Top 10 Lucifer/Satan Characters in Anime [Updated]

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Lord of Evil, Wicked One, Lord of Darkness, Fallen Angel… Satan is known by many names. And in anime, he’s reimagined again and again sometimes even as a woman! Occasionally, characters seem to resemble the Accursed One in name only while others religiously (pun intended) stick to his Biblical description. Many depictions of Satan in anime and other media humanize him to give a little twist on the black-and-white dynamic of good versus evil. Check out our updated list of 10 demon lords and self-proclaimed Dark Rulers to satiate your satanic curiosity.


10. Lucifer from Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist (Devils and Realist)

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: July 2013 – September 2013

Now, we don’t actually get to see Lucifer in this one, but we get to hear a lot about him. The setting very much mirrors the Testament of Solomon. This was a narrative claiming to be written by King Solomon himself detailing his contracts with demons to make the Temple of Jerusalem. In the anime, Solomon summons the demons because he’s lonely as his cruel father David has no love for him. Solomon is given the authority to decide who will be the acting ruler of Hell whilst Lucifer sleeps.

After Solomon dies, many of the demons go to war with each other in order to secure power but Lucifer’s awakening quells numerous years of resentment and malicious intent. All we see is a door open and white feathers pouring out of it but not one single demon attempts to carry on fighting or arguing. Lucifer doesn’t even need to speak; he just immediately has everyone back under his rule. No points for presentation, but having such overwhelming influence counts for something! If this is just too mysterious for you, you can always read the manga and see Lucifer for yourself as well as learn more about the character.


9. Kurumizawa Satanichia McDowell from Gabriel DropOut

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: January 2017 – March 2017

Satania for short is the self-proclaimed next Queen of Hell and insists all evil exists to serve her interest. She’s always trying to prove how diabolical she is but Gabriel’s disgust for anything that doesn’t benefit herself puts Satania to shame. Satania actually doesn’t have any really claim to the throne of hell but she won’t let anyone else know that! Her diabolical acts are at most petty indiscretions but she really tries to be the best demon she can be.


8. Sirzechs "Crimson Satan" Lucifer from Highschool DxD

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: July 2013 – September 2013

Formerly known as Sirzechs Gremory, Sirzechs Lucifer gets his new name as a military title. The Lucifer controls the 4 Great Satans, titles given to the demons with the greatest and most formidable power. He may have an evil name, but he is a good demon who uses his powers to fight for what he believes in and to protect those he loves. While he once fought against the angels, he sees now that peace is better for both sides so lives need not be lost.


7. Lucifer from Hataraku Maou-Sama! (The Devil is a Part-Timer!)

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: April 2013 – June 2013

Our last Satan/Lucifer article featured Satan/Sadao Maou but this time, we’ll look at the treacherous Lucifer! While not the most powerful demon, he shares the same origin as the Biblical Lucifer having been cast out of Heaven and becoming a demon. In order to be allowed back into the holy realm, Lucifer plots to attack Satan but finds himself unable to best the Demon King. He mellows out afterward, though, and lazes about Sadao’s house and tries to trick his host into doing things so Lucifer won’t have to. He’s very self-serving though he lacks the power to get everything he wants.


6. Satan from Hoozuki no Reitetsu (Hozuki’s Coolheadedness)

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: January 2014 – April 2014

Satan, the ruler of European Hell, seems to be a scary and malicious being. He asks for a meeting with Lord Enma of Japanese Hell with the secret intent of learning his weaknesses and taking Japanese Hell as part of his domain. He couldn’t have banked on the pure horror that is Lord Enma’s right-hand man, Hozuki. While Satan’s hell seems to be filled with monsters and fire, it’s the hell that contains Hozuki that seems too much. While he may not have a fighting spirit, his looks alone make him an interesting addition to the list.



