Blue Exorcist, known as Ao no Exorcist in Japanese, is a popular anime series that has captivated audiences worldwide with its intriguing storyline, dynamic characters, and visually stunning animation. A common question among both newcomers and seasoned fans is: just how many episodes are there in the Blue Exorcist universe? This article delves deep into the episode count for each season, the OVAs, movies, and other related content to provide a comprehensive guide to this beloved series.
Breaking Down the Seasons: Episode Count and Content
Blue Exorcist’s journey began with its first season, which quickly gained a dedicated following. Later seasons and supplementary material further expanded the world and lore. Understanding the episode distribution across these different segments is essential for fully appreciating the series.
Season 1: Blue Exorcist (2011)
The initial season of Blue Exorcist, which premiered in 2011, consists of 25 episodes. This season adapts the first several volumes of the manga series by Kazue Kato. It introduces the main character, Rin Okumura, and his twin brother, Yukio Okumura, as they navigate their destiny as the sons of Satan.
The storyline follows Rin’s discovery of his demonic heritage after his adoptive father, Father Fujimoto, is killed protecting him. Determined to avenge his father and control his powers, Rin enrolls at True Cross Academy, a secret school that trains exorcists. Yukio, already an accomplished exorcist, becomes one of Rin’s instructors.
Throughout the first season, Rin struggles to master his demonic abilities while keeping his true identity hidden from his classmates. He and Yukio face various demonic threats, and the season culminates in a major confrontation with powerful demons. The anime’s strong character development, engaging plot, and high-quality animation cemented its popularity.
Season 2: Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga (2017)
After a considerable hiatus, Blue Exorcist returned in 2017 with a second season titled Kyoto Saga. This season contains 12 episodes and directly adapts the Kyoto Impure King Arc from the manga. It essentially ignores the anime-original ending of the first season.
The Kyoto Saga focuses on the aftermath of a significant incident involving the Tainted Impure King’s Left Eye. The Okumura brothers and their fellow exorcist candidates are dispatched to Kyoto to assist in securing the Right Eye. As they delve deeper into the mission, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens the entire world.
This season highlights the importance of teamwork and trust among the exorcist candidates. Rin faces new challenges in controlling his flames while dealing with prejudice and mistrust from his peers. The intense battles and emotional depth of the Kyoto Saga resonated strongly with fans, solidifying its place as a fan-favorite arc.
Season 3: Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga (2024)
The third season, titled Shimane Illuminati Saga, premiered in January 2024. This season brings the episode count to 12 episodes. It adapts the Shimane Illuminati Arc of the manga, diving further into the world of exorcists, demons, and the mysterious Illuminati organization.
The Shimane Illuminati Saga centers around the aftermath of a significant event in Kyoto and the rise of the Illuminati, a secret organization led by the enigmatic Lucifer. This season delves deeper into the lore, introducing new characters and exploring the complex relationship between humans and demons.
Rin and his friends face new challenges as they uncover the Illuminati’s plans and work to protect the world from their schemes. The season is known for its intense action sequences, intriguing mysteries, and exploration of the characters’ personal growth.
Beyond the Seasons: OVAs and Movies
In addition to the main seasons, Blue Exorcist has expanded its narrative through original video animations (OVAs) and a movie, offering fans more content to enjoy. These additions often explore side stories or delve deeper into specific characters’ backgrounds.
OVAs (Original Video Animations)
Blue Exorcist boasts a few OVAs that offer unique insights into the characters and their world. These OVAs are typically shorter than standard episodes and often serve as side stories or prequels.
- Ao no Exorcist: Kuro no Iede (2011): This OVA focuses on the backstory of Kuro, Rin’s familiar, and his relationship with Father Fujimoto. It provides a heartwarming look at Kuro’s loyalty and the bond he shared with the priest.
- Ao no Exorcist: The Movie – Prologue (2012): This OVA serves as a prequel to the Blue Exorcist movie, setting the stage for the events that unfold in the film. It offers additional context and character development to enhance the movie-watching experience.
- Ao no Exorcist: Kyoto Fujōō-hen – Special Episode (2017): This special episode provides a little extra content related to the Kyoto Saga, delving into some of the characters’ interactions that were not fully covered in the main season.
Blue Exorcist: The Movie (2012)
Blue Exorcist: The Movie was released in 2012 and features an original story set during a festival in True Cross Academy Town. In this movie, Rin and his friends must deal with a powerful phantom that threatens the town and its inhabitants.
The movie showcases the strong bond between the exorcist candidates as they work together to overcome the threat. It also provides a deeper look into Rin’s struggle to control his powers and his determination to protect those around him. The movie is a visually stunning addition to the Blue Exorcist universe, offering an exciting and self-contained adventure.
Total Episode Count: A Final Tally
To summarize, here’s the total episode count for the Blue Exorcist anime series:
- Season 1: Blue Exorcist (2011) – 25 episodes
- Season 2: Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga (2017) – 12 episodes
- Season 3: Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga (2024) – 12 episodes
Adding these up, the main series consists of a total of 49 episodes.
When factoring in the OVAs and the movie, the Blue Exorcist universe provides even more content for fans to enjoy. The OVAs offer additional character development and backstory, while the movie presents a thrilling standalone adventure.
Why Blue Exorcist Remains Popular
Blue Exorcist has maintained its popularity for several reasons. The anime boasts a compelling storyline that blends supernatural elements with themes of family, friendship, and identity. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique struggles and motivations.
The animation quality is consistently high, with dynamic action sequences and visually striking character designs. The series also explores deeper themes, such as the conflict between good and evil, the nature of prejudice, and the importance of finding one’s place in the world. The complex world-building, complete with demons, exorcists, and secret organizations, keeps the audience engaged and invested in the story.
Where to Watch Blue Exorcist
Blue Exorcist is available on several popular streaming platforms, making it easily accessible to fans worldwide. You can find the series on:
- Crunchyroll
- Hulu
- Netflix (availability may vary by region)
These platforms offer both subbed and dubbed versions of the anime, allowing viewers to choose their preferred viewing experience.
The Future of Blue Exorcist
With the conclusion of the Shimane Illuminati Saga, many fans are eagerly anticipating future installments of Blue Exorcist. The manga series is ongoing, providing ample source material for future seasons. Whether the anime will continue to adapt the manga remains to be seen, but the continued popularity of the series suggests that there is a strong demand for more Blue Exorcist content.
The world of Blue Exorcist is rich with potential, and there are many unexplored storylines and characters that could be explored in future adaptations. Whether through new seasons, OVAs, or movies, the future of Blue Exorcist looks bright.
How many seasons of Blue Exorcist are there, and how many episodes does each season have?
As of late 2024, there are four seasons of the Blue Exorcist anime adaptation. The first season, titled "Blue Exorcist," aired in 2011 and consisted of 25 episodes. This season adapts the initial arcs of the manga and introduces the core characters and premise of the story.
The second season, "Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga," aired in 2017 and contains 12 episodes. It directly adapts the "Kyoto Impure King Arc" from the manga, focusing on a specific conflict and expanding on existing character relationships. The third season, "Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga," aired in 2024 and consisted of 12 episodes, covering another distinct arc from the manga. The fourth season, "Blue Exorcist: Yukoku Campanella Arc" will air in the fall of 2024.
Are there any OVAs or movies related to Blue Exorcist, and are they considered canon?
Yes, there are several OVAs (Original Video Animations) and a movie related to Blue Exorcist. There are two OVAs directly related to the first season. The first OVA is called "Blue Exorcist OVA 1" and the second is "Blue Exorcist OVA 2", each offering side stories and extra content.
Additionally, there's a movie titled "Blue Exorcist the Movie," released in 2012. Generally, the OVAs are considered canon as they fill in smaller gaps in the narrative or explore character backstories. The movie, while enjoyable, is often considered less essential to the main plot but still enhances the overall Blue Exorcist experience.
Is the Blue Exorcist anime adaptation faithful to the manga?
The first season of the anime generally follows the manga's storyline for the first portion of its run. However, around episode 17, the anime diverges from the manga's plot, creating an anime-original ending. This divergence was due to the manga not being far enough ahead at the time of the anime's production.
Subsequent seasons, starting with "Kyoto Saga," aimed to correct this and more faithfully adapt the manga's arcs. "Kyoto Saga," "Shimane Illuminati Saga," and "Yukoku Campanella Arc" closely follow the manga's story, effectively retconning the anime-original ending of the first season. Therefore, it's recommended to follow the manga for the most complete and consistent narrative, but the anime offers a visually engaging alternative.
Where can I watch all the episodes of Blue Exorcist?
Blue Exorcist is available on several popular streaming platforms. Crunchyroll is a primary source for legally streaming the anime, including all seasons, OVAs, and potentially the movie, depending on your region.
Other platforms such as Hulu and Netflix may also offer Blue Exorcist, though availability can vary by region and streaming license agreements. It is advisable to check the specific availability in your country on each platform's website or app. Remember to support legal streaming options to ensure the continued production of anime content.
In what order should I watch the Blue Exorcist episodes, OVAs, and movie?
The recommended viewing order for Blue Exorcist is as follows: First, watch "Blue Exorcist" (Season 1, episodes 1-17). Then watch "Blue Exorcist OVA 1" and "Blue Exorcist OVA 2". After this watch the "Blue Exorcist the Movie." Since the rest of the first season has an anime original ending, it is not necessary to watch the final episodes if you want to follow the manga's cannon.
Next, watch "Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga" (Season 2), followed by "Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga" (Season 3). Finally, watch "Blue Exorcist: Yukoku Campanella Arc" (Season 4). This order ensures you experience the story as intended, following the canonical events and avoiding any confusion caused by the first season's divergence.
Are there any plans for future seasons or episodes of Blue Exorcist?
Yes, as of late 2024, there is a confirmed fourth season of Blue Exorcist. It will be titled "Blue Exorcist: Yukoku Campanella Arc", is set to air in the fall of 2024. This demonstrates the continued popularity and demand for the series.
While there are no further official announcements beyond that, the manga series continues to release new chapters, providing ample source material for potential future anime adaptations. The success and reception of the "Yukoku Campanella Arc" will likely influence whether further seasons are produced. Fans should stay tuned to official announcements from Aniplex and the Blue Exorcist production team for any updates.
Which season of Blue Exorcist is considered the best by fans?
Opinions on which season is the best vary among fans, but "Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga" is often highly regarded. Many fans appreciate its focused narrative, faithful adaptation of the manga's "Kyoto Impure King Arc," and the development of the core characters, particularly Rin and Yukio.
Some fans prefer the original "Blue Exorcist" season for its introduction to the world and characters, while others appreciate the "Shimane Illuminati Saga" for its deeper exploration of the plot and the introduction of new elements. Ultimately, the best season depends on individual preferences, but "Kyoto Saga" is generally considered a strong contender due to its high-quality animation and faithful adaptation.