Mawang Ilgi

Initially bursting with potential, Demon Diary seems to suffer from the effects of a writer change mid-story, leading to a plot that either fades away or emerges as nonsensical as a can of beans.

Story

Possibly the weakest aspect of this manga, Demon Diary starts with a straightforward plot about Raenef's education to become a Demon Lord. As characters are introduced and relationships develop, things take a chaotic turn halfway through with 'revelations' that are as believable as pigs flying. The shift in authors resulted in a disjointed plot, leaving us with unresolved mysteries and unfulfilled promises. Despite having rich potential, the series ends prematurely, satisfying some readers while leaving others craving more.

Art

This is arguably one of the manga's strongest points, alongside its characters. Demon Diary offers visual delight with Eclipse and Raenef embodying the quintessential bishounen look. The mix of chibi art, action, violence, and heart-melting scenes overshadows the story, becoming a major reason for many fans' affection towards the title.

Character

The characters present a mixed bag. We may start off loving them but end up feeling unsatisfied due to their lack of development. Certain characters’ backgrounds are only lightly explored, making it hard to empathize with their actions or decisions during key events.

Enjoyment

On a personal note, this series has a substantial following for good reasons. Despite flaws in storyline and characterization, the attractive combination of good artwork, lovable characters, and a comedic upbeat narrative about Raenef’s growth as a Demon Lord draws many in. There is disappointment in how initial developments didn't expand further, but if we set aside these expectations, we can fully appreciate what the series offers.

Overall

Summarizing Demon Diary’s strengths:

Beautiful artwork with intricate character designs and bishounen that will keep your eyes glued to the screen (especially if you're female).

Lovable characters who, despite lacking development in some cases, remain endearing.

The change in writers significantly impacted the series negatively. However, overlooking this allows full enjoyment of what the title provides. This manga boasts a huge fan base "for good reason." At the very least, it’s recommended for those seeking comedic fantasy, bishounen, or a unique take on the master-servant relationship. Some might feel disappointed by the developments, but most will likely not regret giving Demon Diary a try.

This manga wasn't exactly BAD, but it was incredibly flat. If it weren't for the canon-gay appeal, there would be nothing substantial left to enjoy, not even for die-hard fangirls. It amplifies the uke-seme stereotype to an almost caricature-like extent. I ended up getting bored and gave up after a few volumes.

If the mere presence of canon-gay themes is enough to keep your interest, regardless of story quality or character development, then you might enjoy this. However, if you're looking for shounen-ai with more depth in characters, consider reading "FAKE"; it's a reliable classic that offers much more substance.

The art, story, and pretty much everything else was highly enjoyable. It initially caught my attention at a used bookstore... the cover seemed intriguing enough that I decided to buy it. I'm quite pleased to report that I was NOT disappointed in any way. Well, except for one aspect—I wish it had continued. Mostly because I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying. To be honest, it could have been better. If I recall correctly, it almost felt like a cliffhanger.

I consider Demon Diary one of my favorite manhwas. The story and characters are humorous, enjoyable, and endearing. To be honest, I didn't expect to like Demon Diary that much, but I ended up absolutely loving the entire series.

Yes, the authors did change (Lee Ji Hyoung had high school entrance exams and was busy), but the new author (Lee Yun Hee) took the story in a direction that makes it something you can find yourself reading over and over again.

Art: The artwork is exceptionally well-executed.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the comedic interactions between the illustrated characters.
Some of it is absolutely hilarious.

Story: The storyline is decent.
It's neither terrible nor outstanding; it falls somewhere in the middle.
The comedic elements make it a more enjoyable read.

Characters: The characters are well-developed.
There's an interesting mix of personalities that come together and form close bonds with each other.
I really appreciate that aspect.

Two of my favorite moments, mainly due to their humor, were in volume 5 and at the end of volume 7.
The comedy interactions truly shine in these parts.

There are some beautifully crafted sentences throughout the work.