The Demonbane Mythos is a big franchise that has spawned multiple forms of media, be it visual novels, light novels, anime, manga, and many, many more. It’s no surprise that many people would lose track of where to start. Here, we will give you with a thorough reading order recommendation as well as a list of the most important works concerning Demonbane. Do note that the guide can be updated at any moment depending on the new releases of the series.
Note 1: The walkthrough of Deus Machina Demonbane can be found on the internet. This guide is solely focusing on explaining the series reading order.
Note 2: For the sake of convenience, we will not include other crossover games that are loosely adapted from the original works, such as Super Robot Wars or Tokyo Necro Suicide Mission.
List of Works
Visual Novel Series
Zanma Taisei Demonbane/Kishin Houkou Demonbane: The first visual novel, with the former being an eroge released in 2003 and the latter being an all-ages PS2 remake version released in 2004 with an updated gaming system, new music, CG, movies, and other content. In 2019, it was converted to PC format. The primary characters include Daijuuji Kurou, Al Azif, Hadou Ruri, and Leica Crusade. The evil magic syndicate Black Lodge serves as the central force of antagonist.
Kishin Hishou Demonbane: The kinetic novel and sequel to Zanma Taisei/Kishin Houkou with battle gameplay. Released in May 2006, the plot follows Kurou and Al after the happy ending, where they have to face the new threats called [Blood Horrors] that wreak havoc throughout Arkham City. Mysterious individuals emerge, including a girl in a red dress and a boy known as [Two-Sword/Two-Gun]. Joining the main cast are Professor Laban Shrewsbury, the spirit of his Grimoire [Celaeno Fragments] Hazuki, and Al’s former master Azrad.
Light Novel Series
Zanma Taisei Retold: A three-volume light novel adaptation of Zanma Taisei Demonbane, which covered Al Azif’s route and Elder God’s rnding; some elements of Hadou Ruri and Leica Crusade’s route were also included. In addition, the trilogy featured some bonus content that didn’t make it into the visual novel.
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| (From left to right: Kishin Taidou, Gunshin Kyoushuu, De Marigny’s Clock) |
Deus Machina Demonbane – Kishin Taidou: The spin-off light novel of Zanma Taisei/Kishin Houkou that takes place before the events of the original visual novel and focuses on Al Azif, her previous master Azrad, and Hadou Kouzou in his youth. Augusta Ada Derleth serves the new heroine. The Cult of Darkness Dawn is the story’s main antagonist.
Deus Machina Demonbane – Gunshin Kyoushuu: Continuing from Kishin Taidou, the novel follows Al Azif’s new master, Edgar, and Hadou Kouzou’s son, Hadou Kanesada, as they struggle against the Martians’ invasion. Derleth returns as one of the primary heroines, supported by Little Ada, the spirit of the Necronomicon Machine Language version.
Deus Machina Demonbane – De Marigny’s Clock: A light novel that consists of three different short stories, each telling the tale of Doctor West in his present and younger days.
Adaptations
Kishin Houkou Demonbane (Manga): The manga version of Kishin Houkou, which adapted Al Azif’s route and Elder God’s ending. Some parts of the story were directly taken from Leica Crusade’s route.
Kishin Houkou Demonbane (TV Anime): The TV animated adaptation of Kishin Houkou, which was based on Al Azif’s Route. Aired in 2006.Kishin Houkou Demonbane OVA: A one-episode OVA bundled with the PS2 version of Kishin Houkou Demonbane was released on July 1, 2004. The OVA followed Lilli M. Bridge, a young journalist who arrived at Arkham hoping to find a big scoop and encountered strange things around the city.
OUROBOROS RONDO: A two-episode special OVA that narrates the eternal battle between the Demonbane trio and Liber Legis in the Infinite Spiral.
