Summary
In Season 1 ofBlue Exorcist, Shima Renzo has always been a carefree character who easily gets along with and thus avoids suspicion. Renzo’s character has drastically changed since Season 1 of the anime, and although his personality remains the same, his ambitions and reasons for it have changed now that we know more about him.
Becoming a double agent requires deceiving friends, family, and those closest to you. To Renzo, this decision was made without a moment’s hesitation. But what was Renzo like, and how much has he changed since season 1?
Renzo’s personality at the beginning of Season 1
Renzo’s Carefree Personality Allowed Him To Avoid Suspicion
Shima Renzo has depicted himself as a carefree student attending True Cross Academy. At the start ofBlue Exorcist,Renzo doesn’t seem to take anything seriously and often makes lighthearted jokes to break the tension. His cheerful mannerisms and light-pink-dyed hair represent his carefree personality.
Renzo,Suguru Ryuji, and Miwa Konekomaru grew up in the same temple under the Myoo Dharani, aholy sector specializing in Buddhism. However, Reno is the youngest member of his family and has fewer responsibilities than his older brothers. Coincidentally, this causes Renzo to develop a lackluster attitude toward anything related to the temple. It’s also possible that Renzo’s dislike for the temple could be due to his lack of position within it and his often being overlooked as the youngest of the Shima family.
At this point, Renzo did not have any ambitions or future goals for himself, as his older brother already fulfilled this goal. Due to this, he became carefree and focused more on girls and obtaining a girlfriend. To further emphasize Renzo’s lack of interest, this was likely the reason he dyed his hair pink.
As described above, Renzo has a lighthearted personality and often hits on girls at the True Cross Academy. However, Renzo has taken a liking toKamiki Izumoand has given her much of his attention throughout the series, although this may also be for another reason, which we learn of later in the series.
How has Renzo changed throughout the series?
Now A Double Agent, Renzo Has The Freedom He Always Wanted
Throughout Season 1, Renzo has remained primarily unchanged, giving little information about himself besides his fear of bugs. It was during the Exorcist Cram School Enrollment arc that Renzo also got closer to Izumo. Since then, he has taken every chance to compliment Izumo, much to her displeasure.
Renzo has proven himself to be a formidable foe in battle; however, his true skills are revealed in Season 3 during theShimane Illuminati arc.During this arc, Izumo is targeted by the Illuminati and brought back to the Far East Laboratory, where she is to take her mother’s place in summoning the Nine-Tailed Fox into her body. To protect her sister, Izumo strikes a deal in which she will enter the True Cross Order and study to become a Tamer. Unfortunately for Izumo, the Illuminati’s technology has quickly advanced, and her retrieval is thus placed in order.
During this time, Renzo is revealed to be a spy from the Illuminati as he quickly incapacitates Izumo, and the Illuminati retreats to the Fast East Laboratory. Renzo’s revelation of being a spy for the Illuminati came as a massive shock to the students of the True Cross Order, as his betrayal was utterly unprecedented.
While his status as an Illuminati spy came as a shock, many of the exorcist cram school students still had faith in Renzo and did not want to accept that he was a spy. As a result, they made it their mission to save Izumo from the Illuminati and Fast East Laboratory while also attempting to convince Renzo to come back along with them.
During the Shimane Illuminati arc, Renzo admits he has had his eye on Izumo for the past six months they have been at the True Cross Academy, indicating Renzo’s purpose for getting close to Izumo was primarily for surveillance. However, Renzo may have feelings for Izumo, though they might be platonic, as he cares enough about her not to injure her or her familiars when in combat.
While it was previously believed that Renzo was an Illuminati spy, it was revealed near the end of the arc that Renzo is a double agent working for the True Cross Order of Knights and the Illuminati. The Light Foundation, an organization of the Illuminati recruiting members of the Order, first approached Renzo a year before he entered the True Cross Academy.
At the time, it was still debatable whether Renzo should join the Light Foundation as a spy, as Renzo was still too young. However, Renzo easily showed off his stealth abilities, making him perfect for the job. Thus, he started his life as a double spy, reporting toMephisto Phelesand the Illuminati.
Renzo’s carefree and cheerful personality makes him perfect for the job, as he can easily befriend anyone with his lighthearted personality. As previously mentioned, Renzo had no ambitions for the future, as his older brothers had taken up all the positions within the family. However, with the prospect of becoming a double agent, Renzo now found his purpose and ambition.
Sorry guys, but I’m having way too much fun right now…
Renzo has always wanted a world with freedom and no strings attached. After becoming a double agent, Renzo no longer has any ties to either organization, although he had admitted to being on the side of the True Cross Order of Knights. Renzo’s character has drastically changed from the lazy, carefree character from the first season. While Renzo still has his carefree attitude, this works in his favor for his ability as a spy.
