When Chris was a child, his village was attacked by an insane demon horde. In the siege, the god Rased spared the young boy and buried his memories of the devastation. Chris still carries Rased's power and a hatred of demons -- despite his odd friendship with the cuddliest and most lovable Demon Lord ever, Raenef V! What will it take to make Chris and Raenef duke it out in a no-spells-barred magical melee?
Well that escalated quickly! Definitely a lot more action and things going in this volume than in previous ones. Really the tone of the entire story has changed and I feel like the series as a whole could have spread out the action and the comedy more evenly because I feel like the earlier stuff was all just ridiculousness and now this is all just action. Anyway, I actually don't think I ever got this far when i read it before because none of this even remotely rings a bell. I mean I literally don't think I have ever finished a manga series, but it's still amazing that I apparently couldn't even manage it when it was only seven volumes long. Oh well, it only took 14 years but now I am off to read the final volume lol
Raenef is an orphan and part of a thieving guild that steal to get by. He himself doesn't have much of a talent for theft, nor in anything much else. The renowned demon Eclipse is surprised to find that this naive street boy is destined to become his new master and Demon Lord. Although Raenef does seem to hold the powers of a Demon Lord, he is proving as inept at being one as he is at everything else. Soon, his new domain starts to attract visitors who sense a weak demon has taken up residence.
Firstly, I have always found it baffling and incredibly misleading that people mark this as LGBT/BL. While one could interpret Reanef and Eclipse's relationship as romantic, there is nothing specific enough to suggest things one way or another. Their relationship could just as well be platonic or even fatherly. And while I would be perfectly happy to see these two as a romantic couple, the fact remains that there is not enough to suggest so, especially considering that this is a comedy that is almost completely free of romance.
Demon Diary is from my favourite Korean manga (or manhwa) artist duo. I'm not overly fond of manhwa as the art often doesn't appeal to me, however, Kara's art has always reminded me more of the Japanese manga style. Demon Diary isn't their strongest work in terms of art - don't get me wrong, I like Kara's art, but it isn't quite as pretty and refined yet as in their later works.
However, it is, one of the funniest I have ever read. Do you know that kind of comedy that is so over the top that it's not actually funny anymore? Demon Diary pushes to the next boundary and is just so ridiculous that it's funny again. Raenef is adorable but hopelessly dense and naive. His complete inability to read situations or people has him walking from one witless act to the next, and that's really not the image anyone expects of a great Demon Lord.
Eclipse is a perfectly dignified demon who has a reputation to think of. Rather than a servant, he becomes more of a babysitter and protector of Raenef and is usually the one who feels the embarrassment the most. As Eclipse tries to push Raenef onto the right track of being a good - by that, I mean evil - Demon Lord, various other characters venture through their castle and the one thing they all have in common is their belief that Raenef is completely unsuitable for this role.
Among these characters are Erutis and Kiris - both of who didn't initially stay in the castle voluntarily but ended up being a fixed part of the residents. Erutis is a female swordmaster who doesn't quite know how to act ladylike yet throws a fit if anyone mistakes her for a man. Kiris is a cleric in training and thus a sworn enemy of demons. Somehow, these four end up co-living and even building friendships in which they are willing to take life-threatening risks for each other.
So yes, there is also a slightly darker plotline running in the background, and there are some meaningful relationships between the characters. But when it comes down to it, this is and remains a comedy - and an absolutely hilarious one at that. It was among my first manga (manhwa) and it's one that I have been pleasantly surprised to find that even non-manga-loving friends of mine have had laughing fits when flipping the pages of Demon Diary.
Der süße Raenef ist mittlerweile zu einem dämonischen Ungeheuer geworden und sein tot geglaubter Vorgänger taucht auf. Er will von ihm seinen Namen und die magische Kraft zurück erhalten, um selbst wieder als dunkler Dämonenlord herrschen zu können. So zwingt er auch Kiris, seine göttliche Macht zu nutzen, um Raenef anzugreifen und zu töten…
Cover:
Das Cover des sechsten Bandes kann sich durchaus sehen lassen. Mit vielen Details und schillernden Farben sieht man hier den Charakter Raenef den Vierten. Die ganze Aufmachung macht neugierig und ist in meinen Augen bis jetzt das beste Cover der Reihe.
