Advanced Search

Blue Exorcist Part 1

Review Date:

Reviewed by:

Released by: Manga Entertainment UK

Age Rating: 15

Region: 2 - UK

Volume 1 of 2

Length: 325 minutes

Subtitles: Japanese

Audio: Japanese 4.0 Surround

Affilate Links:
Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Blue Exorcist Part 1

Summary

Assiah, the realm of humans, and Gehenna, the realm of demons. Normally, these two dimensions would never intersect, but having possessed all material substances, the demons are now intruding on the material world. But among the human race, there are those who can exorcise such demons - the Exorcists.

Rin and his twin brother Yukio Okumura have been raised by Shiro Fujimoto, an eminent priest, but one day Rin discovers their biological father is actually Satan! As the border between "Assiah" (the human world) and "Gehenna" (demon's world) is intruded upon by evils, Rin vows to become the ultimate exorcist and defeat his own father, Satan. To hone his raw skills, Rin enters True Cross Academy to train with other exorcist candidates.

Review

Blue Exorcist is a name I have heard mentioned with enthusiasm amongst younger UK anime and manga fans a lot over the past year. It is a mainstream shonen title, written by female manga-ka Kazue Katō (published in English by Viz). While it bears some narrative similarity to YuYu Hakusho it is less humorous and likely to be a hit with fans of Bleach, Soul Eater and D-Gray Man.

Blue Exorcist Part 1

From the outset, the designs, direction and production values are all solid and make for good watching. Central character Rin is a brash boy who asserts his independence and individuality. He constantly cast into the shadow of his twin brother’s success and the viewer is able to identify with his frustrations and to warm to his kinder side. He’s always an outsider, bound to the destiny of his demonic lineage before he even knows it. He strives to rise above this and resists evil at every turn. When he enters the academy to qualify as an exorcist he takes a stand against his father, subverting the stigma that the son of Satan has marked him with. This is no easy path as Rin must face and the scorn and inherent mistrust of those around him as he strives to become stronger.

Blue Exorcist Part 1

As a seasoned and well travelled fan of anime, the series is not something I am excited about. I have seen and read many things that have the feel of Blue Exorcist and that explore very similar themes over the years. Despite the fact that exorcism takes centre stage, it has nothing new to offer in terms of the narrative function and treatment of possession and the supernatural in anime.

Blue Exorcist Part 1

While Blue Exorcist has not entranced me I would not say that it is a poorly produced or dull series. For entry level fans who like shonen adventures full of action, it’s a solid starter, angsty yet humorous with great sequences of animation. For anime fans who have think that it seems all too familiar, they probably have more than enough viewing experience to recognise its influences and realise that they have seen a world of better things before it.

Rating: 7/10

Links

Affilate Links:
Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Advanced Search

Recent News

The Villainess Who Came to Marry Into the Frontier Noble's Household Is an Exceptionally Capable Wife, Isn't She? Volume 1 Manga Release Details
An Interview with Isabell Castro and Sam Pinansky from BookWalker
Manga Million Offers a Million Pages of Free Manga
The Ghost in the Shell TTRPG Now on BackerKit
Kiki's Delivery Service UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details
Akira returns to tour cinemas in the UK and ROI with new 35mm print
An Interview with Alessio Cavatore Co-designer of The Ghost in the Shell TTRPG
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners II Release Details
The Ghost in The Shell New 2026 Anime Series First Two Episodes Review
An Interview with Minoru Ota Director of TV Anime Sparks of Tomorrow

Recent DVD / Blu-ray Reviews

blue period poster
Blue Period (1-12 Streaming)
Lycoris Recoil 1-13
Aokana - Four Rhythm Across The Blue
Carole & Tuesday Season 1 (episodes 1 to 12) Streaming Review
Jormungand Season 1
The Eccentric Family (1-13) - Complete
Space Brothers (1-26) Streaming
AKB0048 (1-13) Streaming
Bodacious Space Pirates (1-13) Streaming
Poyopoyo / Recorder and Ransel (1-13) Streaming

Recent Manga Reviews

The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy At All Volume 1
The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy At All Volume 1
You Talk Too Much, So Just Shut It Already! Volume 1
Hirayasumi Volume 1
The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl Volume 1
Captain Momo's Secret Base Volume 1
Nukozuke! Volume 1
Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?! Volume 1
Tales of the Tendo Family Volume 1
It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too Volume 1
The Summer You Were There