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The reason I gave this story a 9 and not a 10 is because aside from the unique vibe you get from it, it's not so unique in the sense that its a totally different kind of plot: guy and girl meet, have a sweet encounter, eventually start to like each other, the shojou feels are strong, and there's the whole crew of your typical shoujou friends including that annoying guy with the glasses and the best friend who supports the main girl. How many times have we seen that now? lol yes, one too many times to be able to rate this story the ... full 10. NOW where it truly shines despite having those common elements and why its so dang close that 10 is precisely due to the reason HOW the two come to like one another and the KINDS OF INTERACTIONS they display GIVEN the story's circumstances, which, also I like to think are a tad different from your usual romantic comedy mangas.


S T O R Y :

Apart from the general mood of the manga taking place in a "shojou world," the story and circumstance of the main character is quite the breath of fresh air and the reason why I rate it close to perfect!!! So the main girl Suzu, is a young high school student who despite her age and surroundings, is a very different girl who is only ever immersed in her studies and the reading and analysis' of old folk tale stories she grew up listening and reading alongside her very strict and traditional family, more specifically her grandfather. Due to his stern yet greatly caring guidance, Suzu was never allowed to participate in going on outings with friends her age to the karaoke or the mall and instead was kept hidden away like a treasure in her home being taught morality and goodness in her household. Although she is a simple looking girl who doesn't pay much attention to fashion, Suzu is a very beautiful girl with a slim figure and long silky hair. She prefers to wear longer skirts at school because she values modesty. With all the careful teachings her grandfather instilled in her mind, the main issue she had always been warned of that girls her age usually fell prey to, was mingling with boys! That's right, she had been taught to not even shake hands with boys let alone become friends. Because of that, Suzu spent all her young years engaging in contact with only girls and then studying very hard at school and at home to learn Japanese literature. Suzu's personality is that of an air head and an innocent kind girl so she herself never took notice in things like dating or wanting to look good for others.

Then, one day while taking the train in a rush so as not to become late for school, she meets a boy her age who helps her quickly get into the train before the doors shut when he sees her desperately running towards it....Now..! you might be expecting me to say something like "this is where things change for her!" and something else dramatic like that upon the encounter right? Well, NO :) and THAT is why this story is unique, because even as of now 17 chapters in, with some aspects changing for plot development, the whole premise on which the story BEGAN from, with the reserved nature of Suzu, the manga is still sticking to that notion even though the two MC's have met many times now and have even, after almost 20 chapters in now, began to develop feelings.

The main boy is Nomiya. His character along with Suzu's is a BREATH OF FRESH AIR! I absolutely love his refined personality which is a little introverted but yet so incredibly sweet and caring. He's RESPECTFUL and NOT an insensitive lovestruck jerk unlike normal shojou mangas. Upon meeting Suzu, Nomiya recognizes that she's not like the other girls; this takes place when the both of them are tricked by their friends to attend a karaoke gathering where both are present after their first encounter in the train. Unlike the other girls, Suzu isn't pushy and overly quirky and flirting with the guys. He sees shes dressed in a long beautiful dress while sitting in a corner keeping to herself, SO upon seeing her discomfort he offers to take her away from the gathering and that's where he gets to see that her interests and way of thinking is not like that of a normal girl's living in the same era. Suzu is upfront to Nomiya about her restrictions to meet with boys so she refuses to give her cell phone number to him when he asks (due to a understandable reason; he owes her the book he borrowed, and they both attend different schools) which makes Nomiya come to take interest in her even more and the way she views the world. He's never forceful and its a long way before he even realizes he may be in love with her; he's simply fulfilled while he spends time with her and herself, feeling much the same.

The two are met with certain situations and meet on several occasions because of those situations and because of that, Suzu is introduced to a whole new world while being alongside Nomiya. She learns for the first time what it's like to go out at a video gaming arcade and the wonder of winning a game! She sees that there aren't just foolish and flirtatious boys out there and she encounters many adventures while spending more time with everyone together! Lastly, amidst it all, she starts to also feel strange within her heart as she's met with feelings she's never had before! Little does she know though, Nomiya, is also having the same feelings.

