[ctt template=”1″ link=”L2us5″ via=”yes” ][/ctt]After six years, Blue Exorcist has a sequel series/second season to compliment the original released in 2011. Taking a more canon approach to the original manga, (which escaped the last arc of the original anime), season two covers the Kyoto arc with most of its focusing going to Ryuji, his father, and the Miyoda Sect. It should be noted that Koyoto Saga is canon and takes place after episode seventeen of the original anime.

Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga is an 2017 sequel to shounen anime Blue Exorcist, it is produced by A-1 Pictures, and licensed by Aniplex of America. It is currently available for streaming in English subs, with the dub releasing on Hulu this Winter.

New animation for Kyoto Saga from A-1 Pictures impresses.

Editor’s Note: This Review contains near complete to complete spoilers for all twelve episodes of Kyoto Saga. 

Ever since the original anime and film, fans of Ao no Exorcist had been craving a return of its anime adaption, after six long years Aniplex revealed a canon sequel taking place after episode seventeen of the original twenty-five episode anime series. Unsurprisingly news of the sequel ended up raising the sales numbers for the source material for the first half of 2017, so much so that it placed in the top 30 best-sellers list. With more years of experience under their belt A-1 Pictures (also known for works such as Fairy Tail) improved animation quality and direction of Rin and co’s adventure.

A new threat in dangers Rin and co. who are already in a rocky situation with each other.

THE GOOD: Despite not being apart of the source material, Blue Exorcist’s first season left off with a great storyline, while we’re back to the series canon being adapted, I wouldn’t have minded seeing how Yukio adapted to embracing his hellspawn heritage like elder brother Rin, though that storyline has likely taken place within the canon (and likely to get animated) eventually regardless. Time placement confusion aside, Koyoto Saga featured some heavy focus on supporting and side characters which is always nice, and feels like a lost art in a lot of modern shounen. Everyone gets that the lead of the star of the show, but not every viewer’s favorite is the lead (Naruto is a good example). Regardless of the big focus on other characters, season two still does a fantastic job of digging into Rin & Yukio’s character’s just as heavily. So it never feels like one is getting more focus than the other too much.

Ryuji and the Miyoda Sect steals the show.

One of the more entertaining bits of the Koyoto arc is Ryuji and his family, we get a lot of background information and character development for himself and his fellows monks, who as we know are apart of the same Sect of sorts. My only grip really is that Ryuji wasn’t more of a threat to main villain The Impure King, as he could have been, while he had a respectable effort against it, it felt like he could have done a little more damage before Rin struck the final blow.

Secondary villain Saburota Todo is runner-up for show stealer.

Speaking of villains another highlight of season two was secondary villain Saburota Todo, Voice actor Kazuhiro Yamaji’s performance as Todo was excellent and gave off a truly convincing villainous demeanor. Todo’s manipulative banter with Yukio in an attempt to turn him against Rin was one of the many chilling moments of the Koyoto Saga’s run. Though there was some dark moments in season two, there were also some fun light hearted and comedic moments, such as Rin nearly getting permanently friend zoned by Shiemi.

A great, but short return for Blue Exorcist.

THE BAD: Season two is only twelve episodes long, which is unfortunate, however a third season is already reportedly in the works.

Blue Exorcist’s anime adaption returns, and will hopefully stick around.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: With fantastic character development for both the side and main cast, an awesome secondary villain, and pleasing on the eyes animation, Blue Exorcist’s second anime go round is a resounding success. Though this season took over half a decade to get to us, let’s hope the incoming third won’t take nearly as long. Otaku Dome gives Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga a 85 out of 100.