#Devils Line

[crimsonbubble]

PLS TELL ME YOU SEE IT TOO 😭😭😭

[rainibao]

Re-reading Devils' Line: Chapter 1 thoughts/analysis/things I noticed

Warning for mentions of sexual assault. And minor-ish spoilers

--explanatory/intro stuff--

This will be my second time reading through the manga. Very excited to go through the story again, especially for the characters! The last time I read this manga was probably a year ago and I binged through everything, before I went on to devour every other Ryo Hanada work I could find.

I'll be noting down things I didn't pick up on during my initial read and sharing them. Let me know if anyone wants me to do the same for Blackguard! (btw if you know of anyone currently posting for any Hanada Ryo mangas, be it thoughts or fancontent, pls direct me to their accounts even if they're on other platforms)

----

#1 Easter egg(?)

Devils' Line (Pg 4-5)

Good-bye Geist (Pg 13-14)

Good-bye Geist (2011-2012) is an earlier manga by Hanada Ryo. Just like in Devils' Line, the way the male protagonist is introduced paints him to be a creepy stalker on the train. And in both cases, we find out they don't really have ill-intent. (Anzai is following Tsukasa to protect her, the guy in good-bye geist is recording because...he's a not very well-adjusted guy with a crush who does learn his lesson, and gets to know the mc like a normal person)

I'm thinking Devils' Line starting so similarly might be a reference for long-time fans/a trope the author enjoys/just a subconscious thing. Either way, pretty interesting!

#2 Biblical references

*based on very superficial knowledge, if anything specific from the Bible comes to mind let me know! + mostly speculation towards the end

Upright cross on title page, also present in volume 2, 3 and I presume all other volumes? In volume 14 however (I happen to own vols 1, 2, 14) the cross is upside down so I'm not sure if other volumes would have it too. Though it might just be that vol 14 is a volume of extras to tie up loose ends, hence the subversion

Horizontal cross on the back cover and Anzai's ring. Might be to represent equilibrium/themes of equality/how things aren't just black or white(holy or unholy), especially since the shorter line intersects in the middle. Which could also be a statement that there's no saintly/unsaintly side (regarding humans and devils) in the story despite the name. I forgot if the ring has any significance later on in the story, but if my stated assumption is right, it fits because Anzai is half devil and half human(and he wears the ring on his middle finger), so in theory he SHOULD represent the middle ground that can be found. (However, pg 33: "my bloodlust is supposed to be weak, but apparently not." so not really, which makes sense because genetics isn't that straightforward. Just like how coming to a consensus isn't so straightforward either. Going to go on a limb here and say that it could symbolise Anzai having no choice but to face and accept all that comes with being a devil, thus also accepting pure devils instead of believing them to be separate from him and more violent. And on a larger scale, society having to accept devils and actually address the issues between them, instead of brushing them under the rug and letting them fester.)

This one seems like a no-brainer, what with the title and all, but I remember taking all the cross imagery at surface level on my first read, even when Hans appeared in a later chapter (his cross necklace iirc). And somehow I also didn't link the choice to name this series's version of vampires “devils” to, you know, hell, beyond the subconscious understanding of how they're treated as monsters in society. It just felt natural as an in-universe term at the time, unlike if they were named “demons” which are universally understood to be FROM hell what with their use in various media. Don't know if I'm making sense here.

So…how are the devils of Devils' Line associated with the unholy? Based on what we learn about Akimura and Anzai in this chapter alone, I would say the fact that it's in their very nature to ‘sin’, even if they don't want to.

Anzai instinctually leaps to lick Tsukasa's blood, but then ALSO goes in for the kiss(with tongue)

I remember being confused by this since the cut was beside her mouth, and not on it. I was also confused by why Akimura had raped the women he killed, since he was in love with Tsukasa. Turns out Anzai's lines in this page explains it:

Pg. 35 (last-minute edit: ooh his eyes transformed although he was normal right after he tranqed himself. Looking at previous pages the eyebags also slowly return in each panel)

"This urge makes me sick. I wanted to do it while drinking her blood." which explains that he went for the kiss because the literal thirst for blood triggers lust as well, against his will. The "urge [making him] sick" is sort of reminiscent of catholic guilt I think, especially since accepting this lust is a plotline in the story.

