TV-Series
Description
Created by the former Demon Lord Kazalim (later revealed as Kagali) as a Deathman, Clayman served the Moderate Harlequin Alliance as "The Crazed Clown". Designed as a tactical commander and schemer, his core purpose was awakening as a True Demon Lord. Approximately 300 years ago, with Kazalim's aid, he joined the Ten Great Demon Lords to expand his creator's influence, earning the title "Marionette Master". He established the Puppet Nation of Jistav and formed the elite Five Fingers by forcibly subjugating powerful majin like Adalman, Mjurran, and Yamza through curses on their stolen hearts.
After Kazalim's demise and replacement by Leon Cromwell, Clayman inherited his master's domain and forces. He maintained trade with human nations and the Eastern Empire, amassing significant wealth and political influence via artifacts from the ruins of Amrita. Alongside fellow newer Demon Lords Frey and Carrion, he sought to bridge the power gap with older generations, harboring lasting resentment toward Leon and repeatedly failing to orchestrate his assassination.
Clayman masterminded several major conflicts. He instigated the Orc Disaster through subordinate Gelmud to create a puppet Demon Lord. Following Gelmud's demise, he shifted focus to Rimuru Tempest. He later orchestrated Charybdis's revival using Phobio as a host, earning a favor from Frey by ostensibly resolving the threat. Under direction from a mysterious patron promising Kazalim's resurrection, Clayman allied with Otherworlder Yuuki Kagurazaka. This alliance led to schemes against the Jura Tempest Federation, manipulating the Falmuth Kingdom and the Western Holy Church to attack Rimuru's nation.
His plans unraveled at the Walpurgis council. An attempt to control Milim Nava with an Orb of Domination failed when Milim revealed her cooperation was a ruse. Frey defected, and Rimuru—newly evolved into a True Demon Lord—exposed his manipulations. Defeated in combat first by Rimuru's subordinate Shion and then by Rimuru himself, Clayman refused to betray his Moderate Harlequin Alliance allies even under threat of soul destruction. He acknowledged his overreach before eradication.
In the spin-off "Clayman Revenge", Clayman awakened the Unique Skill "Retry" at death, looping his consciousness back 70 years. Initially skeptical, he repeated his failures and died again. Confirming the time leap's mechanics, he resolved to alter his fate. He adopted a radically different approach: treating subordinates like Mjurran with respect, returning her heart to earn genuine loyalty, and implementing rigorous training for the Five Fingers. He cultivated stronger bonds with Moderate Harlequin Alliance members Laplace, Tear, and Footman, viewing them as family.
This era's Clayman exhibited heightened caution, developing a near-phobic reaction to spherical objects reminiscent of Rimuru's slime form. His leadership style shifted toward comedic and caring interactions, such as sharing tea with subordinates. Unexpected alliances formed, including mutual acknowledgment as a "friend" by Milim Nava after a baking incident and recruitment of powerful allies like the demon Rain and artifact creator Sasha. Despite losing a confrontation with the Hero Chloe Aubert, his strategic adaptations and genuine loyalty to his comrades marked a significant departure. He focused on preventing past disasters and strengthening his faction through trust and preparation for future threats.
After Kazalim's demise and replacement by Leon Cromwell, Clayman inherited his master's domain and forces. He maintained trade with human nations and the Eastern Empire, amassing significant wealth and political influence via artifacts from the ruins of Amrita. Alongside fellow newer Demon Lords Frey and Carrion, he sought to bridge the power gap with older generations, harboring lasting resentment toward Leon and repeatedly failing to orchestrate his assassination.
Clayman masterminded several major conflicts. He instigated the Orc Disaster through subordinate Gelmud to create a puppet Demon Lord. Following Gelmud's demise, he shifted focus to Rimuru Tempest. He later orchestrated Charybdis's revival using Phobio as a host, earning a favor from Frey by ostensibly resolving the threat. Under direction from a mysterious patron promising Kazalim's resurrection, Clayman allied with Otherworlder Yuuki Kagurazaka. This alliance led to schemes against the Jura Tempest Federation, manipulating the Falmuth Kingdom and the Western Holy Church to attack Rimuru's nation.
His plans unraveled at the Walpurgis council. An attempt to control Milim Nava with an Orb of Domination failed when Milim revealed her cooperation was a ruse. Frey defected, and Rimuru—newly evolved into a True Demon Lord—exposed his manipulations. Defeated in combat first by Rimuru's subordinate Shion and then by Rimuru himself, Clayman refused to betray his Moderate Harlequin Alliance allies even under threat of soul destruction. He acknowledged his overreach before eradication.
In the spin-off "Clayman Revenge", Clayman awakened the Unique Skill "Retry" at death, looping his consciousness back 70 years. Initially skeptical, he repeated his failures and died again. Confirming the time leap's mechanics, he resolved to alter his fate. He adopted a radically different approach: treating subordinates like Mjurran with respect, returning her heart to earn genuine loyalty, and implementing rigorous training for the Five Fingers. He cultivated stronger bonds with Moderate Harlequin Alliance members Laplace, Tear, and Footman, viewing them as family.
This era's Clayman exhibited heightened caution, developing a near-phobic reaction to spherical objects reminiscent of Rimuru's slime form. His leadership style shifted toward comedic and caring interactions, such as sharing tea with subordinates. Unexpected alliances formed, including mutual acknowledgment as a "friend" by Milim Nava after a baking incident and recruitment of powerful allies like the demon Rain and artifact creator Sasha. Despite losing a confrontation with the Hero Chloe Aubert, his strategic adaptations and genuine loyalty to his comrades marked a significant departure. He focused on preventing past disasters and strengthening his faction through trust and preparation for future threats.