The anime "The Demon Lord and the One-Room Hero," scheduled to air in 2023, combines a fantasy worldview of a hero and a demon king with modern society. It's a bittersweet fantasy about a hero who saves the world after a fierce battle, only to be tossed about by the cruel modern world and fall into disgrace. The demon king, defeated and resurrected, swears revenge, but is left devastated by the spineless hero. Today, we'd like to introduce the characters of "The Demon Lord and the One-Room Hero"!
Character #1: Max
The hero who defeated the demon king and saved the world 10 years ago. However, he never had the opportunity to utilize his strength as a hero. His lack of social skills and high profile led to a series of scandals, including underage sexual misconduct, violent incidents, and drug allegations, making him a plaything on the internet. Now, disgusted with society, he lives a self-indulgent life in a one-room apartment, dipping into his savings. Though he's completely worn out, his caring nature and strength as a hero remain intact.
Character #2: The Demon King
The Demon King was defeated by a hero 10 years ago. Demons are capable of resurrecting even after death, and he quickly makes a comeback in order to exact revenge on the hero. However, due to her incomplete resurrection, she barely regained her powers and has reverted to the appearance of a tiny little girl. Immediately after her resurrection, she attacks the hero, but is shocked to see how depraved Max has become. She then moves into Max's apartment and begins to care for him. She's a jack-of-all-trades and a skilled cook. When she goes out, she transforms into a high school girl with straight black hair.
Character #3: Xenia
A bespectacled demon who serves as the Demon King's secretary. Although he excels at information gathering, he is noticeably incompetent in other areas, sometimes exaggerating the Demon King's orders and causing trouble. Though he appears intelligent, he cannot use magic and fights using street fighting. While his strength differs from that of powerful characters like Max, he transforms dramatically when he drinks, becoming remarkably stronger. However, he also makes embarrassing displays, such as running around naked outside.
Character #4: Fred
A monk who was once part of Max's party. He is an expert in healing and support magic, and a sharp-minded realist. He managed to navigate his way through the party's disbandment and now works at the Magic Bureau. He's an elite and holds a high-ranking position in the nation, but he's troubled by his position as a public servant and the conflict with his former comrade, Leo. He's not good with horror, and is terrified by the mysterious earthbound spirit that has taken up residence in Max's one-room apartment.
Character #5: Leo
A warrior who was once part of Max's party. After founding the Gamma Republic, he rebelled against his home country and became a terrorist, calling for independence. However, in reality, she and her friends worked hard to develop the desolate, untamed land and created a livable environment, but when valuable resources were discovered there, her home country intervened and attempted to take away her land and all rights.
Character #6: Yuria
A female magician who was once part of Max the Hero's party. After the party disbanded, she married and became a full-time housewife with one daughter. She gives birth to a second child during the story. Although he doesn't have any direct contact with the three in the story, he gives Max a power-up item through his daughter Sarah during Leo and Fred's duel, which allows Max to defeat them and resolve the situation amicably.
Character #7 ???
A mysterious spiritual being that inhabits Max's apartment. Max and the Demon King are unaware of its existence, and it does not pose any particular threat. However, Fred can sense its presence, and the ghost itself is somehow hostile towards it, leading Fred to avoid Max's apartment. However, it repeatedly appears to Fred via phone and video, frightening him.
Character #8: Rim
Fred's subordinate at the Bureau of Magic. Although he's incredibly kind-hearted, when it comes to combat, he's a skilled master of fire. He can perfectly control the intensity of the flames he generates, how they spread, and even the smoke they produce. He can even prevent objects from catching fire and lower the temperature to go easy on them. He's nicknamed Scorching Rim.
Character #9: Grimms
The Third Minister has a frank yet unpredictable personality. While claiming to want to forge a peaceful path with Leo's Gamma Republic, he secretly plans to stage a terrorist attack by the Republic and pit Fred and Leo against each other in order to maximize his profits. After Max resolves the dispute between the two countries, his embezzlement of public funds comes to light and he is arrested.
Character #10: Astaroth
A demon nicknamed the "Bane of the Abyss," one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army. After a decade of revival, he rushes to the Demon King's side. He is deeply loyal to the Demon King, earnest, and gentlemanly, but at the same time, he is jealous and overly fond of the Demon King, leading to intense resentment towards Max, who is trusted by the Demon King.
Character 11: Hecate
A subordinate of Astaroth and an elite of the Demon Dragon Corps. While she looks and acts like an idol, her true nature is foul-mouthed and violent. She possesses high abilities, excelling in fire-controlling attacks and hand-to-hand combat. When angry, she transforms into a giant dragon. She is acquainted with Xenia and appears to be feared by her, but in reality, they are close enough to fight.
Character #12: Baphomet
Baphomet is Astaroth's subordinate and instructor for the Demon Corps. He appears as a cute, fluffy goat, but inside he's a noble warrior. He transforms into a muscular demon.
[The Demon Lord and the One-Room Hero] Character Summary
Here's a roundup of the characters from the anime "The Demon Lord and the One-Room Hero," scheduled to air in 2023! The relationship between the Demon King and the Hero is set in a Dragon Quest-esque worldview, but the kingdom itself is set in a modern worldview, with the internet, the media, and online flame wars becoming commonplace, making this a Japanese-Western hybrid. The story of the Hero and the Demon King living in a harsh worldview is fascinating, so I think it would be enjoyable even as an anime! If you're interested, please give it a watch!
