Ranked #229

Beelzebub (Manga)

A powerful delinquent named Oga is reluctantly chosen to be the human father to the son of the devil. Tagging along with the child is his demon caretaker, Hildegard. She has moved into Oga's house in order to help raise the baby. This is a dark-comedy+fighting type manga and since it deals with the supernatural, the humor can get pretty ridiculous at times. The overall feel of the manga never stays too serious. There will always be a gag or two to lighten the mood. If you're looking for epic fight scenes, skip ahead to the boss battles. Most of fights are going be very short.

In this story, the delinquents are the good guys and the "good guys" are the bad guys. Or maybe that's...the delinquents are the bad guys and the "good guys" are the...badder guys. Either way, delinquents are the main characters and while they might be delinquents, you'll soon find out that most aren't as bad of people as you would expect. Overall, the characters fit very nicely into the story. Oga is your typical ridiculously strong idiot. He is quite sadistic but at the same time cares for those close to him. He cannot be further than 15 meters from Baby Beel. Furuichi is Oga's best friend. He is smart, (or at least smarter than Oga), and usually finds himself involved in Oga's messes. As I said, Hildegard, or Hilda, is the demon selected as the baby's caretaker. She is cold and as violent as Oga, probably more violent in fact. She is completely devoted and loyal to baby Beelzebub. Beelzebub is just a baby doing things a baby would do with a supernatural twist. Baby Beel needs Oga to grow stronger so that he may grow stronger as well. There are a a lot of other recurring characters in the story, however, they come along later in the story.

The art is nothing special, typical of weekly shounen manga. I do love the way the delinquent's faces are drawn, especially Oga's evil smile, but other than that, you probably won't notice much. Really, the art fits very well with the story.

This is a great manga. You will find yourself busting out laughing in every chapter. After 55 chapters, I don't think I have disliked a single chapter. The humor is far from subtle and each character has a unique personality that adds to the humor. It truly is one of those stories you have to read to fully understand.


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Story:10
The plot of this series is unique from most of the published manga in the same genre. The story begins with Oga, the protagonist finding a baby and becomes forced to care for him. The baby, Beelzebub(Hebrew for devil) is the heir to become the next king of the underworld but to become a being worthy of the seat he must be raised by a powerful human-which is Oga. The story mixes comedy and action in a smooth flow where the comedy doesn't stray from the story. Despite the protagonist's lack of common sense he is often reliable(the end justifies the means) and more than just an ordinary delinquent. Overall the story is very enticing with a balance of comedy and action.

Art: 8
The art is pretty clean in most cases and if I might add probably one of the best artwork for stories revolving around a delinquent. The characters are well drawn, no real slackoffs, and facial expressions help improve the humor of the story/dialogues.

Character: 9
Oga- The anti-hero or just the carefree not your average delinquent type of protagonist you'll usually get. Oga is infamous in his school where delinquency is 130% if I recall correctly for being the most powerful. Many of the groups in the school detest and fear Oga because he stands in their way of dominating the school. Oga usually doesn't pick the fights but the fights come to him and he's usually one to avoid fights however in most situations he gets in involve comedic reasons and test of his strength. Oga unlike the other groups of delinquents in the school has no interest in power but due to his idiocy he gets involved in every struggle for power that happens in and outside of school.

Baby Beelzebub IV: Baby Bel as he's referred to in the manga often appears hanging off the back of Oga butt naked anywhere he goes. From time to time Baby Bel would not be latched onto Oga's back but usually proceeding in humorous activities. Baby Bel despite being the next King of Hell he is often portrayed physically weak but when his emotions get the best of him he is capable of massive destruction, that or when he is 20ft or more away from Oga.

Furuichi: Oga's best if not only friend in the series who gets dragged in every scenario despite if he does or does not have any relevance in it. He is at most times a failed womanizer and a coward when things get rough but he's usually there for Oga when he needs advice-though many of the advices are criticism and appeals to Oga's ignorance/stupidity.

Hildegarda: Baby Bel's eternal servant who she claims, "exist to serve Baby Bel" and often has no regards or interest in anything that does not involve Baby Bel. She is at most times cynical and cold towards anyone besides Bel and you would see her be portrayed as the mother bluejay defending her eggs from outsiders. She, like Baby Bel is a demon and possess supernatural powers that she rarely displays but does if the situation calls for it. Oga's family see her as the mother of Baby Bel...and Oga is the father.

Enjoyment: This manga was particularly entertaining and unique from other mangas. The story might start off a bit sketch but the overall series is entertaining and humorous.

Overall: 9-The story, characters, and art were spectacular all blending in to create a unique story. The chapters in the series are a bit short though-20 pages average, and usually leaves a cliff hanger at the end of every chapter(like most but it really leaves a cliff hang grand canyon high). read more