If demon-slaying and demon-befriending show you’re after - here are the best demon anime you’ll absolutely enjoy.
From demons who will help you provided you sell your soul to demons stuck in a video game - you’ll find quite a bit of range in characters in this anime list. Whatever you choose, they’re entertaining no doubt!
Best Demon Anime: Quick Summary
| Best Demon Anime | Age Rating | Editor’s Rating |
| Gabriel DropOut | 15+ | 7/5 |
| Overlord | 18+ | 8/10 |
| How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord | 18+ | 7/10 |
| Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files - Best Demon Anime | PG | 8.5/10 |
| Endro | NR | 7/10 |
| Maoyuu Maou Yuusha | 14+ | 7/10 |
| Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji) | 14+ | 8/10 |
| Yūsha Ni Narenakatta Ore Wa Shibushibu Shūshoku O Ketsui Shimashita | 14+ | 6/10 |
| Kekkaishi | PG | 7.5/10 |
So check out this list of best demon anime and let me know what you think!
Our Top Picks For Best Demon Anime
- Gabriel Dropout
- Overlord
- How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord
Which is the best demon anime?
I've watched several demon anime but I found Demon Slayer to be the best demon anime because of it's edge-gripping plotline, exclusive graphics and character development.
Demon Slayer is about a teenager, Tanjiro Kamado who becomes a demon slayer after his family along with his sister were slaughtered who turned into demons. It has 23 volumes but is edge-gripping. Demon Slayer was adapted by the manga series of the same name. This anime is eye-catching and well illustrated. With supernatural powers, sword wars, humour, and a lot more in a single anime is so much fun to binge watch.
Top Demon Anime
Dance With Devils
Rating: TV-14 | Genre: Romance | Editor’s Rating: 6/10
It doesn't get much better than Dance With Devils, the 12-episode anime about Ritsuka Tachibana, one of the brightest and most promising students in her school.
All of that changed one day when the student council, headed by powerful and calculating Rem Kaginuki, branded her a troublemaker without any good reason.
Little did Ritsuka know, there was a hidden motive behind this orchestrated move, and a powerful truth behind the world of vampires and demons that was about to be uncovered.
It all began when her mother was kidnapped and she was drawn into a world of supernatural creatures and mysteries. Suddenly, the fate of her mother and an entire kingdom were in the hands of the brave and determined Ritsuka.
From that moment, we were taken on an exciting and dark journey as we watched Ritsuka stand up to forces of evil lurking in the shadows while discovering the secrets of her identity, her past and her true purpose.
Along the way, she made loyal and faithful allies and made enemy that she'd have to defeat if she hoped to save her mother, her world and all of humanity.
As each episode passes by, the tension mounts higher and higher as the story takes us deeper and deeper into the spiritual realm.
The battles become more difficult, the stakes become greater and the rewards become bigger, as Ritsuka's journey to the truth leads her to discover a shocking evil plan in her own kingdom t hat would threaten the life of her mother and all of humanity.
The brilliant animation and soundtrack of "Dance With Devils" is truly captivating and the characters, all seemingly alike, are truly memorable and will stick with you long after the anime has ended.
Gabriel DropOut - Best Demon Anime
Rating: 15+ | Genre: Comedy, Fantasy | Editor’s Rating: 7/10
In order to complete their training, young angels have to love and study amongst humans. This was practiced by the angels for centuries. And just like any other angel, Gabriel White Tenma wanted to become the great angel who will bring happiness to humankind.
But unfortunately, she gets addicted to video games during her time on Earth and becomes a shut-in! She then calls herself the ‘fallen angel’ and becomes apathetic towards everything except video games. It's the best demon anime series.
I loved watching this anime as it was edge-gripping and kept me held back for a good time. It was also extremely funny which is another reason I loved watching it.
Vignette, a demon who is Gabriel’s friend on Earth tries to get Gabriel to return to her angelic days. But Gabriel shuts down any attempts made by Vignette.
Gabriel and Vignette soon meet Raphiel, an angel and Gabriel’s classmate and Satanichia, a demon - and four of them become friends as they stump everything that means to be an angel or demon.
| Episodes | Aired |
| 12 | January 2017 - March 2017 |
Related: Best Dragon Anime
Overlord
Rating: 18+ | Genre: Action, Adventure | Editor’s Rating: 8/10
Momonga is one of the most powerful players in a Dive Massively Multiplayer Online RPG called Yggdrasil.
He is a high-level spellcaster in the game that can bring back the dead and possess powerful spells and commands powerful NPC servants.
But after the MMO closes its servers, Momonga’s reign will soon be over.
Momonga then remains in the server until it expires and then gets transported to an unknown world, instead of getting logged out.
Since Momonga cannot log out of the game, he organizes his own NPC servants to search this unknown land for other people that might be stuck there like him. It's a demon lord anime that you'd love.
Overlord anime shows how an evil villain plans to conquer the world with his demonic magic and his army of demonic minions. This anime is better than other anime in the list because it's short yet engaging.
