The official “Blue Exorcist” anime site, based on Kazue Katō‘s manga, has released a promo video for its third season, “Shimane Illuminati Saga“.
The video reaffirms the premiere scheduled for January 2024 in Japan, also showcasing a snippet of the opening theme named “Eye’s Sentry“, performed by UVERworld.
Source: Aniplex Official YouTube Channel
Katō began publishing the manga in Shueisha’s Jump SQ magazine in April 2009, and it has since been compiled over the years into 29 tankōbon volumes. The manga’s predecessor one-shot, named Miyama-Uguisu Yashica Jiken, was published by Jump Square in 2008. A-1 Pictures, under the direction of Tensai Okamura and based on scripts written by Ryouta Yamaguchi, adapted the work into its anime format, producing 25 episodes that premiered in April 2011, followed by a film adaptation in December 2012, and a spin-off focused on Rin’s brother, Yukio, titled Salaryman Futsumashi Okumura Yukio no Aishu, also in 2012. Then, years later, in January 2017, we received a second season titled Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga, which featured 12 episodes.
About Blue Exorcist:
Humans and Demons are two sides of the same coin, as are Assiah and Gehenna, their respective worlds. The only way to travel between them is through possession. Satan, the ruler of Gehenna, has been unable to find a vessel worthy of possession, and as a result, remains trapped in his world. Desperate to conquer Assiah, he sends their children in hopes that one of them will one day become a worthy vessel, capable of becoming the King of Demons.
Rin, the son of Satan and a human woman named Yuri Egin, inherited his father’s powers, but they were sealed upon his birth into a sword named Kurikara (sometimes referred to as Koumaken). He aspires to become an exorcist like Shiro, the priest who raised both brothers, to ultimately defeat Satan. Early in the series, during a confrontation, Rin unsheathes Kurikara, unleashing his powers and partially taking on his demonic appearance: fangs, tail, and powerful blue flames that engulf his body and destroy everything they touch.
Blue Exorcist‘s story follows Rin Okumura, who seems like an ordinary boy until he is ambushed by demons one day. His world, reality, and life turn upside down when he discovers that he and his twin brother are the sons of Satan, and their father awaits their return to finally carry out the conquest of Assiah together.
Katō drew inspiration from The Brothers Grimm and aimed to craft a story where two brothers fight monsters, targeting a teen audience. After considering the plot, he decided to simplify and structure it around the “exorcists vs. demons” dynamic. Given that exorcists are the story’s primary focus, the manga includes many biblical references. In an interview with Anime News Network, Kazue Katō stated that they should stay close to these references and not shy away from them, fully respecting the genre.
Despite the years between releases, its strong fandom has remained loyal and eager for the saga’s return.
Tell us, are you a fan of Blue Exorcist? Would you like to have Rin‘s powers? (I personally wouldn’t mind XD) Let us know in the comments what you’re looking forward to in the new season!
Images Source: Aniplex Official YouTube Channel, YouTube, ©Kazue Katō/SHUEISHA, Blue Exorcist Committee.
