Blue Exorcist: The Movie
The atmosphere in True Cross Academy is lively and boisterous in the days leading up to the grand festival held once every 11 years. During this time, Okumura Rin is entrusted with the responsibility of suppressing the berserk Phantom Train. In the midst of his mission, he meets a devil whose appearance is that of a young boy.
The film earned $6.0M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Blue Exorcist: The Movie (2012) reveals precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Atsushi Takahashi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 28 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Rin Okumura
Yukio Okumura
Shiemi Moriyama
Ryuji Suguro
Konekomaru Miwa
Renzo Shima
Izumo Kamiki
Mephisto Pheles
Main Cast & Characters
Rin Okumura
Played by Nobuhiko Okamoto
The son of Satan who inherited his demonic powers but fights to protect humanity as an exorcist
Yukio Okumura
Played by Jun Fukuyama
Rin's twin brother and talented exorcist instructor who struggles with his own demonic heritage
Shiemi Moriyama
Played by Kana Hanazawa
A kind-hearted exorcist student who uses plant-based familiar magic and supports her friends
Ryuji Suguro
Played by Kazuya Nakai
A hot-headed exorcist student training to become an Aria to defeat Satan and restore his temple
Konekomaru Miwa
Played by Yuki Kaji
A gentle and studious exorcist student who is Ryuji's loyal childhood friend
Renzo Shima
Played by Koji Yusa
A laid-back exorcist student with a playful personality who hides deeper loyalties
Izumo Kamiki
Played by Eri Kitamura
A proud exorcist student who uses fox familiars and initially acts superior to hide her insecurities
Mephisto Pheles
Played by Hiroshi Kamiya
The mysterious and manipulative principal of True Cross Academy who has his own agenda
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rin Okumura trains at True Cross Academy with his fellow exorcist students, balancing his demonic heritage with his desire to become an exorcist and protect humans.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when A mysterious phantom train appears, kidnapping children from the academy. Rin and his friends witness the supernatural event, and one of their own is taken, making the threat personal and immediate.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Rin chooses to board the phantom train to rescue the kidnapped children, fully committing to the mission despite warnings. He accepts he must use both his exorcist training and demonic powers together., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Rin discovers the train's true purpose: it's a trap designed to capture him specifically, using the children as bait. The villain reveals knowledge of Rin's heritage and plans to use his demonic power for sinister purposes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 64 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Rin loses control of his demonic powers and nearly kills his friends. Overwhelmed by self-hatred and fear that he truly is a monster, he refuses to fight anymore, leaving everyone defenseless as the villain closes in for the kill., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 69 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Rin realizes that his demonic power isn't a curse but a tool—his choices define him, not his bloodline. He synthesizes his exorcist training with controlled demonic strength, achieving balance between both halves of his identity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Blue Exorcist: The Movie's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Blue Exorcist: The Movie against these established plot points, we can identify how Atsushi Takahashi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Blue Exorcist: The Movie within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rin Okumura trains at True Cross Academy with his fellow exorcist students, balancing his demonic heritage with his desire to become an exorcist and protect humans.
Theme
A character discusses the nature of fear and acceptance: that monsters are not defined by their origin but by their choices, establishing the film's exploration of identity versus destiny.
Worldbuilding
Establish True Cross Academy, the exorcist training program, Rin's relationship with his classmates, his struggles to control his blue flames, and the ongoing tension about his demonic parentage.
Disruption
A mysterious phantom train appears, kidnapping children from the academy. Rin and his friends witness the supernatural event, and one of their own is taken, making the threat personal and immediate.
Resistance
The exorcists investigate the phantom train phenomenon, debating whether students should be involved. Rin struggles with whether to use his demonic powers or rely on conventional exorcist methods, fearing rejection.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rin chooses to board the phantom train to rescue the kidnapped children, fully committing to the mission despite warnings. He accepts he must use both his exorcist training and demonic powers together.
Mirror World
Rin encounters a mysterious young boy on the train who seems connected to the phantom realm, representing innocence corrupted by demonic influence—a mirror of Rin's own internal struggle between human and demon.
Premise
Rin and his team navigate the supernatural phantom train, battling demons, solving puzzles, and racing to find the kidnapped children while the train hurtles toward an unknown destination in the demon realm.
Midpoint
Rin discovers the train's true purpose: it's a trap designed to capture him specifically, using the children as bait. The villain reveals knowledge of Rin's heritage and plans to use his demonic power for sinister purposes.
Opposition
The villain separates Rin from his friends and launches relentless attacks. Rin's teammates face their own demons, and Rin struggles as his blue flames become unstable, making him dangerous to those he wants to protect.
Collapse
Rin loses control of his demonic powers and nearly kills his friends. Overwhelmed by self-hatred and fear that he truly is a monster, he refuses to fight anymore, leaving everyone defenseless as the villain closes in for the kill.
Crisis
In his darkest moment, Rin contemplates his existence. His friends, despite being hurt, reach out to him with acceptance, reminding him that he has always chosen to protect others regardless of his heritage.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rin realizes that his demonic power isn't a curse but a tool—his choices define him, not his bloodline. He synthesizes his exorcist training with controlled demonic strength, achieving balance between both halves of his identity.
Synthesis
Rin and his friends launch their final assault on the villain. Using his newfound balance, Rin battles with precision and control, protecting his friends while unleashing his full power. Together they destroy the phantom train and rescue the children.
Transformation
Back at True Cross Academy, Rin trains with his friends, now fully accepted. His blue flames burn controlled and bright—no longer a shameful secret but a symbol of his unique strength and his choice to protect humanity.