Ao no Exorcist: Yuki no Hate-hen

Demonic activity worldwide has significantly increased due to the involvement and corrupt practices of the Illuminati. To combat the unnatural influx of demons, the Vatican Headquarters decides to hold the annual Exorcist Certification Exam early and allow for as many exorcists as possible to take up the mantle.

Straight from the Vatican, one of the most powerful exorcists, Lewin "Lightning" Light, arrives at True Cross Academy to help prepare the students for the exam. The ease and mastery with which Lewin performs exorcisms quickly impresses Ryuuji "Bon" Suguro, who has lost his ambition to continue his studies, and Lewin surprisingly accepts him as his apprentice. Amid the worsening situation, twin brothers Rin and Yukio Okumura are sent to locate the recently missing exorcist Shura Kirigakure, who seems to be chained to a decades-long contract with a powerful, immortal demon hiding in Aomori Prefecture's dangerous, snowy mountains.

[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

Amaimon Supporting

Kakihara, Tetsuya 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

Mita, Keiji Producer

Aoki, Makoto Producer

Ogasawara, Yuki Producer

Yoshida, Daisuke Director

Reviews

Dec 29, 2024

Kumoiro_Shizuki

Recommended

The Triumphant Return of Blue Exorcist!
A week ago, I concluded this fourth season in a state of overwhelming emotion. After experiencing its ups and downs, Voln has achieved the remarkable feat of resurrecting this anime from its ashes. This season stands as a shining testament to their accomplishment. Almost all the shortcomings of the third season have been addressed. Let us delve into this masterpiece, step by step.

Animation: 7.5 - 8.0 | Art Direction: 9.0
Undoubtedly, this is the area that has seen the most significant improvement. While a few moments lacked finesse – notably the final battle against Hashiro-Taro, where an overreliance on CGI slightly ... diminished the impact – the season as a whole was solid. Its zenith was reached in Episode 12, where the animation excelled on every front.

What struck me the most, however, was the masterful use of color palettes, lighting, and shadow-laden compositions. These stylistic choices, especially in scenes featuring Yukio and Ryuji, heightened the tension and added a dramatic depth that was palpable. It is evident that Voln’s teams have honed their craft, delivering episodes of unparalleled beauty.

Music: 10 | Voice Acting: 9.5
This section will be brief, but it is imperative to highlight these aspects, which rank among the series’ greatest triumphs. With Sawano and KOHTA at the helm, the anime ascends to greatness, propelled by a magnificent soundtrack and an unforgettable auditory atmosphere.

The voice actors’ performances are equally exceptional. Beyond renowned names like Okamoto, Fukuyama, Hiroshi, Nakai, and Hanazawa, several others delivered outstanding portrayals. Lightning’s voice actor, in particular, deserves acclaim for capturing the multifaceted nature of a character who is by turns enigmatic and eccentric.

Story: 9 | Characters: 10
As mentioned in my commentary on the Illuminati-Hen arc, this fourth season focuses on investigations surrounding the events of the Blue Night. I will refrain from revealing details, as the essence of this season lies in its masterful storytelling.

Iconic scenes abound. Whether it’s Yukio’s confrontations in the early episodes, the exchanges between Yukio and Ryuji, the poignant moments with Shiemi, or the unforgettable sequence in Episode 12, each is a masterpiece in its own right. The season’s climax delivers a brief yet breathtaking conclusion, where music, revelations, and animation converge to create an unforgettable spectacle.

Yukio, in particular, takes center stage in many pivotal moments. Alongside Lightning and Ryuji, he has become one of the central figures of this season, undergoing a fascinating evolution rich with themes rarely explored in shonen. While his behavior may occasionally frustrate, he remains one of the most compelling characters in the saga.

Conclusion:
Previously, I harbored doubts about the future of the anime series. Now, however, this fourth season has erased all hesitation. With this latest installment as proof, I am confident that Blue Exorcist is in capable hands. I eagerly await the opportunity to dive back into this story in the coming weeks. Prepare yourselves to uncover the origins of this extraordinary tale.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Dec 27, 2024

Chuy_diazz

Mixed Feelings

Season 4 and it feels like the story is just getting started.

I have few memories of the previous seasons, but after watching this season I don't really need them. For the first time in many years it feels like the story is taking some direction and starting to define the foundations of the story. The simple fact of starting to give context to characters, shaping the stories and expanding the lore is more than enough to classify it as one of the best seasons of the franchise. The theme of Shura and the demon, section 13 and the primordial demons was more interesting than all ... the content that the anime had given up to that point.

