Blue Exorcist, Vol. 17

Blue Exorcist has become one of my favorite shounen manga currently being published, and volume seventeen does a nice job of highlighting some of the best things about the series. The art has a certain effortless feel to it. The poses feel more natural than in your average shounen fighting manga. It's fun to see the characters battling ancient creatures in their casual sweaters and jackets. I'm also consistently impressed with the variety in the character designs (many different body types and facial features! for both male and female characters!) and the various creatures, gods, and monsters that show up in the series. In particular, the snake creature that functions as the main antagonist in this volume has a very impressive and unique design. As for the story, this volume focuses on Shura and finally reveals her past. It's all very interesting stuff, but I do wish she'd been a little more active in her own story (Rin and Yukio get the lion's share of the action). But considering how tough Shura has proven to be already, I can let this slide. Speaking of the exorcist brothers, it was nice to see them get some screen time together outside of battle or their brief interactions in their dorm. The running gag about the old lady who runs the inn making assumptions about their relationship was hilarious. Volume seventeen is a lot of fun, but it has its dark and serious moments as well. This volume is pretty much a self-contained story, but it builds on the rich mythology of the series and hints toward some exciting things to come. Something to note, especially for parents who might be buying this for younger readers, there is a bit of uncensored, above-the-waist female nudity here. I didn't find it gratuitous at all, but I didn't see nudity mentioned in the list of other things the volume contains next to the rating, so I thought I'd point it out just in case.

I loved this story line! I'm very glad I bought this and I think any fan of this series would happily agree with me!

This was so much fun to read.

My son enjoys every edition

great

When Shura disappears, Mephisto sends Yukio and Rin to find her, telling them to go to Aomori Prefecture, as that is where she is from. Plus the most recent GPS reading places here there. Yukio claims he can handle the assignment alone, to Rin’s dismay, but Mephisto insists they work together, so off they go. He also lets Yuki know that he knows about his dangerous training, and to be careful. They take a train to Lake Towada and find room in an inn. The old lady who runs the inn assures them they’ll have privacy, having totally misinterpreted their relationship. As they relax in a hot bath, Rin questions Yukio about the dangerous training, which his brother blows off, then reveals how he has messed up with Shiemi. He asks Yuki if he likes Shiemi too, but doesn’t really get an answer to his question. Later, in speaking with the innkeeper, they learn that Shura spent the night there and said when she left that she was sort of going home. Meanwhile, Shura meets with a mysterious figure she calls Hachiro who is insistent that she keep to the terms of her blood contract and have a child! As Yukio and Rin search for Shura, Yukio tells his brother the story of the baba yaga of Lake Towanda, and of how Father Fujimoto rescued Shura, who was being held prisoner there. Rin senses trouble ahead. They find an injured Shura lying in the snow, and she tells them she is going to die soon! She tells them the story of the blood contract that began even before she was born… This volume is primarily about Shura, but it’s also about Yukio and Rin, giving them some brotherly alone time which they seldom get. Shura’s backstory is interesting, and the contract she was burdened with horrendous. Finally resigned to her fate, it takes the two brothers to make her see she can have a life of her own. I love the flashbacks of when she met Father Fujimoto. The things she said and did made me laugh, especially when she said she wanted to have his baby! I loved seeing Rin and Yukio working together. I worry about Yukio, and whatever power is coming to light inside of him. I think he’ll be all right. After all, look at Rin! He’s a good boy, just high spirited. And not likely to be swayed to the dark side. Another great volume, look forward to more!

Love this vol

back cover damaged when I opened the package but otherwise fine

Great service and product exactly as described. Excellent value for money.

Great story

Great book

Bought for my daughter. She loves this series.

This was a gift