5. Sai Akuto from Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou (Demon King Daimao)

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: April 2010 – June 2010

Sai Akuto always wanted to become a high priest so he could have the power to help anyone who needed it. Instead, he’s told his future is to become the new Demon Lord and to destroy the peace of the world. He ‘falls’ in the eyes of his peers at this revelation much as Lucifer fell from Heaven alone and shunned. At first, he does everything to fight his destiny and prove he is not the next bringer of doom. Later on, he realizes his power is necessary to rebel against ‘God’ and fight the horrible fate God created for humans. He is powerful, charismatic, and damn good at destruction.


4. Beelzebub from Beelzebub-jou no Okinimesu mama. (As Miss Beelzebub Likes.)

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: October 2018 – December 2018

Another name commonly associated with Satan, Beelzebub is the name of the fair lady presiding over the affairs of Hell. She often slacks off a little and enjoys lazing about and playing with soft things but she possesses great leadership skills and everyone accepts her as the acting ruler due to Satan’s disappearance. Her assistant Myurin reveres her but is also quick to call out her less-than-exemplary habits such as sleeping naked. She too was cast out of heaven by God but she works to make her people’s lives better. She may be the cutest recent imagining of a fallen angel.


3. Lucifer from Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis (Rage of Bahamut: Genesis)

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: October 2014 – December 2014

While a lot of our other Satans and Lucifers are some kind of comic relief or at least very one-dimensional, Lucifer in Shingeki no Bahamut exudes a sense of both royalty and mystery. He seems haughty and dismissive with many of his subjects and talks down to his subordinates, yet he harbors tender feelings for his servant Azazel. He despises humanity and angels, an understandable sentiment for the King of Demons whose people have suffered at their hands. He does have a violent side, though, as demonstrated when Azazel called him a coward for not going to war and Lucifer then smacking Azazel incredibly hard to punish his insolence. He likes to see how events will play out before acting and doesn’t have any motivation to help suffering humans.


2. Ryo Asuka/Satan from Devilman: Crybaby

  • Episodes: 10
  • Aired: January 2018

Ryo Asuka makes such an intriguing Satan in a modern setting. Like others on our list, he was struck down from heaven by God but is not an empathetic character. He is a selfish, monstrous being who delights in death and destruction. He wants to end humanity not out of hatred, but because demons seem like a better choice even though he doesn’t like them either. The only thing he cares for is Akira who he loves deeply enough to change his narrow views only after it’s entirely too late. As Lucifer was said to love God but ultimately rebelled because he could not respect God’s wishes, so too did Ryo adore Akira more than anything but couldn’t stop killing people even though it hurt Akira. When Ryo is in his Satan form, he has 6 pairs of wings on his back and breasts and male genitalia; frightening yet beautiful.


1. Lucifer from Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai (Seven Mortal Sins)

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: April 2017 – July 2017

As a main character with such a strong connection to the Devil as he’s portrayed throughout the Bible, Lucifer from Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai tops our list. The most immediate difference is that she’s a woman but Lucifer is also said to be beautiful and gender hardly matters to angels and demons, it seems. We immediately see her fall from grace (and her boobies) and the prideful attitude that cursed her to become a demon.

She feels contempt for most life around her and only wishes to defeat the other deadly sins so that she can do exactly what she wants and be under no one else’s control. Her loftiest ambition is to be free but she will kill anyone to achieve that. While she can be nasty and physically abusive to them, she does have a softer spot for her servants. Nanatsu no Taizai follows the ‘God’s the real villain’ plotline but it’s one hell of a ride. It’s a nice bonus for us that all the other hot demons have a thing for Lucifer and are always trying to play with her boobs.


Final Thoughts

The idea of an ultimate evil being is not new, but people are finding some out-there ways of reinventing one of the more famous incarnations of evil. There’s something about the idea of a loving servant being cast out by God himself and losing happiness forever that makes him a compelling character.

Love and loss and their bringing out the worst in someone is probably something we can all relate to. Hopefully you don’t relate too strongly to some of our Satans on this list! Whether you like devilish troublemakers or the lore of Lucifer himself, we hope you enjoyed our updated top 10 picks for Lucifer/Satan characters in anime!