In terms of story and development, it had a fairly large and evident leap in quality. Speaking of the characters, I have never felt like fighting with half the secondary cast as much as I do now. I don't know who thought it was a good idea to let Yukio play Persona 3. Yukio's character was one of the most insufferable, his descent into madness is unpleasant. His corruption is not natural or logical, he just lives making a drama of how nobody helps him, he has no friends and he is alone but when his friends tell him he is not alone and give him a hand he ignores them. Make up your mind, you are not so endearing as to go around begging. Shiemi on the other hand, I don't know who decided this, but between the romance subplot and her vocational orientation the only thing it causes is sleep. While on one side they investigate the dirty laundry of the Vatican, Shiemi is just trying to decide if she wants to be an exorcist or run the family store. There is no clear balance between the stories, which causes you to hate the irrelevant characters more along with their unnecessary plots.

The previous paragraph was just a vent, it is not a negative aspect of the story, it is just a personal grudge. As a negative aspect I would only stick with the issue of the balance of the stories. There is no congruence between what is told in one chapter and what is shown in another. In the end you end up feeling that there are too many chapters in the anime. If you are a person who has already seen the previous seasons, then I would encourage you to see this 4th because it is much better than the others. On the other hand, if you want to encourage yourself to start this franchise today, I would not do you the harm of recommending a story that has just started in its 4th season.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Dec 21, 2024

paglo889

Not Recommended

Funny

Spoiler

To be clear it's not just another rant because I am salty kid and my favourite character died or something and that's why I gave 1 to this season. Just kidding it will be salty rant with little of arguments why I think this season is complete GARBAGE. I watched 1 and 2 season 7 years ago and I was more than happy to hear that this show finally is getting attention and moving forward with the anime. I enjoyed 3rd season even tho it had some problems with animation, plot and I could not force myself to like those characters like I was few ... years ago. That being said season 3 had some good character development with that fox girl - Izumo. However i cannot accept how dogshit this (4) season was overall. We were witnessing Yukio becomeing some kind of evil twin for like half a season and it was shown like in some very old trash show for a dumb kids. It wasn't not a bit interesting, it hasn't been a not even bad plot twist because there were no plot twist, being an adult I couldn't even get why in the first place he had his fight with Rin and he screamed at him like a madman instead of having an conversation. He has like a 30 seconds of good plot around Shiemi when he went to her house and that's it, all he did in this season was becoming emo 13 yo sasuke laugh/faces and he isn't even cool like sasuke was for some time (wtf how is it even possible not create that bad character). Next being said the plot around Shura was like low mid tier at best and I was really curious about her before that season aired. Now she is some random with big boobs. The best thing in this season was Lighting relationship and plot with the Suguro. But he even changed his hair I feel like just to angry me. Overall last episode when all the 'reveal' and all the feelings that they were hiding inside should go out it was completely trash. I mean autor just mixed up Sasuke leaving Naruto first time and Ichigo having a first conversation with White. They mixed it and did it so dirty I want to hurt myself thinking about it. ( I finished this episode like 1 hour ago and still can't get past how BAD it was). I even checked the manga chapter that has been adapted to this horrible episode, because I though it some bad Christmas joke. I am so sure I haven't watched anything worse than this episode for a like 3 years and I watched a lot of good/bad/mid/horrible stuff in that time. This season was such a dissapointment that I can't handle it. If someone managed to get to end of this review I think either you will shittalk me in comments or you completely agree with me. If you are the first type of person, feel free. We all can have a mixed opinion about something.

Above being said I think that overall world plot is not so bad. I am still a little invest in overall plot with Satan, Illuminati etc but these characters at best few are mid and all others are like npc or some 3rd plane type of characters in other shows like My Hero Academia, Hells Paradise. Even in those series I feel more connected to 3rd plane type of characters more than for Ao no Exorcist main cast (with few exceptions). I will give another chance since I barely drop any shows. I mean I prob only dropped Boruto xD I even finished Nanatsu No Taizai after Meliodas vs Escanor abomination of episode and an animation. I think if someone really likes the chemistry of these characters and if someone think that the plot around Yukio and Rin is something of likeable or good please explain it to me because maybe I missed like few episodes of backstory or something.

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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	Poll: Ao no Exorcist: Yuki no Hate-hen Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Dec 21, 2024	52 replies	by Hayley2877 »» Jan 20, 7:18 AM
	Poll: Ao no Exorcist: Yuki no Hate-hen Episode 11 Discussion Stark700 - Dec 14, 2024	34 replies	by Hayley2877 »» Jan 18, 1:31 PM
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	Poll: Ao no Exorcist: Yuki no Hate-hen Episode 10 Discussion Stark700 - Dec 7, 2024	34 replies	by THE_BigDingus »» Jan 17, 3:16 PM
	Poll: Ao no Exorcist: Yuki no Hate-hen Episode 8 Discussion Stark700 - Nov 23, 2024	26 replies	by Sanokii »» Jan 14, 6:05 PM