Eigener Eindruck:
Nachdem der sonst so trottelige dämonenlord Raenef nun abgrundtief böse ist, ist auch der Dämonenlord Raenef der Vierte wieder aufgetaucht und will die Freunde von Raenef dazu bewegen gegen ihn zu kämpfen. Um ihren Freund Raenef zu retten soll Kiris ihn angreifen und seinen Geist zerstören, da nur ein Raenef existieren kann. Dabei bekommt Kiris Hilfe von dem Gott Rased. Es gelingt Kiris die reine Seele von Raenef zu retten und ab da ist er gewohnt trottelig und normal. Doch nun greift Raenef der Vierte Raenef an, da es nur einen geben kann…
Durch das ganze „Es kann nur einen geben“ und zwar in zweifacher Ausführung sowie den vielen Raenefs kommt man ganz durcheinander. Die Geschichte ist weiterhin sehr sprunghaft, sodass wieder einige Fragen offen bleiben, aber das Mangaka-Duo hat versucht einen Spannungsbogen aufzubauen, was ich ihnen hoch anrechne. Trotzdem war der Manga aber wieder nichts Halbes und nichts Ganzes. Di Geschichte mit ihrem wirren Verlauf macht einfach keinen Spaß und man ist eher frustriert beim Lesen. Auch die Zeichnungen lassen weiterhin zu wünschen übrig. Und wenn ich ehrlich bin, ich dachte, dass es mit dem sechsten Band nun endlich getan ist, denn die Geschichte scheint für mich beendet. Es bleibt also abzuwarten, welches Abenteuer Raenef noch erleben muss, denn ein Band ist ja noch offen. Von diesem und vom nächsten Band hatte ich mir nicht viel erhofft und erhoffe ich mir nicht viel. Und ich glaube, das ist ganz gut so, denn die Qualität scheint mit jedem Band immer mehr zu sinken.
Fazit:
Leider bleibt die Geschichte weiterhin so verwirrend, dass ich sie niemandem weiterempfehlen möchte.
The final confrontation between the Demons Raenef is about to begin. For Raenef the Fourth may have aided his son, but it was to restore himself to his former place of power. At this crisis of loyalties, which master will Eclipse choose?
This was the most powerful moment for Raenef and Eclipse, where their bond is tested through magic and time to the point of self-destruction, returning the focus of the series to the two of them. It was also where Chris realized his full potential as the Chosen of Rased, but it didn’t last long. Erutis tried to help, showed spirit, but wasn’t able to do very much. Overall, this was the most intense and exciting volume in this manga yet, ending on a cliffhanger of consequences which left me wondering would become of our protagonist. For doing all of these things in an attractive and polished art style, I give this four stars.
Talk about one heck of a climactic volume! The jokes are kept to a bare minimum in this volume as we see the past and the future collide and war for their existence.
The sheer level of action in this volume wasn't one I was expecting. Demon Diary has always sort of been a bit more low-key; large, drawn-out fights aren't an earmark of the series. But for what it's worth, I'm glad the series shook up its own formula for the sake of this volume. The serious tone and the continued fight sequences added a layer of tension and a sense of urgency that was refreshing and appropriate for the climax of the story. It was worth reading, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. Here's to finishing this volume and moving on to the last one to wrap up the entire series at last~.
Okay, so when this series gets more serious and drops most of the goofiness I actually really like it. The pacing is still really weird. So the previous volumes felt like a lot was skipped or cut, so there were some weird leaps from one thing to the next, but in this one we get everything. Really everything. Which in my opinion makes the volume really drag and feel slow. It feels so contradictory. But overall I'd say this is my favourite volume today (though I can't remember which one I liked the best as a teen).
This was the big bang of Demon Diary - everything came together, and epic battles ensued! Not sure what we're going to get from the final volume, maybe a bit of clarity from a few side characters that we haven't got yet. But this was a great build up and blow up of everything that's happened so far.
Again, like the previous volume, it has it's great moments of humour, but a lot of serious things happen too.
Volume Six is a pretty epic battle, starting with Raenef versus Chris and going into Raenef versus Raenef. In the end, Raenef becomes powerful enough to overcome his enemies and manages to save Eclipse's life. But then he loses his memory (Raenef, not Eclipse)...again. and it feels like it could extend the series, but there's only one more volume, so I have my doubts.
Raenef the IV is defeated, but not after an epic battle of wills. I wish I had more to say about the book, but the characters and plot aren't particularly complicated.
This series has gone from really enjoyable and funny to sort of overdone. Much of the humor is still there, but it's lost due to the odd paradoxical storyline that is needlessly complicated.
And so ends the sixth... I'm really getting quite happy and sad that I'm nearly done with this series. It is so good and to see myself nearing the end... it's a bit painful. I really hate finishing things because I get so sucked into what is going on that seeing it end makes me want to cry and say, "NO! Don't leave me!" But... I will continue and I will make it all the way through to the end. That's the least I can do for this amazing manga!
Why, hello again, Hee. It's nice to see you. I see you took a different approach in this volume. Nice way to balance it all out if you ask me. *Nods* Seriously, this volume is nothing but action! We get to see the true intentions behind Raenef IV's actions and then BAM! FIGHT SCENE! This entire volume was just, "I KICK YOUR ASS, MAN!!!" This one is definitely trying to reach out to action buffs. It's not my most favorite volume out of the series but it was nescessary and the characters, with their funny dialogue, still make it a very enjoyable read. <3 Kara... loose hair? Really? Now I know you're trying to make me fall madly in love with you and stalk you for the rest of time. You sick bastard... and what's with that expression? And the closeness? And the "THEY'RE GOING TO...?" moments? Damn you for making me want to eat up your artwork! Damn you!
