Rin OkuBlue Exorcist is a supernatural anime about Satan's twin sons, Rin and Yukio Okumura, who have joined the ranks of the Vatican's True Cross Order in the battle against demonic forces. However, Rin himself is a demon, cursed with potent Blue Flames and a target on his back. His goal is to become an exorcist himself, defending humanity against his own kind, and end the stigma against him in the process.
Each exorcist-in-training chooses a specialty to focus on, but they are expected to learn skills from every class. The five classes of Exorcists have specialized fighting styles, categorized into Knight, Dragoon, Tamer, Aria, and Doctor Meisters. Starting off as a Page, the potential exorcists work their way up the ranks as they complete their training at the True Cross Academy.
Exorcist Ranks (descending from strongest)
- Paladin
- Arc Knight
- Honorary Knight
- Upper First Class
- Upper Second Class
- Middle First Class
- Middle Second Class
- Lower First Class
- Lower Second Class
- Exwire (exorcist-in-training)
- Page (exorcist-in-training)
Knight
As experts in close combat, Knights are excellent swordsmen who usually wield a Demon Blade and are often in the front-lines, facing demons head-on with formidable force. Rin Okumura's mentor, the sexy Shura Kirigakure is a high-ranking Knight of the Upper-First class working as an Inspector for the Vatican and teaching at the True Cross Academy.
Her preferred weapon is a Maken named Fang, which she wields using the Kirigakure Style - Demon Blade Technique. Shura helps to train the Rin and Renzo Shima, who have both chosen to improve their swordsmanship in an effort to qualify as Knights themselves. If Renzo succeeds, he would join his brothers, Kinzo (Middle Second-Class), Juzo (Upper Second Class), and his father, Yaozo (Upper First Class Chief) in Knighthood.
Dragoon
This class of Exorcist excel at ranged attacks, often favoring a gun or pistol, and some Dragoon Meisters have gone so far as to assemble specialized, magic-infused bullets to weaken their demonic opponents. Kaoru Tsubaki, the cram school's Physical Education teacher, is a skilled Dragoon Meister who educates Rin and the gang - when he is not off satisfying Kitty that is! Satan's second son, Yukio Okumura is a fan-favorite Dragoon Meister with such a high skill level that he surpasses those in his age group to become their teacher.
For a brief stage, Yukio was also a Paladin, although that title was gifted with sinister intent by his grandfather, Ernst Frederick Egin. Similarly, Ryuji Suguro is another talented fighter and, although more proficient in the Aria Class, he possesses significant Dragoon skills as well, particularly with the use of his Fatal Verse Judgement Bullet attacks.
Tamer
Not every exorcist has what it takes to be a Tamer, as one must be born with a natural gift to excel in this Order. Tamers are able to control demonic familiars with the combination of a summoning circle and a blood contract, and specific familiar-exorcist arrangements can be passed down to younger generations, regardless of Taming skills.
The Hojo sisters Ao, Mamushi, Nishiki, and their father Uwabami are formidable Tamers with an affinity for serpents, however, Mamushi was sadly stripped of her First-Class position due to her traitorous alliance with the Impure King. Shiemi Moriyama and Izumo Kamiki, Tamers themselves, were also caught off guard by the Impure King, but luckily the strong bonds that the girls had formed with their familiars ensured that they weren't helpless.
Aria
Responsible for the magical element of demon-fighting, the Aria are expected to quote the Bible off-hand, picking the ideal scriptures that would force a demon out of existence (known as the 'Fatal Verses').
Both Maki Angeline and Igor Neuhaus form part of the True Cross Acadamy faculty as Aria Meisters, although as an Upper First Class Exorcist, Igor outranks Maki - best known for his ability to summon demonic hands and the high-level demon, Naberius. Konekomaru Miwa and Ryuji Suguro show incredible promise as the next generation of Arai Exorcists, having been raised in monasteries, surrounded by the word of God. Both these young Exwires have the right level of intensity, passion, and focus required to confidently recite the correct Fatal Verses.
Doctor
Doctor Meisters are able to take a defensive or offensive stance, as their knowledge of herbs and potions can be used to heal wounded exorcists or weaken demonic opponents. Think of Doctor Meisters more as shamans than as western doctors, as their healing skills are less surgical in nature, leaning more towards the magical side of things.
Although an exceptionally valuable skill to possess, specializing in the healing arts does not seem to be a priority for most Exorcists. Susumu Yunokawa played a crucial role as a Doctor Meister during the battle against the Impure King. With a double major, Yukio not only qualified as a Dragoon Meister, but he is also an accomplished Doctor offering additional, vital support.
The Paladins
Rin's adoptive father, Shiro Fujimoto was proud to serve in the Paladin Class, able of mastering techniques from all five Meister categories, making him one of the strongest Exorcists of his generation. However, Satan eventually found his way into the priest, who proceeded to kill himself whilst being possessed to deter the demon's plans.
Arthur Auguste Angel stepped up as the next Paladin, having previously excelled as a Knight Meister with a particularly bulky, guillotine-like Demon Sword named Caliburn. Sadly, Arthur had little to no respect for the late Shiro, who he claimed was "the most incompetent person who ever received the Paladin title" and was not keen on having Rin, a demon, join the ranks of Exorcists.
The Battle Between Brothers
The ultimate question is: out of this young generation of new exorcists, who is most likely to become the next Paladin? Yukio already had his chance, although that shouldn't count as he was merely used as a pawn, and didn't actually earn the title -not to say that he doesn't deserve it one day, Yukio takes his exorcism training very seriously.
Rin may be more powerful than his brother, but the True Cross Order is reluctant to trust anyone who wields Blue Flames, making him an unlikely candidate for the position. Even after exterminating the Impure King and his disease from the Kyoto region, Rin's loyalties to the True Cross were still in question - he will have to earn their trust before claiming the Paladin title in future season of Blue Exorcist.