OVA
Description
Ryo Asuka is initially presented as a human, the son of Professor Asuka and an unnamed American mother deceased prior to the main events. This identity was later assumed by Satan, a fallen angel who rebelled against God millions of years earlier in solidarity with the demon race facing extermination for their perceived ugliness. Collaborating with the demoness Psycho Jenny to infiltrate human society and reclaim Earth for demons, Satan erased his own memories, adopting the fabricated persona of Ryo Asuka complete with false human memories.
In his Ryo Asuka guise, he appears as a young man of mixed Caucasian and Japanese heritage, characterized by blonde hair, blue eyes, and a preference for white clothing. Academically gifted, he earned a Ph.D. at a remarkably young age and worked as a university professor. He demonstrates proficiency in multiple languages, mechanics, and marksmanship, frequently employing firearms like shotguns or machine guns, alongside unexplained regenerative abilities allowing accelerated recovery from severe injuries.
His primary narrative function involves orchestrating events to awaken the demonic threat and manipulating his childhood friend, Akira Fudo. He reveals the existence of resurgent demons to Akira, engineers Akira's possession by the powerful demon Amon during the Black Sabbath ritual believing a pure-hearted human could dominate a demon's power. Akira successfully merges with Amon, becoming Devilman, though Ryo expresses surprise at the resulting changes in Akira's gentle personality. Throughout the conflict, Ryo assists Akira in battles against various demons, utilizing his weapons and occasionally demonstrating supernatural powers like healing severe wounds or reattaching limbs. His underlying motive, however, remains the eradication of humanity, whom he views as weak and destructive compared to demons.
Ryo eventually regains his memories as Satan, triggered by discovering evidence of the real Ryo Asuka's death or through Psycho Jenny's intervention. Upon this revelation, he abandons his human facade. He publicly exposes Devilman's existence via media broadcasts without distinguishing him from hostile demons, deliberately inciting global paranoia and violence that escalates into humanity's self-destruction and a full-scale demon war. His goal is to eliminate humans so demons can reclaim Earth, while expressing a desire to spare Akira, whom he loves, to rule alongside him.
His relationship with Akira is central and complex. Initially presenting as a loyal friend instrumental in Akira gaining demonic powers, Ryo's actions stem from Satan's genuine, albeit twisted, affection developed during his time living as a human. This love conflicts with his plan, culminating in profound regret after the final battle where he kills Akira. Holding Akira's corpse amid a ruined Earth, Satan realizes his genocide of humanity mirrored God's attempted extermination of demons, and he weeps as God's angels arrive to remake the world.
Within the comedic and non-canonical context of *CB Chara Nagai Go World*, Ryo Asuka's portrayal significantly diverges. He displays exaggerated homicidal tendencies, frequently shooting characters who offend him with his shotgun. This version participates in a surreal adventure alongside characters from other Go Nagai series like Mazinger Z. He demonstrates overt jealousy when Akira prioritizes saving Miki Makimura over him, attempts to kill Miki out of resentment, and actively seeks power, allying with villains like Baron Ashura and Dr. Hell. He attempts to fly their airship and commands demon subordinates like Sirene, showcasing a more volatile and power-hungry personality distinct from his primary narrative.
In his Ryo Asuka guise, he appears as a young man of mixed Caucasian and Japanese heritage, characterized by blonde hair, blue eyes, and a preference for white clothing. Academically gifted, he earned a Ph.D. at a remarkably young age and worked as a university professor. He demonstrates proficiency in multiple languages, mechanics, and marksmanship, frequently employing firearms like shotguns or machine guns, alongside unexplained regenerative abilities allowing accelerated recovery from severe injuries.
His primary narrative function involves orchestrating events to awaken the demonic threat and manipulating his childhood friend, Akira Fudo. He reveals the existence of resurgent demons to Akira, engineers Akira's possession by the powerful demon Amon during the Black Sabbath ritual believing a pure-hearted human could dominate a demon's power. Akira successfully merges with Amon, becoming Devilman, though Ryo expresses surprise at the resulting changes in Akira's gentle personality. Throughout the conflict, Ryo assists Akira in battles against various demons, utilizing his weapons and occasionally demonstrating supernatural powers like healing severe wounds or reattaching limbs. His underlying motive, however, remains the eradication of humanity, whom he views as weak and destructive compared to demons.
Ryo eventually regains his memories as Satan, triggered by discovering evidence of the real Ryo Asuka's death or through Psycho Jenny's intervention. Upon this revelation, he abandons his human facade. He publicly exposes Devilman's existence via media broadcasts without distinguishing him from hostile demons, deliberately inciting global paranoia and violence that escalates into humanity's self-destruction and a full-scale demon war. His goal is to eliminate humans so demons can reclaim Earth, while expressing a desire to spare Akira, whom he loves, to rule alongside him.
His relationship with Akira is central and complex. Initially presenting as a loyal friend instrumental in Akira gaining demonic powers, Ryo's actions stem from Satan's genuine, albeit twisted, affection developed during his time living as a human. This love conflicts with his plan, culminating in profound regret after the final battle where he kills Akira. Holding Akira's corpse amid a ruined Earth, Satan realizes his genocide of humanity mirrored God's attempted extermination of demons, and he weeps as God's angels arrive to remake the world.
Within the comedic and non-canonical context of *CB Chara Nagai Go World*, Ryo Asuka's portrayal significantly diverges. He displays exaggerated homicidal tendencies, frequently shooting characters who offend him with his shotgun. This version participates in a surreal adventure alongside characters from other Go Nagai series like Mazinger Z. He demonstrates overt jealousy when Akira prioritizes saving Miki Makimura over him, attempts to kill Miki out of resentment, and actively seeks power, allying with villains like Baron Ashura and Dr. Hell. He attempts to fly their airship and commands demon subordinates like Sirene, showcasing a more volatile and power-hungry personality distinct from his primary narrative.