English Dub Review: Saga of Tanya the Evil “Devil of the Rhine”

Time to dance with the devil.

Spoilers Below

Anime series Saga of Tanya the Evil derives from the Japanese light novel series created by writer Carol Zen and illustrator Shinobu Shinotsuki. Featuring an alternate history, lovely animation, and engaging narrative, Saga of Tanya the Evil promises to flourish into one of Funimation’s best series.

It’s June of 1923, and the Imperial army is entrenched in a heated war with Republican forces. As pilot episode “Devil of the Rhine” opens, Imperial ground troops are being slaughtered by Republic forces. However, a squad of Mage 3 troops arrive commanded by Tanya Degurechaff.

Tanya’s deceptively powerful and ruthless. A small, pale, blonde child, Tanya holds rank as an elite mage. Moreover, as a military commander, Tanya is calculating and cold. Her passion for efficiency on the battlefield propels Tanya into greatness. As warrior, Tanya’s wit far outpaces her age. It’s intriguing to see a child that’s utterly brutal and calculatingly detached. She’s not exactly Damien from The Omen but Tanya is no innocent kid.

Animation in Saga of Tanya the Evil is lovely. Drab tones of brown, gray, and black set a bleak atmosphere that mimics the wartime setting. There’s a steampunk vibe that fuses past and futuristic tech. World War II-era weaponry combine with mage spells to create concussive explosions. Rifle barrels light up with fluorescent colors when channeling magic.

The alternate history reminds me a bit of April and the Extraordinary World. With the tech, there’s almost a Valkyria Chronicles vibe with the artwork and mixture of time period pieces. I enjoy how The Saga of Tanya the Evil so successfully gels the past with the past with futurism.

As a pilot, “Devil of the Rhine” shone in its engaging narrative and gripping characterizations. There’s a shroud of mystery around Tanya. While she’s a powerful military commander and mage, there’s seemingly something otherworldly about her demeanor. This is evident in her praying before unleashing potent attacks. After these prayers, Tanya transforms, her eyes glowing yellow.

Contributing to this mystique, Tanya’s actions set her apart. Her adversaries liken her to the devil, while fellow Imperial troops simultaneously revere and fear Degurechaff. Her backstory is poised to unfold in coming episodes. There’s a decent amount of lore set up and not fully explained. For instance, Tanya wears a type-95 jewel which she uses to enhance her magic. It’s unclear exactly what the type-95 jewel is, it’s clear Tanya is the only one capable of using. Or at the very least, one of the few.

Voice acting is top notch. The English dub features lively voices. Dialogue remains taut, and the animation matches rather well with the vocals. Characters feature distinct voices and acting is far from flat. Similarly, the score is magnificent. It reminds me of veteran composer Michael Giacchino scores with its mix of strings and vocal harmonies. This further fosters a war era atmosphere.

Overall, I highly enjoyed the pilot episode of Saga of Tanya the Evil. From its animation to story “Devil of the Rhine” offers an immersive universe. The alternate history feels pleasantly plotted out, and I like how Tanya’s origin isn’t fully explained. This leaves space for the remainder of the series to chronicle her promisingly interesting backstory.