Blue Exorcist, A Review and Recommendation

Overview

What would you do if you suddenly found out that you were the son of Satan? Rebel and become an exorcist, vowing to take dear old dad down no matter what it takes!

This is what Rin Okumura decides to do when he discovers that he and his younger twin brother Yukio are the sons of Satan. Having grown up in a church with a priest for a father, you can just imagine the shock this knowledge causes Rin.

Upon the death of Father Fujimoto, the man that raised them and the highest class of exorcist there is - Paladin , Rin is told to call an old friend of Fujimoto's named Mephisto Pheles. Mephisto, under the name Johann Faust the fifth, is the director of True Cross Academy, the place where students go to become exorcists.

Rin is in for even more surprises when he learns that his teacher is also his younger brother Yukio, who as it turns out has been training to be an exorcist from the age of seven. Among them in the class are Ryuji "Bon" Suguro, a hot tempered young man that comes from a temple in Kyoto that is now said to be cursed, because of the Blue Night.

The Blue Night is the night that Satan rampaged throughout Assiah (the human world) killing hundreds of people and causing mass chaos, including the destruction of the temple that Bon (and his two best friends Shima and Konekomaru) grew up in. Because of this destruction, Bon has vowed that he will destroy Satan. He and Rin share this goal, although Bon states that Rin stole it from him, often causing them to argue and get in each others way.

Rin must impress what is known as the True Cross Order, the hierarchy of exorcists. Originally when Father Fujimoto is killed, Rin looses control and the Order gives Mephisto the task of killing him. Mephisto ignores this and enrolls him in the school. He must impress the Order not only because he is deemed dangerous for being the son of Satan but because he is at first unable to control his blue flames, the proof he's of Satan's bloodline.

My Impression

This anime series is an almost standard 25 episodes long, and the manga is currently at 7 volumes and still continuing. The series is funny, yet sweet, caring and loving; deep and emotional while at the same time being light enough that it's not too overpowering. The show has a little bit of everything for everyone. Comedy, drama, romance and action among other things.

The music is amazing having two openings and two endings. Music during the episodes follows the action quite well. The animation style is beautifully done and the voice acting is very well executed. (The series has yet to be dubbed in English.)

While the series does focus on the twins, and Rin's struggle to tame his powers and become a Paladin, it does show insight into the other characters lives and back stories (such as Izumo's insecurities over friendship, Shiemi's shyness and Konekomaru's doubts and fear of being able to work with Rin after the it's revealed about Rin's parentage and powers). This gives the show a fullness and the sense that they want you to care about these characters, that they want to understand why they do what they do and their relationships between the other characters.

Overview and Recommendation

Overall the series is one that everyone should check out. I highly recommend this series to anyone who's looking for something new to watch or to read. The series is available to watch for free, subbed on Viz's anime site.