Blue Exorcist...Your father is WHO?!!!

I have prepared you for what to expect in a supernatural anime, so let’s begin with my favourite series this year. Btw this is filled with  SPOILERS. You have been warned.

Ao no Exorcist/Blue Exorcist

Rin and Yukio Okumura

Rin Okumura is a boy who realized he was different since he was a kid. Having a violent temper and a tendency to get into fights with the other children, he is feared, ostracized and called a “demon”. Living in a world where demons are very much present and hated, they have no idea how right they are. Rin, along with his perfect younger twin brother Yukio, are both the sons of Satan (pronounced Sah-tan, but we all know what they are referring to), the King of the demon realm Gehenna, but they have been raised like normal children by the unorthodox Father Shiro Fujimoto in a loving home. However their lives are seriously turned around years later, when their “real Daddy” appears to claim Rin as his own. When Shiro dies protecting him, Rin draws the demon-slaying blade (you know he couldn’t be an anime hero without his BAS), which his guardian asked him never to do because it restrained his demonic powers. Now Rin has permanent demon features; fangs, pointed ears, a tail (So cute ^_^) and has inherited the power to ignite himself into his Father’s tradmark blue flames that destroys anything it touches.

Like a true protagonist, Rin swears to get revenge against Satan for killing his beloved adopted father, so he enrolls in True Cross Academy which trains Exorcist to defend the human realm, Assiah, from Gehenna’s demons.

One of the main reasons this anime rates very high with me is because of the colourful well drawn animation, the exciting plot that leaves you screaming “Nooo!” when there’s a cliff hanger and you have to wait a week for a new episode, and the characters.

Some of the personalities were nothing I haven’t seen before; there’s the hot headed hero who never gives up, sweet shy girl who flinches every time someone even looks at her, tough girl who needs no friends, and creepy wacko who acts like a clown but is really wise, but I found myself liking them because they did not seem wearily cliche. Maybe it’s because not every character was like this and therefore made up for the others, or because they were placed in such an interesting setting that it was not as noticeable. I don’t know the reason, but I’m sure you will find yourself not minding them either.

Still the characters could have been improved in terms of contribution to the show. Rin’s character stood out the most though, and I think if it wasn’t for him and his brother, this show would have scored lower with me. The twins are a joy to watch, both interesting in how opposite they are; Rin enthusiastic and animated, while the younger Yukio is able to be just as captivating in his conservative and confident demeanor. Some of the best scenes are when the two interact and it was entertaining to see their brotherly love and rivalry. The problem was they may have been too loveable because sometimes their characters overshadowed the others, and I found it hard not to only want to see them alone. Their friends seemed useless sometimes, especially when it came to the fighting (which was very well done btw), and I found myself saying “Go away losers and let Rin and Yukio do their thang” (yeah I said ‘thang’). You may even say that the other characters were brought out mostly because they were very important to Rin and Yukio. Especially Rin who has never really had friends before. He is so adorable in the way he cherishes every moment he spends with them, usually with an endearing child like eagerness beaming out of his face.

Also as you watch each episode and see Rin learn and grow both mentally and in his fighting skills, you begin admiring him more. It is clear that his goal has gone beyond his initial, slightly immature, declaration of “kicking Satan’s ass” and getting revenge for the death of his adopted father, but that he now realizes he has the responsibility to protect the people he loves from everything that his demonic parentage has dragged them into, and that is what drives him to never give up, even when so many judge him by what he is instead of who he is.

This anime is a combination of both types of supernatural anime I talked about in my last post. Yes it can be a little bit scary, violent and bloody, but what can I say?...The demons of Gehenna don’t play…But none of it was over the top or terribly gruesome. It was what I consider “justified” meaning every swing of a sword, every blood splatter and curse, was understandable and in moderation, so it never even comes close to being offensive or activating your barf reflex. Also because of the episodes of fun and the characters’ humorous and youthful behavior, all the demon stuff does not get too heavy, except of course coming down to the ending were things are supposed to get serious.

I give Blue Exorcist 4 out of 5. Despite the fact a lot of the characters’ personalities needed to be developed and brought forward more, the show has great animation, plot, music and creativity, therefore you will find yourself like me hoping there are many seasons in the future.