To relate this back to 'sinning', it's like this:

Sight of blood(temptation)> automatically acting on desire to drink blood (Innate inability to resist temptation)> lust arises (the sin) >Anzai immediately acts upon it (kissing)

It's not that devils have an innate desire to maim for blood in day-to-day life, they just can't resist it when it's in their sight. I recall finding the choice to intertwine bloodlust with sexual lust kind of weird, but it makes sense if the sight and taste of blood sort of takes away some self-control, making the devils more animalistic(which maybe makes bloodlust and lust indistinguishable from each other as forms of desire). To stop himself from going too far with Tsukasa, Anzai had to inject himself with a tranquiliser (pg. 30), and because of this experience he, for the first time, can understand why devils "that rape and murder end up trapped in that pleasure"(pg. 20), although he still condemns their actions and continues to separate himself from them("that's why these devils have always-").

In Akimura's case, it's the same thing(except he goes much further with his bloodlust and lust), just with one thing extra: Tsukasa as the trigger.

pg. 22/Akimura's trolley problem(strangers vs one person he cares about, or everyone else vs himself)

Here, Akimura talks as if him resorting to killing was inevitable. Looking at what's been gathered so far, this was probably the chain of events:

Akimura falls for Tsukasa> [lust/desire(strong emotion)> bloodlust automatically triggered (temptation) >to protect Tsukasa, he directs it at an innocent(does not resist temptation) >drinking blood triggers lust > the lust is immediately acted upon (the bloodlust and lust probably cause a feedback loop, causing him to drain the victim of all her blood. Maybe unintentional the first time, likely indulgent the following times)]x3 (falling deeper into sin by committing actual atrocities)

However, it's not that devils can't help themselves at all. When Akimura leans in towards Tsukasa (pg. 13), he manages to stop himself from doing anything. Same with when Anzai makes himself bleed to reveal Akimura's identity (via eye colour change), and when he spots Tsukasa bleeding (fangs grow out), he doesn't attack instantaneously(in Anzai's case, might be because it was his first time) . Could be attributed to the fact that he was "taking medicine" and "gave [himself] a tranquiliser", but my personal interpretation is that he realised those couldn't help him anymore and was in denial.

If he could resist to this extent, why attack those innocent women? I think, without the sight of blood, bloodlust that is triggered by strong emotions (other than desire, in future chapters we see anger do this iirc) feels more like an irritating itch that can't be scratched. (I'll probably need to correct this once I read further in). Basically, being a devil is like having to deal with temptation from The Devil(their nature) whenever something gets a rise out of you. (Akimura definitely deserved that life in prison though.)

#3 Equality, Prejudice

"Don't curse your lot, Anzai. Whether someone turns into a monster or not depends entirely on them. That's true for both humans and devils." -Sawazaki

After everything I've written so far, what first comes to mind is that the sentiment is true, but flawed. Devils have to actively restrain themselves in situations that would not faze most humans at all, in the sense of getting an urge that would cause harm if acted upon (pg. 27: "out of humanity and instinct, vampires constantly grapple with the terror of losing themselves the instant they see human blood"), and they might even feel cornered into a 'trolley problem' situation, seeing themselves dying as the only way harm could've been prevented(see above pg. 22 image). They literally have to medicate themselves, and if that doesn't speak to how disadvantaged they are then I don't know what does. Anzai even asks for stronger doses of tranquiliser for his restock(pg. 34), implying that using them is the reason why Tsukasa was the first time he drank blood. Sawazaki then says, "Take anything too strong and you'll get addicted. Tranqs aren't the best thing for you to begin with." which means these drugs pose additional dangers. I forgot if the story tackles this plot point of over-reliance on tranquilisers, but now I'll definitely be paying more attention to the use of them. Additionally, drinking blood makes the devils' perpetual eyebags disappear(pg. 30), so I imagine drinking even a little bit of blood (like Anzai) is actually good for them, but due to their situation they can't openly ask for blood. All that to say that devils are definitely disadvantaged, but as with real life, that only means more attention should be dedicated to helping them live their lives, rather than shunning them.

The statement also warns against stereotyping, or categorising people and seeing them as completely "other" and labelling them all as "monsters". "Don't curse your lot, Anzai."- if even a half-devil has internalised this prejudice (Anzai at this point thinks that devils and people shouldn't be with each other (pg. 27)), just wait till you see what conclusion some humans(who know of the existence of devils) have jumped to. If even Akimura considered the fact that he should've died to protect everyone else, what kind of thoughts will humans who feel threatened have? Will they see Akimura's trolley problem as a problem at all, once they've from their prejudices and human and devil lives are not seen as equal?

