Art/Characters: So there are a few things that are unique to this show (or maybe it’s this genre) that make the art pretty cool. First and foremost, the character designs themselves are nice to look at and the colors surrounding them are great. There are a few weird design choices that were made, and some of them work to the benefit of the show while others are more of a distraction. An example of something good: Seigen’s dark circles under his eyes show that he really struggles to sleep at night. But Rokuro’s teeth are more like a row of shark teeth than human teeth really just gets distracting, because that trait is unique to him. There is a weird change in art style whenever they encounter a Kegare, the art of that beast looks to be more “brushed” than drawn. The main character themselves are really quite interesting. Rokuro is an exorcist that shows a lot of spunk and a whole lot of passion when it comes to the people he cares about. Benio on the other had is cold and distant, really only focusing on her own ambitions.
Music/Sound: The music throughout the show is actually pretty good. The battle scenes feel intense and the calm moments are a breather in between the action. The opening track really showcases the show in a way that is enjoyable to watch and nice to listen too. The music that we find in battle scenes specifically is really put together to pull you into the fight as well. The sounds that occur at times are a little distracting, for example when the characters say a certain spell that they want to use, it will appear in Kanji on the screen along with some stinger sounds and then an accompanying scream from Rokuro or Benio. While I am not against this, it made the show feel much older than it was, but then again I am pretty sure it is common for Shounen manga to do this, so an adaptation would really be faithful to the source material.
Story: Rokuro lives in a world and with people who are known as Exorcists. These Exorcists purify monsters (Kegare) that terrorize a parallel world known as Magano. Because of a traumatic past experience Rokuro has no interest in being an exorcist and does his best to avoid the life at all costs. But suddenly when he is saving someone from a Kegare attack; he meets a girl, Benio, who is working hard to become the strongest exorcists in the world. As the two are barely getting to know each other an oracle from the Twelve Guardians (the twelve strongest exorcists ever known) proclaims the pair the Twin Star Exorcists, aka the two destined to marry and birth the strongest exorcist the world has ever seen. The two spend time learning what it means to fight as a pair and how to burst through problems that come along the way including Benio’s family, enemies from Rokuro’s past, and the strongest Kegare that they’ve ever encountered called a Basara.
Personal Reflection: So I was a little skeptical when I chose to start watching this show earlier this year, but I have to say that it does not disappoint. This show has gotten me to feel a lot of things, including; joy, excitement, fear, terror, pity, and even sadness (for an enemy!). I fell that this is one of those shows where you don’t really anticipate much because it sounds like it is going to be just another “underdog takes the world” which those shows are plentiful and popular, but it is so much more than that. The funny dynamic between two socially awkward teens who are told that because they have been prophesied to be the two most powerful exorcists, they have to get married and conceive a child–This really through me through a loop. While I have found a plot hole here or there, the show really has a great base and I am excited to see where they continue to go with it. Being this is only a mid-series review; I have seen only 25 of the 50 episodes that are supposed to be a part of the series. So if you enjoy action, spells, prophesy, monsters, and a classic Shounen feel, catch up on Sousei no Onmyouji!
Overall Rating: 7.6/10
