The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (Japanese: はたらく魔王さま!, Hepburn: Hataraku Maō-sama!, lit.'Working Demon King!' or 'Demon Lord at Work!') is a Japanese light novel series written by Satoshi Wagahara, with illustrations by Oniku (written as 029). ASCII Media Works has published the series in Japan, while Yen Press has published it in North America.
The story follows Satan who, while attempting to conquer the world of Ente Isla, is confronted by the hero Emilia and forced to retreat through a gate that transports him to modern-day Tokyo, Japan. In order to survive and find a way to return to Ente Isla, Satan adopts the name Sadao Maou and starts working part-time at the fast food restaurant MgRonald's, a parody of McDonald's.
There have been two manga adaptations published by ASCII Media Works in Dengeki Daioh and Dengeki Maoh. A 13-episode anime adaptation produced by White Fox and directed by Naoto Hosoda aired from April to June 2013. A second season produced by 3Hz and directed by Daisuke Tsukushi aired from July to September 2022, with the second part of season 2 airing from July to September 2023.[b]
The Demon Lord Satan attempts to conquer the world of Ente Isla by annexing its four continents with the help of his demon generals: Alciel, Lucifer, Malacoda, and Adramelech. After the hero Emilia and her companions kill Malacoda and Adramelech and confront him, he and Alciel flee through a gate to modern-day Tokyo, Japan. However, because of Earth's lack of magic, they lose their powers and transform into humans. In order to survive until he can find a way to return to Ente Isla, Satan takes on the identity of Sadao Maou and begins working part-time at the fast food restaurant MgRonald's, with Alciel serving as houseman. One day, he meets a girl named Emi Yusa, who is actually Emilia. The story then unfolds, exploring the personalities of the characters and their moral values, as more characters from Ente Isla appear and also face the dilemmas of living in a new world, often comically.
The Demon Lord from Ente Isla. After fleeing from Emilia and her companions, he and Ashiya are transported to modern-day Japan and transform into human form. To survive, he adopts a Japanese name similar to his original name, Sadao Maou, and begins working part-time at a MgRonald's franchise, eventually being promoted to full-time position as an assistant shift manager. He and other demons can transform into their original forms when people around them are filled with despair. However, he uses his powers for good deeds such as repairing the city, which causes others to question his current personality. However, it is later revealed that he was always like this and was not the "Evil Overlord" that the people of Ente Isla had grown to fear and hate; in reality, he did "evil" things to help his people, the demons, and protect others. When he was younger, Emi's mother, Lailah, rescued him and taught him, giving him a fragment of Sephiroth that later becomes his and Emi's chosen daughter, Alas Ramus. He later fuses with Alas Ramus' "younger sister" Acieth Alla, another fragment of "Yesod", to rescue Emi and Ashiya after Olba and the Angels kidnap them.
The hero who confronts Satan, forcing him to retreat from Ente Isla, and follows him to Earth to ensure that he is destroyed. Like him, she loses most of her magical powers upon arriving on Earth and is forced to assume a Japanese name, Emi Yusa, and find employment as a call center agent. Her father was human and her mother was an archangel. When she was a child, Lucifer, one of Maou's generals, led an army of demons to attack her village, resulting in the death of her father, leading her to resent Maou and want to kill him. However, it is later revealed that her father is alive. Emi is later fired from her job at the call center and gets a new job at MgRonald's, where she works with Maou and Chiho. Despite her protests, Maou later appoints her Demon General of the Demon Army. Over time, she develops feelings for Maou, although she struggles to reconcile her feelings because of their past history and the fact that Chiho is also in love with him.