Despite me dwelling too much into the specifics of Sawazaki's statement, the theme of "turning into a monster" being based on individual choice is definitely prevalent throughout the series for both devil and human characters. When devils do not have their vampiric tendencies provoked, they are just like normal humans (pg. 26: "vampires are very close to humans, biologically. And if they don't transform, even other vampires can hardly tell them apart.") and should be treated how anyone else should: which means holding an individual accountable for their actions rather than an entire group, while also acknowledging the shared internal battle the devils share and catering to help them lead the normal lives they want.

#4 Tsukasa

how her experience in this chapter sets up her role as a mediator, and reflects the ongoing conflict of the story

She finds out her friend is a vampire, and not just any vampire, THE vampire she hears has killed three people at the start of the chapter, though at the time she didn't know that vampires did actually exist (as the devils in the series. Other than bloodsucking they don't share traits with the vampires that are allergic to sun etc.). Speaking of which, THIS is how she finds out about the existence of devils, by finding out someone close to her is one, and has harmed others. Then, the guy who apprehends him ends up leaping at her to lick her cut just at the sight of it.

However, it is mentioned that she had been "friends with Akimura for a long time". Furthermore, he was also a potential love interest, and although she did not accept his confession, I see it as her not wanting to compromise their friendship (the wording of "We spend too much time together. And I couldn't..."). And because he wasn't just a random devil, she is more inclined to try to see things from his perspective and acknowledge his struggles, rather than holding ill will(despite feelings of shock and maybe betrayal I would presume) since she knows him as a person outside of him being a devil. This is supported by how the very last panel of the chapter was her wishing Akimura well, even after everything that happened. Anzai even further elaborates on the struggles devils face to explain that he was "sure [Akimura] really did like [her]", allowing her to further understand devils from a sympathetic viewpoint and thus be more receptive towards them. Since Anzai immediately tranquilised himself after he leapt at her, she can understand that he was no doubt just trying to keep her safe the entire time. She also noticed how being a devil was a sensitive subject for Anzai (pg.32), adding to what she has learnt about devils: that being one isn't easy.

She essentially had encounters with a 'bad' devil (one who has committed atrocities because of his bloodlust) and a 'good' devil (one who tries his best to restrain himself), both ends of the spectrum, but with the added privileges of knowing one personally, and getting to know the other. This establishes a pretty unique perspective, and sets up how she probably will be pretty open-minded towards devils from this point on. However, these encounters also showcase how difficult it is for devils to resist their bloodlust, since even Anzai, who had never drunk blood prior to Tsukasa, ended up succumbing to bloodlust as well. It seems almost unavoidable. Which then begs to question of, how can devils live alongside humans peacefully?

#5 Conclusion

Now to link all of these to the chapter title, "Dark Side":

Tsukasa finds out about Akimura's 'dark side' he had been hiding from her: the fact that he is a devil, and his crimes. By extension:

The 'dark side' that has been hidden from society by presumably the government and the related institutions(the news, the police) (pg. 6: "you only ever see stuff like that on TV specials or tabloids. It's never reported in the news."): that devils/vampires actually exist. What else are they hiding?

Both Tsukasa and Anzai are faced with the 'dark side' of being a devil: the daily struggles, the looming threat of bloodlust. Anzai is also confronted by the 'dark side' of himself he has been hiding from, his bloodlust and the fact that it is stronger than he thought.

If you read all of that, sorry and thank you lots. I didn't expect it to get this long. Hopefully it was just due to the first chapter setting up overarching themes that I just had to make connections to what I already know about the story, and let it all out of my system.

I'm off to finally read chapter 2 and pray I don't have as much to say about it!!

[aztecbrujeria]

Sitting here thinking about being between his legs, spread wide for you, and licking his juicy bulge that’s still covered in his underwear….hearing him moan and press his hardening sex into your tongue…while you reach down and stuff your own sloppy pussy.

Toji, Sukuna, Anzai, Obi, Konro, Neuvillette, Wrios, Bokuto, Ushijima, Osamu, Izuku, Bakugo, Shoto, Levi, Hua chang, Zhongli, Capitano, Fukuzawa, Dazai, Kunikida

[yanyandere]

devils’ line (デビルズライン)

[gamblersdoll]

𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐓!

anzai who’s fallen deep into his love for you has found himself in a lust— but can he control himself?

masturbation ,biting, blood smear, blood drinking, p in v, rut like themes, scratching, a semi shy anzai. not proofread.

he felt so disgusted by himself, how could he think about you in this way? you were more than this— you deserved more to be a simple thought that only gave himself pleasure. you weren’t some girl who was helping him come in his hand.

