The final volume of Devils’ Line is a series of short stories starring various men of the series (and Tsukasa, although she shares her chapter with Anzai). Now that the big conflict over devils’ rights is finished, how are they going to start the next chapter of their lives?
I say that, but the first is a little different. Akimura, the college schoolmate of Tsukasa from the first chapter, is featured first. His takes place over several years, starting just after his arrest. Choosing to go with drug therapy, he goes in and out of consciousness as he slowly controls his bloodlust. Still, the fact that he killed several women weighs heavily on him — and it rightly should! But while he swears he’s indifferent to life otherwise, a certain research project may have sparked a little something in him.
Akimura’s chapter is probably the weakest since readers won’t have as strong of a connection to him versus the others. Plus it wasn’t a full-blown redemption arc since we don’t have a clear vision of his future, unlike everyone else in volume 14. I mean, I wouldn’t expect a chapter about a murderer to be peppy, but even by mopey standards, it’s mopey.
The next two chapters are easier to see the character development — both in the chapter and over the entire series. Ushio has to stop pushing people away, especially those who are gay and devils. Zero Seven and Zero Nine track down Kikuhara. He doesn’t push them away but he doesn’t welcome them either. In Johannes’ story, he collapses on the street and is found by a girl and her grandmother. Unlike the other stories, it’s less about him changing and more about experiencing life for the first time.
Finally, the Tsukasa/Anzai chapter is probably what most readers are interested in. The whole story is set during their trip to her parents’ house. It follows the typical “dad is the only one who doesn’t approve” storyline, but at least it isn’t in an overly comedic or dramatic way. As they talk with Tsukasa’s family, Anzai and Tsukasa have some awkward moments and disagreements. And unlike a lot of romance stories, this one features a slow ending for them. I like how the author went with an “at their own pace” type ending versus one full of fireworks.
But that is also a major downside. While readers were treated to some heavy risqué content earlier in this series, the raciest this one gets is a very short, predictably interrupted kissing/make-out scene and a conversation about booking a stay in an epilogue bonus chapter. Considering the sexual tension has been a large part of Devils’ Line, it seems like Hanada decided to go with a syrupy sweet ending versus a sexy one. Which is nice in the fact that it’s different, but I have a feeling many readers will feel cheated.
Anyway, a couple of the chapters do intersect, and some other characters make cameos. Devils’ Line volume 14 bills itself as a volume where “loose ends are tied up” and “glimpses of a future where devils and humans coexist”, and it’s best read if your favorite character is one of the six featured here. As the blurb says, these are glimpses — a side story collection disguised as an epilogue. If you’re the type that prefers hero shows ending with everyone looking off in the distance with a satisfied expression versus hugging and jumping up and down, then this will be a great farewell to Devils’ Line. For others, this will be an optional pick-up.