I’ve heard enough about “Blue Exorcist” for a while now to get me interested in reading it. I was so excited when I saw the volumes at my library and picked up the first four right away. After finishing the first four volumes, I’m sad to say that I am thoroughly disappointed. Here is why:

The plot of Blue Exorcist sounds pretty interesting.That initial plot (+ the art style) was what made me want to read the series, but it’s also that plot that makes me not want to continue.

First, let’s take a look at some similar plots such as: Naruto, Soul Eater, or D.Gray-Man. Now, I like all these. I don’t really care that they share the theme of “dark powers within +trying to overcome and reach impossible goal” what I care is how the story progresses.

By the fourth volume in SE, some of the main badies were reveled, there was the intrigue of the black blood, there was an obvious moving forward to the story. things were happening and moving and it was really cool.

4th of DGM there was that progression also. Intrigue about Allen’s powers, the organization, attacks were going on and they had to move to save themselves and the organization. After a couple of early wacky chapters, it dove you right into the war and it’s desperate battles.

Even Naruto, by the fourth volume they had one of the most remembered fights in anime, Naruto’s power revealed, near-death scenarios, and then the beginning of the Chunin exams which was the first lead into…orichimaru, akatsuki, madara and all that good stuff.

Blue Exorcist…well…eh?

Okay so basically: He went to school, he made some friends, this guy is hiding something but nothing is really done about it. I don’t know. Something’s missing here. I thought the first volume was really great, the second too. It grabbed my attention, but then just let it hang and then fall by not moving forward. There wasn’t even any cool fights to distract me from the fact that nothing is happening.

I like the characters, I like the setting, I like the idea. The story-telling is killing me. I don’t think I’ll be able to pick up the 5th volume and give it a decent try. I want to like this series so bad, but it’s just not happening.

I give the first two volumes 8/10

Vol. 3 & 4 a 5/10

Over these four: 6/10