"Demonbane" is a twelve-episode anime series that seems to be immersed with the genres of science-fiction, mecha, action, suspense, and the supernatural. Everything has a futuristic feel to things but the clothing seems to be a mix of modern and seventeenth century. There is both an OVA and a regular series for TV. The Demonbane anime series seems to be a straight adaptation of the Playstation 2 game called "Kishinhoukou Demonbane." Those who have played the game may or may not enjoy the Demonbane series. One can estimate that it should be about half and half amongst the people who have already played the game.
One half could find it unappealing as it’s just a simple retelling of the game’s story. They could get turned off as some characters important to the game get limited screen time in the series. The other half could probably see Demonbane for what it is, an anime series. The series revolves around a private detective named Kuro Daijuuji who lives in the fictional area of Arkham City. He’s trying to make ends meet as he lives from paycheck to paycheck. By fate, Kuro gets a phone call from the Hado Financial Group. The head of the group named Ruri Hado hires him to search for a book of magic called a "grimoire". There is one type of grimoire that suits each user of magic. In the beginning, it is revealed that magic or sorcery does play an important part in the story of Demonbane.
Kuro used to be a student of magic. He claims to have only "dabbled" in it a bit as a result doesn’t have his own grimoire. But by fate, he runs into a young looking girl names Al Azif who is a grimoire and the original copy of the Necronomicon which the "book of the dead." Anybody that’s familiar with the "Evil Dead" series let alone with the craft of necromancy should understand what the Necronomicon is. Though there is hardly anything scary about it, Demonbane has a very nice mix of action and comedy mixed together. It might be the Japanese anime relative of the Evil Dead. Instead of an actual book, there’s a chibi girl with lavender hair that seems to act as the comic relief.
By the fateful meeting with Al Azif, Kuro crosses the path of the mysterious organization known as "Black Lodge" that seem to be a mix of cultists and the Italian mafia due to their outfits and masks. They escape and run into one of the skilled members of Black Lodge called Dr. West. From there, Al Azif calls out for his name. The two of them enter into a "contract" as Kuro can access the powers of the Al Azif which will be his magical powers. Though having the powers, Kuro still retains his personality but sports a different look. The comedic part tends to be Kuro and Al Azif arguing with each other.
When using the power of the Al Aziz, Kuro has enhanced strength and speed. He can create a powerful force field of energy to protect him from bullets and rockets. The other ability is levitation allowing Kuro to fly. But the biggest power granted is the ability to control and pilot a giant humanoid machine called a "Deus Ex Machina" which means "God from a Machine." In a sense, Kuro controls a mechanical god. His Deus Ex Machina is dubbed as the "Demonbane."
From there, the story revolves around Kuro trying to find the additional pages for Al Aziz while dealing with the Black Lodge Organization while battling other Deus Ex Machinas and robots. Ultimately when they’re powerful enough, Kuro and Al Aziz can take down the entire Black Lodge Organization. The enemies are by far no pushovers as the leader of the Black Lodge can send a Deus Ex Machina off the ground with a simple uppercut.
Though he isn’t that powerful per say, Kuro’s sense of justice more than compensates for it.
Despite all the power he possesses, Kuro still acts like a dense and whiny individual like Vash the Stampede from "Trigun." Al Aziz can get pretty annoying which prompts Kuro to run away form her every chance he gets such as getting into his car and speeding away from her after the first battle using Demonbane. It’s also revealed that Kuro is a mooch and a freeloader taking advantage of free meals at this nearby church.
Humorously as a running gag, Al Aziz refers to herself as Kuro’s "property." It tends to freak out Kuro as people get the wrong impression of him.
Demonbane looks to be inspired by popular anime titles such as "Big O" and "G-Gundam." The series seems to be similar to Big O due to the use of machines that seem to be an extension of the pilot. Kuro’s Demonbane is in a sense similar to Roger Smith’s Big O. In the sense of G-Gundam, each of those Deus Ex Machinas have very special abilities and techniques.
The designs of their heads seem to be inspired by "Neo Genesis Evangelion" as they seem to come right from their EVAs. But it’s very original due to the humor that has been added.
Despite this being a simple retelling of the actual game, Demonbane tends to be a very interesting anime series in its own right. There is no series licensed for a North American release. It’s unknown if and when the series will be licensed in North America. One can assume that it might be one or two years at least before a possible North American release.
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