Summary
Growth mainly defines a protagonist’s journey in any long-runninganime, growth in his abilities, in his way of thinking, in his shortcomings, and in his personal development. Fans love seeing a character evolve overtime, especially in series that strongly explore themes of self-discovery, struggle, and internal conflict. InBlue Exorcist, this development is personified by the character of Rin Okumura, who is the hot-headed half-demon protagonist that needs to come to terms with his lineage and learn how to shoulder the responsibility of demonic powers. Ever since his introduction in Season 1, Rin’s development has been one of the main selling points for the series.
During the early segments ofBlue Exorcist, Rin is portrayed as a callow, defiant teenager finding himself the son of Satan. This revelation turns his life into a tailspin as he investigates ways to curb his demonic powers and prove that he can use them for good. The first season, and well into the following seasons, tests Rin with adversities that make him grow into an exorcist and as a person. In Season 4, entitledBlue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga,it was now much deeper in its character, molded by the events and conflicts that preceded it.
The Beginning of Rin’s Journey
Rin’s Struggles with Identity and Power
In Season 1, Rin discovers the startling fact about his ancestry: that he is, in fact, Satan’s son, the being who killed his adoptive father. Right then and there, one could feel the weight of emotion that this discovery brought upon him and set up the inner turmoil that would follow Rin for the rest of the series: his struggle to reconcile his demonic heritage with his desire to protect humanity.
At the outset, Rin is hot-headed and brash, often acting without much thought as to consequences. His inability to control his temper frequently puts him at odds with others, especially his brother Yukio. This dichotomy between Rin and Yukio becomes a common thread throughout the series, as Yukio is saddled with responsibility for protecting the reckless brother while dealing with insecurities of his own. In the first season, Rin learned that hisdemonic powers were not a thing to be fearedbut, rather, learned to control. His stay at True Cross Academy was the start of his growth as an exorcist in training.
The Kyoto Impure King Arc
Overcoming Challenges and Emotional Maturity
Season 2 or “Kyoto Impure King Arc” was a very major point in the development of Rin’s character. By the end of Season 1, Rin had accepted his demonic heritage, and now the real challenge awaits: to learn to control his powers and gain the trust of other exorcists. Well, being the son of Satan makesmany people suspicious and fearful; a lot of his classmates question if they are able to trust him.
During the whole season, one of the significant emphases is on the relationships between Rin and other people, especially his classmates Suguro, Shiemi, and Konekomaru. In this arc, through their fight against the Impure King, he comes to understand the importance of cooperation and builds up his relationships with the people close to him little by little. More importantly, this arc very much underlines the further growth in emotional maturity of the protagonist, namely Rin. He slowly comes to understand that these powers are not only his tools of destruction, but also something he can try to learn and control with positive use in mind.
It’s certainly good to be smart, but I think it’s better that there are all kinds of people in the world. - Rin Okumura
Despite all the setbacks in mastering control over his flames, Rin’s determination to protect those who mean so much to him is stronger now, more than ever. The emotional impact of this season falls under the internal struggle of Rin to overcome the guilt and fear associated with his powers.His relationships with his friends, especially Shiemi, begin to evolve as they see how determined Rin is to protect them at any risk associated with his demonic abilities. In this way, Rin starts the first steps toward self-acceptance.
Further Growth and Newer Conflicts
Strength and Responsibility
Although Season 3 has yet to be fully adapted into the anime, one thing is evident: the character arc of Rin keeps ongoing uphill. By this point, Rin has learned to better control his demonic powers; he had also begun to grasp the great responsibility that such strength meant. His relationship with Yukio is still one of the main points in the series, as Yukio’s struggles are starting to come into view.
At the start of Season 3,the inner struggle with Rinhas slightly moved from just trying to control his powers to questions like his place in this world and what the future holds in terms of his role as an exorcist. A new threat appears to the True Cross Order, and Rin is sent right into the heat of these battles. But he confronts the same problems differently than he had in Season 1. By now, Rin thinks his actions out more clearly and solves problems in a more responsible manner.
I’m not your weapon, demon king, or savior! I’m Rin Okumura! And when I’m done, I’m going to be the best exorcist you ever laid your eyes on!
This further reflects in his relations with his friends and comrades. No longer the wild teenager that acts without thinking, now Rin is more stable for the people around him. His friendship with Suguro and Shiemi deepens, and he starts seeing himself not just as a dangerous half-demon, but as someone who can protect others. All these developments set a very important backdrop for what’s to come in Season 4.
Blue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga
Rin’s Inner Demons and Future Challenges
While great anticipation is expected from the fans towardsBlue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga, speculations flare high as to what awaits the protagonist, Rin Okumura. The fourth season is foreseen to be further enlightenment with regard to Rin’s struggles with hisheritage and menace at largedue to demonic forces. A snowy backdrop to the upcoming arc hints at a tone and atmospheric change that probably reflects the growth of the inner battle of the protagonist for serenity and self-control. This season, audiences will expect a more refined, emotionally anchored Rin. After years of struggling with his powers, Rin has only just begun toaccept his dual identityand is likely to take up a more active role within the True Cross Order.
Challenges, however, will be upon him that will most definitely test his resolve and strength in controlling his demonic flames. This probably hints at a frontend in the relationship he shares with Yukio, as Yukio’s arc continues to unravel. If there’s one ongoing theme right from the start of the series, it would have to be the tension between the brothers. So, Season 4 is bound to witness this even more. It could be the time Rin becomes a protector. That will be just about the time Yukio becomes even more insecure or starts to find problems with his own powers.
The Direction of Rin’s Character Arc
A Balance Between Hero and a Leader
Looking ahead, one thing is for sure: the development of Rin’s character is going to reach its climax with regard to the resolution of his inner conflict. Though still far from completeness, Rin hastraveled a long path since Season 1. His emotional maturity, restraint in using powers, and acceptance of responsibility all make him more multidimensional and interesting. Season 4 will definitely put Rin through more difficult struggles-much harder, internal, and exterior-in his continued journey toward acceptance of himself.
In all, the growth of Rin Okumura throughBlue Exorcistacts as a testimony to the series' focus on themes of identity, power, and responsibility. AsBlue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Sagaapproaches, fans look forward with great anticipation to how far Rin has come and the trials in store for him. Whether through relations with his comrades or through battles with powerful demons, the growth of Rin’s character moves along as one of the central elements of appeal the series maintains.
