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Book Review: Blue Exorcist, Vol 27 by Kazue Kato

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Blue Exorcist, Vol 27     

Author: Kazue Kato

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: May 3, 2022

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/218 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The fight continues between Rin and Yukio, although now on the ground, having jumped off the airship which was about to crash. Rin has his sword back, and his hair has turned back to black. Maybe that’s a good sign of things to come? Rin is appalled to discover that Yukio has attempted suicide…many times! He is also furious that his brother has never said anything to him about anything! Yukio claims to be weak, says that Rin was the strong one, to which Rin replies, “If I’m strong, it’s because I had you!”

The other exorcists have begun to gather. First order of business is to find Lucifer and Dragelescu. Shima is there too. Trouble with Shima is you can never be sure which side he’s playing for at any given time. When Light finds Dragulescu, the madman dares Light to open the storage unit. Light has a feeling that would not be a good thing.

Yukio reports to Light, prepared to face his punishment for running off to the Illuminati, but none is forthcoming. When Light tells Rin they are searching the crash site for Satan, Yukio protests that he should not be there then. You know, that whole Satan is in my eye thing. The next day, Rin and Yukio make up and all is well. But hey, there seems to be someone inside the storage unit. What?  Light thinks it’s probably a replicant from the laboratory in Romania. Why don’t we look and see? To their shock, it’s Father Fujimoto! Well, a newer younger version of him.  Yukio immediately claps his hand over his possessed eye.

Don’t look, Yukio, don’t look!

And now, enter Lucifer and his cohorts! And Lucifer is looking mighty fine, if I do say so.They are determined to force Yukio to look at the new Fujimoto so that Satan can enter his new vessel.

Don’t look, Yukio, don’t look!

Damn, that didn’t go well.

Meanwhile, Shiemi becomes aware of what has transpired. It’s all about to get real. But wait, another player has just entered the game…

Remember how I wished things would move along a little faster? They sure are now. Satan is back in play, looking like Father Fujimoto. Can he be contained? Is this the beginning of the end? How will Yukio handle the knowledge that he contributed to this fiasco by looking when he shouldn’t have? Can Sir Pheles save the day?

Can’t wait for the next volume (but I’ll have to). Please, not too long, okay?

Book Review: Blue Exorcist, Vol 26 by Kazue Kato

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Blue Exorcist, Vol 26     

Author: Kazue Kato

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: October 5, 2021

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/234 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

 

Aboard the Illuminati airship, Rin and Yukio face one another, while Satan is out of control and baiting them both. Sir Pheles has slipped a hapless Miwa onto the same ship in order to give something to Rin, and he is freaking out when he runs into Shima. Prior to Rin’s arrival, Yukio was prepared to take out his own eye… the one Satan is peeping through. Rin immediately tries to persuade Yukio not to join the Illuminati, telling him what a bad idea that is.

Miwa and Shima come upon the two brothers as they face off, hiding and biding their time while they bear witness to their conflict. Rin is determined to bring his brother back to the fold, alive, while Yukio wants Rin to kill him and put him out of his misery and out of Satan’s control.

Meanwhile, an announcement comes over the ship’s intercom system informing everyone to prepare for Serafim pulse in five minutes. Shima explains that it’s a blast from the ship’s power source, but they should be safe where they are… hopefully.

As Rin and Yukio go toe to toe, Rin is waging his own internal war with his other side, and it’s anyone’s guess how this will turn out.

This volume is largely the wildly fluctuating battle between the two brothers. Even as they fight, I think each is learning a new appreciation for the other. Rin has always looked upon Yukio as the weaker younger brother but he’s finding out otherwise. And Yukio is gaining a new understanding of Rin’s strength. In the meantime, we have an over the top Satan. Without Yuri to keep him in check, Satan is a nasty piece of work. She was what kept him even remotely human. Will he destroy everything, or can he be overcome?

And just where is Sir Pheles hiding?

Another great volume, looking forward to more. Although to be honest, I’d like to see the plot move forward at a slightly faster pace, and I wish there wasn’t so long between volumes.