There are two types of anime viewers: those who watched the first episode of Diabolik Lovers and turned it off in disgust, and those who watched it and immediately queued up episode two while searching for fan translations of the visual novel.
Debuting in 2013 as an adaptation of the hit otome game, Diabolik Lovers wastes absolutely no time establishing its identity. It is not a horror anime. It is not a romance anime. It is a vibes-based abuse simulator set to a gothic Lolita soundtrack—and Episode 1, "The Bizarre Family," is a masterclass in tonal whiplash. Our protagonist, Yui Komori, is a sweet, soft-spoken, and almost aggressively passive priestess-in-training. She is informed by a letter that her father (a traveling church musician, naturally) has shipped her off to live with the "Sakamaki" family—six impossibly beautiful brothers in a dilapidated German mansion. diabolik lovers ep 1
But here’s the thing: Diabolik Lovers knows exactly what it is. It’s a dark fantasy fetish piece designed for an audience that finds safety in extreme fictional scenarios. Episode 1 is not trying to be Vampire Knight or Rosario + Vampire . It’s a gothic rollercoaster where the safety bar is broken, and you’re not sure if you’re supposed to scream or laugh. There are two types of anime viewers: those
You will hate it, or you will become obsessed. There is no middle ground. Watch Episode 1 with friends, a glass of wine, and zero expectations of healthy communication. Streaming on: HIDIVE, and various "so-bad-it's-good" anime archives. Pair with: A crucifix, a neck brace, and a playlist of Evanescence. It is not a romance anime