The Devil Clocks Back In

A Review of The Devil is a Part-Timer Season 2

Prepare for the grand return of the devil to your screen! This time, buckle up for more adrenaline-fueled sequences as our beloved characters plunge into intense battles against demons. The storyline unfolds into the enchanting realm of Ente Isla, and after a substantial hiatus, Devil is a Part-Timer Season 2 has triumphantly made its comeback. Fans eagerly anticipating its return were treated to a revitalized narrative and indulged in fan services from both sides.

The once-feared Demon Lord Satan of Ente Isla, now living peacefully in Tokyo under the alias Sadao Maou after being defeated by the hero Emilia Justinia, has become a model employee at a nearby fast-food restaurant. Sadao must now provide for his former generals Alciel and Lucifer, who have joined him in Japan, while avoiding confrontations with Emi Yusa (Emilia's assumed name) and the angels who are closely monitoring his actions.

The Japanese light novel series "The Devil is a Part-Timer!" is the work of Satoshi Wagahara and Oniku. The narrative revolves around Satan’s attempt to conquer the world of Ente Isla. However, when faced with opposition from the hero Emilia, Satan is compelled to retreat through a portal that transports him to modern-day Tokyo, Japan.

To survive and seek a way back to Ente Isla, Satan takes on the identity of Sadao Manou and secures part-time employment at a fast-food establishment called MgRonald’s, a playful riff on McDonald’s.

The anime adaptation, consisting of 13 episodes, aired from April 4 to June 27, 2013. Popularity grew for the White Fox-produced and Naoto Hosoda-directed series. Notably, a second season was announced at the Kadokawa Light Novel Expo in March 2021, with a sequel confirmed following the conclusion of the second season. It was later confirmed to be the second part of Season 2, which aired from July 13 to September 28, 2023.

Season 2 started with quite a shocker for the fans. In the demon realm, a mysterious woman enters the abandoned Devil King’s castle and sends the lone remaining plant to Earth. Meanwhile, Maou, Alciel, and Urushihara engage in one of their usual arguments, with Emi teasing them about their poverty while visiting Suzuno. After Maou heads to his shift at MgRonald’s, Alciel tries to teach Urushihara how to clean up the house. They sense a strange presence nearby, which later begins to attack them.

Season 2, Part 1, left us hanging as Maou visited Chiho in the hospital. Little did he know that Chiho had inherited memories from Lailah, who took control of Chiho’s body through a ring, becoming a vessel to communicate with Maou. Lailah reveals her intention to restore Ente Isla, Heaven, and the demon realm to their rightful states. She entrusts Mao and Emi with the task of locating Daath on Earth. As Maou contemplates this weighty responsibility, he returns to the apartment, where everyone is watching TV.

Season 2, Part 2, of “The Devil is a Part-Timer” starts with Emilia sharing that she and Suzuna are training Chiho to harness celestial energy. This skill isn’t for combat but for reaching out to allies in times of trouble. Regulating with mixed feelings, Maou reluctantly agrees, respecting Chiho’s wishes.

During their journey home that night, Chiho confides in Emilia about retaining memories from the possession. A particular memory surfaces: Emilia’s father in the wheat fields. This revelation hits Emila hard, making her realize that the one who possessed Chiho was none other than her mother, the Angel. The Devil’s escapades continue with unexpected twists and turns!

In Season 2, Part 2, the spotlight of character development shines prominently on Emi. We’re well aware of her unique heritage—her father was human and her mother an archangel. Unraveling Emi’s past, we discover that Lucifer, one of Maou’s generals, orchestrated a demon army’s attack on her village during her childhood, resulting in her father’s tragic demise. This revelation becomes the driving force behind her desire to eliminate Maou. However, a surprising twist emerges: her father is alive.

Facing job upheaval, Emi transitions from her call center position to a new role at MgRonald’s, working alongside Maou and Chiho. Despite her protests, Maou designates her as a Demon General of the Demon Army. Emi undergoes substantial changes this season, especially in her evolving feelings towards Maou, complicated by their shared history and Chiho’s affection for him.

