In this latest volume of Devils’ Line, Yuuki Anzai gets a little closer to understanding his devil self, and Tsukasa continues her journey to learn more about devils. A lot of this is just reaffirming what readers already known and/or have suspected, so whether this information is interesting or a rehash is up to you. But who really cares when we all know the real reason anyone is going to read this is that the last third-or-so of the volume is a combination sex ed class and a visit to an adult toy store.
So, depending on where you read this, you are either going to be the coolest kid at your middle school or the pervert on the bus.
Anzai and Tsukasa continue with their legally-ordered separation, but their research both draws them to the same place: ONL, the devil research lab led by one Midori Anzai. As you might expect of a career researcher and Yuuki’s mother, she provides a lot of information about devils in general and her courtship with a convicted mass-murdering devil. In particular, though, she gives her son two pieces of advice: keep his half eye transformations a secret, and go have sex.
If you think that is some awkward advice, Tsukasa arguably has it worse. After all charges related to the previous blood-sharing incident is dropped, the main pair reunite and officially decide to resume their relationship. Since the lab has a lot of equipment, they decide to try take their relationship to the next level. While they both get a tour of the amenities, Tsukasa also gets some one-on-one counseling with Midori. Nothing like discussing positions and foreplay with your boyfriend’s long-lost mother.
First times are usually a delicate subject, but it’s even worse in a human-devil relationship as the act has to be monitored and often planned out in advance. While some things are done for a laugh (two male researchers have to show how the bed works), Devils’ Line tackles the subject in a mature way rather than just to titillate. Vertical, Inc. rates this for 13+, and it’s not so much age-inappropriate as much as a huge gap between what other rated T manga consists of. I mean, titles like Waiting for Spring are also rated T, and there’s definitely no visual nudity or talk about condoms there. They are still on second base at the end of the volume, so it won’t be until Volume 11 until we see how explicit the manga will get.
There are some other things going on meanwhile, like Juliana’s feelings for Sawazaki and Anzai’s returning memories about Kikuhara, but the conflict with the CCC is barely mentioned here. This volume is very much about Anzai and Tsukasa trying to take the next step. It’s very cute and refreshing to see such innocent adults, but it’s also nice to see Tsukasa’s random boldness and strength catch Anzai off-guard instead of the usual submissive female and dominant male roles. (A word of advice: don’t play a drinking game where you take a sip every time someone blushes.) Even Midori and Tamaki’s relationship feels more like a glimpse into Tsukasa and Anzai’s future.
If you haven’t been invested deeply in the romance, the story doesn’t give readers much else to cling to. Midori explains about ONL’s history in researching devils who don’t need blood, but while her son is surprised, nothing she said is really groundbreaking or game-changing. It’s really the next volume where we’ll see how Anzai is affected by Tsukasa and his half eye transformations. But even in his most ragged state, Anzai looks so much better here than in the first couple volumes. Hanada’s artistic skills has improved over the course of the series, but the backgrounds still tend to be a little plain.
Your enjoyment of Devils’ Line Volume 10 will probably hinge on whether you prefer the romance or the devils’ struggle to be accepted by society at-large. Romance fans or those looking for an example of a couple rationally making decisions will be happy, but those who want to see what the CCC is up to will be sorely disappointed.