Post-Kishin Hishou Media
Kishin Tairan: A collection of short stories that takes place after the events of Kishin Hishou, focusing on the journey of Kuzaku and Another Blood across many different worlds. Originally known as Project D2 and the original [Zanma Taisen Demonbane] published on Nitroplus’s 10th Anniversary Magazine, however, it was merely written as a joke at that time and was not meant to be taken seriously. Currently the novella has been repurposed as Kishin Tairan, with the content remaining the same as it was.
Nitroplus Blasterz – Heroines Infinite Duel: A crossover console fighting game featuring various characters from Nitroplus’ works. The Another Story’s mode serves as the prequel of the manga D.Y.N. FREAKS, but the details regarding Vortex Blaster Demonbane from this game have been retconned in Zanma Taisen.
D.Y.N. FREAKS: A three-volume manga series published in Dragon Age Comics. Released in May 2013 and finished in June 2014. Set in modern Japan, the story follows Azana Hatsumi, Narukami Chikage, Yoguruma Mugen, and Crow in Y City, where humans infected by the “Color” of Evil Gods become superhuman beings known as “Freaks”. The manga continues from the ending of Another Story mode with DYN Memo posted on Jin Haganeya’s Twitter as supplemental materials.
Zanma Taisen Demonbane: The latest installment of the Demonbane Mythos franchise. A 90-page book of setting materials with stories serving as a prelude, was released in December 2022. The story takes place after all the Demonbanes have been defeated and all parallel universes have been destroyed by the Vortex Blaster. Set in the only remaining patchwork universe formed by fragments of the broken multiverse. Arkham City is ruled under the iron fists of the evil Hadou Enterprise. They formed an elite superhero squad called S∴T∴E∴E∴L∴ as their vanguard. Outside, S∴T∴E∴E∴L∴ is praised as benevolent heroes by the people, but in reality they are a group of mass murderers who will eliminate anyone they deem as a threat to the Hadou Group. One of the organizations that rebels against them is the new Black Lodge, led by their Grand Master Boku and Necronomicon the Ash. Together they pilot the one-armed Demonbane Darkness and declare war not only on Hadou Enterprise, but on the entire world.
Miscellaneous
Dra†Koi: Fandisk visual novel from Nitro Amusement Disk, released in February 2006. The plot centers around the urban mythology of dragons with a boy-meets-girl’s romance set in the same universe of Demonbane Mythos and have various references to the aforementioned series.
Reading Order
MUST read
Zanma Taisei/Kishin Houkou → Kishin Taidou (Filler: Gunshin Kyoushuu, De Marigny’s Clock) → Kishin Hishou → Kishin Tairan → D.Y.N. FREAKS → Zanma Taisen.
When it comes to the spin-off novel trilogy, you can read
all three
before proceeding to Kishin Hishou since they are all connected in some way. Nonetheless, reading Kishin Taidou is required before playing Kishin Hishou. That is, after you have finished Zanma Taisei/Kishin Houkou.
Recommended
Dra+Koi and OUROBOROS RONDO.
Optional
Zanma Taisei Retold, Kishin Houkou’s anime & manga adaptation, Nitroplus Blasterz.
Some quick questions:
Q: Are Nitroplus Blasterz and D.Y.N. FREAKS canon?
A: ALL the works above are canon, as confirmed by the author himself. Do remember that Zanma Taisen has retconned lots of stuff from Blasterz and D.Y.N, so you may proceed with caution.
Q: Do I have to seriously play Nitroplus Blasterz before touching D.Y.N. FREAKS?
A: Actually no, while the game takes place before D.Y.N, as I mentioned above, Zanma Taisen has drastically retconned the origin of Vortex Blaster Demonbane despite the confirmation of D.Y.N and Blasterz’s canonicity status. The events of D.Y.N are within a self-contained world separated from Nitroplus Blasterz, so skipping it won’t affect your reading experience at all. It’s your choice to either play the game, or just read the Another Story mode only.
That’s all there is to the Demonbane series for now, we hope you enjoy your journey to Akham City and beyond! Feel free to ask us any question if you have trouble understanding the guide.
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