A Comparative Study of The Endless Myth and Devilman — Mythic Structure and Apocalypse
The novel The Endless Myth and Devilman both explore themes of God and the end of the world. However, their narrative directions differ dramatically.
One is a structural story in which the world is sustained by myth and belief.
The other is an apocalyptic tale of demons and humanity, culminating in catastrophic destruction.
This article compares their world-building, protagonists, treatment of divinity, and visions of the end.
World Structure: A World Sustained by Meaning vs. A World Driven to Collapse
In The Endless Myth, the world is defined by myth. Order persists because myth is told and believed. If meaning erodes, the world itself begins to destabilise. Apocalypse is conceptual — the collapse of narrative coherence.
In Devilman, the revival of demons triggers societal breakdown. Fear and paranoia divide humanity, and violence spreads uncontrollably. The apocalypse is not abstract; it is brutal and physical.
The Endless Myth: The world ends when its structure collapses.
Devilman: The world ends through human fear and violence.
The Protagonists: A Fixed Symbol vs. A Torn Existence
In The Endless Myth, the protagonist Messiah stands at the centre of a mythic structure. He is chosen, burdened with meaning, and constrained by his role. His identity is inseparable from the system he upholds.
In contrast, the protagonist of Devilman, Akira Fudo, is a human who merges with a demon. He fights to protect humanity while struggling between his human compassion and demonic power.
Messiah is fixed within structure.
Akira is torn between two natures.
God and Judgment
In The Endless Myth, God is an absolute being sustained by faith. Divinity guarantees order and coherence within the world’s structure.
In Devilman, God appears as a distant, judging force. Rather than offering salvation, this divine presence ultimately condemns humanity. Here, God is not a protector but a severe arbiter.
Two Forms of Apocalypse
The apocalypse in The Endless Myth is philosophical — a quiet collapse of meaning when myth can no longer sustain reality.
In Devilman, the apocalypse is catastrophic and violent. Humanity is destroyed through war, betrayal, and fear. The end is absolute and tragic.
One presents an existential end.
The other depicts an apocalyptic annihilation.
The Central Questions
The Endless Myth asks:
Why do humans need myth?
Can a world survive without shared meaning?
Devilman asks:
Are humans truly good?
Can love transcend hatred and destruction?
One approaches the end through structure and philosophy.
The other confronts it through emotion, morality, and tragedy.
Conclusion: The Collapse of Structure vs. The Collapse of Humanity
Both The Endless Myth and Devilman portray the end of the world, yet their foundations differ:
A world that ends when mythic structure fails.
A world that ends when humanity itself collapses.
One is a narrative about meaning.
The other is a narrative about human nature.
Together, they reveal that apocalypse is not merely destruction — it is a question about what it means to be human.
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