Review of “Twin Star Exorcists” (2016-2017)
Rating: 3.8/5 stars
Director: Tomohisa Taguchi
Total Episodes: 50 episodes
Studio: Pierrot
Genres: Action, Supernatural, Fantasy, Romance, Shounen
“Twin Star Exorcists” is a supernatural action anime that aired from 2016 to 2017, running for 50 episodes. Directed by Tomohisa Taguchi and produced by Studio Pierrot, the series is based on the manga by Yoshiaki Sukeno. It blends action, fantasy, and romance with a fresh take on the exorcism genre, though it suffers from some pacing and adaptation issues.
Story & Characters
The anime is set in a world plagued by evil spirits called “Kegare,” and follows exorcists tasked with cleansing them. The story centers on two young exorcists, Rokuro Enmado and Benio Adashino, who are forced together by fate as the “Twin Star Exorcists”—prophesied to give birth to the ultimate exorcist who will cleanse the world. Their relationship evolves from rivals to reluctant partners and eventually something deeper, giving the series a bit of a romantic flair alongside its action-packed premise.
While the setup is intriguing, the story does take some liberties from its manga source. The anime goes in a different direction after a certain point, introducing anime-original content that diverges from the manga’s plot, leading to a mixed reception from fans. The character development of Rokuro and Benio is well done for the most part, with their personalities contrasting and complementing each other. However, some of the side characters feel underdeveloped, and the anime’s pacing can feel uneven at times, especially in the middle portion.
Animation & Art
Studio Pierrot is known for its work on other long-running shounen series, and the animation here is solid, though not without its flaws. The fight scenes are fluid and engaging, and the Kegare designs are appropriately menacing. However, some episodes suffer from noticeable dips in animation quality, which is a common issue in longer-running anime. The character designs are clean and distinctive, and the art style is bright and vibrant, giving the show a more energetic and colorful aesthetic than you might expect from a dark supernatural series.
Soundtrack & Voice Acting
The soundtrack is another strong point, with opening themes like “Valkyrie -Ikusa Otome-” by Wagakki Band and “Re:Call” by i☆Ris being particularly memorable. The music helps to set the tone for the show, especially during intense battle sequences. The voice acting is solid across both the Japanese and English dubs, with strong performances that suit the characters’ personalities.
Criticism
One of the main criticisms of “Twin Star Exorcists” is its deviation from the source material. The anime’s original content feels like filler at times and stretches out certain arcs unnecessarily, leading to pacing issues. Fans of the manga may be disappointed by how much the anime strays from the original story, particularly toward the end. The romantic subplot between Rokuro and Benio, while endearing, sometimes feels forced and doesn’t always integrate seamlessly with the rest of the story.
Final Thoughts
“Twin Star Exorcists” offers a mix of solid action, likable characters, and an interesting take on the exorcism genre. While it doesn’t fully live up to its potential, especially with its divergence from the manga, it remains an enjoyable watch for fans of supernatural action anime. If you’re looking for something that blends action with a bit of romance and can overlook some narrative flaws, it’s worth checking out.
Final Rating: 3.8/5
