Review: Blue Exorcist (or Ao no Exorcist) was quite a surprise to watch. It is an action-packed, dramatic, and oftentimes funny, series. I was a little skeptic at first to watch the series, considering the title, but this anime turned out to be quite enjoyable, with the exceptions of certain problems, which I will explain below.

The first episode had me hooked, for it gets brownie points for jumping right into the main plot line. It wasn't a dull intro, like many animes have- it was action-packed and funny as well. One or two episodes, however, deviate from the plot (they're mainly there to help transition to the next story arc in the series), but they might make you end up tapping your foot and whistling waiting to get to the next episode.

The characters are of the fairly stereotypical-shounen kind, but they're ones you'll love to love and love to hate. The story focuses on the Okumura twins- primarily Rin- so, with the exception of a few flashbacks, you get little background on the rest of the cast.

Sub/Dub: For all that is good, please do not watch the dub. Although Viz is still releasing the episodes, the ones so far have made me cringe several times. The sub has voices that fit well with each of the characters' personalities, while it can feel that for the dub they simply chose actors' names out of a hat.

Overall Rating: 7/10. I really enjoyed it, but the problems above and below this are why I won't be putting this anime in my top 5 anytime soon.

Violence/Gore: 6/10. Exorcisms are very frequent, and mostly they're just people attacking the monster demons with weapons. Not too much blood, but it is still frequent. Disturbing occurrences take place, especially when someone is being possessed. There's several deaths and close-calls. Even after describing all of this, I must point out that though there's a lot of this, it is actually fairly mild in nature (low-key should be the term), but it's hard to explain. -viewer discretion is advised; sort-of-

Nudity/Sexual Content: 3/10. There's no extravagant sexual content in the series, except for one or two passing incidents. Nudity wise, it is only waist-up nudity for boys, and underwear/swimsuits for girls, along with a couple awkward closeups.

Theological Problems: 6/10. The series is about demons, exorcists, and two sons-of-Satan. That's about it, really. For the most part, the half-demons Rin and Yukio Okumura are seen as good , as well as the full-demon, Mephisto. Pokemon-like demons labeled 'familiars' are also seen as good too. However, all of them are fighting against Satan and his demons.

In this series, some Bible verses are quoted against demons, and Catholic rituals and symbols such as holy water, cathedrals, the Vatican, and the Pope, are used, but Christianity isn't part of the plot. Christianity is never viewed negatively. It is never really mentioned by name either, except for a 'God' and a 'Jesus' here and there. Other gods are mentioned, such as Amaimon, King of Earth. It isn't real in-depth, however.

Other Problems: 5/10. Swearing is often but it isn't too high-profile most of the time (mostly derogatory uses of hell, and the d-word). Smoking and alcoholic consumption occur, but its brief.

I advise a little discretion before watching it, however, its very enjoyable. ^L^