Finding a show that hits the same notes as Rin Okumura’s journey is harder than it looks. Most people just point toward any series with a sword and a demon. That's a mistake. Blue Exorcist (Ao no Exorcist) works because it balances that heavy "son of Satan" trauma with a cozy academic setting and a genuinely messy brother dynamic. If you’re looking for anime like Blue Exorcist, you probably want that specific mix of urban fantasy, occult lore, and a protagonist who is trying desperately not to break everything he touches.
It's been years since the first season dropped, and while the Kyoto Saga and the Shimane Illuminati Saga kept the flame alive, the itch for more demonic exorcism remains. You're likely looking for something where the stakes feel personal. Not just "save the world" stakes, but "I hope my classmates don't find out I'm a monster" stakes.
Why We Are Obsessed With The Half-Demon Trope
There is something inherently relatable about Rin. He’s loud, he’s a bit of a mess, and he’s dealing with an inheritance he never asked for. Most anime like Blue Exorcist lean heavily into this "forbidden power" archetype. It’s the classic shonen blueprint, but Kazue Kato (the original manga creator) added a layer of Catholic-inspired mythology that felt fresh compared to the standard Shinto-heavy settings we usually see in series like Noragami.
When you look for a replacement, you have to decide what part of the show you liked most. Was it the True Cross Academy vibes? The "found family" of the Exwires? Or was it just the cool blue flames?
The Heavy Hitters: Jujutsu Kaisen and Beyond
If you haven't seen Jujutsu Kaisen, stop reading this and go watch it. Honestly. It is the most obvious spiritual successor. Yuji Itadori and Rin Okumura would probably be best friends if they weren't too busy being vessels for ancient evils. Both shows deal with a secret society of protectors—Exorcists vs. Jujutsu Sorcerers—operating right under the nose of normal society.
Gege Akutami, the creator of JJK, takes a much darker tone than Kato does. While Rin has his moments of despair, Blue Exorcist usually maintains a bit of Shonen Jump optimism. JJK? It’s brutal. The "Curse" system functions similarly to demons, born from human emotion, but the consequences of failure are much higher. You get the school setting, the eccentric teacher (Gojo is basically a more competent, less priestly Mephisto Pheles), and a trio of friends that slowly becomes a family.
Then there’s D.Gray-man. This one is a bit older, and the hiatuses have been legendary, but it’s the closest aesthetic match. It’s Victorian, it’s gothic, and it’s deeply concerned with the tragedy of the soul. Allen Walker has a cursed arm and a heavy heart. If the religious undertones and the "Order" aspect of Blue Exorcist were your favorite parts, Allen’s journey with the Black Order will feel like coming home.
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Soul Eater and the Art of the Supernatural School
Let’s talk about Soul Eater. It’s weird. It’s stylized. The moon has a face and it bleeds. But if you loved the classroom dynamics of Rin, Yukio, Shiemi, and the rest of the gang, Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA) is the place to be.
Instead of fighting demons to save their souls, these kids are literally turning into weapons to eat the souls of "Kishin" candidates. It sounds darker than it plays. The chemistry between Maka and Soul mirrors the "partnership" themes we see in later Blue Exorcist arcs. Plus, the animation by Studio Bones is consistently high-tier, even years later. It’s got that 2000s punk-rock energy that modern anime sometimes loses in favor of clean digital lines.
Noragami: The God of Depressed Teenagers
Noragami is a gem that often gets overlooked in the anime like Blue Exorcist conversation because it’s more about gods than demons. But think about it. Yato is a "delivery god" with a dark past he’s trying to outrun. He’s essentially a freelancer version of an Exorcist.
The relationship between Yato and his Regalia, Yukine, is a perfect parallel to the internal struggle Rin faces. Yukine is a dead teenager who becomes a weapon, but his teenage angst literally causes physical pain to his master. It deals with that same "coming of age while carrying a literal weapon" vibe. It’s funny, then it’s heartbreaking, then it’s cool. The soundtrack by Taku Iwasaki (who also worked on Soul Eater) is enough reason to watch it alone.
The Darker Side of Inheritance: Seraph of the End
If the "humanity vs. monsters" war is what kept you hooked, Seraph of the End (Owari no Seraph) is the logical next step. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world where vampires have taken over and the remaining humans use "Cursed Gear" to fight back.
