Evil Cycle (悪周期 Akushuuki ) or Wicked Phase is a terminology describing a demon (or in some instances a person) when their stress reaches a critical point.
Overview[]
Demons have a tendency to commit acts of violence and sadism when their stress level reaches its limit. This loss of reason reduces their inhibitions and limits, allowing them to use their abilities to a greater degree.
In some cases, there are some demons who succumb to their evil cycles, returning them to their demon origins. This is dangerous because the demons are now full with malice and the desire to commit evil acts onto one another.
Combat Purpose[]
Wicked Phase greatly enhances the user's magical prowess, though their sense of reason drops and it burns their mana quickly. If the user has trained enough for it, they can trigger a Wicked Phase at any time without being stressed. Wicked Phases are commonly associated with a Return to the Origin, where the affected person acts as wild and destructive as a primordial demon. [1]
Wicked Phase can be intentionally toggled using specially-made drugs and antidotes, generally to train someone for activating it without the drugs.
Restoration[]
Sabro shouting Alice's safe word: "Iruma"
While there are methods to bring someone out of an Evil Cycle, prevention tends to be easier than stopping it. The Demon World is full of various leisure activities such as playing video games, participating in sport activities, and watching Akudol concerts-- these allow demons to release their stress and return to normal.[2]
Alternatively, extensive conditioning allows one to have a safeword; a specific word or phrase that, when spoken, allows the demon to immediately break themselves out of the Wicked Phase. While effective, this method relies on having a partner who knows the safeword and their ability to use it at the right time, particularly when using the Wicked Phase for combat.[3]
Known Evil-Cycles[]
Iruma's "Evil Cycle"[]
Lied explaining Iruma's Evil Cycle
Even though Iruma isn't a demon, it is noted that with Alikred's power, he is capable of achieving a state similar to that of an Evil Cycle despite being a normal human. In this state, Iruma becomes much less inhibited and more confident and assertive in his attitude (though still retaining a core that cares about other people and his classmates).
During his cycle, Iruma helped to get his classmates out of the old Misfits Homeroom and into the Royal One. His evil cycle returned during the Akudol contest where Irumi (now “Irumeanie”) performed using meanness that switches back to cuteness.
Alice’s Evil Cycle[]
Asmodeus Vino Vino
The Asmodeus demon in origins was know to govern both Virtue and Destruction. Alice in his cycle becomes less friendly and turn more lustful and sadistic, craving destruction while being elegant. His flames also become more powerful than usual, turning both red and black while emitting smoke from his feet.
Alice first triggered his cycle by force in order to fight the Flaringo beast, whom has been triggered by the Dorodoro brothers bloodline ability. During his fight, he was twice as strong than he was before. The Dorodoro Brothers described the battle as seeing a dancing beautiful demon, while going on a rampage. Alice single-handedly took the apple from the beast and later turned his attention towards the two brothers ready to kill them. If it not been for Sabro and the safe word, Alice would’ve destroyed the Dorodoro Brothers in his evil cycle.
Sabro’s Evil Cycle[]
The Sabnock demon in origins forged weapons for the Demon Kings army. The weapons they forged were strong and the most lethal in all the Netherworld. Sabro in his evil cycle has him less honorable and turn more sadistic craving the pain and agony in others. He becomes ruthless and continues to beat his foes until they die from the shock of their pain.
Sabro has confirmed he went through his evil cycle once in his life to Balam. We then got to see his evil cycle in Chapter 257, were he was fighting Atori during the Heartbreaker Arc. During his fight, the weapons he created turned black to symbolize the pain they’ll inflict. Even the smallest scratch from his weapons will afflict agonizing pain so intense a demon could die from shock.
Trivia[]
- Dali and Kalego also went through Evil Cycles of their own, but both happen off-page/off-screen.
- Ameri, Lied, and Kerori all triggered their Evil Cycles during the Akudol Games arc but were not elaborated on.