Hey everyone – welcome back to Anime Rants! The third season of Blue Exorcist has now finished airing. I was impressed with it overall, though I have a few complaints about the visual style. It’s been amazing to learn so much about Izumo Kamiki and Renzo Shima in this season. Without further rambling, here are my notes for episodes 11 and 12.
Episode 11: Pink Spider
I wondered how this season was going to manage filling two more episodes of content when the main battle has already been won. But now, it makes sense. We need episode 11 for explaining the truth about Shima: namely, that he is a double agent. The 12th and final episode will presumably be about Yukio. Apparently, he met with Lucifer at some point, and Shima knows about it. I’m eager to see this explained, but for now, we’ll focus on episode 11.
I suspected all this time that Shima was a double agent. However, he nearly convinced me otherwise when he attacked Izumo’s fox familiars. It turns out they didn’t die though. Shima went easy on them. Therefore, Shima hasn’t done anything irredeemable, and I can forgive him. This episode actually made me much more interested in Shima as a character. It really added an extra dimension to see how he volunteered for the job of spy. He’s a naturally slippery fellow, and he can lie well.
Both sides – the True Cross Order and the Illuminati – believe that Shima is actually on their side. Mephisto acknowledges that he can’t be certain where Shima’s loyalty lies, but that he is still a good pawn to gather information. After the Illuminati sends Shima back to True Cross Academy, Lewin Light comes to interview him. He will determine whether Shima can truly be trusted by the Order. The testimony of his friends will also be considered.
Speaking of Shima’s friends, they were shocked to see him return to the classroom. Suguro embraces Shima and is truly glad that he’s alive. However, he then proceeds to head-butt Shima and bust up his nose since he’s been such a jerk from Suguro’s perspective. The rest of the class joins in to teach Shima a lesson. (I’m not going to lie – I thought it was a little much when Rin burned Shima’s clothes off. Humiliating someone by making them strip has always seemed sexual in nature to me, and I don’t appreciate it.)
Mephisto breaks up the bullying and has everyone sit down in his office. There, Lightning interviews Shima. He concludes that Shima will need to be tortured for information unless his friends can vouch for him. Suguro is the first to say that he still believes in his old friend. Everyone follows suit after him. Shima looks shocked when Suguro defends him. I don’t think he was expecting anyone to still care about him. I really appreciate the beautiful relationship between Suguro and Shima.
There was a moment during the interview when the attention was focused on Mephisto, who is my favorite character in the series. In the end, nobody knows his true goal. He seems to be working for humanity’s good, but his methods are dubious. He admitted that he’s been intentionally subjecting the students to dangerous trials for the purpose of training them.
The demon also explained that each of the students is like an indispensable game piece to him. He called them “My precious pieces.” This infuriated Rin and made him yell at Mehpisto with blue fire spouting out of his body. Yukio and Lightning used this opportunity to comment that Mephisto is not fully trusted by the True Cross Order. In fact, by the end of the discussion, it’s clear that Shima is a lot more trustworthy than the mysterious Mephisto.
The last thing to mention is the scene with Lucifer and Gedoin. After trying to become more powerful, Gedoin had transformed into a hideous and pathetic little demon. It’s like a cross between a flabby human baby, a squid, and a slug. Lucifer was kind to Gedoin at first. But in the end, he calmly told his subordinate that he was a vile human, and then destroyed him. Gedoin exploded in a flash of gold light, leaving only particles behind.
While I’m glad that Gedoin is finally dead, I wish he had suffered more. Then again, maybe it was enough that he died being told by his idol that he was disgusting. Transforming into an ugly demon couldn’t have felt good, either. Regardless, that’s all for episode 11.
Episode 12: Hidden True Feelings
Episode 12 revealed that Yukio met Lucifer while in the Illuminati’s lab. After he subdued the monster attacking him, Yukio saw a light like a star approaching. It morphed into Lucifer, who assured Yukio he would not be harmed. By getting up close, the demon prince was quickly able to tell that Yukio showed the signs of demonic awakening. The red rings deep in his eyes were the proof. Yukio’s powers are starting to surface, and Lucifer notices it.
Much to Yukio’s surprise, Lucifer asks him to join the Illuminati. He stated that Yukio is weak. When his powers are discovered, he will be experimented on or executed by the True Cross Order. Lucifer claims to want to save Yukio from this fate. Angrily, Yukio says he doesn’t need saving, and rejects the offer. Then Rin’s blue flames explode nearby. Lucifer withdraws, leaving Yukio with the warning that his soul is weak.
Much to Yukio’s surprise and alarm, Shima knows about his meeting with Lucifer. It’s Shima’s current job to repeat the offer to Yukio and carry his reply back to Lucifer. Yukio’s answer is once again that he doesn’t need saving. Shima leaves Yukio alone, but not before suggesting that he consult someone. This implies that Shima already knows about Yukio’s demon powers. As Shima leaves, Yukio feels even more stressed out and afraid than before.
Putting Yukio aside for now, let’s focus on Shima. This episode did a great job of showing us more of his true thoughts and feelings. Shima tells Suguro that he finally found what makes him happy in life: being a spy and not being attached to anyone. It’s thrilling and fun. Even at this point, it’s not clear that Shima is on the side of the exorcists. I believe he’s neutral and opportunistic. But I also think he’s unwilling to let his friends die if he can prevent it. All we know for sure is that Shima has found his true calling.
Mephisto pays for Yukio, Shura, and the Exwires to have a vacation at a nearby resort with a water park. They have the place all to themselves for a day. Everyone has fun in their own way, though there’s also some drama and chaos. Rin plays in the pool, Izumo and Shiemi have a friendly chat by the pool, and Yukio questions Konekomaru about whether he trusts Shima. Suguro is obviously angry and distrustful of the pink-haied spy.
Things at the resort get weird when three demons show up. They are called the Three Wise Monkeys, as a reference to the fabled monkeys who teach, “Speak no evil, see no evil, hear no evil.” But unlike the wise primates out of legend, these mischievous little demons cause people to do the opposite of cleansing their thoughts. Anyone close to them will be compelled to reveal their true thoughts, no matter how cringe or crude they may be.
To be honest, I thought this was a funny plot point. It was amusing and cute to hear Rin voice his thoughts about how he likes Shiemi and only Shiemi. Meanwhile, Shima rants about how he wants to ride the water slide with any of the attractive ladies. The shenanigans with the demons are abruptly halted when Suguro banishes the creatures using an exorcist chant. But unfortunately, Rin and Shima destroyed the water slide during the chaos. Yukio has to apologize to the staff on behalf of the True Cross Order.
With the funny and chaotic events past, Yukio tries to relax on his own. Rin comes by and brings him a popsicle. Like any good brother, Rin has noticed Yukio’s recent stress. He offers his help and support. However, Yukio rejects this kindness. He believes it would be weak to accept help from his brother. Thus, he lies and tells Rin that he’s fine. Then he walks off by himself with a grim expression.
It’s an ominous ending for for Yukio Okumura. At this rate, he’ll sink into bitterness and become even more vulnerable to Lucifer. I feel bad for Yukio, but I think this emotional turmoil is a good way to end the season. It leaves me wanting more ASAP. Fortunately, there will be a fourth season of Blue Exorcist! But it might take a couple of years to make. I might have to read the manga in the meantime. Anyway, that’s all for today.
~Thanks for reading~
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