Yuichiro Hyakuya is basically Rin if Rin grew up in a basement owned by vampires. He’s angry, he’s impulsive, and he’s part of an experimental program that makes him... well, not entirely human. The bromance/rivalry between Yu and Mikaela is intense, much like the friction between Rin and Yukio. It’s a bit more "edgy" than Blue Exorcist, but the production value from WIT Studio (the folks behind the first three seasons of Attack on Titan) makes it a visual feast.
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Fire Force: When Blue Flames Turn Into... Everything Else
Atsushi Ohkubo, who created Soul Eater, also gave us Fire Force. At first glance, it’s about firefighters. But these aren't your local volunteers. They are Special Fire Force units dealing with "Infernals"—people who spontaneously combust into flame demons.
The protagonist, Shinra Kusakabe, has a "devil’s footprint" (he ignites his feet) and a tragic backstory involving his family dying in a fire. Sounds familiar? The mystery of the "Adolla Burst" and the religious cult vibes of the Holy Sol Temple feel very similar to the Vatican’s secrets in Blue Exorcist. The sound design in this show is incredible. Every explosion feels like it's happening in your living room.
Under the Radar Picks You Might Have Missed
Sometimes you don't want the big hits. You want the weird stuff.
- Twin Star Exorcists: It’s literally in the name. It focuses on a duo destined to marry and give birth to the ultimate exorcist. The start is a bit "monster of the week," but it scales up significantly.
- Kekkaishi: This is a classic. It’s about "barrier masters" who protect a specific piece of land from demons (Ayakashi) at night while trying to be normal students during the day. It’s more grounded and tactical than Rin’s "hit it with blue fire" approach.
- Beyond the Boundary (Kyokai no Kanata): Produced by Kyoto Animation, so it looks gorgeous. It features a girl who can manipulate her blood into a sword and an immortal half-spirit boy. It’s more of a dark romance/urban fantasy blend, but the action sequences are some of the best in the genre.
Why You Should Probably Watch YuYu Hakusho (Even If It’s Old)
I know, I know. It’s from the 90s. The aspect ratio is square. But YuYu Hakusho is the grandfather of anime like Blue Exorcist.
Yusuke Urameshi is the original delinquent with a heart of gold who discovers he has a demonic lineage. The Dark Tournament arc is still considered one of the best tournament arcs in anime history. If you can get past the vintage art style, you’ll find a story that has more heart and better character development than 90% of what comes out today. Yoshihiro Togashi (who also wrote Hunter x Hunter) knows how to write a protagonist who feels like a real person, flaws and all.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Genre
People often think these shows are just about the fights. They aren't. They are about the burden of power. In Blue Exorcist, the most compelling scenes aren't when Rin is swinging Kurikara; they’re when he’s trying to cook for his friends and wondering if they’ll ever trust him again.
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The "Magic High School" trope is just a vehicle for character growth. If a show has cool powers but boring characters, it’s not a good recommendation for a Blue Exorcist fan. That’s why shows like The Irregular at Magic High School usually don't land for this specific audience—they lack the emotional messiness.
How To Choose Your Next Binge
Still can't decide? Let's break it down by your mood.
- I want the school setting and group of friends: Go with Soul Eater or Jujutsu Kaisen.
- I want the religious/gothic vibes and deep lore: D.Gray-man is your best bet.
- I want the brotherly drama and "monster within" struggle: Seraph of the End or Parasyte: The Maxim (though Parasyte is much more sci-fi).
- I want something short and visually stunning: Beyond the Boundary.
Actionable Next Steps
Don't just add twenty shows to a "Plan to Watch" list that you'll never look at again. That’s where anime fans go to die.
First, check out the first three episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen. It’s the modern standard for a reason. If the gore is too much for you, pivot immediately to Noragami. It’s lighter but still maintains that supernatural edge.
Second, if you’ve already seen the "big" ones, look into The Case Study of Vanitas. It’s got that same historical, supernatural, slightly flamboyant energy that Mephisto Pheles brings to every scene. It’s about vampires, but the "curse" aspect feels very much like the demonic possessions in Rin’s world.
Lastly, actually read the Blue Exorcist manga if you haven't. The anime—especially the first season—diverged into a filler ending that isn't canon. The actual story that happens in the manga (and the newer seasons) gets significantly more complex, dealing with the origins of Section 13 and the true nature of Satan. There is a lot of "Exorcist" lore that the anime is only just starting to touch.
Start with one series. Watch the "Rule of Three" (three episodes). If you aren't hooked by the time the protagonist shouts their first special move or has a mental breakdown about their identity, move on to the next one. The world of supernatural shonen is too big to waste time on shows that don't click.