A high school student who is Sadao's friend and co-worker at MgRonald's and develops feelings for him. She can hear and understand the language of Ente Isla because she was accidentally targeted by a communication spell intended for Emi, which was meant to target those who were constantly thinking about Sadao. She later learns how to use the spell Idea Link to warn others if she is in danger, and how to use magic to improve her archery skills. Maou later appoints her Demon General of the Demon Army, and she becomes well respected in the demon community. In order to obtain the Spear of Adramelechinus, which is needed to power the Demon's Castle and reach the Angels' stronghold on the moon, she becomes involved in the politics of Ente Isla. The light novel ends with her being together with Maou.
One of Satan's generals, who is transported to modern-day Japan with him. On Earth, Alciel assumes the identity of Shirō Ashiya and works as Sadao's housekeeper, taking care of domestic duties while researching ways to regain their powers. He is loyal to him, and when he fails in his duties, he is disappointed in himself for not doing a better job. He is also frugal in his spending habits. He has alluded to reciprocating Rika's love, though is currently unwilling to pursue a relationship with her due to believing that she fell in love with his human guise and not his "true self".
A fallen angel and one of Satan's generals. After Satan is transported to the human world, Lucifer and Olba make a deal to defeat him, with Olba promising to return Lucifer to heaven. After Sadao defeats them, Lucifer moves into he and Shirō's apartment. Having committed a series of robberies with Olba before his defeat, he must remain in seclusion to avoid the police. He is good with technology and loves to play video games, and is often referred to as a hikikomori or NEET, much to his irritation. His mother is the current leader of the Angels, Ignora, and his father was the ancient demon lord Sataniel.
Voiced by: Kanae Itō (Japanese); Alex Moore[3] (English)
Sadao's next-door neighbor, who is the grand inquisitor of the Church in Ente Isla and, like Emi, came to kill Sadao. She wields a giant mallet, which can be retracted into her flower-shaped hairpin. Unlike Emi, she has trouble adjusting to life on Earth and its technology. She briefly teams up with Sariel to eliminate Sadao and Emi after Sariel reminds her of her duties as grand inquisitor, but after seeing Sadao's concern for Chiho and realizing that she values her friendship with Emi and Chiho, she betrays Sariel and helps Chiho evacuate the area while Sadao and Sariel battle. Despite her protests, Maou later appoints her Demon General of the Demon Army, and over time she develops feelings for him, though she struggles to accept these feelings due to their past history. She is later promoted to Archbishop of the Church of Ente Isla.
Emi's friend and co-worker at the call center, who develops romantic feelings for Ashiya. She later learns the truth and becomes involved in the issues of Ente Isla. Although her confession with Ashiya is turned down, she has continued to not give up on him reciprocating her feelings.
The manager of MgRonald's, who dreams of opening up her own restaurant, and in a conversation with Maou, discussed the possibility of taking him with her when she does open her own business.
Emilia's friend and comrade from Ente Isla. She is proficient in alchemy and is a court magician, and the highest ranking official serving directly under the ruler of the Holy Saint Aire Empire. After returning from Earth, she seems to have developed a fondness for modern conveniences such as the telephone.
The rogue Archbishop of the Church of Ente Isla, who betrays Emilia and temporarily joins forces with Lucifer to kill her and Sadao, but is arrested after his plans fail. He had worked with the corrupt Church of Ente Isla to kill those who opposed them, including members of the Allied Knight Order and those associated with them. He was Crestia's superior and often gave her orders that involved the brutal slaughter of the church's enemies. After Sadao defeats him in Sasakuza, he is placed under guard in a hospital, where he regains consciousness and escapes, attempting to reestablish his contract with Lucifer and aiding Sariel in his battle against Sadao by casting a spell to increase his power. However, it is revealed that Lucifer tricked him into creating a panic with the Moon spell, allowing Sadoe to regain his magic and defeat Sariel, after which Lucifer captures him.
