When Beelzebub first hit the airwaves in 2011, it arrived as a chaotic breath of fresh air. The manga, written and illustrated by Ryūhei Tamura, had already cultivated a cult following thanks to its absurd premise: the strongest delinquent in junior high history is forced to become a surrogate father to the infant son of the Devil. When the anime adaptation was announced, fans were cautiously optimistic. But for English-speaking audiences, the real test came later: the Beelzebub English dub.
Nowhere is that test more crucial than in Episode 1: "I Picked Up the Demon Lord." This opening chapter sets the tone for the entire series, and its English dub had to walk a fine line between manic energy, deadpan humor, and genuine heart. So, does the dub succeed? Let’s dive deep into the first episode, breaking down the voice acting, script adaptation, and the raw, uncensored chaos that makes Beelzebub a forgotten gem of the early 2010s.
The first episode of Beelzebub, titled "I Picked Up the Demon Lord" (or simply "I Found the Demon Lord" in some translations), wastes no time. We open on Tatsumi Oga, a first-year student whose reputation is so terrifying that even the upperclassmen part like the Red Sea when he walks down the hall. The show establishes its tone immediately: this is a world where violence is casual, hilarious, and hyper-stylized.
The inciting incident is brilliantly stupid. Oga hears a baby crying by the riverbank while heading to school. Assuming it’s abandoned, he goes to investigate, only to find a bizarrely muscular, grinning infant wrapped in green leaves. The moment Oga touches the child, a giant, terrifyingly voluptuous demon maid named Hildegard (Hilda) arrives. She reveals that the baby is Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub IV—the son of the Demon Lord—and that Oga has been chosen to co-parent him. If Oga refuses or fails to raise Beel, humanity is doomed.
Episode 1’s genius lies in Oga’s reaction: he doesn’t panic or cry. He simply refuses. What follows is a 10-minute slapstick war where Oga tries to hand the baby off to every fellow delinquent he meets, only for little Beel to electrocute anyone who isn’t Oga. The episode climaxes with Oga reluctantly accepting his fate, shocking the school’s biggest bully, and walking off with a baby on his back—cementing the strangest, funniest odd couple in anime history.
If you’ve never seen Beelzebub, episode 1 of the dub is the ideal entry point. The show moves at a breakneck pace, introducing Oga’s rival (the perverted Himekawa), the demon baby’s strength, and the mysterious “Enma Ring” within 22 minutes. Subtitles can sometimes distract from the rapid-fire visual gags—like Baby Beel crawling across a face mid-punch.
The dub’s translation of “delinquent lingo” into “jock/nerd/thug” archetypes makes the social hierarchy of Ishiyama High instantly understandable. Plus, the meme potential is huge. Lines like “I don’t do diapers, I do beatdowns” have become cult classics among dub fans.
As of 2026, the English dub of Beelzebub is legally available on Crunchyroll (following their acquisition of FUNimation’s catalog) and Amazon Prime Video (via third-party channels). Some regions also have it on Hulu. Be warned: The series was never fully dubbed beyond episode 60—it covers the entire anime run, as the Japanese series didn't adapt the final manga arc. So you get a complete 60-episode experience plus OVAs, all in English.
Simply search for “Beelzebub” and select “English Dub” from the audio settings. Episode 1 is often free to stream on official platforms with ads.
While there is no official North American English dub for the anime, the first episode, I Picked Up the Demon Lord
sets up a chaotic supernatural comedy about the world's most unlikely father figure. The Story of Episode 1 1. A Riverbed Encounter beelzebub anime dub episode 1
Tatsumi Oga, the most feared delinquent at Ishiyama High—a school known for its 120% delinquency rate—is lounging by a river after beating up a group of thugs. Suddenly, a large, mustachioed man (later revealed to be the transdimensional demon Alaindelon
) comes floating downstream. When Oga pulls him to shore, the man literally splits in half, revealing a green-haired baby nestled inside.
The 2011 anime adaptation of Beelzebub, based on the popular manga by Ryūhei Tamura, immediately sets a chaotic and hilarious tone in its first episode. While the series is primarily known for its high-octane delinquent battles and supernatural comedy, the English dub of Episode 1—titled "I Picked Up the Demon King"—provides a unique entry point for Western fans. Streaming Availability & Dub Status
For those looking to watch the English dubbed version, availability can be found on specific platforms:
RetroCrush & Prime Video: You can stream the series through the RetroCrush channel on Amazon Prime Video.
Crunchyroll: While primarily known for its subtitled version, Crunchyroll remains the main hub for the series, including the first episode.
