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Although Demon Lord Dante (Maou Dante, literally Dante the Satan) wasn’t animated until 2002, Go Nagai created the original manga more than 30 years ago. Teenager Ryo Utsugi is haunted by nightmares involving demons, nightmares that are linked to a string of grisly murders of young women. A sinister cabal is plotting to resurrect Dante, “a bigger devil than Satan.” As the plot grows in complexity, it becomes increasingly hokey and unintentionally hilarious. A Satanist steals the Holy Grail (and a menorah) from a cathedral in Milan; Dante reveals he was Judas Iscariot; various Satanists appear as fish in an aquarium to discuss their problems; and God speaks directly to Ryo’s father. Despite the prominence of Nagai’s later work (Devilman, Cutie Honey, Getter Robo, etc.), Demon Lord Dante ranks as part historical curiosity, part Golden Raspberry candidate. (Unrated: suitable for ages 16 and older: nudity, minor profanity, violence, violence against women, grotesque imagery, tobacco use) –Charles Solomon
