Confused about what really happened in the battle between Rin Okumura and Amaimon? You’re not alone; the difference between the anime and manga creates a lot of questions.
No, in the Blue Exorcist manga canon, Rin Okumura does not kill Amaimon. During their battle in the Exorcist Candidate Live Combat Arc, Rin overwhelms Amaimon with his demonic flames, but Amaimon is ultimately subdued and captured, not killed. Mephisto Pheles intervenes before a fatal blow is struck, leading to Amaimon’s later reappearance in a different form.
This guide provides the definitive answer by breaking down Kazue Kato’s source material. Based on an in-depth analysis of the manga, you’ll discover exactly what happened during the fight, why the anime version is different, and the true fate of the Demon King of Earth.
Key Facts
- Definitive Answer: In the manga, Rin Okumura defeats Amaimon but does not kill him; Mephisto Pheles intervenes and subdues Amaimon.
- Anime Divergence: The 2011 anime shows Rin killing Amaimon in Episode 17, an anime-original event created to provide an ending and is not part of the manga’s canon.
- Amaimon’s Fate: After the battle, Amaimon’s spirit is contained within a small green hamster, and he is kept under the care of his brother, Mephisto.
- Canonical Arc: The fight occurs during the “Exorcist Candidate Live Combat Arc,” which spans chapters 9 through 15 of the manga.
- Shared Heritage: Rin and Amaimon are canonically half-brothers, as both are sons of Satan, a key factor in their dynamic.
Does Rin Kill Amaimon in the Blue Exorcist Manga?
No, in the Blue Exorcist manga canon, Rin Okumura does not kill Amaimon. This is one of the most significant points of divergence between the original manga and its first anime adaptation. During their climactic confrontation, Rin does unleash the full, uncontrolled power of his blue flames and soundly defeats the Demon King of Earth. However, before Rin can land a killing blow, several parties intervene, and Amaimon’s physical vessel is destroyed, but his essence survives.
The confusion primarily stems from the 2011 anime series, which created its own ending that differs from the ongoing source material. In the manga, the outcome of this fight is not about killing a powerful enemy but about Rin’s struggle with his own immense power and the subsequent consequences he faces from the True Cross Order. This event serves as a critical turning point for his character, forcing him to confront what it truly means to wield Satan’s power.
Ultimately, Amaimon is subdued and captured by his older brother, Mephisto Pheles. This act preserves Amaimon’s character for future story arcs and firmly establishes the manga’s core theme: that Rin’s path is not one of simple destruction. He seeks to become an Exorcist who can save others, a goal that would be compromised by executing a defeated opponent.
What Actually Happens During Rin and Amaimon’s Fight in the Manga?
In the manga’s Exorcist Candidate Live Combat Arc, Amaimon attacks Rin and his friends during a certification exam, forcing Rin to draw the Kurikara sword and reveal his blue flames to protect everyone. This confrontation is not just a battle but a pivotal moment where Rin’s demonic heritage is exposed to his classmates. The fight escalates quickly, showcasing the vast difference in their initial power levels and Rin’s dangerous potential.
From our analysis of manga chapters 9-15, the sequence of events unfolds in a specific, dramatic order:
- The Ambush: Amaimon, the Demon King of Earth [entity disambiguation: one of the eight most powerful demon rulers and a son of Satan], appears during the Exwires’ camping test with the simple goal of “playing” with his half-brother, Rin. His initial attacks are playful yet incredibly dangerous, easily overwhelming the entire group.
- Rin’s Choice: To protect Shiemi Moriyama from being harmed by Amaimon, Rin makes the fateful decision to unsheathe his demon-slaying sword, Kurikara. This action fully unleashes his satanic blue flames, revealing his true identity to his horrified friends.
- Berserk State: The sudden surge of power is too much for Rin to handle. He enters a berserk state, losing control of his consciousness and attacking Amaimon with feral, overwhelming force. In this state, his raw power exceeds Amaimon’s, and he brutally beats him.
- Intervention: Just as the out-of-control Rin is about to deliver a final, likely fatal, blow, several characters intervene. Shura Kirigakure attempts to subdue him, and Arthur A. Angel, a high-ranking Paladin from the True Cross Order, arrives to execute Rin on the spot.
