Ao no Exorcist: Kyoto Fujouou-hen – 02
Konekomaru, buddy, nice try but you’re doing jack with that one-handed spell
This is one of the rare times in anime where a bunch of kids get drunk off actual alcohol and not juice.
The attempt to steal the remaining Eye in Kyoto has left everyone tense, even if the immediate threat is gone for now. Everyone’s on edge at the thought of when the next attack will be and how they’ll defend themselves (along with some nasty accusations of betrayal from within). The students are just walking into this, but they’re still pretty stressed. Part of that stress is because so many were injured by miasma and partially because the students are still afraid of Rin. They’re both equally stressful for the students, and we find out that Bon in particular has even more baggage than that. I like that this season is confident enough in the material to slowly go through all the character stuff – the confessions, the quiet conversations, and the flashbacks – without feeling the need to rush into action sequences. Ao no Exorcist already has a loyal following, so they don’t have to blow their load all at once just to keep people watching.
Back to simpler days…when Konekomaru could still see properly
This week is about re-opening old wounds that haven’t quite healed. In the case of Bon, things are especially complicated. Last season, we saw that his knowledge of exorcisms and chanting sutras was unparalleled for akid his age. He clearly takes his job very seriously. Now we know the origin of how he became such a stellar student. Although he’s since become a bit of a hardened punk, he was once a doe-eyed little boy, happily mimicking his father whenever he could. His dad used to be the coolest person in the world in his eyes. It was cute to watch, because I never really thought of Bon as being so different as a kid. I just assumed he was always this difficult, yet very intelligent boy. This prickly disposition didn’t develop until his father’s reputation started to slip – in both his eyes and the eyes of others.
Bon’s father is basically treated as a hack, but he doesn’t try to defend himself. Maybe if he cared and made an attempt at redemption, Bon wouldn’t be so mad. It just seems like he’s given up. However, based on how his father is acting like a martyr, I have a feeling he has a good reason for stepping down that will be revealed later (and is somehow his secret way of protecting Bon from something, because that’s usually how these stories go). It’s likely all just one big misunderstanding. But for now, it makes for an interesting little bout of drama.
I also really like Bon, so learning more about him is a bonus for me.
In fact, this whole arc being set in Kyoto is basically the perfect excuse to tell us more about Shima, Bon and Konekomaru. They all fear Rin because many people they know and loved died because of Satan’s blue flames. The thought of those going berserk and killing them as well is scary. But more than that, I think Rin’s very existence is a walking reminder of the people they lost. It’s like if your parents were murdered by a meat cleaver and then you have to work in a butcher shop. It’s just so easy to make the connection and then get upset at the memory. It’s only until they see Rin as a person distinct from these blue flames that can hurt people that everyone will be able to get over this.
Surprisingly, someone already does get over themselves. In episode 2! Nice job, Shima! If it would be anyone of the three, it would definitely be Shima. He’s the chillest guy of the group, so it doesn’t take much to lower his already super low guard. It’s not exactly the most touching bonding moment, as Rin is drunk as a skunk and Shima is just like “eh, oh well, guess we cool now”. I imagine things will be more dramatic for Konekomaru, who is terrified for his own life, and Bon, who despises him for everything Rin’s bloodline represents. They’ll be harder to convince. I don’t even know how things will go for Shiemi and literally every other person Rin talks to…because the level of discrimination is getting pretty bad.
Since we’ve basically started fresh from episode 16 of season 1, this means that absolutely everyone has just found out Rin’s identity. This is something I forgot about – the generalized sort of alienation that Rin had to experience from the general public. He’s no longer hiding his tail, so just a quick glance and he’s already hated by people he’s just met. It’s sad. He usually takes it pretty well, but he allows himself a rare moment to sulk when he bumps into Bon’s dad outside. He doesn’t seem to hate Rin, and even asks if he’s friends with Bon (seemingly hoping that Bon has made new friends, even if it’s with a half-demon). I hope Rin gets to talk to this dude more, because it’s such a nice beacon in this harsh world where Rin is just a ticking time bomb that’s only being tolerated because the higher-ups ordered it.
Alcohol fixes everything
About Overcooled
A neuroscience graduate, black belt, and all-around nerd. You'll either find me in my lab or curled up in my rilakkuma kigurumi watching anime.
POWUH: iLurker with 7 comments
i like Suguro as a character, but im not a huge fan of the type of character his dad is…
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I’m gonna give him some time because I think they’re gonna reveal he’s actually a good guy. But yeah, not the best first impression for sure!
Story time. My karate sensei was renowned, then he started ruining his reputation (and our dojo’s reputation) by getting drunk all the time and making other people teach when he was hungover. Very not cool.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
That’s the treacherous thing when it comes being a leader of anything. All expectations will be on you and you have to be a shining example for others to follow. No doubt it would be a lot of pressure.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yeah, the dad currently isn’t a nice sight but in turn, it helped make Suguro who he is now. He’s learning from his dad’s mistakes and indecisiveness.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Aside from the infighting fueled tension, this was an easy going entry. Suguro put them all to shame resolving their squabble. They seriously need to get their act together. “An empire that crumbles from within. That’s dead, forever”. A quote from Captain America: Civil War. A very appropriate one considering the circumstances and a result that should be avoided for that temple’s sake.
Where the search for the traitor is concerned (as talked about in the next episode’s preview), I wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of those snake-faced looking people. They reek of an antagonistic aura. It may be a long shot but I say Suguro’s dad is possible suspect. For a first appearance, he feels rather shady.
One matter that stood out for me. Rin’s demon tail is retractable. You’d think he’d retract it to be inconspicuous but he just doesn’t.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
When even the kids are acting more like adults than the adults…If these guys don’t stop, this infighting is going to be their downfall.
Yeah lol the snake people look pretty, well, snakey. It’s almost too suspicious.
I guess there’s no use hiding since most people know who and what he is. But still..retracting it would help for now. Poor Rin, I’d love him tail or not.