Akuma to dai maou
- Episode aired Mar 9, 1988
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
12
YOUR RATING
Photos
Theodore Lehmann
- Narrator
- (English version)
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Featured review
The Naughty Spirit
This particular episode of 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater', here named 'The Naughty Spirit', is an adaptation of Brothers Grimm's 'The Devil and His Grandmother'. An intriguing and imaginative story that is unmistakably Brothers Grimm, complete with the memorable character of the Devil, but at times pretty creepy. It's well worth getting acquainted with and deserves more recognition than it gets.
'Grimm Masterpiece Theater's' version is a good way to get introduced to the story, but reading the original story really is the real deal. 'The Naughty Spirit' is a very nicely done episode on its own terms, and have always been a firm believer in judging adaptations on their own. It has enough of the basic details intact, but doesn't do the story justice with a lot changed (didn't see the point of leaving out the Devil's grandmother for instance as she is important to the story). This is not coming from a purist, this is only in warning for anybody who decides to read the story after watching 'The Naughty Spirit' and seeing a lot of differences.
As said, 'The Naughty Spirit' is a very interesting and well done watch as a standalone and as an episode on its own without comparing for a second. Did not care for the music here though, a hit and miss component for the show anyway, didn't think it fitted and it tended to be intrusive as well.
Voice acting is mostly not bad at all, but only the thoughtful narrator and booming Beezlebub (by far the most interesting character here and the most important) properly stand out.
On the other hand, 'The Naughty Spirit' is well animated, lovely colour and Beezlebub is imposingly designed. The opening and outro songs are charming. The writing is neither simplistic or convoluted, managing to be just about accessible for all ages while providing enough for older audiences.
From the start, the story has much going on to stop it from having a dull spot while not feeling rushed, a danger with the short length. The riddles are cleverly done, but the episode was especially good early on, the descent to Hell had the most striking visuals while everything with Hell and Beezlebub gives one the creeps without being traumatising. The characters are all done well but Beezlebub towers above them all.
In summary, well done. 8/10
'Grimm Masterpiece Theater's' version is a good way to get introduced to the story, but reading the original story really is the real deal. 'The Naughty Spirit' is a very nicely done episode on its own terms, and have always been a firm believer in judging adaptations on their own. It has enough of the basic details intact, but doesn't do the story justice with a lot changed (didn't see the point of leaving out the Devil's grandmother for instance as she is important to the story). This is not coming from a purist, this is only in warning for anybody who decides to read the story after watching 'The Naughty Spirit' and seeing a lot of differences.
As said, 'The Naughty Spirit' is a very interesting and well done watch as a standalone and as an episode on its own without comparing for a second. Did not care for the music here though, a hit and miss component for the show anyway, didn't think it fitted and it tended to be intrusive as well.
Voice acting is mostly not bad at all, but only the thoughtful narrator and booming Beezlebub (by far the most interesting character here and the most important) properly stand out.
On the other hand, 'The Naughty Spirit' is well animated, lovely colour and Beezlebub is imposingly designed. The opening and outro songs are charming. The writing is neither simplistic or convoluted, managing to be just about accessible for all ages while providing enough for older audiences.
From the start, the story has much going on to stop it from having a dull spot while not feeling rushed, a danger with the short length. The riddles are cleverly done, but the episode was especially good early on, the descent to Hell had the most striking visuals while everything with Hell and Beezlebub gives one the creeps without being traumatising. The characters are all done well but Beezlebub towers above them all.
In summary, well done. 8/10
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Jul 20, 2019
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