Devil May Cry: The Animated Series offers an interesting dive into Dante’s world, albeit with some peculiarities. Released in 2007, this 12-episode anime (yes, quite short) aimed to capture the stylish demon-hunting franchise by Capcom. It’s not a hack-and-slash, but more of a slow-burn drama. Let’s discuss why this series is a mixed bag, how it compares to the games, and why Dante still steals the show.
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The anime follows a monster of the week vibe, with Dante handling bizarre cases to keep his agency, Devil May Cry, afloat. Most of the time, Morrison, his agent, brings him demon-hunting missions. The show doesn’t focus much on maintaining a continuous narrative until the final episodes. So, if you prefer a linear, intense story, this episodic approach might be frustrating.
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Fair warning: at times, the violence escalates, like Dante killing children (who are actually demons in disguise).
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Dante is still as cool as ever.
He’s grumpier and a bit more serious than usual, which makes sense given that the anime is set between Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 2, where Dante is more melancholic. The anime also gives us a glimpse into how he runs his agency outside of epic battles something we rarely see in the games.
Yes, you’ll witness Dante’s frugality. He thinks twice before spending his own money.
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However, there’s a downside: a lack of action. Yes, there are fights, but they’re often brief and not always exciting. If you’re used to the frenetic pace of the games, like the insane battles in Devil May Cry 3, you might miss that adrenaline. Some animations are awkward, and the quality fluctuates between decent scenes and moments where you wonder what happened to the budget.
Don’t bother pausing frame by frame it’s pointless.
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What about its similarity to the game?
The main difference is the tone. While DMC (especially the third installment) is all about action, with Dante as a cocky teenager spouting one-liners, the anime slows things down. Here, we see a Dante bearing the weight of the world, which might shock fans expecting the carefree, stylish demon hunter. The anime doesn’t explore the Devil Trigger or his transformation. However, it hints at his demonic power, though without full transformations.
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It might seem obvious, but the Dante in the anime has interesting layers. He’s not just a showman tossing out catchphrases and showing off his weapons. He carries a sense of morality that leaves him constantly broke (financially and emotionally). Still, he does what he does best: protecting humans, even if it doesn’t pay the bills. This sense of duty adds a nice nuance to the character.
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If you’re a Devil May Cry fan, the anime is a fun curiosity.
Don’t expect the same frantic pace as the games, but enjoy seeing more of Dante’s day-to-day life and interactions with characters like Trish, Lady, and newcomer Patty, who becomes his assistant. If you’re new to the DMC universe, it might be better to start with the games before diving into the anime.