An Archangel hired by the Church of Ente Isla along with Crestia Bell as part of their Execution Inquisition. He first attacks Emilia in a grocery store while in disguise. To learn about Sadao and Emi in the human world, he assumes the identity of Mitsuki Sarue, claiming to be the manager of the newly opened Sentucky Fried Chicken franchise in Hatagaya. He later teams up with Crestia to kill Sadao and Emi. He wields a scythe and possesses a magic called the "Wicked Light of the Fallen", which nullifies sacred powers; he also draws his magic from the Moon, with his power increasing the closer he is to it. During his battle with Emilia, he demands that she return the holy sword "Better Half" to Heaven. He defeats and tortures Emilia while taking Chiho hostage, but ultimately Sadao defeats him. Afterward, he falls in love with the manager of MgRonalds, much to Emilia's annoyance and Kisaki's dismay.
The owner of the "Villa Rosa Sasazuka" apartment building where Sadao and Suzuno live. It is later revealed that she is the eleventh Sephira for Earth's Tree of Life and one of Earth's guardians.
Miki Shiba's niece, who hires the tenants of Villa Rosa Sasazuka to work at her family's resort for the summer after everyone is kicked out of the complex due to renovations following the battle with Gabriel. It is later revealed that she is the Daughter of "Understanding" of Earth, one of the eleven Sephira of Earth's Tree of Life, thus making her a guardian of Earth.
Yuki Mizushima (水島 由姫, Mizushima Yuki)
Voiced by: Mamiko Noto (Japanese); Rachel Robinson (English)
The "daughter" of Sadao and Emi, who is formed by "Yesod" and brought to Japan by Lailah. She later fuses with Emi's sword to help Emi become more powerful.
Alas Ramus' younger sister and another fragment of "Yesod". She lives with Emi's father, Nord Justinia, and later fuses with Maou to help him become more powerful.
The personification of the Gevurah Sephiroth from Entre Isla. After breaking off his partnership with the demons, Erone, having recognized Alas Ramus during his fight against Emi, returns to Earth to find his "sister". He eventually becomes a ward under the protection of Emi's parents Lailah and Nord Justina.
A first generation archangel from Ente Isla who commands the lower ranking angels. He descends from Hheaven in order to reclaim the fragments of "Yesod" after Sariel fails to take the Sacred Sword from Emilia. He wields the secret sword Durandall.
An angel from Ente Isla, who is tasked with monitoring the actions of every angel and announcing the declaration of an angel turning into a fallen angel.
The Devil Is a Part-Timer! began as a light novel series written by Satoshi Wagahara, with illustrations by the artist 029 (Oniku). Wagahara originally entered the first novel in the series, originally titled Maōjō wa Rokujō-ikkan! (魔王城は六畳一間!, The Devil's Fortress is a Single Room with Six Tatami Mats!), into ASCII Media Works' 17th Dengeki Novel Prize in 2010 and the novel won the Silver Prize.[11] The first novel was published by ASCII Media Works on February 10, 2011, under their Dengeki Bunko imprint, with an additional 20 main novels, two prequel novels, one spin-off novel, and six bonus novels being released since.[12] The final main novel was initially scheduled to be published on July 10, 2020 but was delayed to August 7, 2020 as a result of the effects caused by COVID-19.[13] Two bonus novels (Hataraku Maō-sama! 4.1 and Hataraku Maō-sama! Tengo) were packaged with the first and second Blu-ray volumes (respectively) of the anime adaptation's second season.[14]
The series is licensed in North America by Yen Press,[15] with the first main novel being released on April 21, 2015 and the last main novel on April 19, 2022.[16][17]
A manga adaptation, illustrated by Akio Hiiragi, started serialization in the February 2012 issue of ASCII Media Works' shōnen manga magazine Dengeki Daioh. The first tankōbon volume was published on June 27, 2012.[64] Yen Press publishes the manga in North America from March 24, 2015.[65]
