Ao no Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati-hen

At True Cross Academy, Rin Okumura unknowingly comes across the first signs that something is amiss; ordinary people have been gaining the ability to perceive the invisible creatures that roam the human realm, Assiah. While Rin sees this as an opportunity to make a new friend, his twin brother, Yukio, is more burdened than ever. Swamped with his education, exorcist duties, and teaching position, Yukio has remained silent about his awakened powers, unable to understand their scale or significance.

While Rin and his friends prepare for the annual Exorcist Certification Exam, the True Cross Order has uncovered the first artificial gate to the demonic realm of Gehenna. Witnessing its size and the advanced technology that made it possible, the exorcists realize they are now dealing with the Illuminati, an extremely wealthy and powerful organization. Moreover, the inscrutable Illuminati have planted three spies in the True Cross Order—and one may be hiding among the aspiring exorcists sworn to protect mankind from the demonic threat.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Okumura, Rin Main

Okamoto, Nobuhiko Japanese

Okumura, Yukio Main

Fukuyama, Jun Japanese

Pheles, Mephisto Supporting

Kamiya, Hiroshi Japanese

Kuro Supporting

Takagaki, Ayahi Japanese

Kirigakure, Shura Supporting

Satou, Rina Japanese

Fujimoto, Shirou Supporting

Hirata, Hiroaki Japanese

Moriyama, Shiemi Supporting

Hanazawa, Kana Japanese

Shima, Renzou Supporting

Yusa, Kouji Japanese

Suguro, Ryuuji Supporting

Nakai, Kazuya Japanese

Kamiki, Izumo Supporting

Kitamura, Eri Japanese

Kamei, Hiroshi Producer

Matsumoto, Miho Producer

Tanaka, Wataru Producer

Aoki, Makoto Producer

Reviews

Mar 24, 2026

veldora__kun

Recommended

I was one of those who did not write reviews after watching something, but lately I have been trying to write put my thoughts together after watching something and posting them in reviews. Instead of keeping it to myself and talking to myself in my mind I thought it’s better to write it down in review.

Well with being said, let’s start!!

I mean the last two 2-3 years have been a really good as an anime watcher. We got new seasons of Konosuba, Grand Blue and now this Blue Exorcist and don’t forget Bleach. What a time to be an anime fan.

I had watched ... Blue exorcist way back in 2018-2019 when I had started fully experiencing the world of anime. As I was new to it, all this anime like AoT, Blue Exorcist or sword art online they were really fun to watch.

But I had not so good time watching Blue Exorcist, at first it was a really interesting story like a character being born of Demon and human child and as always he is being raised by a Human to be a kind person who helps other and overall is good person. (kind of a cliche if u would ask me) but all animes work like this in a way you can find something in common— cliche stuff with other shows.

But what made me had a bad experience is those filler eps after ep 17 of Season 1 and then the season 2 which honestly did not feel like I was continuing the same series or the story started from where it left off in season 1, but overall the experience was good tho it’s just left me confused. But the real reason was those extra OVA’s and the movie that made me loose my interest and when the season 3 was announced and I got to know that its coming like in a few months I was not really excited about it. But they really kept going huh season 3 then 4 then 5 or cour 2 & 3 of season S3?? Whatever it is I finally started watching it.

Started from season 1 skipped everything after ep 17 to direct season 2 and then to 3. And my god I felt I was robbed of something good. It is understandable that the mange caught up and everything but why make anime original eps which later on mostly going to be ignored.

But whatever it is I am really glad that they finally decided to continue the series. Season 3 is a upgrade in terms of story and in the animation as well, I will get to this a bit later.

Story wise I felt that the plot finally started moving a bit from our protagonist and his Satan situation and blue flames. Season 1 was more of intro of him and his brother and how they were born how they were raised who raised them etc. Then season 2—Rin finally learned how to control his flames and then he one shot the Impure king in the end. Whilst all this happening we get a subplot of Todou and Yukiou. Todou being interested in Yukio even before he saw his blue eyes is something which piqued my interest and I wanted to know what happens next. But who knew we had to wait for almost a decade for it be made in a video format?

And now to season 3, that Yukio angle of him having or inheriting Satan’s power is still there but we do not learn more about it but rather we get introduced to an new storyline. The Illuminati, being lead by mephisto’s big brother the king of light Lucifer. And we get to see why Izumi is the way she is through her past story and all. Towards the end or last ep again the focus shifting to Yukio. Damn I am excited to watch the next season.

Mephisto is one cunning asshole, no one is sure what he is thinking. He knew everything from the Impure king to Illuminati but still kept quiet. What is he cooking, is he on Human’s side or Demons?? No one knows for sure, only time will tell.

Now., The ANIMATION.

As I mentioned that I had watched this way back in 2018-19 if u had asked me it was made by A1-Pictures what do u think I would’ve probably said, so what about it? But now after watching tons of their work watching them delivering top notch stuff and then learning about the studio change for Blue Exorcist was difficult and disappointing.

Some might say it is a downgrade, but while I do agree but I would say 30% yes and 70% no I do not agree because the change is good. What A1 did in 2010’s was something which matched that era their art-style was great and the animation was great. It was not one of the best but season 2 did stand out from 1. The studio change to VOLN brought better colouring or use of lighting and I would say better artstyle and character design for some characters?? I have to say this The twins look like they are fat or something but Bon, Shiemi and others looked good in this artstyle. Someone from the studio or animation team is Bon’s fan cause his character has been consistent throughout the show in terms of animation. I am looking forward to the next season and to see if they improve the quality or not. Though A1 would have cooked something great with blue Exorcist. But once you get used to S3’s style the previous two seasons seems old in terms of animation.

I read few things here and there about the season 3 skipping a lot scenes from manga but as an anime only s3 did not feel odd to me at all. Maybe those scenes were not really important?? Who knows?

Alright then onto the next season!!

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Feb 4, 2026

the-mental-one

Mixed Feelings

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.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Oct 10, 2024

million_boxes

Not Recommended

I always had a soft spot for blue exorcist but this season was a disappointment unfortunately.

The animation was quite lifeless despite it being higher quality in terms of resolution and smoothness. I did love the demonic possession dance. But the og manga material carried a lot of weight in making it hauntingly beautiful, while the extra adaption scrapped by while being inflicted with many the flaws mentioned above.

There are some very good ideas in this season. Izumo's whole arc is very interesting, but it really faltered on the execution to the point of making her unbearably annoying when she doesn't have to be! ... The problem is that it depicted her as growing up around some really shitty people who're supposed to care for her but didn't, and this trauma carried over into her cutting herself off from her friend group. This just didn't make sense because they already went through a lot together. They've had this sort of arc SO many times before. It just takes a bit more effort tying everything together, but this the anime did NOT do.

Instead, it felt like a back and forth between the main group whacking the evil doctor's experiments, then cut to evil doctor (which, honestly, adds no value past a point), then cut to Izumo/her mother being tortured (again, unnecessarily repeated), cut to her isolating herself. I found myself skipping rapidly past everything only to kinda stop and enjoy the climax eps.

Another thing is the show lost its best bits: their friend group is really wholesome and the clear highlight, but izumo's mental state and the betrayal will-they-won't-they (no spoilers) of it all meant we didn't get to enjoy it. The thing with Rin and Yukio is always interesting and occasionally wholesome but here it's both vague and decidedly grim. Lastly, Rin's more contemplative and sad side always adds some much needed levity that gave him a step up from the annoying mc archetype. But with the show focussing on izumo, it significantly cut his development back and he is...very. annoying.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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