no, you were more than that, you were a huge crush he had for you ever since you came onto the job. (both of you had already spoke of this, but he still feels like even if you were dating, he’d have the hugest crush on you still ) he bit his lip, a hand stifling his moans and he flicks his wrists faster. oh god, how he wants you so bad. he wishes he could admit how he thinks of you in such an ungodly hour and way— but he cant, knowing how cruel the world can be towards devils.

but he feels so good, its better than him sinking his teeth into you somewhere. he cant, he has to find other ways of pleasure than that.

his hips buck up, a grunt rippling through his throat and he gasps. “oh, god..” he moans softly, his closed eyes squeezing tighter and he whines. “please..” his forearm covers his eyes, his balls lurching a little from the edging he gave himself. he grants himself ecstasy, feeling himself release fat, thick globs of semen ooze from his cockhead.

“where have you been, anzaii?” practically jumping out of your skin when he opens and quickly slams the door. your heart settles down, only realizing its your deviled beloved boyfriend, and sigh. “told you about suddenly coming in.”

“sorry,” he apologized, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek and he plops onto the side of the bed— your shared bed, next to you. “i just had to handle.. some things.”

“some things?” you ask, clarifying. you watch him nod his head, not even daring to look your direction— nor your face. “like what?” you ask, his face turning crimson and he starts to bounce his knee. “aaanzai?”

“i— uh..” he starts, stammering over every other word and he swallows thick spit. “i.. almost transformed. and i had to handle that.”

“you couldve just asked me for help, you know.” you sigh, going back to your phone and scrolling to try and ignore his words, you hated how he just had to do everything on his own. “cant even let your girlfriend help you with anything.”

he looks at you stunned, and a pang hits his heart. “yeah, i know— its just-“

“its just what, anzai?” you snip at him, eyes snapping to him. “that youre afraid of what’ll happen? youre not sure how i would look at you?” you badger him, you hate doing this to him, but you’re his girlfriend for fuck sakes! and your supposed to help him! “what could it possibly be that i cannot do to help you?”

he only stares at you, throat dry and his knee stops bouncing. he sighs, putting his palms over your hands. “i just—“

you cut him off, pressing your lips to his own and small tears dribble down your face. your smaller hands find their way onto his neck, pulling yourself a little closer onto him. he reciprocates, pulling you closer by your back and he breathes heavy through his nose, cocking his head to the side. “anzai, please, just let me help you— for once in this lifetime.”

he nods, sucking onto your bottom lip and pressing you down into the bed. his groin pressed against your clothed cunny, his groans spilling into your mouth as he feels your heartbeat from between your legs. he pins your hands by entwining his, the sweat mixing into your skin. he pulls up, staring down into your eyes and his eyes are red, yellow and black slits for pupils.

your heart beats faster, your head spins from how the room is starting to become a little stuffy— but you didnt mind, your lips parting open and spreading your legs a little more for him to make himself at home. “anzai..” you softly say, taking his hand and placing it to your dampened shorts. “please..”

he watches intensely, his heart of his own races and he nods. he takes his fingers and laced them around your waistband, pulling your inside shorts down and stills. god, youre wet.. and he has to reevaluate himself before he takes two fingers to lap up your juices— pressing the digits onto his tongue and he moans.

his eyes snap back to your face, pouncing onto you and he pulls your top and bra off, watching your naked movements. he feels.. new, but safe. and he leans forward, sticking his tongue out to flick at your perky nipple. he grabs his belt buckle, undoing the metal and he pulls his aching cock out; pressing his lips to yours again.

you squeak in his mouth, your arms around his neck and legs caging him in and a moan bubbles out when you feel his cock slide against your folds. you open your eyes, seeing his fangs out and glimmering in the light as he keeps his own closed— for now, at least.

“is.. this okay?” he asks, slowly thrusting his undercock against your clit and gathering your juices onto his shaft and some of his balls. “need you now.. more than ever, angel.”

you nod, feeling the stretch of your cunt open up to him as he slips himself in. he wasn’t exactly huge, nor was he average. its been a long time since you got laid, sensually of course. your old flings never had sex with you, just mere fucking.

he pauses at each inch sinking into you, a shaky breath at each inch and biting his lip. he cant help it, feeling your walls spasm onto his length and holding your hands down to keep himself grounded to earth. thats what he loved you for, for keeping him to earth.

“you ready..?” you ask, watching him tremble and your fingers trace his skin. “we can stop here if you—“

“i dont want to stop.” he redirects, kissing your shoulder. “im okay, we can keep going.”

you nod, a soft moan as he moved his hips inside of you, then pulling hisself back— just to push in deeper and deeper each time he got closer to your womb. “anzai..” you softly say, eyes closed and he feels it.

your pulse.

he feels his temperature rise up just a bit, well, it was already risen. he furrows his head into the crook of your neck, kissing and open mouth sucking on your skin. the sounds of his cock plunging into your juicy pussy echoing throughout the walls and his moans into your skin.