Maou, too, makes significant progress, though many questions about his past still need to be answered. Suzuno, who receives adequate attention from the writers, develops into a more understanding individual. While some characters appear to lack the psychological depth required to make them three-dimensional, Emi, as the classic tsundere, and Lucifer's subtle character development kept the arc exciting and the audience's attention. There is still no depth to the characters; they all seem carefree. Exploring the psychological side and making use of the monologues might have worked out well.

Opinions among the fans regarding the animation quality of “The Devil is a Part-Timer Season 2” are split. Some argue that the animation has significantly declined since Season 1, while others believe it has improved. For many viewers, the anime holds nostalgic value, considering its debut in 2013, and it’s only fitting for “The Devil is a Part-Timer” to adopt current trends.

While sentimentality is attached to the anime, I do not view it negatively; in fact, the animation seems slightly enhanced. However, it did lose the essence it was famous for.

Season 2 brought changes in character designs as it switched animation studios. However, the excessive cuteness of female characters became borderline annoying, and the fight scenes left room for improvement. The art style reminded me of the Isekai animes that have their brightness turned up. I may not be the best judge to criticize the art style, but it definitely was missing something.

Minami Kuribayashi sings "WITH," the opening theme of "The Devil is a Part-Timer," and Marina Horiuchi sings "Mizukagami no Sekai," the closing theme. Both songs have a groovy quality and become more enjoyable with each listen. They effectively capture the genre shift in the anime, offering an upbeat and pleasant experience. However, when compared to Mina Kusibayashi’s ‘Zero,’ these songs fall short. While they are lively, ‘Zero’ had that edgy vibe that made it stand out and, in comparison, outshines them.

And speaking of the anime, let’s take a moment to appreciate the dedicated efforts of the voice actors. ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer’ heavily relies on its quirky characters, and one can argue that they are the backbone of the show, forming a close connection with the audience. Giving voice to these characters must have been challenging, yet the voice actors brought them to life remarkably. Their hard work deserves acknowledgment and appreciation.

Despite these nuances, “The Devil is a Part-Timer” Season 2 offered a generally enjoyable experience. The show thrives on its goofy characters more than the intricacies of the plot. The revelation of the ‘Great Devil’ being genuinely good and searching for his people was a refreshing deviation from the typical narrative. An unconventional touch was casting angels as the antagonists instead of demons and adding a sprinkle of romance that I found pleasing.

Witnessing a devil leading a regular life in modern-day Tokyo added a fun element, making the series engaging. It imparts a moral lesson about evils, challenging the stereotypical notion of ‘devils’ and emphasizing the power of choice. However, my expectation of a darker, more sinister storyline with emotional revelations and a redemption arc remained unmet. Instead, it almost ventured into harem territory, losing the essence of Season 1.

The character Alas Ramus draws comparisons to Anya Forger from SpyxFamily, with many fans feeling her role was insufficiently explored. When asked about her parents in the anime, she points at Maou and Emi, leaving everyone in complete shock. Whether making Alas Ramus the daughter of Maou and Emi was necessary is heavily debated. I personally did not see the absolute need to make a family out of Maou and Emi yet.

More battles and some more demonic shenanigans would have been enjoyable. Even glimpses of Maou’s past would have been a better choice. The moment Alas Ramus enters the screen, the whole vibe of the anime shifts. Many fans are not happy with the change.

Despite the mixed reviews, “The Devil is a Part-Timer” remained a hot topic in the anime community after nine years. While some appreciated its slice-of-life feel, others expressed disappointment. Personally, I acknowledge some valid criticisms. The story felt like a significant departure, resembling typical slice-of-life romance anime reliant on fan services.

Would I recommend it? If you deeply connect to the nostalgia of “The Devil is a Part Timer’ and grew up with it, skipping this season might preserve your cherished memories. To be brutally honest, you won’t miss out on much if you decide not to continue watching.