Gabriel-Dropout-crunchyroll-Capture Top 10 Lucifer/Satan Characters in Anime [Updated]

Writer

Author: May

Hey friends! I reside in Georgia and use my degree in Japanese primarily to (barely) read doujinshi that hasn’t been translated. Beyond deciding who is best girl in whatever I happen to be watching, I really enjoy ballroom dancing, reading, crying over dating sims, karaoke, and being surrounded by beautiful things~ (You know, scenery, décor, boys, stuff like that). I also love talking about passions with others!

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Gabriel-Dropout-crunchyroll-Capture Top 10 Lucifer/Satan Characters in Anime [Updated]

Although binge-watching TV is acceptable any time of the year, with Halloween just around the corner there’s no better excuse to get into a spooky groove by watching your favorite anime. Fortunately, there are plenty of shows from all sorts of genres that feature various incarnations of the fallen angel himself, Lucifer.

It’s interesting to note that character representations of Lucifer or Satan in anime rarely rely solely on the Judeo-Christian interpretation, and instead take a less religious, more liberal approach to the character in order to make him (or her, depending on the show) more compelling for the viewers. With that in mind, here are our Top 10 Lucifer/Satan Anime!

10. Lucifer from Umineko no Naku Koro Ni (Umineko: When They Cry)

  • Episodes: 26
  • Aired: July 2009 – December 2009

Considered the third installment in the popular When They Cry series, Umineko takes place on the island of Rokkenjima, privately owned by the unbelievably wealthy Ushiromiya family. They have a yearly gathering on the island during which they typically discuss the family’s finances and the roles of individual family members in the Ushiromiya estate. However, the current year’s gathering is anything but family fun, as they come to discuss prospective inheritance due to the poor health of the family’s patriarch, Kinzo.

In an attempt to meet his love one final time before his passing, Kinzo has dabbled in black magic, and when a mysterious typhoon leaves the members of the family trapped on the island, they are forced into a fight for their lives as the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur.

Lucifer takes an unexpected form in the show; that of a young girl with straight, black hair, and red eyes named (you guessed it!) Lucifer. She represents the mortal sin of Pride, and as such, carries herself with an air of haughty, disdainful arrogance while leading the mysterious coven known as the Stakes of Purgatory. Like many who are overly prideful, she secretly lives in fear of her other sisters discovering her inferiority and uses her pride as a mask. Honorable mention goes to two of her sisters, Beelzebub and Asmodeus, for also rocking names typically associated with Satan.


9. Lucifer from Saint Beast: Kouin Jojishi Tenshi Tan

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: April 2007 – June 2007

Saint Beast eschews traditional storytelling by blending the religious mythologies of many different cultures into a unique show. Eons ago, the Supreme God Zeus created a three-tiered caste system for angels, although members of each caste were supposed to be equal in his eyes. To govern the realms of animals and men, he chose six angels and gave them extraordinary powers, along with the title of Saint Beast. When two fallen angels, Judas and Luca, decide to get their revenge on Zeus by destroying heaven and creating hell and bodies start piling up, the Saint Beast are sent to investigate.

In Saint Beast, Lucifer is a well-respected high angel that is idolized by the Saints, especially Judas. While his motivations are hidden to everyone but himself, Lucifer has a bone to pick with Zeus and attempts to manipulate Judas and Luca into forwarding his agenda. He appears in their dreams and insidiously tries to plant ideas in their head. Will the Saints have the will to resist one of the strongest angels in the heavens?


8. Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub IV from Beelzebub

  • Episodes: 60
  • Aired: January 2011 – March 2012

Beelzebub is a show that proves that not every representation of Lucifer or Satan has to be evil incarnate. It centers on Tatsumi Oga, a first-year student with a huge temper backed up by his fists. He attends a school populated with like-minded delinquents and is just trying to get through his day to day when his life changes forever. When he rescues a drowning man from a river while doing laundry, he is horrified when the man splits in half and a baby emerges from within.

