Common Sense Media Review
Humans summon immortal killers in intense, violent anime.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ajin: Demi-Human
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say that the show features a compelling story and unique animation, but is heavily laden with violence and dark themes that may not be suitable for younger viewers. While some consider it appropriate for older kids and teenagers, others caution about its intense content, particularly regarding torture and murder scenes.
- violence concerns
- age suitability
- compelling story
- animation style
- parental guidance
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Seventeen years ago the first AJIN: DEMI-HUMAN was discovered in Africa. These superpowered, immortal beings are bound to humans known as "soldiers of God." Though 46 Ajins have been discovered around the world, only two have been found in Japan -- that is, until aspiring medical student Kei Nagai (Mamoru Miyano) is killed in a traffic accident and resurrected by his giant "black ghost" in front of a crowd of onlookers. Having previously viewed footage of government officials torturing Ajins to try to harness their power, Kei flees the scene. Now a fugitive with a bounty on his head, Kei enlists the help of his friend Kaito (Yoshimasa Hosoya) to evade capture by local authorities and opportunistic citizens. Their journey leads them to encounter other Ajins and reveal a number of secret organizations and government entities who seek to profit by exploiting the immortals.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fast-paced but sometimes formulaic anime series based on an ongoing and popular manga. While it suffers from a less than original script, it has solid characters and a unique style that's a blend of 3-D modeling and more traditional animation. The show wastes no time in jumping right into the action, where eye-catching visuals pair with an intense soundtrack that will appeal to both younger and older teens. An ever-present sense of menace, violence, and fear are hallmarks of the show as Kei, Kaito, and the Ajins they meet on the run are constantly in danger of being captured or killed.
The moral questions posed by the series, however, concerning the limits of government power, corporate greed, and personal responsibility will probably be lost on a tween audience. They'll need some guidance to navigate the thornier social issues and ethical quandaries that give context to the death and destruction on display. Still, unlike many entries in the manga-and-anime genre, Ajin: Demi-Human shows a sophistication in both concept and execution that makes for engaging viewing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how governments can misuse their power to infringe on the rights of their citizens. How might the authorities deal with the threat of the Ajins and their extreme powers without resorting to torture and intimidation in Ajin: Demi-Human?
Families can talk about cartoon violence. Does it have less impact than live-action battles and fight scenes? Why, or why not?
Families can talk about friendships and loyalty. Why does Kaito risk everything to help Kei? And why does Kei trust that his old friend will help him escape danger?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 16, 2016
- Cast : Mamoru Miyano , Yoshimasa Hosoya , Hōchū Ōtsuka , Takahiro Sakurai , Mikako Komatsu , Daisuke Hirakawa , Aya Suzaki , Jun Fukuyama , Hiroyuki Kinoshita
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Friendship , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate