Is Blue Exorcist Worth Reading? Review & Where to Read

Overview

Blue Exorcist is a stylish supernatural action shonen with a great hook: the hero is the son of Satan. Rin Okumura is a hot-tempered teenager who discovers that he and his gentler twin brother Yukio are the offspring of Satan himself, and that Rin has inherited demonic blue flames. After a tragedy, Rin vows to become an exorcist strong enough to defeat his own father, enrolling at the prestigious True Cross Academy, where, secretly, his calm twin is already a teacher. It's a fun blend of demon-fighting action, school life, and family drama, drawn with real flair by Kazue Kato. It's ongoing, and currently heading into its long-awaited final arc.

What it does well

The art is a constant pleasure. Kato draws expressive, appealing characters and genuinely striking demons, and the action has a stylish energy that makes the supernatural fights pop. It's one of the better-looking shonen of its generation.

The premise and cast carry the rest. The son-of-Satan hook gives Rin a built-in identity struggle that's more interesting than a generic chosen-one setup, and the relationship between him and Yukio, twins pulled in different directions by the same cursed heritage, is the emotional core. The supporting students at the academy are likable, and the mix of demon-hunting, classroom comedy, and family drama keeps the tone varied.

It's also got atmosphere to spare. The world of exorcists, the academy, and the demon realm is richly designed, and when the series leans into its mythology and its quieter character moments, it's genuinely absorbing. The blue flames in particular make for a memorable, distinctive visual signature.

Where it falls short

The big problem is the release. Blue Exorcist has been slow and hiatus-prone for years, which makes it frustrating to follow in real time and has stretched a story that could be tighter across a very long span.

The pacing reflects that, too. The plot wanders and takes its time, with some arcs noticeably stronger than others, and momentum that comes and goes. And it's still ongoing, so despite a finale finally approaching, there's no complete ending to reach yet.

Verdict

Blue Exorcist is a stylish, enjoyable supernatural shonen with lovely art and a likable cast, and a solid recommendation if you like the genre and don't mind a slow burn. Go in for the designs, the brothers' dynamic, and the atmosphere rather than tight pacing. If frequent hiatuses or an unfinished story are dealbreakers, it'll test your patience, but with the manga heading toward its conclusion, now's a reasonable time to catch up on a good-looking, good-hearted series.