book.
Before this anime adaptation, Akuma-kun saw a live-action version from October 6th, 1966, to March 30th, 1967. An anime adaptation directed by Junichi Sato for Toei Animation also ran from April 15th, 1989, to March 24th, 1990, in 42 episodes.
For those who watch series like this and wonder if something is really moving in the darkness and are looking for something that would definitely beat any ghost or demon around, the J-List shop has just what they’re looking for. The Kurama 1/8 Figure from Yu Yu Hakusho is available now for pre-order.
Are you looking forward to this new anime adaptation of Akuma-kun? Are you a seasoned fan of this series, or is this your first introduction to its world? Does Akuma-kun sound like a silly or cool nickname? Let us know in the comments below.
