Ep 10. Black Cat

As the tenth episode of Blue Exorcist, "Black Cat" brings an intense and emotionally charged storyline to the series, packed with action, drama, and revelations about the characters. The episode starts with the aftermath of Rin Okumura's battle with Amaimon, one of Satan's demon generals, which left him severely injured and with a broken sword. Rin is taken back to the dormitory of the True Cross Academy, where he receives medical treatment and is put under close supervision by his fellow exorcists, who worry about his safety and his true intentions.

Meanwhile, the rest of the exorcists continue their investigation into the "Inari Case," a series of attacks by demonic foxes that have been terrorizing the city. They soon discover that the attacks are being orchestrated by a powerful demon cat, who has been manipulating the foxes and using them as pawns for his own agenda. The cat, whose name is Kuro, is revealed to be a familiar who has been bound to the service of Rin's twin brother, Yukio Okumura, who has been keeping his existence a secret from his comrades.

As the exorcists confront Kuro, they find themselves embroiled in a fierce battle against the cunning and elusive cat, who can shape-shift and control dark magic with ease. Meanwhile, Rin's condition worsens, as he experiences intense physical and psychological pain and struggles to control his demonic powers. He is haunted by visions of his past and his father, Satan, who keeps tempting him to give in to his inner demon and seek revenge against those who have wronged him.

The tension in the episode reaches a climax when Rin decides to leave the academy and confront Yukio about Kuro's true nature. He sneaks out of his room and searches for his brother, but he is intercepted by their mentor, Shiro Fujimoto, who reveals a shocking truth about their family and their destiny. Shiro tells Rin that he and Yukio are not fully human, but the sons of Satan and a human woman, who was killed by demons before they were born. He also reveals that he has been protecting them all their lives, and that his death at the hands of Satan was part of a plan to awaken Rin's true potential as an exorcist and a hero.

The episode ends with Rin reeling from the revelation and facing a difficult choice: to accept his fate as a son of Satan and a powerful weapon against evil, or to reject it and embrace his human side. As he contemplates his next move, he is confronted by Yukio and Kuro, who reveal their own hidden agendas and alliances. The scene sets up the stage for the next episode, which promises to be even more intense and revealing.

Overall, "Black Cat" is a fantastic episode of Blue Exorcist, featuring high-quality animation, thrilling action sequences, and engaging character interactions. It blends supernatural themes and coming-of-age drama with skill and style, and sets up interesting plot threads for the rest of the series. Fans of the show and newcomers alike will find it a compelling and satisfying watch.