Raenef... my... you have grown. You really have. You're so much more mature now... so much more wiser now... so much more... *Smiles* ...in love. I know that the shounen-ai is not as heavy as it is in most manga but... I think that's what makes it all the more beautiful. It's not like "IN YOUR FACE" but it's still there and you can't help but smile. Eclipse did something that demons don't normally do and.. he expressed his love. OH THE BEAUTY OF HIM EXPRESSING IT! Some people might not find it amazing because it's not obvious but... I'm quite happy with how he chose to show it. I swear, the love between these two characters is a type of love that will never dim but rather keep growing into the wildest fire you have ever seen! I know it! I can feel it!
Chris and Erutis even get in the fight. Although... Chris is just slow and Eru is taken out early on account of Raenef IV keeping his promise to Krayon. Yeah, Krayon is like, "NO! Not my baby! Don't kill her!" And Eru is like, "Ew." XD These two are just so funny! X3 And I love how Meruhesae was teasing him about liking Eru! Adorable! And of course, there's Raenef IV. He's a character that's not too difficult to figure out. You know why he's doing the things he's doing, you sympathize with him, but you still want him to stop because you love all the other characters so much. Poor thing... he just wants power and Eclipse. Is that so much to ask? Even though he felt... forgotten... you got to see Eclipse showing signs that he still cared for him. It was very touching. Eclipse is just an all-around wonderful character. He will be mine one day. >:3
Ah, this manga... this manga just makes me want to eat a whole bunch of sugar because it makes me that happy! <3333 Man, I can't believe I'm up to the final volume already. It went by so fast. I wish it were longer just so I can rant and rave about how awesome this series is. I recommend it to everyone! You will fall in love with the characters the way I fell for them. You will crash and burn and shrivel up from all the cuteness that takes place. And you will want to keep this close to you forever and always! Now, if you'll excuse me. I have a final volume to re-visit and review to rave, yet again, about how this series is so worth your time. *Smiles* Come join me soon, won't you? <3
While overall I like Demon Diary I'm not overkeen on this volume because the plot never quite makes sense to me.
Raenef V has been transported back through time and his personality is split in two making him cute and adorable whilst his other personally lies dormant.
Along comes Raenef IV as a spirit who cut short his own life to attach his essence to his descendant Raenef V. He needs cleric Chris to fight his friend Raenef V so that he's distracted and his personalities can stabilize. Once that's happened Raenef IV plans to (kill????) his descendant and take over his body - thus escaping the curse heaven's creatures laid upon him.
To me this is a struggle to get my head around, Surely it would have been far simpler to simply have Raenef V's spirit dormant in his ancestor and then have the personalities fight it out rather than this whole temporal displacement nonsense and Raenef IV having TWO personalities to overcome?
I like the characters and the artwork and love that Eclipse finally decides where his loyalties and heart really lie but the overcomplicated plot make this one a real struggle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I'm glad that they toned down Kiris and Erutis' hysterics and I was happy that most of the book was actually devoted to the main story. It's just too bad that there wasn't more of the background story of Eclipse and Raenef the Fourth included, that it wasn't explained why it was so hard for Eclipse to choose between the Raenefs. As it is, we've seen only this adult version of Raenef the Fourth's and he was kind of a dick.
The devious nature of Raenef IV's plan comes to light, and the company realize they'll have to battle him in order to keep Raenef's body and soul together. Even if they do, there's no guarantee Raenef won't come through the ordeal unchanged... action-packed entry in the series sure to satisfy any fan of shonen. ****
This one is just one long fight scene (okay, technically two fight scenes) AND Raenef IV takes off the stupid hat. Or, metaphorically, keeps it on, because his plan is in no way understandable, especially because in the next volume, you learn he never meant to do it. Or whatever.
Sixth book of Demon Diaries. Eclipse is watching as his new lord learn more and more magic and power. This young lord seems to have embraced his role as a demon lord, although his appearence isnt that one of a demon lord at all! But who knows? He might be more than meets the eye!
This is such a great finale... and it's not even the last book! Chris and Raenef duke it out, then Raenef IV and Raenef V battle for the title 'Demon Lord', and Eclipse has to decide how much he's willing to risk for young Raenef. Awesome.
WELCOME to the penultimate volume of Demon Diary...in which this poor kid can't catch a break.
So things seem to be going well, shit happens, Chris is useful and poor Erutis is sidelined largely because let's face it she's too powerful and WHAM your previously dead father is like nah brah I'm just gonna kill you and take your place.
What do you do?
Well hopefully remember a lesson that will save everyone's life! And if not, just hope that your friends will save you.
Except Chris, who's two minutes of usefulness ends about how you'd expect.
I was rather surprised, Ranaef IV explained things fairly well and I felt for Eclipse's decision here. It's hard to know what's right when your choices are not WRONG either way by the standards you live by, but feel wrong by the standards you believe in.