On December 3, 2023, the official Twitter account for the anime Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga released a new promotional video featuring the series' ending theme, "Gakkyu Nisshi (Class Diary)" by Mulasaki Ima. Additionally, it was announced that the anime will debut on January 6, 2024, serving as the third season of the TV anime series. This upcoming season will adapt the Shimane Illuminati Saga from Kazue Kato's manga. The first season of the Blue Exorcist anime aired in 2011, with a second season following in 2017.
Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga is set to release on January 6, 2024
The staff behind Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga revealed a new promotional video on December 3, 2023, offering fans a sneak peek at the ending theme song, "Class Diary" (Gakkyu Nisshi).
Official reports have stated that the theme song was composed by Mulasaki Ima specifically for the anime. The official X handle of the anime also shared the singer's comments, which when translated to English, read:
"This is my debut in singing a theme song for an anime. I composed this song with the intention of creating a piece that would evolve in sound to reflect the beginning and end of a gripping story."
Indeed, the ending song, as teased, sets the tone for the anime. Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga previously unveiled its opening theme song, Eye's Sentry by UVERworld, which is worth noting.
A screenshot from the anime (Image courtesy of Studio VOLN)
The promotional video also revealed that the anime is set to debut on January 6, 2024, at 24:30 (or January 7, 2024, at 12:30 am JST) on Tokyo MX, along with other channels. As of now, the international streaming platforms for this anime have not been finalized.
Cast, staff, and other details
The anime's main voice actors, including Nobuhiko Okamoto, Jun Fukuyama, and Ayahi Takagaki (Kuro), were notably present at an advanced screening event held in Tokyo.
The anime Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga will undergo a production switch from A1 Pictures to Studio VOLN. The anime will be directed by Daisuke Yoshida with Toshiya Ono overseeing the scripts.
Yurie Oohigashi is in charge of the character designs, with Kohta Yamamoto and Hiroyuki Sawano handling the series' music. As mentioned previously, the renowned Japanese rock band UVERworld will be performing the opening theme, Eye's Entry.
A still from the anime (Image via Studio VOLN)
The beloved cast members are returning to their roles in Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga. This means Jun Fukumiya will once again play Yukio, with Nobuhiko Okamoto returning as Rin Okumura.
Additionally, Eri Kitamura is reprising her role as Izumo, and Hiroshi Kamiya is set to portray Mephisto. The rest of the cast includes Rina Sato as Shura, Kana Hanazawa as Shiemi, Kouji Yusa as Renzo, Kazuya Nakai as Ryuji, Yuuki Kaji as Konekomaru, and more.
Studio VOLN has released a still from the anime, revealing that the upcoming Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga will be based on Kazue Kato's manga of the same name. This new season will cover volumes 10 to 15 and will focus on the Illuminati Saga, delving into Izumo's past as Rin, Yukio, and others journey to her hometown of Shimane. Stay tuned for more anime news and manga updates throughout 2023.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled about the upcoming anime series "Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga." The release of the new promotional video, featuring the ending theme song "Gakkyu Nisshi (Class Diary)" by Mulasaki Ima, has only heightened my excitement. The song perfectly encapsulates the captivating and mysterious atmosphere of the anime, leaving me eagerly anticipating its debut on January 6, 2024.
The production switch from A1 Pictures to Studio VOLN brings a fresh perspective to the anime, and I am confident that the new studio will deliver stunning animation and visuals. The return of the beloved cast members, including Nobuhiko Okamoto, Jun Fukuyama, and Ayahi Takagaki, adds a sense of familiarity and continuity to the series. I am particularly excited to see how the anime will adapt the Illuminati Saga from Kazue Kato's manga, as it promises to be an action-packed and emotionally charged journey.
Overall, as a Gen Z netizen, I am eagerly looking forward to the release of "Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga." The intriguing storyline, talented voice cast, and captivating music have me convinced that this anime will be a must-watch for fans of the series and newcomers alike. I can't wait to immerse myself in the world of Blue Exorcist once again and uncover the secrets of the Shimane Illuminati Saga.