This manga is in definite need of an updated review. Now 6 volumes and 32 chapters through, I am loving the story, it's characters and their interactions! "SaxyGeek's" review after reading 9 chapters was a fair, yet overly harsh, review. I hope to explain what I mean & convince you to read it as this manga doesn't have a fair bunch of scores or reviews due to it's very slow & mediocre start.
Story: 9/10
For the first two volumes (up to chapter 9) this story is essentially one with no real direction & no definitive movement. They set up the two main characters, Anzai
...
& Tsukasa, and their growing relationship after he saves her from a Devil related attack. After the first two volumes, I was debating between a 6/7 out of 10. It was fine, nothing special but not terrible. I was slightly intrigued.
However, the last chapter of volume 2 finished on a huge cliffhanger, with the introduction of a new character. Volume 3 took this introduction and flew with it - the story has not stopped improving since. Throughout volume 3 the cast was continuously added to, two noteworthy standouts include Devil test-subject Hans Lee and anti-Devil terrorist Zero Seven, part of the mysterious anti-Devil organisation CCC. The story also quickly switched from primarily linear to one with a multitude of arcs and plots. This sharp change was exactly what the series needed, it now has definitive protagonists, clear and also mysterious antagonists with an overarching sinister organisation driving the motivations and desires of all characters involved.
Worth a special mention is the way this manga deals with the Devils, or Vampires themselves within society. There are arguably huge political undertones, with Devils largely being misunderstood & unknown entities who aren't the classic lonely, isolated and remorseless hunger driven species this medium is used to (one noteworthy instance includes a forced transformation of Anzai, who simultaneously has tears streaming down his face as he attempts to control the Devil and bloodlust within through fear of himself). Devils, like Anzai, wish to integrate & be recognised for what similarities humans & devils share, not what separates them. As one who fits a "minority" group, this really resonated with me. It is interesting to see "Devil advocates" (humans) hunted down, attacked & shunned by society, just as those who supported minority groups decades ago were.
Art: 7 or 8/10
Not an artist myself, the art is good, very good in parts. There are some moments where smaller chibi-like bodies are used in the background but this is only ever for comedic effect. Proportions can be jarring at first, but quickly got used to. There are also extremely well done standout moments, usually during transformations of Devils - fangs, claws and emotions included. They balance each other out well.
Characters: 9/10
Such a high score due partly due to their growth as characters over the numerous volumes - something I absolutely need in stories. I have already mentioned the fleshing out of characters, so I will primarily focus on Anzai and Tsukasa.
Obvious spoiler for those who make it past volume 2, Anzai & Tsukasa eventually decide they want to be together. However, what follows is an extremely adult orientated plot line focused on the two overcoming the biological boundaries between them, as Anzai attempts to (re-occurring theme) control himself over fear of harming Tsukasa. The primary relationship is very straightforward - much to it's strength - as Anzai & Tsukasa openly discuss these challenges and how to overcome them, sex and all. To read such interactions in a gripping manga about vampires is something I long assumed the Japanese kept restricted to Hentai - such a refreshing and welcomed approach (plus it makes for great reading). They are ~cute~ and largely reflect the interactions I find myself having in a real-life relationship, albeit Tsukasa can be a bit ditsy sometimes (but what Japanese female character isn't).
Two of the main antagonists, Zero Seven & *spoiler* (^^), are deep, fleshed out and strongly motivated. The "flashbacks" or backstory to these characters are done extremely well, with their intentions well-supported and focused, if not always predictable.
Hans Lee, a foreigner who went to the same Devil-only orphanage as Anzai, deserves a special mention as he is the only character to have no true revelation regarding his past as of yet, except from the fact he is German. His interactions with Anzai specifically are interesting, given they're the only two "half-Devil" characters known of (assumed plot will elaborate but nothing I know of yet). Lee aids Anzai in 'accepting' himself while providing small comedic relief being foreign compared to all other characters.
Police Task Force (F) - Anzai's human (and some Devil) colleagues are also well fleshed out and not typical, but not to the same extent as the main cast (obviously). They continuously help to drive the plot whilst living their own lives & plots. Not everything revolves around Anzai - something appreciated as it aids the story in feeling large & supported.
I also can't talk about numerous characters due to huge spoilers, but there are others separate to both the police task force and the terrorist organisation CCC who play influential roles
Overall: 9/10
I have spoken about some of the plot and characters to illustrate how, if you can make it through the first volume and half the the second, this manga is personally gripping, fleshed out and engaging - with standout moments of gore, action, societal struggles and relationship based hardships. After spending all my time reading one volume after work for a week, I can't wait to see how the story progresses from here!
