Ao no Exorcist - My Thoughts (Season 1, Volume 1 Ep. 1 - 12)

Ao no Exorcist, also referred to as Blue Exorcist is a Manga series turned Anime series, written  and illustrated by Mangaka Kazue Kato. The Manga began releasing chapters since April 2009 with the Anime series beginning in April of this year. The first episode was astounding, when of the best series openers I've seen in a while. We are introduced to the seemingly ordinary fifteen year old Middle School graduate, Rin Okumura, who currently is in and out of jobs, much to the displeasure of his guardian, Father Fujimoto. It starts of slow placed as Rin finds a job at a supermarket, promptly getting fired, and being to ashamed to return home to his fraternal twin, Yukio's leaving part, and face his guardians disappointment back at the monastery.

All the while, bubbling and boiling behind the scenes, much like Rin's temperament at times, a great power is about to awaken within him as the seal on his demonic blade is about to be broken and he is about to be hit with some new knowledge that's going to send his world crashing down in blue flames. As the casual storyline hits the accelerator, a barrage of demons thirsty for Rin's blood, it's inevitably going to lead to a loss of live, which it unfortunately does. After not being able to protect the one that he loved in vain, he vows to become stronger and through the excentric Mephisto Pheles, a friend of Father Fujimoto, enrolls at True Cross Academy to become an exorcist and wants the death of the Devil carried out by his own hands. He continues to be hit by another barrage of kept secrets as he come to learn that his brother is already a fully qualified exorcist and will become one of his teachers as he attends a Cram Class with other pupils with the same goals as himself.

Life at True Cross Academy so far seems to of hit Rin hard, especially since he has to never show his demon self, which include hiding his tail and keeping his sword sheathed. Never the one for school, much unlike his brother, he's not what you would call the model pupil. This doesn't go unnoticed by his other classmates which leads to constant clashed with Bo, who hails from the Cursed Temple in Kyoto, location of the Blue Night massacre. In a errand run with his brother, Rin strikes up a friendship with Shiemi Moriyama which leads her to join the ranks at the Academy. Along with Shiemi, as the plot continues he begins to connect with a whole host of characters and we get to see their true colours.

In this first volume the story is not driven by in your face action at every turn, which in my opinion is a nice change of pace to the likes of Animes Deadman Wonderland and Claymore. The story and the plot is instead driven through by setting up relationships and bonds not only between the characters, but most importantly the characters and the viewers. You will come to learn of protagonist Rin's hot headed attitude, but I suppose that comes with the territory of becoming part demon and no matter how abrasive he becomes, he is always lovable at the same time. Ocassionally flashback galore, the beginnings of a love interest, a somewhat unnecessary episode, smoothly animated fight scenes, light hearted comedy moments that will bring a smile to your face and a Volume opening theme provided by Anime Opening heavyweights Uverworld, Ao no Exorcist has set its self up perfectly and I for one cannot wait for the plot to progress forward. Just wait for the last episode here, you'll get some serious eye candy.

The first 12 episodes of season 1 volume 1 can be watched, online, for free, here.
Support the official release when it becomes available in your region!

Ao no Exorcist Opening 1