This storyline is narrated through the perspective of the demons themselves and focuses on the demons. In spite of the fact they kill and eat humans flesh, the demons are still sorta likeable because of their colorful personalities.
| Episodes | Aired |
| 13 | July 2015 - September 2015 |
Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu (How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord)
Rating: 18+ | Genre: Comedy, Fantasy | Editor’s Rating: 7/10
Demon Lord Diablo is the most powerful player in the MMORPG Cross Reverie. He’s undefeated to date and possesses the rarest of items, exotic equipment, powerful spells.
He defeats every player that crosses him without a scratch.
The person behind this avatar is the socially awkward shut-in, Sakamoto Takuma, who has devoted his life to make sure that his avatar Demon Lord Diablo stays undefeated.
One day, summoned to a magical world, Takuma takes the form of his avatar and possesses all the magic, equipment, and spells his avatar had.
There are two main demons in this best demon anime with striking feature and we get to watch the entire series from the self proclaimed Demon Lord, Diablo’s perspective. It's one anime that will broaden your thoughts about watching an anime.
It’s a thrilling show to watch, I’m really hoping there’s a season two coming out soon so we can watch more demons in action and get some answers!
| Episodes | Aired |
| 12 | July 2018 - September 2018 |
Related: Best Realistic Anime
Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files - Best Demon Anime
Rating: PG | Genre: Action, Adventure | Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10
Urameshi Ysuke is given a second chance to live as a spirit detective after he throws himself in front of a car to save a young boy. Koenma, the heir to the spirit realm throne, rewards Ysuke by making him a spirit detective to fight against evil spirits who are destroying the balance of the human realm. It's the new demon anime 2021.
As a spirit detective, Ysuke has to do justice to this new life given to him by not only fighting the evil spirits but also by helping save the human world. Along the way, Ysuke makes many supernatural foes and some friends who help him along the way.
This list of best demon anime would be incomplete without the classic Yu Yu Hakusho anime. This anime is a traditional Shounen anime that focuses on adventure, action. This anime focuses more on supernatural elements like spirits, Youkai, and apparitions.
This anime is not only filled with demon-slaying action but also a lot of demon-befriending events as well! If you love demon slayer, you'll definitely love this anime. Although it's quite long but worth it. Check it out!
| Episodes | Aired |
| 112 | October 1992 - January 1995 |
Endro
Rating: NR | Genre: Comedy, Fantasy | Editor’s Rating: 7/10
Yusha, the Hero, Mei the Magician, Fai the Warrior, and Seiran the Priest combine their powers together in the ultimate battle against the Demon King to banish him into a void and save the world. But instead of going into a void, the Demon King was sent back in time and ended up in the body of a loli demon.
The Demon King hides his identity and identifies himself as Mao. He then infiltrates the Adventurer School as a teacher in order to stop Yusha from becoming the destined hero that defeated him.
One half of the anime focuses on Yusha and the rest of the team and the other half focuses on Mao, the Demon King. One failed attempt after another, Mao eventually gives up trying to stop Yusha from becoming the Hero and continues living the life of a teacher.
But fate can’t be changed, and Mao will eventually discard her fake identity and rise as the demon King to rule the world and fight the hero. In this anime, Mao is the only demon but that’s okay because even though a demon, Mao is just too adorable!
You'd definitely love watching this anime as it's comic as well elements of fantasy that's lovely to watch.
| Episodes | Aired |
| 12 | January 2019 - March 2019 |
Maoyuu Maou Yuusha
Rating: 14+ | Genre: Fantasy, Romance | Editor’s Rating: 7/10
Maoyuu Maou Yuusha is not your typical fantasy demon anime. It focuses more on the industries like farming, agriculture, infrastructure, jobs, etc.
For 15 years, human and demon races have been at war. On both sides, many lives have been lost. Fertile lands have been burned to ashes and there’s chaos all around. In these desperate times, a Hero has been unveiled who leads the human army into the Demon Realm to kill the Demon King.
The army advancing slowly and cautiously, the Hero loses patience and enters the Demon castle alone. What the Hero sees inside is the Demon King - a woman whose beauty cannot be matched. And she wants the Hero’s help to end the war with the use of economics and agriculture.
Humans and demons coincide in one world and both races benefit from war by providing jobs, trading with neighbouring countries, and providing supplies to colonies that lack resources.
But the Demon King realises that the war isn’t the best solution and convinces the Hero to find better solutions through research using new technologies for producing food. This is one of the oldest demon anime that I've watched which is also one of my favourite.
| Episodes | Aired |
| 12 | January 2013 - March 2013 |
Related: Best Anime With Strong Female Characters
Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji)
Rating: 14+ | Genre: Action, Comedy | Editor’s Rating: 8/10
Ciel Phantomhive, witnesses his parents being murdered in the year 1885 in England. He is then abducted by religious fanatics and tortured.
