If you’re an uncultured Otaku like me, you might never have heard of Mephisto Pheles until you saw the character in the Blue Exorcist anime. Gamers might know the name from the Diablo franchise. But those with strong roots in history or folklore will know that Mephisto was originally a character in the Germanic legend of Faust. He was the demon that made a bargain with Faust, offering his magic services in exchange for Faust’s eternal soul at the end.
In the context of Blue Exorcist, Mephisto definitely seems like the type who would have done something like that in the past. He is a king among devils, claiming to be the second-most powerful demon in existence. But for some reason, in recent years, Mephisto defected. He began to work with human Exorcists, spending most of his time in the human world. We still don’t know what Mephisto’s end goal is or whose side he is really on: demons or humans.
Mephisto is just one example of a fascinating character in Blue Exorcist. Now, let us review the next episodes of this anime’s new third season.
Notes on Episode 2: Where Secrets Are
The second episode was quite eventful right from the start, with Yukio forced into a blood pact by the True Cross Order – as if he didn’t already have enough to worry about. Yukio has always been a fascinating and likeable character to me, so it’s hard to see him struggle so much. Mostly, he wants answers. Is Mephisto on humanity’s side or not? What is he planning? What will the True Cross Order do to Rin? And what will they do to Yukio if he indeed inherited Satan’s flames?
It’s not just Yukio; most of these characters are dear to me. I may have a few complaints about the way this anime handles female characters, but I’m attached to both Shiemi and Izumo. Maybe it’s because they are played by two of my top favorite seiyuus: Kana Hanazawa (Shiemi Moriyama) and Eri Kitamura (Izumo Kamiki). Though Izumo is a bitchy mess, I empathize with her as someone who used to struggle with raging negative emotions. As for Shiemi, she’s unbelievably sweet and cute. In this episode, we learn she is being tutored in private by Yukio.
Speaking of Shiemi and Izumo, it’s their job to exorcise an evil ghost which has been haunting a certain women’s bathroom in True Cross Academy. It only appears in front of girls. I initially thought this was going to be a comedic salute to Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter, but the ghost turned out much more dangerous and sinister than that. It is a collection of hateful thoughts women have had in that bathroom. Beyond just reciting toxic words, the ghost also has a sadistic desire to kill using its wire-like tentacles.
The fight was fairly intense compared to what I was expecting. Izumo couldn’t get her familiars – Uke and Mike – to obey her and destroy the ghost. Shiemi tried to offer rice plants to the familiars, since they are Japanese harvest gods. But in that moment of distraction, Shiemi fell prey to the ghost and was violently choked. (Due to anime logic, she stayed conscious ridiculously long.) Izumo’s familiars decided to help in order to save Shiemi, and Izumo quickly recited the chant needed for the exorcism.
The bathroom ghost was defeated and Shiemi survived. Izumo had hoped to repay Shiemi for saving her in their last major fight. But she still feels “in debt,” because Shiemi negotiated better with the harvest gods than she did. Shiemi, however, had no desire to make Izumo feel bad. She genuinely thanked Izumo for saving her. Both girls then see their backup – Yukio and the boys – rushing in to help. The only thing is, they’re all cross-dressing. Izumo and Shiemi laugh their asses off at the costumes.
The last part of the episode showed Arthur, Lightning, and Shura discovering a strange machine somewhere in Russia. It’s a manmade device for opening a Gehenna Gate. The portal was already expanding and would have opened entirely if not for Mephisto. He placed a powerful barrier around the gate that would hold it shut for four to five months. In the meantime, the True Cross Order needs to find and destroy the organization that created the portal.
Lightning declares that the only real possibility is the Illuminati. No other global organization would have the funding and brilliant scientists needed to create a Gehenna Gate. On a final note, Lightning is a really weird guy. His design is creepy whenever you see his eye gleaming out from under the hat and shaggy hair. I don’t like him much at this point. Anyway, good episode.
Notes on Episode 3: True Cross Academy Festival
Compared to the previous installment, this episode was a lot goofier and more laidback. Despite the increasing power of demonkind, True Cross Academy is still holding their annual festival, complete with a dance party. Rin and Shima are anxious to find partners for the dance. But they keep getting rejected by girls. I’m with fine with Rin, but since I don’t like Shima, it was funny to see him become a miserable husk of his former self.
Shiemi transfers into True Cross Academy after raising her grades via tutoring. It’s thanks to Yukio she can attend. Rin immediately tries to ask Shiemi out for the dance, but she reveals she wants to ask Yukio. Rin is disappointed, but accepts defeat. However, Yukio declines to partner with Shiemi, saying he will be too busy working as festival staff. It turns out that Shiemi and Rin both have to do staff work as well. On the night of the festival, they run into each other during a break.
Without hesitating this time, Rin asks Shiemi to dance, which confirms in her mind that he “likes” her romantically. Shiemi is flustered, but before she can say anything, Rin takes her hand and pulls her over to where Yukio is working. He makes Yukio dance with them. The self-conscious Yukio objects to the silliness at first, but finally gives in. He dances in a circle with Rin and Shiemi. It’s a cute and beautiful moment as Shiemi admits to herself that she likes Rin back.
Unfortunately, things aren’t fun and beautiful for everyone. Earlier, Izumo told Rin she would come help him at the food stall. She originally had no intention of following through. After Paku urged her to be more honest with herself, however, Izumo dressed up in the goofy uniform and made up her mind to go to the festival. On the way there, she sees Nemu Takara, who urges her to stop (talking through his bunny as usual).
The weird little boy then produces an old stuffed animal of the Byakko (the foxlike gods who serve as her familiars.) It’s clearly some kind of childhood toy belonging to Izumo or someone in her family. In shock and rage, Izumo demands to know where Nemu got that item. The episode leaves off on that emotionally charged moment.
At the start of the episode, Lightning revealed that there are two spies in the Japan Branch of the True Cross Order. These spies are working with the Illuminati. Lightning ordered Shura to identify the two moles. One of the first people Shura suspected was Nemu Takara. Little is known about him, so he’s automatically suspicious. The scene at the end of the episode also strongly suggests there is reason to be wary of Nemu. That wraps up the third episode.
Thanks for reading~
PATREON
