Miki Makimura is a central character in the Devilman series, most notably known as the childhood friend and love interest of the protagonist, Akira Fudo. She lives with her younger brother Tare and her parents, Kozo and Akiko Makimura, and is a typical high school girl whose life becomes entangled with the supernatural chaos that unfolds.

In terms of personality, Miki is initially portrayed as brash, short-tempered, and quick to react with physical aggression, though she is often ashamed to reveal this side of herself around Akira. Around him she tends to be shy and giddy, reflecting her genuine affection for him. She values kindness and normalcy, and her emotional strength becomes a key anchor for Akira as he transforms into Devilman. Her motivations are rooted in love and loyalty; she wants to protect those close to her and maintain a sense of humanity in a world descending into fear and violence. She is also notably jealous of Ryo Asuka, initially mistaking him for a female rival for Akira’s attention.

Miki’s role in the story is that of a moral and emotional beacon. As the world grows darker due to the demon invasion and the resulting human hysteria, Miki remains one of the few constants of warmth and hope for Akira. She does not become a demon or a Devilman; her humanity is her defining trait. This makes her eventual fate all the more tragic. In the original manga and many adaptations, Miki is savagely murdered by a mob of paranoid townspeople who mistake her for a demon. Her severed head is displayed on a pole, and Akira discovers her remains, an event that shatters his faith in humanity and drives him into a vengeful rampage. In the Devilman Crybaby adaptation, her death scene is similarly brutal, yet she remains desperately hopeful and reaches out to Akira with a smile until the very end.

Miki’s key relationships are central to her character arc. Her bond with Akira is the most significant; she is his emotional support and the reason he tries to hold onto his human heart. Her relationship with Ryo is adversarial, as she distrusts his influence over Akira. Within her family, she is a caring sister and daughter, and their deaths alongside her own compound the tragedy. Over the course of the story, Miki develops from a relatively ordinary girl into a symbol of resilience and compassion, though she does not gain any superhuman abilities. In the Devilman Grimoire iteration, she is depicted as more assertive and self-reliant, possessing a willpower strong enough to resist demonic possession. In most versions, however, her notable ability is her unwavering humanity and the profound emotional impact her death has on the narrative.