Can Ao No Exorcist Okumura Rin Be Redeemed In Canon?

If I step back and think like someone who’s read a lot of redemption arcs, I see two routes for Rin in canon: gradual moral recovery or tragic self-sacrifice. The tone of 'Ao no Exorcist' leans toward bittersweet growth, so I favor the first. Rin’s core trait is stubborn empathy — he repeatedly chooses to save people even when it costs him — and canon already plants seeds for repair: apologies, restitution, and leadership that proves he’s changed through action, not words.

There’s a structural hurdle, though. Redemption needs visible consequences; otherwise it rings hollow. In-universe, that could mean legal penalties within the exorcist community, damaged friendships that take chapters to mend, or guilt-driven missions that force Rin to confront the worst of his demon side. The manga’s pacing allows for slow rebuilds — imagine a multi-arc sequence where he earns back trust by stepping away from glory-seeking fights and doing the small, invisible work of protection and atonement. That’s the kind of canon development that satisfies both morality and plot.

Also, don’t forget the author’s toolbox: flashbacks, perspective shifts, and secondary character growth all reinforce a believable redemption. If Kato emphasizes consequences and supportive relationships rather than miraculous absolution, Rin’s arc could become one of the most nuanced examples of redemption done right — flawed, painful, and ultimately human.

I’m really hopeful that Rin could be redeemed within canon, because the story already frames redemption as a process, not an instant fix. He isn’t a pure villain; his worst moments come from fear and protection impulses, which makes atonement believable. In practice, canon redemption would mean two things: facing the repercussions of harmful actions (so the apology has weight) and sustained effort to change — not a single heroic moment but many small ones.

I’ve seen other series handle this well by showing the community’s slow thaw toward a person who’s tried to make amends, and I’d expect 'Ao no Exorcist' to do the same. If the manga keeps valuing messy growth over tidy endings, Rin’s redemption would feel earned — and it would probably involve sacrifices that leave him different, not just forgiven. I’m excited to see how it unfolds and whether those around him can move from suspicion to solidarity.

I still get a little buzz thinking about how 'Ao no Exorcist' plays with the whole nature-versus-choice setup, and that’s where my gut says Rin can absolutely be redeemed in canon — if the story wants it. From day one he’s written as someone who chooses humanity despite his bloodline. The canon manga keeps leaning into that tension: Rin’s violent impulses, his reluctance to use power responsibly, and the moments he chooses to protect people are all set pieces for a redemption arc (or, more accurately, continuous self-redemption). Kazue Kato has shown she’s comfortable with slow burns and messy growth, not tidy moral resets, so I’d expect any redemption to be earned — consequences, broken relationships, and then rebuilding trust.

I’ve read the chapters hunched over on a train, laughing and crying at the same time, and what struck me is how the supporting cast anchors Rin. Characters like Yukio, Shiemi, and the exorcist corps aren’t plot props; they’re moral mirrors. In-canon redemption for Rin wouldn’t just be him deciding to be “good” — it’d be a sequence where he accepts responsibility for harm done, faces the fallout, and actively works to fix things, maybe even confronting Satan in a way that breaks the inherited cycle. That’s more compelling than a sudden flip.

Practically speaking, the biggest obstacles are the stakes the author wants: if Kato ups the cost (losses, public mistrust, legal consequences within the exorcist world), redemption becomes harder but more meaningful. I’d love to see a canon arc where Rin’s redemption is iterative — small, painful steps rather than a final, cinematic absolution. It feels truer to the series’ themes, and honestly, I’d be here for every messy page of it.