I'm running late with Blue Exorcist and playing a bit of catch up after thoroughly enjoying the first two series a few years back. I went into Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati-hen with genuinely high hopes, given how those earlier seasons hooked me with their blend of demonic lore, high-stakes exorcism battles, and character growth that felt both epic and personal. While I did enjoy this one overall, keeping me invested enough to stick with the show, it just was not quite as good or memorable as the previous entries.
The plot delivers some intriguing reveals that expand the world in satisfying ways, particularly around the Illuminati faction and their shadowy motives, which tie back nicely to the broader demon-saga without feeling entirely out of left field...but it's still not done well. Some character moments shine through too, like Izumo's backstory, which peels back layers on her tough exterior and adds a bit of emotional weight without coming across as too forced or melodramatic. It gives her arc a grounded vulnerability that resonates, especially if you have followed her prickly development since the academy days. Other characters are not handled well at all, one in particular is just so off I hated it entirely and it coloured all of the series. Fight scenes have solid choreography at times, with some creative uses of powers and environments that keep the action engaging, even if they do not always reach the fluid intensity of past clashes. And the music from Hiroyuki Sawano provides a decent lift to those key sequences; his tracks have that rousing, orchestral punch that amps up the tension and makes you lean in during demon confrontations.
However, the animation from the new studio VOLN looks flatter and less dynamic than the vibrant style we saw before. It is definitely more polished in technical aspects, like cleaner lines and consistent colouring, but I think it has just lost some of that raw emotional depth and flair that made earlier fights feel alive and visceral. Plus, it seemed more static in places where it could have really popped, such as during multi-character skirmishes or flame-wielding spectacles, opting instead for safer, less risky visuals that do not hit the same highs.
Pacing drags noticeably with heavy exposition dumps that explain the intricate Illuminati schemes and demon hierarchies, sometimes halting momentum just when you want to dive deeper into the chaos. Certain stories and characters feel lacking or underdeveloped; side players get moments but not enough screentime to build real investment, leaving the narrative feeling uneven compared to the tighter, more focused Kyoto Saga, where every beat landed with purpose. It is as if the adaptation rushed to cover ground while skimping on breathing room for relationships or quieter tensions to simmer. I get the feeling there was probably a lot more in the manga (which I haven't read) but they decided they had to cut some of it since the anime season is quite short.
It scratches the itch for die-hard Blue Exorcist fans like me, with enough demonic intrigue, familiar faces, and forward momentum to keep things enjoyable and leave me pondering what comes next in Rin's journey. I came away with mixed feelings though: appreciation for the continuation but a nagging sense that it falls short of the highs that made the series special before. Not as strong as the earlier seasons overall, yet still worth a watch. It has left me keen enough that I will keep going on my catch-up session, though I will be slotting in some other anime between this and the next season since I may be a little Blue Exorcist'd out. If you loved the family drama and power escalations of the past, this delivers a serviceable bridge, but temper your expectations for another outright masterpiece.
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