Alternative TitlesJapanese: デビルズライン More titlesInformationType: Manga
Volumes: 14
Chapters: 80
Status: Finished
Published: Mar 22, 2013 to May 22, 2019
Theme:
Vampire
Demographic:
Seinen
Serialization:
Morning Two Authors:
Hanada, Ryou (Story & Art) Statistics Ranked: #25292 2 based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded. Popularity: #873
Members: 21,880
Favorites: 578 Resources | Reviews
Filtered Results: 9 / 9
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Your Feelings Categories Aug 5, 2017
This manga is in definite need of an updated review. Now 6 volumes and 32 chapters through, I am loving the story, it's characters and their interactions! "SaxyGeek's" review after reading 9 chapters was a fair, yet overly harsh, review. I hope to explain what I mean & convince you to read it as this manga doesn't have a fair bunch of scores or reviews due to it's very slow & mediocre start.
Story: 9/10 For the first two volumes (up to chapter 9) this story is essentially one with no real direction & no definitive movement. They set up the two main characters, Anzai ... May 18, 2016
This manga is just one big mess. It has its moments where it's genuinely enjoyable, but those instances are heavily shadowed by several glaring problems.
Story: 5/10 I think there's something going on here? It seems to be about humans vs. rogue vampires, and using vampires against said rogue vampires. That's an okay basis I suppose. Then there is an organization that's pit to expose all vampires. That's a good idea as well, but it's not supported by a cast that can pull it off. Art: 3/10 This one hurts. This manga has moments where it looks great, but most of the time the art is so terribly awkward ... Jan 24, 2018
So, I have just logged onto my account after 4 years (lol) and decided to post this much needed review which is my first "real" and thorough review on a manga since becoming a member here. I was compelled to get my login info back after finding out about this manga a week ago and reading all updated chapters (47 so far) in just 3 days. Yes, it's THAT good, and anyone can take my word for that because it is VERY HARD to please me with manga plots and characterization. Whoever didn't like this manga probably just didn't like the gore or thriller aspect
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Jul 3, 2019
Thoughts become reasons, take action, cause consequences. They form new thoughts, new reasons, new truths. When individual truths turn inter-subjective, societies are bound to break and change, for better or for worse.
*A spoiler free review* Devils’ Line. Seeing the cover, reading the synopsis, it has all the same makings than every other dark and brooding vampire romance out there. Well, colour me surprised. What I found was a thrilling police drama with decent action, complex relationships and ever evolving storytelling. Having a strong focus on politics, power struggles and discrimination it’s also an interesting study on society. Starting out as a cute romance, it never forgets ... Dec 31, 2019
The story was rather unique, the premise of blood thirsty 'monsters' hidden in a human society isn't unique but the way it was handled was. The devils were similar to vampires but had enough qualities special to them that made them stand away from the clichés. There are also a lot of twists and turns and events that catch you off guard and blind side you so there isn't too much stagnation in the plot. My only gripe is once in awhile there needs to be a dull chapter or 2 that is necessary to set up some major plot points.
The Art was good. ... Nov 9, 2022
I remember watching the anime first of this on YouTube, when I was younger and falling in love. I rewatched it, but now reading the manga it’s a lot better than expected, I gave this story a 7/10 because of the use of unnecessary rape and how the story ended, I understand that blood lusting and vampires and raping humans can go hand and hand but in my opinion all rape is unnecessary unless education. Though the author didn’t seem like the type of person to add in rape just for climax and or to weirdly bring the main characters together like some, no a
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Apr 27, 2018
Story 8/10
It honestly has its ups and downs. The beginning, of course, was slow moving, but it builds up in a way that makes it impossible to stop reading. I'd have given it a higher score, but the current arc, after all the action and drama that just recently passed, leaves a lot to be desired. We get what I'm sure plenty of readers have been waiting for, but I personally, was not waiting for it. Art 5/10 The biggest downfall for this manga. The proportions are weird, and very distracting. Sometimes you forget about it and just get too deep into the story to really ... Sep 19, 2018
I've read the 11 volumes available and I can't wait for the next one. This review has some spoilers because I wanted to actually cite evidence to what I'm trying to express.
This is not your typical manga. The opening is a slow build with intriguing bits. Here she is being walked home by the "nice guy" and yet he's spouting things that are beyond creepy. Add in that she feels like she's being followed at the same time and yeah...great opening for a vampire manga. Then, it rips it wide open for her... Vampires are real and my dear friend ... Mar 26, 2020
Story (7): It was a rather unique plot but also not something that has never been seen before (which is to be expected). Anyway it is about a human girl, Taira, that gets involved with 'devils' (which are low key modified vamps). It is mainly told by her pov and the pov of her half-devil love interest, Anzai. But it does jump pov a lot, thus touching on a bunch of different social and political views etc.
Art (7): It can definitely get wonky at times. My main issue with it would be that the anatomy really isn't consistent. Examples being big heads and super tiny ... |