This is a reference for myself (or for anyone else who wants to use it as a reminder/help plot out their fan fiction). I decided to list the chronological order of the Devil May Cry series.
First things first, the series does not follow the release order of the games. The first game in the time line is Devil May Cry 3 followed by Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 2. The Devil May Cry anime series is set sometime between Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 4. The manga acts as a prequel that leads up to the events of Devil May Cry 3. The Devil May Cry Volume 1 novel is set between Devil May Cry 3 and Devil May Cry while the second novel is between Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 2.
So the chronological order is:
Devil May Cry 3 Manga
Devil May Cry 3
Devil May Cry 1 Novel
Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry: The Animated Series
Devil May Cry 4
Devil May Cry 2 Novel
Devil May Cry 2
Notes:
1. The two volumes of a planned 3-part Devil May Cry 3 Manga series have been published in Japan and the U.S. Taking place about a year before the events of Devil May Cry 3, the manga tells the story of how the characters came to where they were at the start of the game. Capcom sanctioned the manga, and it’s holding its status as (unfinished) canon. As of now, they do not contradict the games and basically, it is canon until a new Devil May Cry game contradicts it.
2. The Devil May Cry: The Animated Series is an anime based on the video game series created and owned by Capcom. Kobayashi confirmed that the anime is canon and takes place between Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 4.
3. The novel, Devil May Cry Volume 1 is written by Shin-Ya Goikeda with the assistance of Hideki Kamiya, the series creator. It spans from the death of Dante’s mother Eva until the beginning of the first Devil May Cry, although because of the release of Devil May Cry 3 it is considered non-canon. Hideki Kamiya was able to work closely with Goikeda during the development of the novel, stating that his depiction of Dante and Goikeda’s depiction are very similar. However, parts of the novels might still remain within the canon story. Dante’s alias as “Tony Redgrave” is also mentioned in the Devil May Cry: The Animated Series and engraved on all appearances of Luce Ombra and Ebony and Ivory.
The second novel, Devil May Cry Volume 2, which takes place after Devil May Cry and before Devil May Cry 2, was also released. Unlike the first novel, it is possible that the second novel could be canon as it can sit easily between Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 2.
4. As for Devil May Cry 4 Deadly Fortune it is a two-volume graphic novel written by Morihashi Bingo, the scenario designer for Devil May Cry 3 and Devil May Cry 4. It is written in Japanese, and has not yet been released in any other language. The status of the story as canon or non-canon has yet to be determined. Before Bingo wrote the novel he actually left Capcom to be a freelance writer. This means that despite the book being the originally intended story for the game, it hasn’t been in any published material written by Capcom. Since it hasn’t been confirmed or denied, Capcom could have change their minds and have the plot go in another direction.
Personally, I don’t consider it canon and I left it out from the list.
5. DmC is a reboot, taking place in an alternative universe. It’s an origin story about a younger Dante that comes to grips with his heritage. So this game does not affect the original Devil May Cry continuity in any way and that’s why I didn’t included it in the list.
 DamnBlackHeart · Sat Jul 21, 2012 @ 11:02pm · 0 Comments |
