Blue
Exorcist, Vol 20
Author: Kazue Kato
Publisher: Viz Media
American
release date: October 2, 2018
Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/210 pages
Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★
The Ex-wires decide to throw a
party—a combination birthday and Christmas party. Rin buys some cheap reindeer
ears for himself and a moustache and glasses costume for Yukio, who is less
than impressed. Shiemi dresses as Santa Claus and carries a large bag
containing a full-sized decorated Christmas tree (it’s actually Nee). When
tragedy accidentally ensues, they salvage what they can, and save the day by
having a hot-pot party. As they are partying, Shima receives a call from his
older brother Juzo—he and Mamushi are going to have a baby! Although they are
officially married, they are going to have a ceremony for family, and they want
Shima and Bon and Konekomaru to attend!
After the party, Rin and Yukio
learn, to their surprise, that Shura lives in their dorm too. Shura has had a
bit to drink and mentions to them that she met their mother. Naturally, they
want details, so Shura tells them the story, which occurred when she was a
bratty little girl being raised by Father Fujimoto. Afterward, the brothers
discuss what they found out. Yukio expresses a desire to know more about their
mother, but Rin doesn’t, to his brother’s surprise.
The Ex-wires all travel to Kyoto
for the wedding. Everyone pitches in to help with preparations, although with
his arm in a sling, Yukio is limited in what he can do. Lots of family members
show up from both sides. Rin is concerned about his brother. He feels as if
something is wrong with him, but he doesn’t know what.
Even from Kyoto, Bon checks on
Lightning, chastising him to get out of bed. As soon as he hangs up with Bon,
Lightning places another call, asking about Dr. Dragulescu’s schedule. Shima is
sitting alone, away from the festivities, when Konekomaru finds him. They have
a talk, and Shima starts to feel better about himself.
The Ex-Wires and a few others head
to the temple for New Year’s Eve, with a stern warning to stay together, but
Rin finds himself standing next to Shiemi, separated from the others. He
reveals to her his feelings that Yukio is hiding something from him. Before
they can really talk, though, they are discovered and the moment passes.
New Year’s Day. Bon helps his
father prepare for the wedding ceremony. He asks him about Father Fujimoto, but
before Tatsuma can respond, he is called away. Afterward, Bon is seated next to
Yukio, during the ceremony. Yukio overheard Bon’s question, and wants to know
what Lightning is investigating. Even as they speak, Lightning is making his
move, but Bon tells Yukio he can’t reveal any information regarding the
investigation. The situation threatens to boil over when Yukio threatens Bon
with a gun, but everything ends up being put on hold when the Ex-wires are
recalled to handle a dangerous situation—a Cyclops is loose in Ikebukuro
Station!
There is a lot going on in this
volume of Blue Exorcist, aside from
the wedding and New Year’s and the baby. Yukio is trying to figure things out,
such as why Father Fujimoto raised him and Rin, what is their mother’s story,
and what do Bon and Lightning have to do with anything? Rin is trying to
understand why Shiemi has chosen not to take the exorcist’s exam, although she
assures him it isn’t because she is dying or moving or anything, but she can’t
tell him the reason. She just can’t. We see Lightning in action and get a
better feel for what he does. I have to say I’m liking him more than I did
before. Shima is a hard person to get a handle on. As a double spy, it’s hard
to say which is his true face, and which side is he truly on. Yukio reveals a
surprising memory, which is a tender moment. I like seeing more of Shura as a
little girl, it’s really cute.
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