Name: Blue Exorcist, Vol. 15
ISBN: 9781421585079

Kazue Kato

The operation against Professor Gedoin’s diabolical Dream Town Inari is just the opening round in the growing conflict between the Knights of the True Cross and the Illuminati. As both sides regroup and lay plans for the future, the Exwires try to come to terms with what has happened. Though Izumo finds some peace and a new sense of purpose, serious questions about Renzo Shima’s betrayal still need to be answered. It’s not an easy thing for Rin and his friends to learn that they have become pawns in Mephisto’s schemes, but the game is on!

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 15

青の祓魔師 [Ao no Futsumashi] #15

This volume gives matters some time to settle and gives the team an opportunity to unpack some of their questions. Kato does two things very successfully in this. 1. She uses lulls like these to bring to the front and outright ask the questions the readers should be asking if they are following the plot thorouhgly.

And 2. She manages to give what was a pretty predictable twist a level of uncertainty that helps readers truly immerse themselves into the story. [SPOILER] This is to say that Shima being a double spy was always to be expected. However, showing that neither side trusts him, both treating him as a double spy, makes us wonder whose side he is actually on. Like with his friends, the readers want to believe he is on the side of the main cast. Like with his friends, there is a lot of confusion and inability to fully trust him just yet - especially given that readers are shown scenes from his actions and thoughts on both sides by the omniscient narrator. [END SPOILER]

It all makes for a good set up to delve further into the story and I am sure I am not the only one ready to dig into the next volume.

This volume gives matters some time to settle and gives the team an opportunity to unpack some of their questions. Kato does two things very successfully in this. 1. She uses lulls like these to bring to the front and outright ask the questions the readers should be asking if they are following the plot thorouhgly.

And 2. She manages to give what was a pretty predictable twist a level of uncertainty that helps readers truly immerse themselves into the story. [SPOILER] This is to say that Shima being a double spy was always to be expected. However, showing that neither side trusts him, both treating him as a double spy, makes us wonder whose side he is actually on. Like with his friends, the readers want to believe he is on the side of the main cast. Like with his friends, there is a lot of confusion and inability to fully trust him just yet - especially given that readers are shown scenes from his actions and thoughts on both sides by the omniscient narrator. [END SPOILER]

It all makes for a good set up to delve further into the story and I am sure I am not the only one ready to dig into the next volume.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 15

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