Demon Diary
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Demon Diary (ko:마왕일기 mawang ilgi, "Diary of a Demon King") is a 7 volume manhwa (Korean comic) illustrated by Kara. Kara is the name of the duo team of Yoon-Gyeong Kim and Eun-Sook Jeong. It was originally published by Sigongsa and has been licensed in North America by TOKYOPOP. In Scandinavia, it is being published by Mangismo during 2005-2006
A number of writers have worked with Kara on the production of Demon Diary. The story for volume 1 was written by Chi Hyong Lee. The stories for volumes 2 through 7 were written by Yun Hee Lee.
[edit] Story
Demon Diary is a light BL/shōnen-ai story about Raenef, a newly appointed Demon Lord, and Eclipse, his instructor, who is both a powerful demon and a veteran of a human-versus-demon war. Because of his actions during the Hangma War (which are not elaborated upon), he became known for his cruelty and incredible power. However, when attempting to teach Raenef his 'anger' is often played for laughs.
Raenef is sweet-natured, humble, and easygoing, the very antithesis of a proper Demon Lord. Originally an orphan and thief, he is found to be a demon when the Thieves' Guild is captured and when a soldier tried to kill him, the sword shattered on Raenef's head and killed the man who was trying to kill him. Eclipse witnessed this and recognised the fact that Raenef was the next Demon Lord. He is commonly mistaken for a girl, is never recognized as the Demon Lord by anyone he meets, and is oblivious to what most people say about him. Throughout the course of the story, he gains two human friends (something Eclipse frowns upon): Erutis, a female sword master and knight who came to the castle to kill the Demon Lord and instead becomes his 'page' (and must deal with some 'gender issues' of her own), and Chris, the egotistical successor to the High Cleric of Rased, an order of priests who had fought in the war against demons centuries earlier. Chris was the only survivor in an attack on his village by crazed demons. Only his heart called out to the god Rased, so Rased saved him and Chris became her vessel.
The other characters include Meruhesae, a she-demon with the powers to see into the future. She helped Eclipse (who she secretly has a crush on) find Raenef V. Krayon is the Demon lord of Egae and one of the five oldest demons in existence, even though he doesn't look and seem like it. Krayon tried to get Eclipse to serve him instead of Raenef, but failed. He has apparently developed a crush on Erutis. This is obvious when he asks Raenef IV specifically not to harm Erutis when he tries to win back his power in the fifth volume and when he 'helps' Erutis in the final volume.
Raenef IV was the previous demon lord. His entire history is revealed in the last three volumes, but when he appears in volume five, he tells about the curse that was placed on him by the creatures of heaven that shortened his life by 3,500 years and pulled Raenef V out of the future. This separated Raenef's spirit, the first half with intelligence and coldness being left behind and the second half (which is the Raenef that Eclipse finds) possesses all the power. This leads into multiple climactic battles, with Raenef IV revealed to be the final villain.
After the battle, the story ends with Raenef's two halves returned into one body, shown when he can insult a Demon lord and then, in the presence of Eclipse, revert to his innocent self.
The story itself is very funny, a light comedy with some dramatic overtones. Also, the 'shonen-ai' aspect of the story is implied, never outright.
