Review: Twin Star Exorcists, Episode 2: Intersection of Twin Stars – A Fateful Fight

Review

Well, we definitely learned more about Benio’s history in this one. Rather, we received a helping of new questions about her history. Her parents are deceased and there is history with an older brother who is no longer in the picture. Elder brother seems to be a high-level exorcist, probably on bad terms with the current clergy (or whatever that organization calls themselves).  

Benio has been transferred to the same dormitory as Rokuro, which can only go well. With their sudden increase of interactions, we are treated to a rapid progression in the duo’s tensing relationship, with Benio basically demanding Rokuro to become an exorcist, which he refuses. Seems he’s not very fond of exorcists in general. Still a little salty from how Rokuro showed her up in the first episode, Benio is resilient on duking it out with her new dorm mate, something he’d rather avoid if at all possible.

Enter Chief Exorcist Tsuchinikado Arima. Arima is nothing if not memorable, considering his first appearance involves him wearing tight, bright pink underwear. For… reasons. However, it seems the Chief has been given a message from a divine oracle about the coming of the Miko, an exorcist which is to end the war with the Kegare, and so calls a sort of council meeting to announce the identity of this esteemed figure.

With an audience of their peers and superiors, Arima calls up Benio and Rokuro to duel, whether they want to or not. However, after the fight begins to pick up, he intervenes and reveals that the coming Miko is neither of these two. They are the “Twin Star Exorcists,” and their destiny is to get married and give birth to the child who will be the Miko.

So that happened.

I’d like to mention the use of fire as an aesthetic in this series. It’s everywhere, absolutely everywhere. Whenever a flashback occurs, it’s accompanied by a burn glare. The end song of episode 1 was nothing but fire and sparks, with even more fire showing up throughout the opening theme. Rokuro’s primary mode of fighting involves a gauntlet of fire-like quality. Even a newly-added spirit familiar has pockets of fire along its body. These are only a few examples.

There was a neat change in the ending cinematic, too. I was expecting it to be another fanfare of cinders and flames, but instead it was a kaleidoscopic collage, intermixed with artistic simplifications of the main cast. I wonder if it will change after every episode, like in Tokyo Ghoul’s second season.

Christian Guide

John 15:12 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

The overall purpose of this episode is definitely the progression of Rokuro and Benio’s relationship from acquaintances to companions, however hesitant.  Eventually, of course, this must become friendship and possibly more, because this is a Shonen series.  We’ve already had each of these two characters put their life on the line to protect somebody else, so I suspect the acts of selflessness and bravery will continue throughout the series as not only their relationship continues to evolve, but more characters get added to the mix.

Content Guide

Spiritual Content: I hope you weren’t expecting this series to suddenly stop being about exorcists and demons. In fact, just to refrain from repeating myself, assume that the basic details previously established (the presence of demon-like Kegare, magical powers, ritualistic summons, talismans, glyphs, chants, etc.) will always be present. If anything of particular note arises, I will mention it.

For example, the obligatory cute animal creature was introduced in episode 2. Kinako is an imp. In conjunction with his rodent-like design, he is outfitted with fire in multiple locations and the show’s signature star-shape on his forehead, which again, is basically a pentagram. These traits emphasize the fact that he’s a demon. A scrappy, benevolent demon, but a demon. Yes, demons can be benevolent. This is fiction, after all.

A new exorcist character is seen consulting a supposedly divine flame for answers about the future of the exorcists and their long-waged war with the Kegare, suggesting that these sorts of oracle-divinations will be a recurring theme throughout the series.

Violence: Flashbacks to episode 1’s battle with the Kegare, including their destruction. Benio and Rokuro are prompted into a battle at the end of the episode. It’s not a particularly violent fight, but they are actually trying to hurt one another. No blood is drawn. Benio attacks Rokuro out of jealousy, Rokuro retaliates out of anger.

Language/Crude Humor: None in my translation (Crunchyroll).

Sexual Content: Chief Exorcist Tsuchinikado Arima is introduced wearing nothing but a skin-tight, hot pink bathing suit.  I’m still not sure why, because that doesn’t really fit his personality.  He changes out of this in a timely manner.

Rokuro walks in on Benio in the bathroom, when she’s wearing nothing but a towel.  In as dramatic a fashion as possible, she then chases him out of the building, weapon in hand, while declaring fictitious fight moves like “Sex Fiend Obliteration.”

Drug/Alcohol Use: None

Other Negative Themes: As mentioned in the “Violence” section, the only fight that actively takes place in this episode occurs for selfish reasons–jealousy and pride for Benio and wrath for Rokuro. However, in Rokuro’s case, he was instigated by the Chief Exorcist into fighting after the Chief made several low blows towards Rokuro’s deceased friends, suggesting they were weak and thus deserved to die. This last point is a measure of blatant deception on the Chief’s behalf, and he asks for forgiveness after the battle.