How Not to Summon a Demon Lord
Anime Info
Synopsis
Takuma Sakamoto is a reclusive gamer who has poured years into becoming one of the most powerful players of the online RPG Cross Reverie, playing as his fearsome avatar, the Demon Lord Diablo. When he's suddenly summoned into another world that looks exactly like his game, he's shocked to find himself transformed into Diablo's actual body, horns and all.
His summoners, the young mage Rem Galleu and the beastkin girl Shera L. Greenwood, attempt to bind him with slave magic to control him — only for the spell to backfire and place the two girls under his command instead. Unfamiliar with real-world social interaction and unable to break character from his Demon Lord persona, Takuma decides to simply lean into the role, protecting Rem and Shera while navigating a world full of rival summoners, holy knights, and demon lords who take his title very literally.
As his reputation as a terrifyingly powerful Demon Lord grows — entirely by accident — Takuma finds himself building genuine bonds with Rem, Shera, and the other women drawn into his orbit, all while trying to figure out how to get back to his own world without ever admitting he's not the fearsome villain everyone thinks he is.
Anime Poster & Key Visual
Teaser Trailer & PV
Characters
Our Review
Diablo committing so hard to his Demon Lord bit that he accidentally becomes a legitimate power player is a genuinely fun hook, and it's easy to see why this one built such a dedicated fanbase back in 2018. His deadpan chuunibyou energy carries a lot of scenes that would otherwise be pretty standard harem fare.
Ajia-do's animation holds up reasonably well for its era, and Rem and Shera both get enough personality to feel like more than just love interests. That said, the ecchi content is front and center throughout, sometimes to the point of overshadowing the actually solid worldbuilding and magic-system gimmicks underneath it.
If you're fine with a heavy dose of fan service alongside your isekai power fantasy, this is a fun, breezy watch — just don't expect it to break new ground outside of Diablo's likable lead performance. — DIDARUL ISLAM [Chief Editor]
