Unless you’re a fan of Attack on Titan, anime seasons usually don’t leave you waiting for too long (burn, right?). However, Blue Exorcist is an exception. After the anime film in 2012, we had to wait until 2017 to see manga creator Kazue Kato’s demon bros again. And boy, is it great to have them back!

Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga is not your typical anime sequel. Fans of the manga are familiar with the source material, the Kyoto Impure King arc. However, anime-only viewers might find themselves a little confused as the first episode begins. You’ll have to forget most of what happened after Episode 17 of the original run because it deviated from the manga’s story to create a proper ending.

That means there are a few mental resets you’ll have to cope with, especially when it comes to protagonist Rin Okumura and the other True Cross Academy students. Apart from the faithful adherence to the manga, this A-1 Pictures production remains solid as ever. With new staff members on board and plenty happening in the anime industry over the past six years, the brothers still know how to captivate the audience. Beyond the action and demonic intrigue, it’s the characters that have kept Blue Exorcist in the conversation, which continues in Kyoto Saga.

Devil Inside

The original Blue Exorcist anime moved at a breakneck pace, especially in its final third. Due to the deviation from the manga, characters had to quickly adjust and move on after learning about Rin’s demonic powers. Kyoto Saga gives the creators an opportunity to turn back time and focus on those crucial moments of doubt. We pick up when Rin is assigned a time-sensitive motivation: to pass the exorcist exam in six months or face severe consequences. And these consequences are not to be taken lightly. If Rin doesn’t control his flames, he’ll be put on an exorcist hunt list and executed like the son of Satan he is.

The start of Kyoto Saga has Rin joining a special mission to retrieve a demon relic called the Left Eye of the Impure King. Unfortunately, the mission goes awry, and a new threat reveals itself to Rin, Shura, and Yukio. Even before they can worry about failing to recover the relic, they learn that someone has attempted to steal the other demon relic, the Right Eye of the Impure King, located in Kyoto. A meeting is called among exorcists of all levels to discuss the theft, and they come to a logical but damning conclusion: there is a traitor among them. Everyone is a suspect, including Bon Suguro’s father, Tatsuma. It’s time for suspicions to run wild!

As a result of these events, the initial part of the new season is a slow build that continues the character development from the first season. Bon, Konekomaru, Renzo, and the other students have a hard time coping with the revelation that Rin is the son of Satan. Most of them don’t even want to be near him or talk to him, which is a refreshing change from how it was brushed aside in the original anime. These characters are not only crucial to the story but also to Rin. Like all classic shonen heroes, Rin eventually realizes that he can’t defeat Satan alone, despite his initial proclamation. If he wants to achieve his ultimate goal, he’ll need all the help he can get.

The Souls Still Burn

As previously mentioned, there have been changes to the Blue Exorcist staff at A-1 Pictures for the new season. The first season was directed by Tensai Okamura, known for series like Darker than Black and Wolf’s Rain. This time, Koichi Hatsumi takes the director’s chair. He previously helmed Deadman Wonderland and Gangsta. among many other projects. Toshiya Ono steps in for series composition, bringing his experience from Gatchaman Crowds and The Perfect Insider.

The team’s efforts with Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga have paid off, and in a perfect world, they would continue beyond the planned 12-episode arc. While it may not be the best starting point for newcomers, the series is incredibly enjoyable, and the first 17 episodes of Season 1 are a must-watch. But really, when the price you have to pay is “watch more Blue Exorcist,” it’s tough to complain too much.

This story appears in the Spring 2017 issue of Anime USA Magazine. Click here to get a print copy.

Pick up Blue Exorcist Kyoto Saga on home video on Amazon via the following links:

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