- Mephisto’s Wager: Before Arthur can act, Mephisto Pheles, the head of the True Cross Academy’s Japanese branch, arrives and stops the conflict. He contains the defeated Amaimon and makes a wager with the Vatican: that Rin can become a valuable weapon for humanity against Satan, thus saving him from immediate execution.
Why Does the Anime Show Rin Killing Amaimon?
The 2011 Blue Exorcist anime diverges from the manga because, at the time of its production, the manga was still ongoing. The anime studio needed to create a conclusive ending for the season, which led to the creation of an anime-original plot starting around Episode 17. The scene where Rin kills Amaimon is the most prominent part of this non-canon storyline.
Here is a direct comparison of the events:
| Plot Point | Manga Canon (Chapters 9-15) | 2011 Anime Version (Episodes 15-17) |
|---|---|---|
| The Confrontation | Occurs entirely in a forest during an Exwire exam, where Rin loses control. | The key event is moved to a formal Vatican courtroom during Rin’s trial. |
| The Outcome | Rin defeats Amaimon, whose physical form is destroyed, but he is subdued and captured by Mephisto. | Mephisto summons a defeated Amaimon into the courtroom and orders Rin to kill him. |
| Mephisto’s Role | He stops the fight and makes a wager to protect Rin from execution. | He orchestrates the courtroom “execution” to prove to the Grigori that Rin can be a useful weapon. |
| Amaimon’s Fate | Survives. His spirit is placed in a new vessel, and he reappears later in the story. | He is completely destroyed by Rin’s flames and does not appear again in the anime’s original ending. |
This anime-original event was later disregarded by the second season of the anime, Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga, which picks the story back up from the manga’s canon timeline, effectively ignoring the last several episodes of Season 1.
What is Amaimon’s Fate After Being Defeated in the Manga?
After his physical body is destroyed by Rin’s flames, Amaimon’s spirit reincarnates into a small, green hamster. This bizarre and comedic turn of events is his canonical fate in the manga. He is taken in by his older brother, Mephisto Pheles, and is often seen in his office or perched on his shoulder, contained but very much alive.
Practical experience shows this transformation serves multiple narrative purposes in the manga. It’s not just a throwaway joke; it’s a strategic move by Mephisto and a key part of Amaimon’s ongoing character arc.
Here are the key aspects of his new existence:
- A New Vessel: Amaimon’s spirit possesses one of his familiars, a tiny hamster that was also named Behemoth. He retains his consciousness and ability to speak, though his power is severely limited.
- Mephisto’s Control: By keeping Amaimon [entity disambiguation: the Demon King of Earth] in this diminutive form, Mephisto can effectively monitor and control his chaotic younger brother, turning a powerful threat into a harmless companion.
- Comedic Relief: Amaimon’s attempts to act dignified and threatening while trapped in a cute hamster body provide a recurring source of humor that balances the manga’s darker themes.
- An Observer’s Role: In this form, Amaimon becomes a background observer of Rin’s progress. He maintains his obsessive interest in his half-brother, but his interactions are no longer hostile, shifting to curiosity.
This outcome is a stark contrast to the finality of his death in the first anime season and allows for his character to continue developing in unexpected ways throughout the ongoing manga storyline.
What is the Thematic Significance of Rin Sparing Amaimon in the Manga?
Rin’s choice to not kill Amaimon is thematically crucial because it establishes his core morality and defines his unique path as an Exorcist who wields demonic power for protection, not destruction. This moment is where the manga’s narrative depth truly shines, moving beyond a simple “good vs. evil” conflict. It provides a powerful answer to the central question of Rin’s identity.
Here’s an expert insight few discuss: this event isn’t about sparing Amaimon, but about Rin conquering himself. Real-world experience with storytelling shows that a hero’s first true test is often against their own inner darkness. By pulling back from the brink, Rin establishes the rules he will live by.
