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How is this manga NOT on the top ten most popular mangas! Normally with mangas, I have a few negative comments to say about it, such as the character development or the lingering plots that never seem to end, but I have nothing bad to say about Ao no Exorcist. As the summary says, it's a story about demons and exorcists. Except, in this case, the main character, Rin, is both a demon AND an exorcist. And not just any demon, he's the son of satan.
Rin has issues with his powers and keeping himself from being discovered by the other exorcists. The character development is what makes this story the most interesting! Even with only a few chapters out so far, you are wanting to read more about how the future will be for these teens that have gotten themselves into possibly more than they thought.
The art I gave a 10, but of course it's personal preference of mine. The art of this manga reminds me a lot of Soul Eater's art, and what I love about it is that you can tell what is going on. With some series, there's too much detail that it's hard to tell who's attacking or who is who! It's not that ANE's art is plain and without action, the fights are well drawn and have just enough detail to see the movements and fights clearly.
Enjoyment for me is clearly a 10, as I mentioned, it has some really awesome fights and although it's not on the genres, this manga does have some comedy in it. It's also not just pointless fighting, there's a great plot with it that keeps you on edge and waiting for the next chapter!
There isn't too much I can say about the actual story without spoiling things in this story. I'll recommended this manga to anyone and everyone! I can only hope that more people will be willing to read this story and enjoy it as much as I have!
Ao no Exorcist is easily on my top 3 favorite mangas!
10/10 without a doubt!! read more

when I stumbled upon this manga on OM, I honestly didn't expect much of it. how many mangas are there in the religious/inquisitive/exorcist genres? dozens! but Ao no Exorcist really caught my attention :) there is something that breaks out of the another-exorcist-cliche manga scheme
Story: (9)
It deserves a tenner, but I'm quite a persnickety person when it comes to the storyline. mainly because most of the mangas are almost the same... here, all the motifs (father dies, the protagonist grows up and wants to change, a great scheme, uber powers, demons and from chapter 9 or 10 even some boobs are there as well ;-)). but it is not such a cliche that is expected. Someone from another review said that it is a kind of mixture of bleach and beezelbub - I would add Holy Talker as well.
Art: 8
Nothing to be ashamed of, although I seen more stunning mangas in my life. nothing particular to complain about, except Rin's design when he's in his demon form - k'man, he looks like he was drawn by a five-year-old :< generally: good, but not outstanding
Character: (9)
Characters are definitely a strong point of this manga. The twin brothers, Rin and Yukio are like fire and ice and argue, but deeply care for each other. There is a clumsy yet charming female, diffrent background students and teachers from the true cross academy. But Fujimoto Shirou - this is a masterpiece! it has been a long time since any character made such a positive impression on me. his personality, design... ah, you got to love him even though he does not participate in the events that much (for a certain reason, but no spoilers, sorry! :-)
Enjoyment: (10)
It's extra fun. Even the cliches can't disturb your fun. There are funny moments but also some melancholic. I liked the intertextuality of this manga - e.g. Mephisto Philis. It;s fun to discover some references to other works/culture :-)
Overall: it's a tenner and Ao no Exorcist also lands in my favourites. I really recommend it to anyone. read more

