Blue Exorcist Graphic Novel Volume 18 cover image

An argument with his foster father, the famous exorcist, Father Shiro Fujimoto, is how Rin Okumura learned something shocking.  The Demon Lord Satan is his father!  Even after Satan suddenly appears and tries to drag him to hell, Rin is still determined to reject his demonic blood line.  He enrolls at True Cross Academy Private High School in order to train to become an exorcist.  Rin’s twin brother, Yukio Okumura, already an exorcist, will be his instructor.

As Blue Exorcist, Vol. 18 (Chapters 79 to 83) opens, Rin and Yukio finish the battle with the demon, Hachirotaro, to save their friend, Shura Kirigakure.  With Yukio grievously wounded in the battle, Shura believes that it is her turn to look out for him.  Meanwhile, double-agent, Renzo Shima, makes a move after the battle, as the Illuminati continues to advance their plans.

Lord Mephisto Pheles, President of True Cross, gives Lewin “Lightning” Light, the Arch Knight and exorcist, a job to investigate the Illuminati.  Now, with his apprentice, Ryuji Suguro, Light plums the past, focusing on the “Blue Night,” the time when Rin and Yukio were born.

[This volume contains “Blue Exorcist Bonus.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  Once a year or so, I get around to reading the Blue Exorcist manga.  I usually think about the Harry Potter novels and films... to one extent or another when I read Blue Exorcist. 

Blue Exorcist Graphic Novel Volume 18 returns the series to its focus on the various conspiracies connected to True Cross Academy and also those conspiracies and plots at play in the world at large.  Creator Kazue Kato is quite good at this kind of narrative, although the recent volumes' focus on creatures of Japanese folklore were quite nice reads.  In general, Blue Exorcist is an excellent fantasy, conspiracy, magical battle manga, and, as Vol. 18 shows, the narrative's wonderful and varied cast of characters makes this a series worth following.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for dark magic and action will want to try the Shonen Jump Advanced title, Blue Exorcist.

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8.5 out of 10