The main plot is casual compared to the anime’s game
predecessor, but it is in animation that Dante can truly flaunt his
personality. With Madhouse’s superb productions making each sword-swinging and
gun-toting scene memorable, Devil May Cry’s
animation gives any typical anime dialogue a level up. Most of the action
scenes are filled with bullets hitting their targets, swords clashing, and Dante
dodging deadly attacks made by venomous demons three times his size. There is a
monochromatic nature to the anime, excluding the bright-colored orphaned girl,
but the animation is on par with the Devil
May Cry video game.
Aside from the amazing animation that leaves fans hungering
for more action scenes, the characters are downright predictable, bringing down
a grade-A anime. Conventional characters and character persona drags an anime
down, no matter how great the animation may be. Though Dante is a bonafide
badass in heartlessly killing demons to protect the human world, he has a kind
streak that prevents him from paying off his many debts. His agent, Morrison,
is kind as well, but his nature is more business-like. He may go out of his way
to fix a jukebox, but he only does nice things to pass the time without work. Most
of the time, he gently scolds Dante when a job is uncompleted.
At Morrison and Dante’s side is little Patty Lowell, a
parentless girl chosen to unwittingly impersonate another Patty Lowell during
one of Dante’s assignments. Her vibrant and rambunctious personality contrasts
with Dante’s lazy persona as well as everything else that Devil May Cry
represents. Typical of anime, Patty plays a crucial role at the end of the
series. Unfortunately, she doesn’t help the anime in any regard. She’s more of
the comedic relief, if there is any. Even the squabbles between Dante’s
ex-partner, Trish, and another demon hunter dubbed Lady, are not very funny.
They just part the awkward silence between demon-hunting.
Discarding the conventional nature of the characters, Devil May Cry has many selling points. The
entire anime series is only twelve episodes deep, keeping the attention span of
those itching to get right to the good stuff. There is the option of picking
the English dub version or Japanese language setting with English subtitles.
Even the riveting music from Rungran gives the anime an interesting audio
backdrop. On FUNimation DVD, the abundant amount of extras allows fans to watch
the anime’s opening and closing themes, interviews with voice actors, and
special scenes from the Devil May Cry
game series.
Devil May
Cry offers an above-average anime within the confines of the
conventional anime box. If you want to boost your anime collection, pick up Devil May Cry: The Animated Series. It
will definitely make you say, “Dante is a badass!”
Rating: B+
Anime 3000 reviews anime, manga, and games based on
specific criteria designated by each medium's respective editor. Anime is
reviewed on ascale from F to A+. Series or movies that receive a score of A- or
above are considered outstanding, B- to B+ recommendable, C- to C+ average, D-
to D+ unrecommended, and F terrible
