GENRE: FANTASY, COMEDY
NO. OF EPISODES: 12
Makai Senki Disgaea, or Netherworld Battle Chronicle Disgaea, is an anime based on the video game Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. Makai Senki Disgaea follows the same general plot as the game, although some roles and the timing of events have been altered. New merchandise for the anime is also being produced. The anime is licensed by Geneon with NISA in the United States.
Originally, a special DVD, and then a bonus feature of Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories, showed a trailer of what the Disgaea anime would look like. The trailer showed mainly scenes from episode 1 of the game where Laharl is awakened by Etna and he challenges Mid Boss in his castle. Also shown were Flonne's decent into the Netherworld, Gordon piloting his ship through space, and a peculiar battle between Laharl and Baal (who is visibly absent in the current anime). However, the anime turned out to be much different from what was shown in the trailer. A preview of Disgaea was also available on another Geneon anime DVD, Hellsing Ultimate OVA 1.
.:PLOT:.
Two years ago, the Angel Trainee Flonne was sent to the Netherworld to assassinate King Krichevskoy. However, when she arrived at the Overlord's Castle, it was covered in flames. For the next two years, Flonne searched for her target, narrowing her search to a local dump. She found a coffin with Krichevskoy's emblem on it and tried to carry out the assassination. However, it turned out that it was not Krichevskoy, but his son Laharl. Learning that his father has died, Laharl set out to claim the title of Overlord for himself. Flonne and another demon by the name of Etna followed after him.
.:MAIN CHARACTERS:.
Laharl
Voiced by: Kaori Mizuhashi (Japanese), Barbara Goodson (English)
Two years after the death of his father, King Krichevskoy, Laharl was awakened with the ambition to become the next Overlord of the Netherworld. Laharl is an extremely self-centered individual, and insists that he is evil with great fervor, but he occasionally fails to hide his compassion, invariably leading to much teasing on the part of his vassals, Etna in particular. Laharl is very insecure with his emotions, and believes that they are signs of a weakness that Demons should not have. As such, he always responds to his vassal's taunts with adamant refusal of any kindness in his heart, usually accompanied by a rather unneeded show of force. Despite his rather slim frame, Laharl possesses immense physical strength, as well as powerful magic, and often displays his power in excess to enforce his authority over his vassals. He is ruthless in battle, and thinks nothing of the life of his opponent until they are at his mercy. He also has an irrational fear of sexy women.
Etna
Voiced by: Tomoe Hanba (Japanese), Michelle Ruff (English), Kate Higgins (English trailer)
Etna is Laharl's subordinate. Though she seems to serve him faithfully, she has her own secret agenda. She previously served the late King Krichevskoy. She made a promise to the king to protect Laharl, though she doesn't respect him as a superior. She herself desires to be the Overlord.
Flonne
Voiced by: Yuko Sasamoto (Japanese), Sandy Fox (English)
An angel trainee and strong believer of love who is sent to the Netherworld to assassinate King Krichevskoy, only to find out that he is already deceased. When she learns of Laharl's refusal to believe in love, she becomes Laharl's follower in order to find good in him. She is very naive and can go on the same topic for a while. She worries about everyone, but doesn't seem too hesitant to take down a necessary opponent.
Vyers/Mid Boss
Voiced by: Chihiro Suzuki (Japanese), Grant George (English)
Self-proclaimed "rival" of Laharl. He calls himself "The Count of Beauty" or "Dark Adonis", but Laharl and others refer to him simply as "Mid-Boss", much to his chagrin. He seems to know when and where to appear whenever Laharl is in a jam or when he simply wants to challenge Laharl.
Prinnies
Voiced by: Junji Majima
Prinnies are human souls sewn into penguin-like beings with demon wings and pouches. They slave hard labor for very little pay as punishment for their evil deeds they have done on earth. Etna hires an army of Prinnies who tend not to listen to her until she threatens to hurt them (which she often does anyway).
Seraph Lamington
Voiced by: Junji Majima (Japanese), Jamieson Price (English)
Seraph Lamington is the leader of Celestia. He is the angel responsible for sending Flonne down to the Netherworld to assassinate King Krichevskoy.
Captain Gordon
Voiced by: Nobuo Tobita (Japanese), Michael McConnohie (English), Jamieson Price (English trailer)
Captain Gordon is the 37th Defender of Earth. He has an assistant named Jennifer and a robot named Thursday with whom he explores space and assaults evil doers. He is very loyal to angels even going as far as bowing and kneeling for them, but demons are automatically targets by him.
Jennifer
Voiced by: Chiwa Saito
Jennifer is Captain Gordon's assistant. Despite her sexy appearance, she is a scientist with a Ph. D. She is Thursday's creator.
Thursday
Voiced by: Yurika Ochiai
Thursday is the robotic member of Captain Gordon's team. It is the information station of the group, responsible for analysing and fixing things. It is the lesser member of the team. He can also transform into various weapons.
WIKIPEDIA
RATINGS:
STORY & ART : 9/10
ART : 8/10
SOUND : 8/10
PRESENTATION: 7/10
FINAL VERDICT: 8
