High fantasy usually follows a script. You know the one. A hero rises, a demon king falls, and the world finds peace. But Clevatess Majuu no Ou to Akago to Shikabane no Yuusha (also known as Clevatess: The King of Beasts, the Baby, and the Undead Hero) throws that script into a bonfire. It starts where most stories end—with the total, crushing defeat of the "heroes."
Created by Yuji Iwahara—the brilliant mind behind King of Thorn and the character designs for Darker than Black—this manga is a masterclass in subverting expectations. Honestly, it’s refreshing. We’re so used to "The Chosen One" tropes that seeing a literal monster king decide the fate of humanity based on the survival of a single infant feels visceral. It’s gritty. It’s weird. It’s exactly what the genre needed.
The Brutal Setup of Clevatess
The story kicks off with a massacre. Thirteen heroes set out to slay Clevatess, a demon beast of god-like proportions. They fail. Miserably. Clevatess isn't just a "boss monster"; he's an ancient intellect who views humans as nothing more than annoying insects cluttering up his world. He decides, quite logically from his perspective, to just wipe out humanity entirely. Why deal with the pestilence if you can just spray the garden?
Then, something shifts.
One of the dying heroes thrusts a baby toward the beast. It’s a desperate, pathetic, and strangely human gamble. Clevatess, curious about why a creature would prioritize a useless, loud, leaky small thing over its own life, decides to pause the apocalypse. He takes on a human form to raise the child. He wants to see if humans have any redeeming value. If the kid grows up to be trash, the world ends. No pressure, right?
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The stakes are personal and global at the same time. You’ve got this incredibly powerful, cold entity trying to understand "heart" while navigating a world of political rot and literal undead soldiers.
Yuji Iwahara’s Visual Language
If you’ve seen Iwahara’s previous work, you know his art is sharp. It’s got this kinetic energy that makes the action scenes feel heavy. In Clevatess Majuu no Ou to Akago to Shikabane no Yuusha, he leans into the "beast" aesthetic. Clevatess in his true form is terrifying. He doesn't look like a guy in a suit; he looks like a force of nature.
The contrast is what sells it. Seeing this jagged, intimidating figure holding a soft, rounded baby creates a visual tension that carries the slower chapters. Iwahara doesn't shy away from the gore, either. When the world is ending, it looks like it. People die unceremoniously. The "Shikabane" (undead/corpse) element of the title isn't just for show; the remnants of the hero's party and the fallout of their failure haunt every page.
Why the "Hero" Aspect is Different Here
Alicia, the survivor who ends up tied to Clevatess, isn't your typical spunky female lead. She’s traumatized. She’s dealing with the fact that her comrades are gone and she’s basically babysitting for the devil.
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The "Hero" in the title refers to a complex legacy. It’s not about glory. It’s about the burden of what’s left behind. Most fantasy stories ignore the logistical nightmare of a failed crusade, but this manga lives in it. We see the political fallout in the kingdom of Edun and how quickly the "good guys" turn on each other when the monster is at the gates.
Dealing with the "Monster as Parent" Trope
We’ve seen the "lone wolf and cub" thing a million times. The Mandalorian, The Witcher, Lone Wolf and Cub itself. So, does this series bring anything new?
Yes.
Because Clevatess isn't "misunderstood." He’s genuinely dangerous. In many of these stories, the protector is secretly a softie. Clevatess is a king of beasts who views morality as a foreign language. His "parenting" is pragmatic to a fault. This creates a fascinating dynamic where the reader is constantly reminded that the protagonist is, technically, the villain of humanity’s story. It’s a tightrope walk. You want the baby to survive, but you know that if Clevatess gets bored, the credits roll for everyone.
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The World-Building You Shouldn't Ignore
The setting isn't just a generic European medieval backdrop. There’s a sense of ancient history here. The "Majin" (demons) and the hierarchy of beasts feel like they have a biological place in the world, rather than just being spawns of an "evil god."
The Kingdom of Edun is a mess. It's a realistic mess. Kings are worried about their succession, knights are arrogant, and the common folk are just trying not to get stepped on. When you read Clevatess Majuu no Ou to Akago to Shikabane no Yuusha, pay attention to the background details. The architecture and the way the different "beast" species interact suggest a much larger ecosystem than the one we see through Alicia’s eyes.
Is there an Anime?
As of now, the buzz is mostly centered on the manga, which began its run in Line Manga. However, with the surge of dark fantasy adaptations like Berserk (the good parts), Vinland Saga, and Claymore, it's a prime candidate for a high-budget series. The visual complexity of Clevatess himself would require a studio that isn't afraid of heavy detail and potentially some high-end CGI that actually looks like it belongs there.
Common Misconceptions About the Series
- It's a comedy. No. While there are moments of "fish out of water" humor with Clevatess trying to be human, the tone is overwhelmingly dark.
- The baby has superpowers. Not really. The baby is a baby. The tension comes from the baby’s fragility, not its hidden "mana levels."
- It’s a harem. Absolutely not. If you’re looking for tropes where every female character falls for the monster king, look elsewhere. This is a survival drama.
Actionable Insights for New Readers
If you're planning to dive into this series, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Read the official translations. Iwahara’s dialogue is nuanced. Fan translations sometimes miss the specific ways Clevatess speaks—which is formal, detached, and slightly alien.
- Look for the "King of Thorn" Easter Eggs. Iwahara likes to reuse certain visual motifs. If you’re a fan of his previous work, you’ll notice a familiar "biological horror" vibe in the creature designs.
- Don't get attached. Like Game of Thrones or Chainsaw Man, characters have a habit of dying when you least expect it. The plot armor in this world is paper-thin.
The real draw of Clevatess Majuu no Ou to Akago to Shikabane no Yuusha is its honesty. It asks: Is humanity worth saving? It doesn't give an easy "yes." It makes us watch a monster try to find the answer through the eyes of a child who hasn't learned to lie yet.
To start your journey, track down the collected volumes from reputable retailers or official digital platforms like Line Manga. Given the intricate art style, physical volumes are highly recommended to truly appreciate the scale of the beast designs. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy that prioritizes philosophy and consequence over power-scaling and fanservice, this belongs at the top of your reading list. Keep an eye on the monthly release schedules, as Iwahara's detailed art can sometimes mean a slightly slower pace, but the payoff in every chapter is usually massive.