“wanted this for so long, so so long..” he whines, his left hand clawing at the fabric and the sound of it tearing alerts you for a second. he moans when you clamp down on his cock, sucking him in deeper than he already was and he jolts a bit. his mind starts to slip, his hand on yours to keep you close..

he grunts, his thrusts becoming more aggressive until you feel his adams apple start to bob a little, and he breathes heavier against your skin— and then you feel it.

he bit you, trying to desperately hide his moans. and yet, his teeth sink deeper into your skin, your flesh pulsating and he eagerly drinks the red liquid that oozes out from two puncture wounds. “a-anzai—“

he pulls you tightly to him, his thrusts starting to become ravaging and he pulls away, lips tinted with a deep red and he stares down at your shoulder. his hand subconsciously moves and presses against your wound, smearing red down to your breasts and a thumb caressing your lips.

“an—“ you try to say, but the devil’s lips press to yours again, it tastes like metal in his mouth. nothing you havent dealt with before, since you sometimes bite the inside of your cheek as a subconscious response or tic. and your moans spill as he continues to knock winds from your body.

“anzai, anzai, anzai!” you squeal, trying desperately to catch your breath and he nods, kissing the lobe of your ear to come undone, to help him get better. the coil in your tummy, thats been so eager and desperate to snap for however long hes been around you— it finally snapped, your walls spasming onto him and he gasps.

the sucking of your walls that pulls him in closer does something to him, his eyes rolling back and he grits his teeth, pulling his hips back in a desperate attempt and fat globs of his come dribble onto the back of your thighs.

both of you, together, lay against the soft mattress and he realizes what he’s done. “oh god,” he starts, pressing his digits to your shoulder. “i.. im sorry—“

“its okay, you didnt take a whole bunch..” you assure him, pressing the wound. “and you stopped when you shouldve, so its all okay. youre building your tolerance, remember?”

he nods, scooting himself closer to you and then taking your hands into his. “did you enjoy yourself?” he asks, his eyes back to having his dark circles and not his transformed state. “did i pressure you?”

“yes and no.” you say, a smile on your face.

“yes and no that you enjoyed yourself?” he asks, a little lost but hes got his heart in the right direction.

“yes i enjoyed myself and no you didn’t pressure me, anzai.” you correct him, kissing his lips. “its okay, i got to help you.”

“.. would you help me like this more often? you dont have to, but if you do then thats also okay—“

“anzai.”

“okay, i get it.”

️ ©️ 𝙜𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙙𝙤𝙡𝙡 2024

[emberfaye]

How the heck have I never heard of devils line before???

This manga has everything. Bloody gory vampire (devil) plot lines (blood lust and sexual lust, how do youstay with someone you where both of you are a danger to each other), repressed memories, so many queer characters (asexual, demisexual, gay/lesbian, non binary) that have full arcs and explored (platonic/romantic) relationships, government that doesn't help minorities and government that may or may not do better and how that plays out in people's lives, extremist groups, found family, awkward moments with the one you love, female friendship, even being the ugly one in a family of pretty people, secret lab testing, snipers!

And all of the story lines somehow balance really well and never get overly long / excessively convoluted.

[half-mad-wanderer]

Don't mess with a vampires loved one.

-Devils Line

[dynachan]

Fuck a breakup, real pain is when one of your favorite series doesn't get a second season and you long for it.

[seiyuucrossovers]

When you're voiced by Ishikawa Yui

Scarf

Scar

"See you later."

Anime: Attack on Titan & Devil's Line

[megumiswife4]

Please tell me someone remembers “devils line” saw someone post about it on TT and I’m sorry but it was one of my favorite spicy romance anime shows, too fkn bad it was only 1 SEASON LIKE EXCUSE ME ITS BEEN LIKE 6 YEARS I NEED A SECOND SEASON! 😣😣😣😣

[bloodysamara]

[romancemedia]

[dvls-line]

Devils’ Line II [trigger] Volume 6 released on March 20, 2025

[vampirecorleone]

Favorite Anime Openings / Closings - DEVIL'S LINE: Eclipse

[doyouknowthisanime]

Do You Know This Anime?

[fictionfuel]

Starting Devils Line and Anzai filled my screen with all his finery 🥵🥵

I needed a warning before starting this cause holy shit this man is FINE as hell