The Devil is a Part-Timer! Official Comic Anthology Review
Read our review of The Devil is a Part-Timer! Official Comic Anthology, a delightful collection of short stories celebrating the second season of the anime. Discover the essence of beloved characters in slice-of-life situations and enjoy a dose of silliness. Find out if this anthology is worth checking out for fans of the franchise.
The Devil is a Part-Timer! Official Comic Anthology Review
The Devil is a Part-Timer! Official Comic Anthology is a collection of short stories by various manga creators, celebrating the second season of the anime. This anthology captures the essence of the beloved characters in slice-of-life situations. From shopping for bathing suits to arranging vacations, the anthology offers a delightful dose of silliness. Translated by Kevin Gifford and lettered by Brandon Bovia, this anthology aims to entertain fans of the franchise.
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The Devil is a Part-Timer! Official Comic Anthology falls somewhere between the recent releases of Sasaki and Miyano’s and Mieruko-chan’s comic anthologies. Most of the creators in this anthology understand the characters’ personalities well, but some stories deviate from the established path in distracting ways. Nevertheless, the anthology is mostly enjoyable, although a few creators tend to overemphasize fanservice, which is not a defining feature of the original novel series or the anime.
Capturing the Essence of Beloved Characters
The stories in this anthology take place after the introduction of Alas Ramus and Suzuno as cast members in the second season of the anime. This choice makes sense as both characters can add interesting dynamics to the interactions of the original gang. Yoshie Katō’s story, “The Devil and Hero Get Stranded,” effectively utilizes Alas Ramus as an inciting factor. When she picks up a mysterious bottle, the entire main cast finds themselves stranded on a deserted island. This story is played relatively straight, focusing on providing the characters with some much-needed downtime rather than contrived romantic encounters. It blends seamlessly with the main action of the franchise and offers a peaceful and enjoyable read.
Several stories in the anthology revolve around the pairing of Maou and Chiho, with Okoge Kogeta’s “The Devil’s Gang Checks Out a Venue” being the most successful. Emilia’s coworker asks her to get the guys to tour a wedding venue, hoping to give Ashiya ideas. When Emilia can’t go, Chiho steps in, and she ends up paired with Maou. The story is cute, and Kogeta’s art is polished, especially the different wedding dress designs. While the characters may not be immediately recognizable, the story is overtly romantic and makes for an enjoyable read.
Distracting Deviations and Overemphasized Fanservice
On the other hand, Ōuchi’s story, “The Devil Prostrates Himself Before the Young Lady,” provides the typical “hot springs gendered bath mistake” plot. Although the characters feel on point, the plot is not particularly strong. It becomes evident that the story primarily serves as an excuse to showcase Chiho in ways that fans don’t usually see. While the art is beautiful, the focus on fanservice detracts from the overall storytelling.
Another recurring theme in the anthology is making fun of Urushibara. Miinosuke Seo’s “The Fallen Angel Takes Care of a Baby” showcases a kinder side of Urushibara as he babysits Alas Ramus. In contrast, Inui’s “The Devil and the Fallen Angel Help Out at a Sasazuka Café” has Maou and Urushibara unexpectedly becoming maids to help out a café. While this story is humorous, it occasionally feels a bit mean-spirited.
A Mostly Enjoyable Collection for Fans
Overall, The Devil is a Part-Timer! Official Comic Anthology is a mostly positive collection of stories. While it may not be perfect, most creators demonstrate a genuine understanding and love for the original material. It may not be a must-read, but it certainly offers a treat for fans of the franchise.
The Devil is a Part-Timer! Official Comic Anthology is an entertaining collection of short stories that celebrate the second season of the anime. While some stories may wander off track or overly focus on fanservice, the anthology captures the essence of the beloved characters and provides a fun read for fans. If you’re a fan of the franchise, this anthology is worth checking out.