A demon named Sebastian Michaelis can find out who killed his parents but Ciel has to agree to a contract with the demon. Ciel has to sell his soul to the demon. And Sebastian will consume Ciel’s soul when he dies.
Ciel serves England’s Queens, as per his family's custom. He runs the Funton Company and personal business all the while living up to his image as an honorable Earl. And Sebastian, the demon, helps Ciel find out his parents' killers. This anime literally gave me chills because of it's storyline.
The show is pretty dark and bloody and yet you’ll see light humor because of the range of characters - sadists, weirdos, and pure fluffs - you’ll find them all in the best demon anime. The anime has been adapted in multiple forms and the story slightly varies with each adaptation. Check out this best demon anime down below!
| Episodes | Aired |
| 46 | October 3, 2008 - September 12, 2014 |
I Couldn’t Become A Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided To Get A Job
Rating: 14+ | Genre: Action, Comedy | Editor’s Rating: 6/10
Raul Chaser, an aspiring hero at the Hero Academy but after the Demon Lord’s sudden defeat, the world doesn’t need a Hero anymore. So what’s a Hero going to do in a world where Heroes aren’t needed anymore? Chaser then gets employed at a store that makes magical technological inventions. He is tasked to train a new employee - Phino Bloodstone, the daughter of the defeated demon Lord. Phino, sadistic, and clueless, scares everybody away with her violent words.
The title pretty much tells you what this anime is going to be about. With a lot of laughter, this best demon anime is a light show without the darker elements that usually accompany a demon anime. This demon anime goes a completely different path and is different from your typical demon anime. The part of the anime where Raul has to train Phino is the most comical part - trained to be a hero but stuck training a demon child! Check out this best demon anime below!
| Episodes | Aired |
| 12 | October 5, 2013 - December 21, 2013 |
Kekkaishi
Rating: PG | Genre: Action, Adventure | Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10
A feudal lord, about 500 years ago, had the power to attract demons. Hazama Tokimori, a demon hunter, came to help him. This power, even after all these years after the lord’s death, somehow still exists on the land.
Cut to present, Sanimura Yoshimori and Yukimura Tokine, two young school-going kids, are the descendants of Tokimor, the demon hunter. They both have the same kind of ability - that is to wield a barrier out of nothing and kill a demon inside it. They both come from rival families.
Yoshimori wants a simple life where he can bake cakes all day long and Tokine is intelligent and hard-working. The Karasumori is hidden underneath the school these two attend. And the demon gets stronger the more it stays on land.
So both of them must do everything they can to fight off the demons that are attracted to the mysterious power.
| Episodes | Aired |
| 52 | October 16, 2006 - February 11, 2008 |
Devils And Realist (Makai Ōji)
Rating: 14+ | Genre: Action, Comedy | Editor’s Rating: 7/10
This best demon anime is set in 1889 and follows the story of William Twining, an orphan who comes from a noble family in England. A realist and intellectual, he doesn’t believe in angels or demons.
Little does he know he is a descendant of the great King Solomon, the legendary biblical figure. King Solomon, a powerful elector, was in charge of finding a replacement for Lucifer and also in charge of the 72 pillars of hell.
As William Twining belongs to the lineage of King Solomon, he now inherits the title of Elector. And Dantalion, a Grand Duke of hell, teaches William about the demonic laws and regulations. Twining, reluctantly but slowly, accepts his role as the Elector.
Makai Ōji is set in Twining’s boarding school and shows demon in a different perspective. Not all demons are always demonic and malicious but rather they are pretty hilarious. Belonging to the comedy and action genre, this is not your typical dark or serious show. It’s rather a fun show to watch!
| Episodes | Aired |
| 12 | July 7, 2013 - September 22, 2013 |
Demon Slayer
Rating: 14+ | Genre: Dark, Comedy, Fantasy, Action | Editor’s Rating: 8.9/10
Demon Slayer is one of the best demon anime to watch. It’s about this teenager Tanjiro Kamado who becomes a demon slayer after his family along with his sister were slaughtered who turned into demons. It has 23 volumes but is edge-gripping.
Demon Slayer was adapted by the manga series of the same name. This anime is eye-catching and well illustrated. My personal favorite scene was when Tanjiro heads out for his first assignment to save girls who had been vanishing every night.
With supernatural powers, sword wars, humour, and a lot more in a single anime is so much fun to binge watch. This anime deserves all that attention it’s getting.
| Volumes | Aired |
| 23 | June 4, 2018 - September 28, 2019 |
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Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man is a wild ride that won't be for everyone. But if you enjoy dark humor, intense action, and a world brimming with potential, it's definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for a chainsaw-wielding protagonist with a surprisingly sweet tooth!
If you enjoyed the over-the-top action and dark humor of shows like Jujutsu Kaisen or Attack on Titan, you might find Chainsaw Man scratches the same itch. However, if you prefer a more grounded story with deeper character development, you might want to look elsewhere.
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