That baby is the titular Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub IV, the youngest son of the Lord of Darkness, who forms an immediate bond with Tatsumi. Together with Baby Beel’s demonic nurse, Hildegard, Tatsumi discovers the hardships of fatherhood, especially when trying to navigate the halls of his rough and tumble high school. When the fussy temperament of a baby combines with otherworldly powers befitting a lord of the underworld, child rearing becomes its own special type of hell!


7. Satan from Hoozuki no Reitetsu

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: January 2014 – April 2014

For some, there’s no greater hell than the red tape of bureaucracy, a concept that Hoozuki no Reitetsu takes incredibly literally. Ruled by Enma, the King and Head Judge, who determines what type of hell the dead will be sent to, the day to day workings of hell are run smoothly by Hozuki. A serious-minded, somewhat sadistic demon who troubleshoots and manages whatever problems come in the Japanese hell, Hozuki’s duties also include entertaining visitors from other realms of the underworld from religious cultures all over the globe.

Satan has an incredibly minor role as a visiting demon, but the atmosphere of the show definitely cements its place as one of the most memorable shows featuring Satan, even if he is relegated to supporting cast. With a comedic bent and a who’s who roster of mythological characters, Hoozuki no Reitetsu gives new meaning to the phrase “job from hell.”


6. Sirzechs Lucifer from High School DxD

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: January 2012 – March 2012

A perverted young high school student who dreams of one-day conquering hordes of women, Issei Hyoudou thinks he’s taking an important step to realizing his future as a Casanova when he’s asked out by a beautiful girl. When it turns out she’s a fallen angel who isn’t interested in going steady with him, so much as brutally murdering him outright, he’s given a second chance at life by Rias Gremory, a devil who recruits him into the ranks of the school’s Occult Research Club. Caught between a bloody war between curvaceous angels and demons, Issei realizes how easy he had it before.

Strangely enough, in the world of High School DxD, Lucifer isn’t a single person, but a title bestowed upon powerful Great Devils. The most powerful is Sirzechs, the older brother of Rias who is nicknamed Crimson Satan, who commands wizardly powers capable of massive destruction. He battles on the frontlines of the underworld in the war against the angels and is rightly feared as a demonic powerhouse.


5. Lucifer from Tenshi Kinryouku (Angel Sanctuary)

  • Episodes: 3
  • Aired: May 2000 – August 2000

Setsuna Mudo is a college freshman trying to get through his first year without getting on the bad side of the campus bullies. On top of that, he struggles with taboo feelings for his sister Sara, who he only sees once a month. One day he is ambushed by otherworldly beings, angels, and demons, who claim to know the secrets of his past, each side twisting the tale to try to manipulate him to their side. He finds himself caught in a pivotal role in the reigniting war between heaven and hell, and will have to pick sides whether he likes it or not.

In Angel Sanctuary, Lucifer is the Demon Lord of Hell. He was exalted by God as the Morning Star, and when it was revealed that he was created only to become the Prince of Darkness, he and his comrades fell from heaven. Upon discovering that hell was a barren landscape incapable of sustaining life, he merged with it in order to make it hospitable. His soul is eventually imprisoned by God in a seven-bladed sword called Nanatsusaya Minatamanatsurugi, causing him to lose his memories of his past life.


4. Maou/The Demon Queen from Maoyuu Maou Yuusha (Maoyu ~ Archenemy & Hero)

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: January 2013 – March 2013

Demons and humans have been engaged in a brutal, fifteen-year war at the start of Maoyuu Maou Yuusha. The fulcrum of the human offense against the demons, a legendary Hero abandons his companions to head fearlessly into the heart of the demon realm, and confront the Demon Queen at her castle. Once he arrives, he is startled to discover that the Demon Queen is one of the most beautiful women he has ever seen, and seeks his help in ending the conflict between their warring people, to both of their benefits.

Lucifer isn’t directly referenced in the show but has several surrogate characters that fulfill the same purpose he would if he was involved in the plot. The Demon Queen, Maou, wields similar powers as the Prince of Darkness, although she has benevolent intentions unlike most popular depictions of Lucifer. Maou is very adept at manipulation and disguise, and although she has a bit of a comedic streak, she often adorns herself in horns to make herself appear more diabolic and threatening. The Hero also eventually dons the black armor of a previous Demon King in order to fight for humanity, giving him the appearance of Lucifer, if not the heart.