I’ve heard enough about “Blue Exorcist” for a while now to get me interested in reading it. I was so excited when I saw the volumes at my library and picked up the first four right away. After finishing the first four volumes, I’m sad to say that I am thoroughly disappointed. Here is why:
The plot of Blue Exorcist sounds pretty interesting.That initial plot (+ the art style) was what made me want to read the series, but it’s also that plot that makes me not want to continue.
First, let’s take a look at some similar plots such as: Naruto, Soul Eater, or D.Gray-Man. Now, I like all these. I don’t really care that they share the theme of “dark powers within +trying to overcome and reach impossible goal” what I care is how the story progresses.
By the fourth volume in SE, some of the main badies were reveled, there was the intrigue of the black blood, there was an obvious moving forward to the story. things were happening and moving and it was really cool.
4th of DGM there was that progression also. Intrigue about Allen’s powers, the organization, attacks were going on and they had to move to save themselves and the organization. After a couple of early wacky chapters, it dove you right into the war and it’s desperate battles.
Even Naruto, by the fourth volume they had one of the most remembered fights in anime, Naruto’s power revealed, near-death scenarios, and then the beginning of the Chunin exams which was the first lead into…orichimaru, akatsuki, madara and all that good stuff.
Blue Exorcist…well…eh?
Okay so basically: He went to school, he made some friends, this guy is hiding something but nothing is really done about it. I don’t know. Something’s missing here. I thought the first volume was really great, the second too. It grabbed my attention, but then just let it hang and then fall by not moving forward. There wasn’t even any cool fights to distract me from the fact that nothing is happening.
I like the characters, I like the setting, I like the idea. The story-telling is killing me. I don’t think I’ll be able to pick up the 5th volume and give it a decent try. I want to like this series so bad, but it’s just not happening.
I give the first two volumes 8/10
Vol. 3 & 4 a 5/10
Over these four: 6/10 read more

I was on a shounen reread roll, so I decided to pick it up again. And you’ll need to be in a shounen mood too to enjoy this manga, because Ao no Exorcist has it all – immature protag, ridiculous goals, struggle between siblings, blooming love and nakama power, even beach episodes – everything is as it should be. Though there has been no onsen arc yet (edit: fixed by the mangaka) and for the most part all of this stuff works – so give it a try. The current arc (the one that starts around ch. 50) drastically changes the mood. It’s hard to tell how it will end,but it's an unexpectedly good horror, brutal and scary.
Now to art. It improves. MCs are drawn a bit shakily in the first chapters and Rin looks more of a devil than he, probably, is meant to, but later it becomes ok. Can’t say that it is the greatest shounen art I’ve ever seen, but it has its moments. Backgrounds are well drawn, but the range of facial expressions is somewhat limited. The designs are trickier. What do you think of darumas? I’d say that it is the best example. Everything is not exactly cool, not exactly cute – something in the middle and somewhat ridiculous. Rin’s design is considerably less badass than in anime, he usually looks like a wild idiot, which, I must say, is at least fresh. The fighting scenes are enjoyable. But maybe you’ll need a fetish to keep you going, I was properly ogling over demon features – horns and tails. *sigh* Fluffy tails are the best.
Nevermind. Characters are well-developed. Or, more exactly, the story takes the development very seriously and takes its time too, in chapter 60 we still get new interesting flashbacks. Everyone has complicated past, worries and huge plans for future. Of course, teen angst can get to you sometimes, and the usual journey of selfdiscovery reeks of metaphoric puberty, but it’s bearable. There’re some redeeming characters and features, also it more or less makes sense, sometimes even serious adult sense. Thankfully, the cast isn’t overblown. Female characters are unexpectedly good too (probably, cause the mangaka is female). I desperately want the second brother, Yukio to get development, but, sadly, it is only hinted on but saved for later. Well, that’s what is painful about shounen – any conflict is dragged forever in order for the series to never end.
Story. It takes place in a magical school. So what do you expect? Yep. Fighting monsters for exams, competitions, school events. Thankfully their school is ridiculous anyway (it’s governed by otaku demon king), and not that many time is spent on showing usual classes. Most of the boring school stuff as festivals or trips quickly boils down to beating demons. The flow of the story is the problem. It’s uneven to say the least. There is a lot of rubbish mixed with the good stuff, some arcs are extremely weak in their entirety. Though the last arc gives me hope, Actually, I’d say that it’s worth to read this manga for the sake of the last arc – it’s a seriously good heartbraking story. If it continues like that, the manga has potential, but I doubt it.
So, in the end Ao no Exorcist is a fine manga, if you’re able to put up with some of the sterotypes, characteristic of works from Jump Square. The last arc stand outs and easily makes to my list of favourite manga, but to understand it you’ll need to read most of the previous parts. Though, in my opinion, liking something in particular about the world or the characters is necessary to pull through the lowest points of writing. read more