The July issue of Jump SQ. has confirmed what long-time Blue Exorcist fans have been hoping for: Kazue Katō’s Blue Exorcist manga will resume serialization in the next issue on July 3. Katō also shared that she has begun drawing chapter 167 (she initially misstated the chapter number), signalling that the series is moving steadily toward its final stretch after a brief production hiatus earlier this year.
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What the Resumption Means for the Story
The series entered a hiatus on March 4 so Katō could prepare the manga’s final arc with the polish and care the ending deserves. Resuming on July 3 indicates the author has regained momentum and is ready to continue delivering chapters leading toward the conclusion. For readers who’ve followed Rin Okumura’s battle with his infernal heritage and the machinations surrounding Satan and the True Cross, this is the welcome return of a long-building narrative climax.
A Quick Refresher: What Is Blue Exorcist?
Blue Exorcist (Ao no Exorcist) follows Rin Okumura, a teenager raised by the exorcist Father Fujimoto. When Rin learns that he is the son of Satan and inherits demonic power that awakes when he unsheathes his father’s sword, his life changes forever. Determined to defeat Satan rather than succumb to his bloodline, Rin enters True Cross Academy to become an exorcist — all while trying to hide his demonic nature and cope with the emotional fallout of his origins.
Publication & Reach
Kazue Katō launched Blue Exorcist in Jump SQ. in 2009. Since then the franchise has grown into a global property with more than 25 million copies of the manga in circulation. The series has seen periodic hiatuses (notably in July 2021 with a return in May 2022), but each restart has brought renewed focus to the final arc and the characters’ emotional journeys.
Where the Anime Left Off — A Brief Timeline
Blue Exorcist has been adapted multiple times for TV and film, helping maintain interest between manga chapters:
- 2011 — 25-episode TV anime series, plus the Blue Exorcist: Kuro Runs Away From Home OVA.
- December 2012 — Blue Exorcist movie premiered in Japan.
- 2017 — Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga (12 episodes).
- January 2024 — Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga premiered (Crunchyroll streamed the series and produced an English dub; Toonami later aired it).
- October 2024 — Blue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga began airing; its second cour, Blue Exorcist: The Blue Night Saga, premiered in January 2025 with streaming on Crunchyroll and later U.S. television airings.
What Fans Can Expect Next
With Katō explicitly preparing for the finale, future chapters are likely to accelerate the converging plotlines: the True Cross’s internal politics, revelations about Rin’s lineage, growing confrontations with Satan’s forces, and the emotional reconciliations between brothers and mentors. Readers should expect a tighter narrative focus and higher-stakes confrontations as long-running mysteries move toward resolution.
Character Arcs to Watch
- Rin Okumura — balancing demonic power with human resolve; his growth into a leader and protector.
- Yukio Okumura — the tension between his human frailty, professional duty, and brotherly bond with Rin.
- Father Fujimoto and True Cross leadership — likely to be tested as loyalties and secrets come to light.
Where to Read and Watch
The manga is published in English by Viz Media, which provides official volumes and digital releases for international readers. For anime viewers, Crunchyroll streamed the recent seasons as they aired in Japan (with English dubs available for some seasons), and the series has also received television runs on blocks like Toonami in the U.S.
Official English manga releases: Viz Media — Blue Exorcist
Why This Resumption Matters
Beyond the immediate excitement for new chapters, the resumption underscores how enduring franchises can carefully manage their endings. Rather than rushing to conclude, Katō’s decision to take time and return prepared suggests a commitment to a satisfying payoff. For readers who’ve invested years into the characters and plot, that careful approach increases the odds of a memorable finale rather than a hurried resolution.
Community and Collector Impacts
Long-running series that conclude deliberately often see renewed interest in collected editions, special releases, and anniversary merchandise. While specific products aren’t announced yet, publishers and licensors commonly mark a major series’ final arc and conclusion with reprints, box sets, or limited-edition items.
Keeping Track of New Chapters
Fans should keep an eye on Jump SQ. announcements and Kazue Katō’s official social posts for the most accurate updates about chapter releases and any additional schedule changes. As with any popular series, official publisher channels are the best source for release dates and volume information.
Author update (source): Kazue Katō on X (Twitter)
Final thoughts
Blue Exorcist returning on July 3 marks an eagerly awaited moment for a franchise that has woven action, family drama, and supernatural intrigue for well over a decade. With Kazue Katō preparing the series’ final chapters, readers can look forward to escalated stakes, long-awaited revelations, and — hopefully — a conclusion that honors the emotional and thematic journey the manga has built since 2009. Whether you’re a longtime fan or catching up before the finale, now is a great time to revisit Rin’s story and be ready for the chapters ahead.
