TV-Series
Description
Arthur Auguste Angel is a prominent character in Blue Exorcist, known for holding the highest rank within the True Cross Order. As the 252nd Paladin, he serves as a First-Class Exorcist operating directly from the Vatican headquarters in Rome, making him one of the most powerful and authoritative figures in the organization.
In terms of appearance, Arthur is a tall man of 30 years with a slim build, standing at 185cm. He has long blonde hair that he keeps tied back and blue eyes. His attire consists of a custom-made white coat and uniform, which features distinctive wing-like designs on the back. This outfit is a point of pride for him, though it has been criticized by others, including Rin Okumura, as being unappealing. He carries his demon sword, Caliburn, on his right hip.
Arthur's personality is marked by a sharp and notable contradiction. On the surface, he behaves like a saint, presenting himself as polite, virtuous, and friendly to everyone. He is often described as being extremely dense or naive, unable to recognize when he is being insulted or made fun of, and he takes sarcasm and jokes completely literally. This has led Shura Kirigakure to label him a purebred idiot. Beneath this outward demeanor, however, lies a much darker and more ruthless interior. Arthur is a staunch anti-demonist who holds an uncompromising hatred for anything related to Satan or demons in general. He believes that such beings must be destroyed without exception, as he sees their very existence as a threat. This can manifest as sadistic behavior; for instance, he unnecessarily stabbed Rin through the leg during a trial to immobilize him, coldly remarking that the wound would heal. This duality leads Shura to accurately describe him as a saint on the outside and a devil within.
Arthur's background is complex and rooted in tragedy. Officially, he is the son of the English Duke of St. Ford, Arthur Angel. His father became possessed by a demon and massacred their entire household, leaving him as the sole survivor. He was subsequently taken in by the Asylum, a precursor to the Exorcist Academy, in Japan. However, at the age of 15, the Asylum was destroyed during the catastrophic event known as the Blue Night, an incident in which he lost his memory. After this, he was raised by Shemihaza in the Uzai family. The true nature of his origins is far more shocking: he is one of several clone bodies of the Demon King Lucifer, created in Section 13. He is unique in that he was the only one to survive being bathed in Lucifer's destructive light without any harm.
In the story, Arthur is initially dispatched by the Grigori, the ruling council of the Vatican, to investigate the Japanese branch of the True Cross Order following the revelation of Rin Okumura's demonic heritage. His mission is to interrogate Mephisto Pheles and capture Rin as evidence. He views Rin as nothing more than the spawn of Satan that must be eliminated and holds the previous Paladin, Shirou Fujimoto, in contempt for raising him. His role is that of an imposing and relentless enforcer of the Order's will, representing the institution's rigid and unforgiving stance against demons.
Key relationships define his interactions. He has little to no trust in Mephisto Pheles, viewing him with open scorn and suspicion due to his nature as a demon. He is the direct superior of Shura Kirigakure, and while she openly insults him, he fails to notice her barbs. Despite her dislike for him, she acknowledges his immense power. His most significant relationship is with Lewin Light, also known as Lightning. Arthur recognizes his own limitations in strategy and cedes all planning to Lightning, referring to him as his brain and trusting him completely. He considers Lightning a friend and values him highly, even as Lightning acts as his right arm.
Arthur shows little to no personal development within the Kyoto Saga, remaining a static and formidable antagonist to Rin and his allies. His character serves to highlight the prejudice and dogma of the organization he represents. His development in the broader series involves the revelation of his true origins as a Lucifer clone, a fact he initially refuses to acknowledge, which deeply angers him and challenges his entire identity as a holy warrior.
Arthur's notable abilities are immense, befitting his rank as the world's strongest exorcist. He has mastered multiple Meister qualifications, including Knight, and wields the cursed demon sword Caliburn. He has a pact with the sword, which requires him to offer it a lock of his hair in exchange for its full power. His combat skills are such that he can easily overpower high-ranking exorcists like Shura and is described by Lightning as a monster. His techniques include the Angel Slash, which creates a massive blade of holy light energy capable of cutting a powerful demon like the Impure Princess in half with a single stroke, and the Zodiac Slash, a high-speed aerial attack. He also commands a personal elite unit known as the Angelic Legion.
