Blue Exorcist Season 1 and 2 Key Point Review

The Bottom Line:

This is a spoiler free review for season 1 and 2 of the Blue Exorcist anime series. (It does not cover the movie).

This anime, both season 1 and season 2, are average.  Season 2 is slightly worse than season 1 and, because it was made years later, it tries to squeeze more events between episodes that were in season 1.  If you wanted to watch both seasons in order based on the plot, you’d need to watch season 1 through episode 16, then watch all of season 2, then go back to episode 17 of season 1 and finish it.  (The reason I don’t recommend watching episode 17 of season 1 early is because season 2 tries to change how events in that episode unfolded). 

I can’t really recommend this anime unless you have nothing good to watch or you’re looking for anime with a demon main character trying to overcome other people’s perceptions.  The anime is a lot of slice of life with some more serious elements mixed in. 

Season 1 is 24 eps

Season 2 is 12 eps

Key Point Review:

Setting:

  • Season 1 takes place in a city that has mostly traditional Japanese elements with some imaginative architecture mixed in;

  • many of season 1’s event take place in a school setting;

  • season 2 mostly takes place in a countryside setting.

Story:

  • Slice of life with some serious elements mixed in;

  • demons, exorcists, and magic;

  • exorcists can attain specialized job classes with unique skills and powers;

  • some humor, but it is pretty weak;

  • socially awkward characters trying to make friends and develop healthy interpersonal relationships they desperately need; 

  • light romance, but mostly the story deals with making friendships and achieving personal goals; 

  • love triangle, but it isn’t deeply explored;

  • conflicts and drama between classmates, mostly concerning their goals; 

  • minor horror elements, but in no way a horror anime; 

  • ending of season 1 seemed rushed.  It’s a little weak and random, but it does have good visual effects and an epic feel at times.  The ending plot has a lot of inconsistencies though;

  • season 2 tries to add events between episodes in season 1.  Season two tries to begin after episode 16 of season 1.

Characters:

  • Main character is misunderstood.  He has a big heart and a hard head;

  • two of the main characters are brothers.  The younger is smart and serious, while the older is a hard-headed delinquent;  

  • many of the characters are troubled youths in one way or another;

  • average character designs.  Mostly school uniforms and standard uniforms given to exorcists.

Dialogue and voice acting:

  • Dialogue is average.  It’s a little lackluster overall, but does have a few strong, heart-warming moments;

  • voice acting for the dub has good acting from the main characters and a mix of good and average voice acting from supporting characters.

Animation:

  • Animation is standard with some high-quality and imaginative depictions at the end of season 1 and 2.

Music, openings, and endings:

  • Season 1, first opening song: “Core Pride” by UVERworld.  Awesome song and UVERworld is a solid group; 

  • Season 1, first opening animation:  It’s a little simple, but good.  Some of the opening animation helps display the creativity of the city’s scenery. 

 

  • Season 1, first ending song: “Take Off” by 2PM.  The song is good;

  • Season 1, first ending animation: It’s pretty simple.  It sort of fits the song, but the animation is mostly boring. 

 

  • Season 1, second opening song: “In My World” by ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D.  Song is good, but ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D has some great songs, so I expected a little more from them; 

  • Season 1, second opening animation is average.  It’s pretty simple and boring. 

 

  • Season 1, second ending song: “Wired Life” by Meisa Kuroki.  The song is good.  It starts out a little subdued, but builds;

  • Season 1, second ending animation: It is simple and weak.  It’s mostly still pictures with 2D and 3D shapes moving around. 

 

  • Season 2, opening: “Itteki no Eikyo” by UVERworld.  This is another good track from a good band.  Definitely worth listening to; 

  • Season 2, opening animation: It’s good and interesting.

 

  • Season 2, ending song: “Kono Te de” by Rin Akatsuki.  This song is average;

  • Season 2, ending animation: The season 2 ending animation is not very good.

Author username: Marro Danatalle

Photo credit: A-1 Pictures

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