A missing Emi, a strange father and daughter, an odd rainstorm…there’s no end to the problems for Maou and the gang!
This fifteenth volume of the manga adaptation of The Devil is a Part-Timer! is hectic. Almost all the main characters are involved in some way, and new ones are introduced. The pair that Maou meets while trying to get his license provide most of the comedy, as the girl, to be polite, marches to the beat of her own drummer. And she freaks Maou out when she sniffs him and licks his hand!
…But in case you haven’t guessed already, this girl isn’t just an oddball Earthling. In fact, she introduces herself as Acieth Alla, Alas Ramus’ little sister! A stunning fact considering she appears to be an upper elementary, lower middle school age while Alas Ramus is a baby…
The fact that another spirit of the Sephirah has been living in Japan a few towns over would be a massive revelation worthy of a long discussion, especially when readers find out who Acieth has been living with. But Emi has not returned from her trip to Ente Isla, and, although many would not admit it, everyone is unnerved by this fact. But an unlikely source provides a clue. And then, just as they think they may be closer to solving the mystery, Chiho’s school is attacked!
Again, A LOT happens here. The Devil is a Part-Timer! may be a little disappointing if you prefer slow, dramatic build-ups. One part shifts to another part which shifts to another. Things are put on hold as Maou and everyone else deal with the changing situation. Since nothing is fully resolved, each section will have to be revisited in volume 16 and beyond. Some will require a short wrap-up. Other plotlines will be much longer, likely a multi-volume arc. Whether it’s Rika realizing Emi’s personal history is nearly beyond imagination or the enemy’s true intention, Maou and the gang are going to have a lot to unpack.
That’s not to say the manga is rushed. In fact, it takes a bit to fully get rolling. Maou is absolutely bewildered by Acieth’s odd speech and behavior, and so much of the opening is him being weirded out. Chiho tries to push Maou to go rescue Emi, but he’s reluctant. The gang is a bit out of sorts, and it’s a testament to Emi’s and Alas Ramus’ influences on everyone. But when they’re called into action, they all step up in a big way — even Lucifer. That contrasts beautifully with the slow-ish beginning of the volume.
The only downside (besides seeing a different romanization of Acieth’s name in an image) is that the characters look a little young here. The author’s note mentions Hiiragi’s computer crashed, and that meant the art was “more delicate” due to new software. I don’t know if that played a part or was the major cause, but everyone seemed quite bright-eyed and…I guess I’d say softer? Shoujo-y? It’s not a dealbreaker, but the art does have a bit of a change to it. I do have to say it’s easier to understand Rika’s attraction to Ashiya now!
Otherwise, The Devil is a Part-Timer! volume 15 packs a lot of story and entertainment in its nearly-200 page run. It’s the kick-off of something big without being a pure setup volume or introduction, and I wish more manga could handle this balance.