The highly anticipated “Blue Exorcist: The Blue Night Saga” has officially premiered, marking the continuation of Rin Okumura’s journey into the complex world of demons and exorcists. This new arc, which began airing on January 4, 2025, delves deep into the past, revealing critical secrets about Rin’s origins and the infamous “Blue Night.” Fans can catch the series on Crunchyroll, with new episodes airing weekly.
A Dive into the Past: Unraveling the Blue Night
“The Blue Night Saga” promises to be a pivotal moment in the series, exploring the events surrounding the night of chaos known as the “Blue Night.” This incident involved Satan, the demon god, attempting to find a suitable vessel by possessing humans, leading to widespread destruction in Assiah, the human realm.
The narrative presents two versions of this cataclysmic event. One version blames Satan’s unbridled rampage, while the other suggests that Satan’s actions were driven by his obsession with a human woman named Yuri Egin. He was searching for a corporeal form through her. Ultimately, Shiro Fujimoto’s intervention halted Satan’s rampage. This new arc reveals that Rin, guided by Mephisto Pheles, travels forty years into the past to witness these events firsthand, uncovering the truth about his birth and family history.
The Fateful Meeting of Shiro and Yuri
The initial episodes of the “Blue Night Saga” introduce viewers to a young Yuri Egin, an orphan living in an abandoned factory and Shiro Fujimoto, a test subject on the run from a secretive organization called Section 13. Their meeting is not by chance but is a crucial piece of the puzzle of Rin’s past. As Rin observes their interactions, he begins to understand the true nature of the Asylum, a school for exorcists-in-training, and the dark secrets of Section 13.
Production and Animation
Taking the reins from A-1 Pictures, Studio VOLN is now the animation production studio for the “Blue Exorcist” series since the third season. Known for their dynamic animation and faithful adaptation of manga material, Studio VOLN is responsible for bringing the intense action sequences and emotional character arcs of the “Blue Night Saga” to life. Daisuke Yoshida serves as the series director, replacing Koichi Hatsumi, and Toshiya Ono is in charge of series composition. Yurie Ohigashi is overseeing character designs. The music for the series is composed by both Kohta Yamamoto and Hiroyuki Sawano, known for creating the unique sonic landscape for the show.
A New Soundtrack
Adding to the series’ new chapter, a new opening theme song titled “sense of pain” performed by amazarashi and a new ending theme song called “Overlap” by Shiyui have been introduced. These new songs set the tone for the dark fantasy themes that the new episodes will explore.
Characters and Voice Cast
“The Blue Night Saga” continues with its popular cast of voice actors, including Nobuhiko Okamoto as Rin Okumura and Jun Fukuyama as his younger twin brother, Yukio Okumura. Other returning voice actors include Hiroshi Kamiya as Mephisto Pheles and Hiroaki Hirata as Shiro Fujimoto. Notably, Megumi Hayashibara joins the cast as Yuri Egin, and Tatsuhisa Suzuki voices Satan. The series introduces new characters like Shemihaza, voiced by Ikumi Nakagami, and Lucifer, voiced by Kōki Uchiyama.
Core Characters
- Rin Okumura: The protagonist, a fifteen-year-old boy who is the son of Satan. He aims to become an exorcist to defeat his father, wielding the demon-slaying sword Kurikara.
- Yukio Okumura: Rin’s younger twin brother, a brilliant exorcist and instructor at the Exorcism Cram School. He strives to protect Rin, balancing his duty with his mixed feelings about his brother’s path.
- Shiro Fujimoto: The foster father of Rin and Yukio, a powerful exorcist. His death sets Rin’s journey in motion. He is voiced by both Hiroaki Hirata for his older version and Daisuke Namikawa for the younger version of the character in this arc.
- Mephisto Pheles: The enigmatic principal of the True Cross Academy, involved in sealing Rin’s powers. His guidance leads Rin to the past.
- Yuri Egin: Rin’s mother whose past is explored in this new saga.
Plot and Themes
“The Blue Night Saga” focuses on the themes of family bonds, the inner conflict between good and evil, and the courage to face one’s destiny. The arc delves into the complex relationship between Rin and Yukio and the truth behind their birth. It reveals more about the merging of the demon world with the human world. Rin’s journey into the past puts him face-to-face with the critical events that shaped his life and the world around him. The exploration of the “Blue Night” events and the secrets surrounding his mother are central to the storyline.
Where to Watch
“Blue Exorcist: The Blue Night Saga” is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The series is also broadcast on Japanese television networks, including Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma Television, and Tochigi Television, with later broadcasts on Tokai Television, MBS, Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting, and RKB Mainichi Broadcasting. The series is also available on Prime Video.
Episode Release Schedule
The second episode of “The Blue Night Saga” was released on January 12, 2025, with the third episode following on January 19, 2025. The arc is expected to consist of 12 episodes, covering volumes 22 to 25 of the manga series.
Conclusion
“Blue Exorcist: The Blue Night Saga” promises to be an engaging and emotional ride for fans of the series. With its focus on the past, new revelations, intense action, and compelling character arcs, the series is set to deliver a satisfying continuation of the “Blue Exorcist” saga. Fans are encouraged to tune in to Crunchyroll to witness the unfolding of Rin’s quest for the truth and his confrontation with the mysteries of the “Blue Night.”
