Anime Review: Blue Exorcist Kyoto Saga Volume 1

Blue Exorcist Kyoto Saga Volume 1 (UK Rating: 15)

Those who have not seen the original anime or read the manga do not want to make their introduction to the series here as far too much goes on in the original to understand what's really going on. That being said, not all of the original series needs to be taken into account. The original anime went through a process many anime series are forced to endure; the anime got to episode 18 of the 25 that the first season consisted of and began to tell its own story, instead of sticking to the source material. Anyone that watched the original series needs to forget that final third of the anime, as this new story picks up immediately following episode 17.

The story picks up with Rin's classmates petrified of him. They have seen the power lurking within him and have learned the truth of his heritage. Rin is the son of Satan and shares the same blue flames of his patriarch. Even though Rin only released this power to save his fellow Exorcists in training from Amaimon, Rin fought hard for his friendships and a big part of this new story is dedicated to Rin trying to rebuild those, to make his friends understand he's not the monster they think he is, and that he hates his lineage more than any of them.

It's not the ideal time for these tests as Rin embarks on a mission to recover an artefact known as the Left Eye of the Impure King. This artefact is stolen in the first episode and Rin embarks with Shura and his brother, Yukio, to try and recover the artefact and save civilians from the dangerous miasma the eye releases. The theft is actually the first step in a huge plan by a surprising individual. This individual plans to reunite the left and right eyes of the Impure King and bring it back into the world. The exorcists realise this when an attempt is made to steal the Right Eye from its resting place in Kyoto. It's kept in a temple that is run by the Myoda sect, who just happen to be family of Rin's previous friend/rival, Bon. Bon's father is, in fact, the head priest, although he's not quite what would be imagined based on Bon.

This new series not only sets up an interesting main story with the prospect of this walking natural disaster being brought back to life, but it gives a ton of time to character development and really helps flesh out not just the primary cast but the supporting characters, too. A big part of that is how each of the kids reacts to Rin and how they begin to accept him. Whether it's them just being terrified of him or furious with him for lying to them, they each get a chance to face it and work through it. Shiemi and Renzo really shine here. The star of the show is Bon, though, with the series delving into not just his history and his rebellious nature, but the history of his family, too, with a surprising history between Bon's father and Rin's father.

This series once again comes from A-1 Studios, a studio with a considerable back catalogue of memorable series. Previously, it has produced the long-running shonen series, Fairy Tail, Sword Art Online, the fantastically stylish Black Butler Book of Circus, and many more. It is also producing the upcoming, highly anticipated Persona 5 anime, which will be landing in Japan shortly. The series shows real glimpses of greatness in the presentation when it has chance. This is usually in the fantastic fight scenes, something that are in short supply in this part of the story. As previously stated, this is a character-driven story and relies more on giving the cast some development and some extra depth, meaning the visuals have little time to shine.

8/10

Great - Silver Award

Blue Exorcist Kyoto Saga Volume 1 is a superb return to form for one of the best new shonen series to come after the golden days of shonen from a few years ago. The Blue Exorcist manga is still running today in Japan and producing stories well worthy of an adaptation. Hopefully, there are many more seasons to come, especially if it takes its cues from this season and remains so faithful to the source material.