Ao no Exorcist: Kyoto Fujōō-hen OVA 1 Anime Review

The Blue Exorcist franchise is no stranger to emotional highs, action-packed battles, and a constant tug-of-war between family, fate, and faith. The Kyoto Fujōō-hen arc already gave us one of the series’ most dramatic storylines, but OVA 1 steps in to add more depth and context. It’s not just bonus content, it’s a piece that enriches the main narrative for fans who wanted a little more.

The OVA kicks off with the theft of a powerful artifact: the Left Eye of the Impure King. Soon after, its Right Eye is targeted as well, sending Rin, Yukio, and the ExWires into a new round of investigation and conflict.

What makes the story more compelling is the tension between characters. Rin’s secret is still fresh, and trust among his peers is fragile. His struggle to master the destructive blue flames mirrors the challenge of holding onto his place among friends who aren’t sure if he’s a threat or an ally.

Rin’s battle with his flames isn’t just about raw power; it’s about fear, belonging, and proving himself. The OVA slows down enough to let us see his vulnerabilities and determination. Yukio, too, shows more cracks than usual, which makes the brothers’ dynamic more layered.

The theft of the Impure King’s Eyes adds a sense of supernatural intrigue that goes beyond “fight the demon of the week.” It ties directly into Kyoto’s spiritual heritage and raises questions of betrayal and hidden agendas.

The OVA benefits from clean animation, dynamic combat, and atmospheric Kyoto backdrops. Combined with a strong soundtrack, the mood swings from tense to heartfelt with ease.

Instead of feeling like filler, it feels like a missing puzzle piece. Fans of the Kyoto arc will appreciate how it expands emotional beats that were only briefly touched on in the series.

The OVA juggles theft plots, emotional fallout, and training sequences in a short runtime. Some moments feel rushed, and transitions aren’t always smooth.

While the ExWires and a few exorcists appear, most of the spotlight stays tightly on Rin and Yukio. Characters like Shiemi or Bon get moments, but not much depth.

As with most OVAs, the story can’t shift canon too much. That means you get tension, but not permanent consequences. For casual viewers, it might feel like a side story rather than essential viewing.

Ao no Exorcist: Kyoto Fujōō-hen OVA 1 delivers exactly what longtime fans want: more heart, more lore, and more reasons to care about Rin’s journey. While it suffers from pacing hiccups and the usual “OVA can’t change too much” problem, it still feels like a meaningful addition to the Kyoto arc rather than disposable fluff.