Makai Senki Disgaea
| Company type | Anime series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Entertainment |
Area served | North America |
| Products | Anime DVDs |
Makai Senki Disgaea is an anime adaptation derived from the video game Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. While it closely follows the original storyline, modifications were made to certain characters and the timeline. The series was initially licensed by Geneon Entertainment until the company's closure in 2007. Subsequently, North American rights were obtained by Funimation, which issued the full series on DVD in 2011.
A promotional trailer for the anime was included as a DVD extra with Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories, though the final anime differed substantially from this teaser without any official clarification. Another preview was distributed on a Geneon DVD release of Hellsing Ultimate OVA I.
The title Makai Senki Disgaea also refers to several manga and light novel versions connected to the Disgaea universe.
Plot
Flonne, an angel apprentice dispatched from Celestia, is tasked with assassinating King Krichevskoy in the Netherworld. Upon arrival, she discovers his castle aflame and finds him missing. After searching for two years, she uncovers his coffin, which contains his son Laharl instead. Upon realizing that his father has died, Laharl sets out to claim the Overlord position. Accompanying him on this quest are Flonne and the demon Etna.
Main characters
- Laharl awakens two years following King Krichevskoy's demise, intent on becoming the new Overlord. Although self-absorbed and professing to be evil, he occasionally reveals a softer side, leading to playful teasing from followers like Etna. Despite his youthful appearance, Laharl possesses formidable strength and magical abilities, which he employs to dominate and intimidate adversaries. He is merciless in combat but exhibits a fear of beautiful women and gradually learns about love through Flonne’s influence. After sacrificing himself for her sake, he is reborn as a Prinny.
- Flonne is an angel apprentice originating from Celestia who strongly believes in love’s power. Sent to eliminate King Krichevskoy, she instead allies with Laharl upon meeting him, hoping to uncover goodness within him. Innocent yet resolute, she cares deeply for others and acts decisively when confronting dangers.
- Etna serves under Laharl but harbors her own ambitions to ascend as Overlord. Previously loyal to King Krichevskoy, she promised to safeguard Laharl but does not hold him in high regard as a leader. She reluctantly accepts her role as successor when named by Laharl prior to his self-sacrifice.
- Vyers, who styles himself as the "Count of Beauty" or "Dark Adonis," claims rivalry against Laharl under the moniker "Mid Boss." He appears strategically during Laharl’s trials and may share a familial link with him.
- Prinnies are penguin-like creatures containing human souls condemned for sins committed during life. Employed by Etna for arduous labor, they respond only when threatened with harm.
- Seraph Lamington governs Celestia with composed authority and assigns Flonne her mission to the Netherworld.
- Captain Gordon serves as Earth’s 37th Defender and is accompanied by his assistant Jennifer alongside the robot Thursday. Devoted to angels and antagonistic toward demons, he pursues criminals throughout space.
- Jennifer acts as Captain Gordon’s assistant and is a scientist responsible for creating Thursday. She supports space missions and the apprehension of offenders.
- Thursday functions as the team’s robotic analyst and repair unit capable of transforming into various weapon forms.
- Kurtis is affiliated with the Earth Defense Force after surviving a terrorist attack that destroyed his family’s building.
Theme songs
Opening theme: "Aishitageru" (愛したげる)
- Performed by: LOVERIN TAMBURIN
- Lyrics and composition by: aya
- Arrangement by: AKIHIRO
Ending theme: "Kusari" (鎖り)
- Vocals and composition by: Akiko Kawakami
- Lyrics by: Hiiro Misaki
- Arrangement by: Katsu Takahashi
Episode list
Template:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode list {{Episode list- EpisodeNumber= 10
- Title= The Defender of Tomorrow Is You!
- AltTitle= Ashita no Yuusha wa Kimi da!
- RAltTitle= (Template:Nihongo2)
- OriginalAirDate= June 6, 2006
- ShortSummary= General Carter reveals intentions to conquer the Netherworld rather than save humanity. With prinny assistance, Flonne and Etna evade soldiers. Kurtis recalls trauma involving mechanization after losing his family. Jennifer is brainwashed but freed by Kurtis who escapes as celestial beings attack.
- EpisodeNumber= 11
- Title= A Night Lit Up by the Red Moon
- AltTitle= Akai Tsuki ga Terasu Yoru
- RAltTitle= (Template:Nihongo2)
- OriginalAirDate= June 13, 2006
- ShortSummary= While crossing a snowy field under the red moon en route to Celestia, prinnies prepare for their passing after atonement. Big Sis Prinny reveals she is Laharl’s mother reincarnated. Despite Flonne’s influence, Laharl resists allowing prinnies to move on.
- EpisodeNumber= 12
- Title= Love... After the Fighting Is Over
- AltTitle= Ai ... Tatakai no Hate ni
- RAltTitle= (Template:Nihongo2)
- OriginalAirDate= June 20, 2006
- ShortSummary= At Celestia, Vulcanus surrounds Laharl’s party with demon warriors but withdraws after defeat. They meet Seraph Lamington who punishes Vulcanus for bias against demons and angels and reveals Flonne's mission to peacefully unite realms. Flonne transforms into a flower; Laharl destroys the sanctuary yet spares Lamington out of love, sacrificing himself to revive Flonne as a demon. Etna rises as overlord while Laharl is reincarnated as a prinny.
| # | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
Other Disgaea Media
- Disgaea novels – Authored by Sow Kanimiso with illustrations by Chou Niku, these novels start by adapting the storyline of the original game and progress to events occurring a decade later. They introduce fresh characters, including relatives of Laharl and members of Flonne's family. While their official place in the series' continuity remains uncertain, the timeline corresponds with that of Disgaea and Disgaea 2. The collection comprises six titles: Enter the Maoh, Revelation, Returned, On Love parts 1 and 2, and Battle of the Maoh, which also features characters from Makai Kingdom. Additionally, Laharl, Etna, and Flonne make appearances in other Nippon Ichi novels such as Phantom Brave and Makai Kingdom. A novel adaptation based on Disgaea 2 is also available.
- Disgaea manga – Created by Arashi Shindo, this manga loosely adapts the game's plot but incorporates altered storylines and a greater emphasis on unpredictable humor. The character portrayals vary from the original, and the artwork adopts a more shōjo-inspired style with mature character designs. Broccoli Books published the initial volume of the Disgaea manga in September 2006; subsequent volumes for Disgaea 2 were released in February and July of 2007.
Reception
Theron Martin from Anime News Network assigned the anime a grade of C−, labeling it as "an entirely forgettable attempt."