Ao no Exorcist: Yuki no Hate-hen

The Triumphant Return of Blue Exorcist! A week ago, I concluded this fourth season in a state of overwhelming emotion. After experiencing its ups and downs, Voln has achieved the remarkable feat of resurrecting this anime from its ashes. This season stands as a shining testament to their accomplishment. Almost all the shortcomings of the third season have been addressed. Let us delve into this masterpiece, step by step. Animation: 7.5 - 8.0 | Art Direction: 9.0 Undoubtedly, this is the area that has seen the most significant improvement. While a few moments lacked finesse – notably the final battle against Hashiro-Taro, where an overreliance on CGI slightlydiminished the impact – the season as a whole was solid. Its zenith was reached in Episode 12, where the animation excelled on every front. What struck me the most, however, was the masterful use of color palettes, lighting, and shadow-laden compositions. These stylistic choices, especially in scenes featuring Yukio and Ryuji, heightened the tension and added a dramatic depth that was palpable. It is evident that Voln’s teams have honed their craft, delivering episodes of unparalleled beauty. Music: 10 | Voice Acting: 9.5 This section will be brief, but it is imperative to highlight these aspects, which rank among the series’ greatest triumphs. With Sawano and KOHTA at the helm, the anime ascends to greatness, propelled by a magnificent soundtrack and an unforgettable auditory atmosphere. The voice actors’ performances are equally exceptional. Beyond renowned names like Okamoto, Fukuyama, Hiroshi, Nakai, and Hanazawa, several others delivered outstanding portrayals. Lightning’s voice actor, in particular, deserves acclaim for capturing the multifaceted nature of a character who is by turns enigmatic and eccentric. Story: 9 | Characters: 10 As mentioned in my commentary on the Illuminati-Hen arc, this fourth season focuses on investigations surrounding the events of the Blue Night. I will refrain from revealing details, as the essence of this season lies in its masterful storytelling. Iconic scenes abound. Whether it’s Yukio’s confrontations in the early episodes, the exchanges between Yukio and Ryuji, the poignant moments with Shiemi, or the unforgettable sequence in Episode 12, each is a masterpiece in its own right. The season’s climax delivers a brief yet breathtaking conclusion, where music, revelations, and animation converge to create an unforgettable spectacle. Yukio, in particular, takes center stage in many pivotal moments. Alongside Lightning and Ryuji, he has become one of the central figures of this season, undergoing a fascinating evolution rich with themes rarely explored in shonen. While his behavior may occasionally frustrate, he remains one of the most compelling characters in the saga. Conclusion: Previously, I harbored doubts about the future of the anime series. Now, however, this fourth season has erased all hesitation. With this latest installment as proof, I am confident that Blue Exorcist is in capable hands. I eagerly await the opportunity to dive back into this story in the coming weeks. Prepare yourselves to uncover the origins of this extraordinary tale.

Loved the dynamic between Rin and Shiemi . It developed quite well in this season, because a lot of Shounen anime don't get that and I think that's a down aspects for them .. but here in Ao no exorcist they did better ❤️ Series has quite the drama between two brothers but that make it more interesting Good animation Quality ...y not the best !! But very good 👍🏻 The plot reveal and the suspense was GOAT level 🔥 I think unlike me, people who are watching Ao no exorcist for a long time they will watch it either way. I personally started watching the seriesin 2021 and fell in love with first season and that 2nd opening what was it called ?? Oh yes , IN MY WORLD by BLUE ENCOUNT... well for me this is when the journey began. I would personally say don't just blindly follow someone's recommendations. Give every anime at least 1 episode chance if you still don't enjoy it you can quit. This process led me to a lot of hidden gems ❤️ Over all 10 out of 10 for me 😭❤️

Season 4 and it feels like the story is just getting started. I have few memories of the previous seasons, but after watching this season I don't really need them. For the first time in many years it feels like the story is taking some direction and starting to define the foundations of the story. The simple fact of starting to give context to characters, shaping the stories and expanding the lore is more than enough to classify it as one of the best seasons of the franchise. The theme of Shura and the demon, section 13 and the primordial demons was more interesting than allthe content that the anime had given up to that point. In terms of story and development, it had a fairly large and evident leap in quality. Speaking of the characters, I have never felt like fighting with half the secondary cast as much as I do now. I don't know who thought it was a good idea to let Yukio play Persona 3. Yukio's character was one of the most insufferable, his descent into madness is unpleasant. His corruption is not natural or logical, he just lives making a drama of how nobody helps him, he has no friends and he is alone but when his friends tell him he is not alone and give him a hand he ignores them. Make up your mind, you are not so endearing as to go around begging. Shiemi on the other hand, I don't know who decided this, but between the romance subplot and her vocational orientation the only thing it causes is sleep. While on one side they investigate the dirty laundry of the Vatican, Shiemi is just trying to decide if she wants to be an exorcist or run the family store. There is no clear balance between the stories, which causes you to hate the irrelevant characters more along with their unnecessary plots. The previous paragraph was just a vent, it is not a negative aspect of the story, it is just a personal grudge. As a negative aspect I would only stick with the issue of the balance of the stories. There is no congruence between what is told in one chapter and what is shown in another. In the end you end up feeling that there are too many chapters in the anime. If you are a person who has already seen the previous seasons, then I would encourage you to see this 4th because it is much better than the others. On the other hand, if you want to encourage yourself to start this franchise today, I would not do you the harm of recommending a story that has just started in its 4th season.

Though the animation took a stylistic hit, the story itself is completely worth it. The pacing and the writing style is still the same as I remember it as a kid, and it doesnt feel like a play on nostalgia for some quick money. The story and plot had me genuinely interested and in suspense. I can only cross my fingers they continue it, its starting to get really good! The characters and tone were still consistent with the earlier pieces as well. It Also expands on some of the demons that i had previously wondered what would become of them, and reveals of pastof some characters no longer present.

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