Akira Fudō

Within the Devilman narrative, ancient demons once ruled Earth and later became imprisoned in ice until a modern-era thaw promised their return and an Armageddon led by Satan. Ryo Asuka brings Akira to a nightclub and attracts demons by drawing blood; in that encounter the demon Amon (described as the Lord of War) becomes involved and Amon’s powers are absorbed into Akira. The result is the being called Devilman: a human (Akira) who possesses demonic powers while retaining his human soul, positioned in the story as the solution to the impending demonic resurgence and as “the only being who can fight demons.”

Sources provide limited canonical physical description in the excerpts. Creator Go Nagai noted he “did not aim to give him a ‘nightmare’-like design” and later reflected that the manga design was “weird.” The anime adaptation used a notably more human-like visual approach (including an underwear-based costume design noted in production commentary) that Nagai said he disliked. Beyond these production notes, the supplied materials describe Akira’s transformed identity as Devilman but do not give a detailed, consistent canonical list of physical traits across media in the provided excerpts.

Narratively, Akira acquires and wields the powers of a demon (specifically linked to the demon Amon) while retaining his human soul; this hybrid condition is described in the text as “possessing the powers of a demon and a soul of a man.” The retained human identity allows him to act with human motives and empathy even while employing demonic strength, enabling him to confront and fight other hidden demonic beings in the modern-Japan setting. Creator commentary frames Akira as initially shy and living with Miki Makimura; after fusion with demonic power he becomes a self-proclaimed Devilman who battles enemies hidden in the world. Nagai also developed the character’s arc to emphasize suffering and anti-war themes, showing Akira’s increasing suffering as the story progresses.