Is Blue Exorcist Worth Reading? Review & Where to Read
Quick Answer
Yes, if you don't mind a slow burn. Blue Exorcist has lovely art, a strong son-of-Satan hook, and a likable cast. The catch is years of hiatus-prone pacing and that it's still ongoing, though the finale is now approaching.
Quick Verdict
“Lovely art and a likable cast power this supernatural shonen's son-of-Satan hook — fun and atmospheric, though years of glacial, hiatus-prone pacing test your patience.”
Best for: Readers who want a stylish supernatural shonen with great art and a likable cast.
Not for: Readers who want fast pacing, a finished story, or a consistent release schedule.
- Type
- Manga
- Genres
- Action, Supernatural
- Status
- Ongoing
- This review
- Minor Spoilers
- Author
- Kazue Kato
- Publisher
- VIZ Media
- Platform
- VIZ
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Format | Manga (shōnen), 21 volumes |
| Run | 2009–present · ongoing |
| Community score | AniList 7.6 · MAL 7.9 |
| Content | Violence |
| Where to read | VIZ — official |
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.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Kazue Kato's art is lovely — expressive characters, striking demon designs, and stylish action.
- The 'son of Satan' hook is strong, and the cast is likable, with Rin and Yukio's brotherly dynamic a highlight.
- It blends demon-fighting action, school life, humor, and family-and-identity themes well.
- It's atmospheric, with a richly designed world of exorcists and demons.
Weaknesses
- Its release has been slow and hiatus-prone for years, which makes it frustrating to follow in real time.
- The plot wanders and takes its time, with some arcs noticeably stronger than others.
- It's still ongoing, so there's no ending yet, though a finale is finally approaching.
Similar Titles
Another stylish supernatural-battle shonen with great designs and a soul-and-afterlife bent.
Another modern supernatural shonen about exorcising cursed, demonic threats.
Another demon-fighting shonen with strong art and emotional family stakes.
Where to Read Officially
| Platform | Format | Pricing | Region notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIZ | Print & digital volumes | Free + Paid | Region availability varies | Open |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Exorcist finished?
Not yet. It's ongoing and heading toward a final arc, with the manga on hiatus before its conclusion, so the main story isn't fully wrapped up.
Is it the same as the anime?
The first anime season diverged with an anime-original ending; later seasons follow the manga more closely. The manga is the definitive version.
Is the slow release a dealbreaker?
It can be if you read in real time, since hiatuses are frequent. If you're catching up on a big backlog or waiting for the finale, it's much less of an issue.