Amasian TV: This platform has also been noted to host the full 60-episode run with an English dub. Episode 1: "I Picked Up the Demon King" Plot Summary
Title: First Impressions — Beelzebub (Dub) Episode 1
Just finished the English dub of Beelzebub Episode 1 and I’m hooked. The show wastes no time: chaos, comedy, and surprising heart all packed into one fast-paced premiere. The voice acting fits the characters well — the lead’s gruff-yet-goofy energy sells the tough-guy-with-a-secret-baby setup, and the baby’s sound effects are both hilarious and oddly endearing. The dub’s humor lands without losing the original’s tone, and the localization choices feel natural rather than forced.
Highlights:
Minor notes:
Verdict: A solid, fun dub that’s easy to jump into — great for fans of action-comedy or anyone looking for a light, entertaining anime. Looking forward to Episode 2.
The first episode of the anime, titled " I Picked Up the Demon Lord
," originally aired on January 9, 2011. While the series is widely available subbed, the official English dub was notably absent for over a decade until recently surfacing on select platforms. Episode 1 Overview
The premiere introduces Tatsumi Oga, a first-year delinquent at the notorious Ishiyama High School, known as the "strongest juvenile delinquent". The plot kicks off when Oga discovers a large man floating down a river; upon being pulled to shore, the man splits in half to reveal a green-haired baby—Beelzebub IV, the son of the Great Demon Lord. Beelzebub (2011 TV Show) - Behind The Voice Actors
Beelzebub is a wild ride that blends supernatural action with slapstick comedy, and the English dub of Episode 1, "I Picked Up the Demon King," sets the stage perfectly for this chaotic journey. If you are looking for a show that subverts the typical "tough guy" anime trope with a baby who can electrocute a whole city, you have come to the right place. The Legend of the Raging Ogre
The story introduces us to Tatsumi Oga, a first-year student at Ishiyama High, a school famously known as a "den of delinquents." Oga isn't just any student; he is the most feared fighter in the school, nicknamed the "Raging Ogre." In the dubbed version, Oga’s voice actor captures that perfect blend of disinterested teenager and terrifying brawler.
The episode kicks off with Oga recounting a bizarre story to his only friend, Furuichi. While beatng up a group of thugs by a river, Oga witnessed a large man floating downstream. When he pulled the man to shore, the man literally split in half to reveal a green-haired baby. Meet Baby Beel
This isn't an ordinary infant. The baby is Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub IV, the son of the Great Demon Lord. He was sent to Earth to find a human cruel and strong enough to raise him so he can eventually destroy humanity.
The dynamic between Oga and "Baby Beel" is the heart of the first episode. The dubbing team does a fantastic job with the non-verbal cues—the crying fits that result in massive electrical discharges are as hilarious as they are destructive. Oga quickly learns that if he wanders more than 15 meters away from the baby, he gets hit with a lethal dose of demonic lightning. Enter Hilda: The Demon Maid When Beelzebub first hit the airwaves in 2011,
The stakes rise when Hilda, a demon maid with a gothic aesthetic and a serious attitude, arrives to retrieve the prince. She informs Oga that he has been chosen as the baby's foster father because of his overwhelming lack of empathy and immense strength.
The English dub shines during the interactions between Oga and Hilda. Hilda’s sophisticated yet condescending tone provides a great contrast to Oga’s rough, street-smart dialogue. By the end of the episode, she moves into Oga’s house, leading to a "family" dynamic that is anything but normal. Why Watch the Beelzebub Dub?
While many purists prefer subtitles, the Beelzebub English dub brings a unique flavor to the show's humor.
Localized Humor: The jokes regarding delinquent culture and Oga’s social awkwardness land effectively in English.
Character Depth: The voice acting highlights Oga’s internal frustration at being stuck with a baby while trying to maintain his "tough guy" reputation.
Action Pacing: The fast-paced combat scenes in Ishiyama High feel visceral and engaging. Setting the Stage for Ishiyama High
Episode 1 is just the tip of the iceberg. It establishes the "Contract" between Oga and Beel, marked by the Zebel Spell on Oga’s hand. This mark grows as Oga fights, signifying his deepening connection to the Demon King’s power.
The premiere successfully balances the absurdity of a high schooler changing diapers with the high-octane action of a supernatural battle shonen. If you want a series that doesn't take itself too seriously but still delivers epic fights, Beelzebub Episode 1 is the perfect start. To help you find more shows like this, tell me: Your favorite comedy-action anime If you prefer long-running series or short ones Your favorite streaming platforms (Crunchyroll, Hulu, etc.)
The episode opens not with dialogue, but with the sound of carnage. Ishiyama High is in chaos—students are flying through windows, lockers are dented, and in the center of it all is a bored-looking Oga.