3. Lucifer from Yondemasu Yo, Azazel-San (You're Being Summoned, Azazel)

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: April 2011 – July 2011

Akutabe is a detective who helps clients by summoning devils to help him solve their problems. One day he summons a dog-like devil named Azazel, who is a pervert who loves to sexually harass humans. He has the special ability to incite lust, and his powers range from being able to make people appear more attractive to others, to making people completely impotent.

As a comedy series, Lucifer is represented a bit more untraditionally than one would expect in Yondemasu Yo, Azazel-San. Although he is indeed the Morning Star, cast down from Heaven by God, he has a few different forms, one of which is a leather pants clad, sunglasses wearing koala bear. His other form is a bit more in line with expectations, as he is covered in tattoos and clad in a black cape, and his final form is that of a gargantuan dragon. He is a proud, arrogant demon but even so, he is quite frightened of Akutabe. The show, and its irreverent depiction of some of humanity’s most iconic bastions of evil, definitely deserves its spot on the list due to its personality and comedic tone.

Gabriel-Dropout-crunchyroll-Capture Top 10 Lucifer/Satan Characters in Anime [Updated]


2. Satan from Ao no Exorcist (Blue Exorcist)

  • Episodes: 25
  • Aired: April 2011 – October 2011

Rin and Yukio Okumura are fifteen-year-old twins raised by an exorcist, Shiro Fujimoto. One day Rin finds out that he and his brother are the sons of Satan, despite their birth from a human woman. Rin’s demonic powers, which he inherited and his brother did not were sealed in the demon-slaying sword, Kurihara. They were sealed by Mephisto Pheles, the principal of an academy that trains warriors to battle Satan and his evil forces, which Rin enrolls in after his powers awaken and Shiro is killed by Satan.

Satan has a fairly traditional depiction in Blue Exorcist, as the primary antagonist and lord of the underworld, with ambitions to take control of the world that humans reside in. He attempts to take possession of those closest to Rin, including his twin brother Yukio. It is revealed throughout the series that he had genuine affections for Rin’s mother and had initially dreamed of creating a world where humans and demons could live together in peace.

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1. Sadao Maou from Hataraku Maou-sama! (The Devil is a Part-Timer)

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: April 2013 – June 2013

The Demon-Lord Satan is in the midst of conquering the land of Ente Isla with his vast and powerful demonic army. His ambitions are thwarted by a hero named Emilia, who forces Satan to retreat through a dimensional portal that leaves him stranded in the human world in modern day Tokyo. In a world without magic, Satan finds himself powerless, and assumes the identity of Sadao Maou, and begins working at a local fast-food joint to make ends meet.

His time working ignites in him a passion for conquering Earth as well as Ente Isla, not through martial force, but by climbing the corporate latter of his employer's one happy customer at a time. This show earned the number one spot by telling a classic fish out of water story, not through the eyes of a normal human, but that of a hapless demon lord forced to fulfill the mundane aspects of human existence, with hilarious results.

Gabriel-Dropout-crunchyroll-Capture Top 10 Lucifer/Satan Characters in Anime [Updated]


Final Thoughts

With that, our list of Top 10 Satan Anime comes to an end. There are countless depictions of the Dark Lord in anime, and it’s endlessly entertaining to see how they vary from series to series. Are there any shows that contain Lucifer as the main character or a part of the supporting cast that deserve a top spot on your personal list? Sound off in the comments section to let like-minded fans know!

Gabriel-Dropout-crunchyroll-Capture Top 10 Lucifer/Satan Characters in Anime [Updated]

Writer

Author: Nick Rich

Nick is, first and foremost, a nerd. Netflix on in the background, a drink in one hand, and a book in the other is how you'll find him most days after work. He currently works as an English teacher in Kawasaki, where he lives next to a graveyard with his girlfriend and his unnamed flying squirrel. He hopes to run into Kitaro, late one night.

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