A spin-off manga series set in an alternate universe titled The Devil Is a Part-Timer! High School! (はたらく魔王さま！ハイスクール！, Hataraku Maō-sama! Hai Sukūru!), written by Satoshi Wagahara and illustrated by Kurone Mishima, began serialization in the July 2012 issue of ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Maoh magazine. Its chapters have been compiled in five tankōbon volumes, released between January 26, 2013, and April 24, 2015.[109][110] Yen Press released all five volumes in North America between March 24, 2015 and October 25, 2016.[111][112]
A four-panel mangaanthology volume was published by ASCII Media Works on June 27, 2013.[121] Another spin-off manga series titled Hataraku Maō-sama no Meshi! (はたらく魔王さまのメシ！), illustrated by Oji Sadō, began serialization on Kadokawa Corporation's Comic Walker website on August 28, 2019.[122] It has been collected in 4 volumes as of October 27, 2022.[123]
A comic anthology by different manga creators was released in Japan in 2022 to celebrate the release of the anime's second season, with the English release being in 2023.[124]
A 13-episode anime television series adaptation of The Devil Is a Part-Timer!, produced by White Fox and directed by Naoto Hosoda,[125] aired between April 4 and June 27, 2013. The anime has Masahiro Yokotani as the script supervisor and Atsushi Ikariya adapts 029's characters' designs.[126]Funimation streamed the series as it aired and released it on home video in summer 2014. It was later streamed on the FunimationNOW service but the show was moved to the similar Crunchyroll streaming service after Sony Pictures Television and Aniplex (via Funimation Global Group) purchased the assets of Crunchyroll from WarnerMedia in 2021.[127][128] The opening theme is "Zero!!" by Minami Kuribayashi. There are three ending theme songs: "Gekka" (月花, lit. "Moon Flower"), "Star Chart" (スターチャート, Sutā Chāto), and "Tsumabiku Hitori" (ツマビクヒトリ), all by Nano Ripe.[129]Muse Communication holds the distribution rights in Southeast Asia.[130]
A second season was announced at the Kadokawa Light Novel Expo 2020 event in March 2021, with the main cast reprising their roles.[131][132] The second season, titled The Devil Is a Part-Timer!!, is animated by 3Hz, with Daisuke Tsukushi directing, Yūdai Iino designing the characters, Yoshihiro Takeda serving as chief animation director and the rest of the staff returning from the first season. The second season aired from July 14 to September 29, 2022, simultaneously on Tokyo MX and Disney+.[6][133][134] The opening theme is "With" by Minami Kuribayashi, while the ending theme is "Mizukagami no Sekai" (水鏡の世界, lit. "The World in the Water's Reflection") by Marina Horiuchi.[135][136] Muse Communication licensed the second season in Southeast Asia.[137]
A sequel was announced following the conclusion of the second season.[138] It was later confirmed to be the second part of season 2, which aired from July 13 to September 28, 2023.[9][10][b] The opening theme is "Hikari no Nai Machi" (光のない街, lit. "Town Without Light") by Nano Ripe, while the ending theme is "Bloomin'" by Liyuu.[139]
^This includes 21 main novels, two prequel novels, one spin-off novel, and six bonus novels.
^ abThe second part is formally considered the "second season" of season 2 in Japan, as the actual second season is treated as a sequel series to the first in promotional material.
^Hataraku Maō-sama! High School N! is a spin-off novel set in an alternate universe where the events of the main series take place in a high school setting.
^Hataraku Maō-sama! SP is an expanded re-release of Hataraku Maō-sama! Volume 5.5, a special volume that was originally packaged with the 1st DVD/Blu-Ray Volume of the anime adaptation's first season.
^Hataraku Maō-sama! SP2 is an expanded re-release of Hataraku Maō-sama! Volume 2.8, a special volume that was originally packaged with the 6th DVD/Blu-Ray Volume of the anime adaptation's first season.
^Hataraku Maō-sama! Okawari!! is an expanded re-release compilation of short stories originally serialized in the Dengeki Nobekomi app.
^"はたらく魔王さまのメシ！" [Working Demon King's Meshi!]. Kadokawa ComicWalker (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