This is the story about two innocent high schoolers who look past each other's surfaces and learn to love what's inside of each of them and who they are as a person. It makes one see that romance between two high schoolers isn't only a shabby crush or about impulsive lust, gossip, or because of the way one looks. It's a refreshing side to a whole other romance! a pure and innocent romance topped with irresistible sweetness with the cute MC's.It's about a girl who had been protected and overly sheltered her whole life who finally gets to step out in the world and develop feelings for someone she begins to care for, all happening while she doesn't dare forget her stance and her values taught to her at a young age.

When I first read the first couple chapters it seemed like a funny idea to me because it seemed more so like the other mangas where the girl "ins't interested" in love and isn't swayed "easily" by the boy buuuuttt then of course over time as he woo's her with his moves, she breaks down that wall and the love story begins....but boy did that judgmental view backfire!!! Because even though we know the manga ultimately relies on a love story that's somehow developed in it's own way, we SEE that the values taught to the girl are indeed a part of her beliefs and she resists doing anything that would betray those teachings of modesty. NOW that may in part be due to the fact that she's a major air head and doesn't fully perceive those emotions yet (lol), BUT she can easily pick out right from wrong and she's also very lucky that Nomiya himself is also quite the gentleman who learns to live by the way she values and finds a way to still be together while respecting that of which Suzu holds dear. In a way you could say that this "love story" is more about the pure and honest love of two children who like each other for the person inside.


The art is drawn just like the enchanting pictures in a fairy tale with the beautiful pale white Suzu with her fragile appearance, and the charming Nomiya with his golden hair and captivating eyes! The art is clean and just simply so elegant.


If you want to see a different spin of a shojou romance, I definitely recommend Fushigi no Kuni no Arisugawa-san to you in a heart beat!! In fact, the tempo of this manga is also very similar to another golden manga, Last Game, with very similar characters! If you know about that one, then dont miss out on this one any more than you have!!


O V E R A L L :

9/10 <3333

So, I have just logged onto my account after 4 years (lol) and decided to post this much needed review which is my first "real" and thorough review on a manga since becoming a member here. I was compelled to get my login info back after finding out about this manga a week ago and reading all updated chapters (47 so far) in just 3 days. Yes, it's THAT good, and anyone can take my word for that because it is VERY HARD to please me with manga plots and characterization. Whoever didn't like this manga probably just didn't like the gore or thriller aspect ... because thats the ONLY reason I can think for someone to stray from it after finding this hidden treasure. The other reason that compelled me to come and voice out my view on this work is the fact that EVERYBODY KEEPS COMPARING IT TO THE DAMN CHICK FLICK TWILIGHT and in doing so, turn away from it or worse insult it.


The only explanation I can think of as to why everyone mentions twilight at the mention of this manga, especially more so now since an anime adaptation has been announced for spring 2018 (Whoo!), is because they judge the whole story from the key visuals because it gives them the "twilight vibe" which honestly I failed to make the connection with. Basically, they're just incredibly ignorant I gather. If having the common sense to actually go and read up on the plot on your own doesn't quite suffice then I hope you can LISTEN UP and get that hideous notion out of your mind that such a seriously intellectual work layered with a deep plot is anything like that overrated teen movie about having flings with random creatures. Just because all the world knows when it comes to "vampires" is twilight, doesn't mean you all have to mindlessly keep jumping on the same bandwagon and put the same label on other "vampire" related works. Don't embarrass yourself that much.

