The film centers on the violent origin story of Devilman, focusing on horror and action. It does not feature any explicitly identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The deep relationship between Akira and Ryo, while foundational to the plot, is not overtly romantic or sexual in this particular installment.

There is insufficient information available to assess the film's portrayal of transsexual characters or themes. Without specific plot details or character descriptions related to these elements, it is not possible to determine if any such depictions exist or to evaluate their nature and impact.

The OVA primarily focuses on Akira Fudo's transformation into Devilman and his subsequent battles against various male demons. The main female character, Miki Makimura, is not shown engaging in or winning close-quarters physical combat against male opponents.

The 1987 OVA "Devilman - Volume 1: The Birth" is a direct adaptation of Go Nagai's manga. It maintains the established genders of its main characters, such as Akira Fudo and Ryo Asuka, as depicted in the original source material.

This 1987 OVA is an adaptation of a Japanese manga. The animated characters retain their original designs, consistent with their East Asian origin. The presence of a non-Japanese voice actor in a dub does not alter the visual portrayal of the animated characters, thus no race swap occurred.