Devil is a Part-Timer is an Isekai that has wonderful charm and profound value, especially in today’s standard of what an Isekai is. It takes what it does best and just runs with it. For the countless few that have yet to see this hidden gem this is worth the pick up and more.
Dropping literal Satan in a McDonalds setting is arguably a very high risk in introducing the show. So how the heck does this work so well in the 13 episode season?! Comedy. Absolute and wonderful comedy. A hard worker that is as dense as a board, he interacts with the rest of the crew in such a upbeat and determined demeanour that it becomes natural to the viewer that this is just a manager managing a fast food chain.
We get dropped in a very contrasting sequence in the beginning that has pitted demons and angels against one-another. It becomes increasingly obvious that a winner is imminent and the two mains of Satan and Alciel must retreat (portal to our world) to regroup and come back with a vengeance to take back their world. The concept is fantastically written. Demons (males) and angels (females) coexist in this alternate world as normal everyday people. Poor, desperate and contempt on facets of a higher purpose, the mains of Satan and Alciel just go about their lives with optimism and intent. What they don’t know is that from their past battle and reason for coming to our world, they’ve been followed by their enemy, Emilia. What makes this comedy gold is how Emilia gets stuck in such a similar situation that their worlds conveniently collide in comedic fashion, to the point of Emilia actually living with them.
Interactions with such polarizing characters can backfire quite easily, yet in Part-Timer the injection of comedic absurdity elevates the Isekai to fantastic results. Emilia is forced to work as a call centre agent. While Satan doesn’t mind that Emilia is here to kill her, his personality since coming to Japan has turned. He’s a much more open and caring individual which sets off some alarming bells to Emilia, who is essentially just there to kill him. This show of kindness really makes Emilia question what their previous battle was even about, why Satan being here has changed him, and when she does get back to her world, on how she'll even do so if she doesn't kill her archenemy.
Other characters in the show, Crestia, Chiho and Rika provide some balanced roles in their time with the demi-gods. Completely oblivious to the fact of what they are, feelings of friendship and comradry are seen here. These band of misfits have their moments and despite some filler episodes, their roles show strength. Battle sequences here are top notch. Fluid, dynamic and fantastically animated, both climax scenes as well as the hilarious ‘battle’ against Sentucky Fried Chicken is fantastic in its execution.
Sadly, like with many obscure animes, the chance of a second season is almost zero here. This story definitely feels incomplete. Character development obviously stalls, characters we have yet to meet in the manga that are pivotal are ghosts. You’ve heard of this before. “Read the manga”. If you have any positive feelings after watching this, please do. It’s a fantastic anime that leaves a lot to be desired, yet the overall execution warrants a great sequel that unfortunately we'll never have.
If you are a fan of any Isekai, you have an obligation to try this show. Memorable characters that seem powerful but are rarely the case, glimmers of fantastic world-building hampered by the infamous second season hell hiatus, Devil is a Part-Timer is an original Isekai, and seeing how that weird sentence does not work in 2020, proves that this rarity is a lovely gem of a find.
(+) - Refreshingly original in its take on the isekai genre
(+) - Characters friendship is as strong as any
(+) - Animation and world-building
(-) - Filler episodes can hamper overall story on already small 13 episode season
(-) - Signs of well written character development that is abruptly halted on its final episode
(-) - No resolution due to lack of second season