First of all, instead of "vampires", the mangaka literally uses the direct translation of "red eyes" or "devils" to explain the vampire-like entities in the manga. The only thing vampirish about them is that they lust for blood when they see it.
What's DIFFERENT is that they are biologically and physically otherwise exactly like humans when not "transformed". The transforming of the devils in the manga is provoked when they are sexually aroused or during the sight of blood. What's interesting is that unlike other vampire movies/mangas ...like vampire knight, where it's the vampires who intentionally go out chasing humans, in this case they are in fact a minority in the world with an intact intellectual ability and reasoning like that of humans; they try their best to blend in with the humans and live peaceful lives as it is the humans this time who constantly HUNT THEM down. They are bullied and constantly deprived of human rights when confronted with the public. To help protect their rights, there are unions, campaigns, and activist groups to set fair laws in motion and montior the facilitation of how the basic needs are being delivered to the devils. In particular there's a bionomics research facility lab which also has a built in orphanage for devils which is where our main character comes from. Then of course with the devils rights activist group there's also a secret organization made of people from the law enforcement/government who are relatively powerful and are looking to eliminate the devils and the devils themselves are stuck living between these two societal divisions while learning to cope with their own debilitating "disease" (as they like to refer to it) but life is always harder as nobody likes to give them jobs and they are mainly viewed as dangerous and disgusting by the public. There's all that and MUCH more going on a federal level in the manga in terms of the government and then there are many characters explored extensively in the manga and what their role is and how it helps to contribute to the plot of the story. This manga is sophisticated and its mature. It doesn't leave room for mindless comedy or high school crushes but at the same time also manages to relieve the reader with light hearted scenes that fit well in whatever the mood is. Each character is given a chance to be analyzed in some detail in terms of their ethical beliefs which is something I love-so this means some characters switch sides from bad to good, some are neutral, and some so mysterious it leaves you guessing the whole time until shocking revelations are portrayed.
The story is centered around a 22 year old half devil and half human boy named Anzai who works with a specialized unit in the police force which focuses on crimes committed by devils since he is a devil himself. He utilizes his strength and sharpened senses to help the police. His team is made up with both humans and devils who trust one another very much and get the bottom of things using their own style. One night he's dispatched to go and rescue an intelligent graduate student, Tsukasa, on her way home with her boyfriend she doesn't know is also a devil who Anzai thinks may hurt her. Upon meeting one another, they over time, start to develop an understanding as Anzai sees she's not afraid of him but rather tries to subdue his insecurities as she sees he's kind at heart. He tries to suppress his lust for her blood and decides to protect her as she starts to accompany him and his team with their cases (because for more than one reason she's getting caught up in them). And with that, their story starts and the both together go through many trials and hardships dealing with the public, the corrupt law force, and even devils in order to fight injustice and as Anzai tries to unfold his past and where he came from since he had been a part of the bionomics research lab while very young.

Its a rough manga to really understand because it's not giddy and an "easy going" story. It's very strategically developed and explores the prevalent issue of discrimination and racism and what it's like for those who are the suppressed ones, even if they're not human themselves. The devils are supposed to be the ones in power yet before they're provoked to transform to their true state by scheming humans who bully them, they are ironically always the ones who are overpowered by the weak yet deeply cunning and merciless humans.

One of the main aspects to the manga without a doubt, IS the relationship between Anzai and Tsukasa, which is what most people keep focusing in on I gather, and keep comparing it to "twilight". Although Anzai also meets her as he saves her in some way like the movie, NO, their encounters after that and build up to their feelings is NOTHING like twilight because their WHOLE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE DIFFERENT. THEY ARE DIFFERENT. Different in a much more refreshing and real way. Their relationship is commendable because they FEEL what each other's needs are and they work around in every way possible to protect each other's feelings. They're simply two people who have come to be very comfortable with each other. It's especially nice to see their interactions because they are just so light hearted and tension eased. They laugh at the most subtle things which increases the intimacy and Anzai has this cute tendency to always ask before touching her...he wants to respect her because he knows he's different from the normal guy and doesn't want to let that get in the way of how he wants to treat her. Furthermore, he tries to change his very devil nature to become someone capable of protecting her and she herself in her own way also wants to hone in on her knowledge about devils to support him and fulfil his needs whether emotional or physical.

The manga started out and as it developed, is STILL ongoing as a masterpiece. The plot is rich with amazing content which ALWAYS leaves you wanting more. About the Anime, I don't know how it's going to get executed and how much of the deep story they intend to encompass in the season. Depending on all that and who does the OST, it could turn out to be a just as worthy masterpiece as the manga or even exceed it being an anime. We'll just have to see. But for the manga and actual story, its hands down a breath of fresh air from the norm of vampire stories because it encapsulates so much more than just bloodlust; explores topics we see problematic even in the real world like suppression, corrupt government, undercover groups, and hardcore discrimination leading to protests. There are SOOO MANY interesting characters and they each bring their own intake into the plot developing it further.


That's why for anyone intending on reading this, I strongly advise you to free yourself from previous notions of vampire works you have watched or read and not lump this story with any of those pre-conceived ideas. This is a complete unique work and it should be treated as such in order to fully and thoroughly enjoy the endless exciting material it has to offer.

Devils Line is a gem, I would recommend it to readers who enjoy, fantasy, the unknown, thriller, exciting action, friendship bonds, political issues, mature themes and sweet romance.