12 Anime Demons That Challenge Western Notions of Hell

Movie: "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba"

Stream it on: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu

Nezuko Kamado is easily one of the most popular and recognizable demons in anime. Originally a human girl, she transforms into a demon but retains a degree of her humanity.

The protagonist, Tanjiro, joins the Demon Slayer Corps after his family is killed by demons — except his sister Nezuko. Her iconic appearance, with her bamboo mouth guard/muzzle, pink-tinted eyes and frazzled hair, she's a perfect example of the ambiguous moral status that anime demons often possess.

Series: "Naruto"

Stream it on: Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Peacock, Crunchyroll

"Naruto" is an undisputed classic in the modern anime world, and Kurama is one of the most memorable characters.

After an initial struggle, Kurama — who is initially known as Nine-Tails, a malevolent fox — is imprisoned inside the titular character. Later, Naruto is able to come to terms with his inner demon and draw upon his powers to fight external threats and enemies.

Movie: "Howl's Moving Castle"

Stream it on: HBOMax, Prime Video

Calcifer just might be the most cuddly demon in the anime canon. Well, not literally, since he's made of fire, but he has the kind of charm that quickly generates affection.

Somewhat disgruntled in his role as the power source of the titular castle — and not without destructive tendencies (he's still a demon, after all) — he is an essential character in the beloved film by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki.

Series: "Overlord"

Stream it on: Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll

Albedo, from the series "Overlord" (which, like many anime series, was based on a book, then a manga), is a character who inhabits a mysterious world that seems to exist in an online computer game.

While not exactly a demon world, this realm is full of supernatural characters, and Albedo is one of them. Her role has been criticized by fans of the genre for being a stereotypical female character; even though she has great powers, perhaps her most distinctive trait is her slavish devotion to the series' protagonist.

Series: "Chainsaw Man"

Stream it on: Hulu, Crunchyroll

Another series drawn from a celebrated manga, "Chainsaw Man" has several demonic characters, and Power is one of the most vivid. Technically a "Blood Fiend," Power enters the story as a partner of Denji, the protagonist. Taking the form of a young woman, Power is darkly quirky, bloodthirsty and powerful but possessing a winning charm that has inspired affection from fans.

Series: "Seven Deadly Sins"

Stream it on: Netflix

From the "Seven Deadly Sins" series, Meliodas is a notable demonic anime character. As the representative of the sin of wrath, Meliodas — who has the deceptive appearance of a bright-eyed young man — is an expert swordsman and one of the most powerful characters in the series.

Like the other knights, he has various skills and strengths, but because he's also a member of the Demon Clan, he has immense power that gives him an edge in combat.

Series: "The Devil Is a Part Timer!"

Stream it on: Hulu, Crunchyroll

One of the more unconventional examples of demon anime, "The Devil Is a Part Timer!" is a comedy, satirizing features of modern day Japan, such as the fast food job that Sadaou Maou must take in order to survive.

Originally the Demon Lord of a magical realm called Ente Isla, he has been exiled to human form as a fast food worker. Having lost most of his demonic powers, he has also assumed a fairly upbeat personality, and navigating the strange new world provides humor and humanity to the character and the story.

Series: "The Misfit of Demon King Academy"

Stream it on: Crunchyroll

Anos Voldigold was once a hugely powerful demon king, but his reincarnation after 2,000 years of death finds him in a dramatically transformed world.

Forced to attend the Demon King Academy, he is now only a half demon and must regain his former status and powers. Like many other demons in anime, Anos isn't pure evil; in fact, he's a largely positive character who seeks to bring about peace and stability in a chaotic, fallen world.

Series: "Blue Exorcist"

Stream it on: Prime Video, Crunchyroll

In "Blue Exorcist," the human world is mirrored by a demon realm, lorded over by none other than Satan himself.

Rin Okumura and his twin Yukio turn out to be the literal spawn of Satan, although they have a human mother, which makes them half demons. Instead of siding with the forces of evil, Rin becomes a hero, hell-bent (pun intended) on defeating his father.

Series: "Inuyasha"

Stream it on: Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu

Another popular classic of anime, "Inuyasha" tells the story of the titular demon, who along with the other main characters — in particular Kagome Higurashi, a young girl who travels back in time — must embark on a quest to recover the pieces of a sacred jewel.

The "Inuyasha" manga series, from which the show was developed, is very popular and mixes elements of Japanese history and folklore.

Series: "Yu Yu Yakusho"

Stream it on: Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll

In the anime classic "Yu Yu Yakusho," Yoko Kurama is a demon who inhabits a human embryo that eventually becomes a boy. Eventually awakening as the young boy grows up, he is first a villain in the series. Later, he becomes an ally of the series protagonist, Yusuke Urameshi.

A Fox Demon, Yoko is calculating and ruthless, although experiences in human form eventually allow him to gain a degree of decency.

Series: "Chrono Crusade"

Stream it on: Crunchyroll

Chrono, from the widely admired "Chrono Crusade," is a demon who is also a demon slayer. He's essentially a good character, helping the other protagonist, Rosette Christopher, rid Earth of demonic forces.

While other demons in anime tend to have an ambiguous morality, Chrono is a more straightforward figure whose nobility and kindness are presented as basic virtues, unlike his menacing brethren.

Anime artists draw from world culture, but many of the genre's most recognizable features are rooted in the mythology and culture of Japan.

Anime demons are therefore a wide-ranging bunch. While some of them are more directly related to western demons — with horns on their heads and hearts of pure evil — many more are powerful supernatural beings with humanlike complexities. Some even serve as the protagonists of their respective stories.

Anime series and movies are often drawn from the wide world of manga, which is Japan's version of comics and graphic novels. In many cases, the characters listed below were first drawn by manga artists, who sometimes take part in the shows that are based on their original work.