In terms of appearance, Arthur is a tall man of 30 years with a slim build, standing at 185cm. He has long blonde hair that he keeps tied back and blue eyes. His attire consists of a custom-made white coat and uniform, which features distinctive wing-like designs on the back. This outfit is a point of pride for him, though it has been criticized by others, including Rin Okumura, as being unappealing. He carries his demon sword, Caliburn, on his right hip.
Arthur's personality is marked by a sharp and notable contradiction. On the surface, he behaves like a saint, presenting himself as polite, virtuous, and friendly to everyone. He is often described as being extremely dense or naive, unable to recognize when he is being insulted or made fun of, and he takes sarcasm and jokes completely literally. This has led Shura Kirigakure to label him a purebred idiot. Beneath this outward demeanor, however, lies a much darker and more ruthless interior. Arthur is a staunch anti-demonist who holds an uncompromising hatred for anything related to Satan or demons in general. He believes that such beings must be destroyed without exception, as he sees their very existence as a threat. This can manifest as sadistic behavior; for instance, he unnecessarily stabbed Rin through the leg during a trial to immobilize him, coldly remarking that the wound would heal. This duality leads Shura to accurately describe him as a saint on the outside and a devil within.
Arthur's background is complex and rooted in tragedy. Officially, he is the son of the English Duke of St. Ford, Arthur Angel. His father became possessed by a demon and massacred their entire household, leaving him as the sole survivor. He was subsequently taken in by the Asylum, a precursor to the Exorcist Academy, in Japan. However, at the age of 15, the Asylum was destroyed during the catastrophic event known as the Blue Night, an incident in which he lost his memory. After this, he was raised by Shemihaza in the Uzai family. The true nature of his origins is far more shocking: he is one of several clone bodies of the Demon King Lucifer, created in Section 13. He is unique in that he was the only one to survive being bathed in Lucifer's destructive light without any harm.
In the story, Arthur is initially dispatched by the Grigori, the ruling council of the Vatican, to investigate the Japanese branch of the True Cross Order following the revelation of Rin Okumura's demonic heritage. His mission is to interrogate Mephisto Pheles and capture Rin as evidence. He views Rin as nothing more than the spawn of Satan that must be eliminated and holds the previous Paladin, Shirou Fujimoto, in contempt for raising him. His role is that of an imposing and relentless enforcer of the Order's will, representing the institution's rigid and unforgiving stance against demons.
Key relationships define his interactions. He has little to no trust in Mephisto Pheles, viewing him with open scorn and suspicion due to his nature as a demon. He is the direct superior of Shura Kirigakure, and while she openly insults him, he fails to notice her barbs. Despite her dislike for him, she acknowledges his immense power. His most significant relationship is with Lewin Light, also known as Lightning. Arthur recognizes his own limitations in strategy and cedes all planning to Lightning, referring to him as his brain and trusting him completely. He considers Lightning a friend and values him highly, even as Lightning acts as his right arm.
Arthur shows little to no personal development within the Kyoto Saga, remaining a static and formidable antagonist to Rin and his allies. His character serves to highlight the prejudice and dogma of the organization he represents. His development in the broader series involves the revelation of his true origins as a Lucifer clone, a fact he initially refuses to acknowledge, which deeply angers him and challenges his entire identity as a holy warrior.
Arthur's notable abilities are immense, befitting his rank as the world's strongest exorcist. He has mastered multiple Meister qualifications, including Knight, and wields the cursed demon sword Caliburn. He has a pact with the sword, which requires him to offer it a lock of his hair in exchange for its full power. His combat skills are such that he can easily overpower high-ranking exorcists like Shura and is described by Lightning as a monster. His techniques include the Angel Slash, which creates a massive blade of holy light energy capable of cutting a powerful demon like the Impure Princess in half with a single stroke, and the Zodiac Slash, a high-speed aerial attack. He also commands a personal elite unit known as the Angelic Legion.