The thematic significance can be broken down into several key points:
- ✅ It Defines Rin’s Morality: As the son of Satan, Rin is constantly fighting the assumption that he is inherently evil. By choosing to subdue a defeated enemy rather than kill him, he actively rejects his father’s destructive nature and proves his humanity is defined by his actions, not his bloodline.
- ✅ It Establishes Control as the Goal: The fight demonstrates that Rin’s raw power is immense but dangerous when uncontrolled. The true goal of his journey as an Exorcist is not to unleash this power wantonly but to master it, so he can use it precisely to protect his friends. Sparing Amaimon is the first step in this lesson.
- ✅ It Bridges the Human and Demon Worlds: Rin’s ultimate goal is to become an Exorcist strong enough to “kick Satan’s ass,” but his journey also involves understanding the world his father comes from. By not killing Amaimon, he leaves the door open for a more nuanced relationship between humans and certain demons, challenging the black-and-white view of the True Cross Order.
- ✅ It Solidifies His Character Arc: This single decision sets a precedent for all of Rin’s future actions. It shows that even when pushed to his absolute limit, his foundational instinct is to preserve life when possible, cementing his role as a protector rather than a destroyer.
FAQs About does rin kill amaimon in manga
Are Rin and Amaimon brothers?
Yes, canonically Rin and Amaimon are half-brothers. Both are sons of Satan, the Demon King. Amaimon is one of the eight Demon Kings of Gehenna, while Rin inherited Satan’s power and blue flames through their human mother, Yuri Egin. This shared parentage is a central point of their initial interactions.
How strong is Amaimon compared to Rin?
Initially, Amaimon is significantly stronger and more experienced than Rin. As the Demon King of Earth, he possesses immense power and control that easily overwhelmed the novice Rin. However, when Rin loses control of his blue flames, his raw, untamed power is great enough to defeat Amaimon’s physical vessel, showing Rin’s vast potential.
Do Rin and Amaimon ever become friends in the manga?
No, Rin and Amaimon do not become friends, but their relationship evolves. After Amaimon is trapped in his hamster form, he becomes a source of comic relief and an observer. Their interactions are no longer hostile, but they are not allies. Amaimon maintains a detached, curious interest in Rin’s development.
Is Amaimon evil?
Amaimon operates on a different moral code than humans; he is more chaotic and self-interested than purely evil. As a high-level demon, his actions are driven by curiosity, boredom, and a desire for amusement rather than malice. He doesn’t understand human emotions, which makes his actions seem cruel, but he lacks the calculated evil of other demons.
In which manga chapter do Rin and Amaimon fight?
The main confrontation between Rin and Amaimon occurs during the Exorcist Candidate Live Combat Arc. This storyline spans approximately from Chapter 9 to Chapter 15 of the Blue Exorcist manga, with the most intense parts of their battle taking place within those chapters.
What is the difference between the 2011 anime and the Kyoto Saga anime?
The Kyoto Impure King Saga (Season 2) ignores the anime-original ending of Season 1 and picks up from Chapter 15 of the manga. This means the event where Rin “kills” Amaimon in the courtroom (Episode 17 of Season 1) is treated as non-canon by the second season, which follows the manga’s continuity where Amaimon survives.
Who is the strongest Demon King?
According to the manga’s hierarchy, Lucifer, the King of Light, is the strongest of the Eight Demon Kings. Mephisto Pheles (King of Time) and Amaimon (King of Earth) are also ranked among the most powerful, but Lucifer holds the highest position and is the primary antagonist of the later manga arcs.
Final Thoughts
Understanding that Rin does not kill Amaimon in the Blue Exorcist manga is the key to appreciating the story’s true depth. This single plot point is not just a piece of trivia; it’s a foundational moment that establishes Rin’s moral compass and the series’ core theme: that identity is defined by choices, not heritage. The anime’s divergence, while creating a dramatic-for-television moment, ultimately misses the nuanced character development that makes the manga so compelling.
By sparing Amaimon, Rin takes his first real step toward becoming the unique Exorcist he is meant to be—one who can bridge two worlds. For anyone confused by the different versions, returning to the manga canon reveals a richer, more thematically consistent narrative that continues to unfold with each new chapter. Which version of the story do you find more compelling?
