(L) D.Gray-Man Hallow

[Guido]

For most of this season Allen has been treated and scapegoated as the punching bag at both sides throwing their hatred and misgivings on him due to the Fourteenth, though it isn't like Allen himself had a choice in that matter.

Neverthelesss, two things truly are pissing me off:
1. The high echelons behind the Order can't get to be this pea-sized in ther narrow minded way of thinking. I do rationalize that the Fourteenth's presence within Allen is a dangerous liability, which can partially justify their treatment towards him. However, their priorities should be set to engage the Noahs and finding clues on the Heart, and if the Fourteenth can provide given some delicate leverage, then the risk would be worth it.

2. The Earl goes on and on trying my patience, but the creepiest and gross part comes before me the realization that the Noah, at least, do not deter from their methods. What I mean is exactly what the Earl meant with the rule-breaking: Noahs are confident in themselves so as not to get involved themselves with the Innocence in any matter and means that they'll patiently fish out for the Heart in order to win the war. Meanwhile, the Order blew up everything to hell with the 3rd Exorcists Plan though again survival is a partial justification.

Man, even some Noahs like Sheryl (Desires) express their intentions to wipe the Fourteenth off the map, regardless if they follow the will of the Earl Millenium.

After engaging the heated conversations between Bookman and the Noah, and then Allen's bleak take on the Fourteenth I do really want for the current story arc of the manga to finish and move on with the next one delivering the first batch of revelations surrounding Nea Walker (the 14th)
More so, as well since the kind Cardinal is not what he seemed to appear at the start of this episode, and there could be more than one face to the Heart of Innocence.

[Mad Pierrot]

Originally Posted by Guido

For most of this season Allen has been treated and scapegoated as the punching bag at both sides throwing their hatred and misgivings on him due to the Fourteenth, though it isn't like Allen himself had a choice in that matter.

Neverthelesss, two things truly are pissing me off:
1. The high echelons behind the Order can't get to be this pea-sized in ther narrow minded way of thinking. I do rationalize that the Fourteenth's presence within Allen is a dangerous liability, which can partially justify their treatment towards him. However, their priorities should be set to engage the Noahs and finding clues on the Heart, and if the Fourteenth can provide given some delicate leverage, then the risk would be worth it.

2. The Earl goes on and on trying my patience, but the creepiest and gross part comes before me the realization that the Noah, at least, do not deter from their methods. What I mean is exactly what the Earl meant with the rule-breaking: Noahs are confident in themselves so as not to get involved themselves with the Innocence in any matter and means that they'll patiently fish out for the Heart in order to win the war. Meanwhile, the Order blew up everything to hell with the 3rd Exorcists Plan though again survival is a partial justification.

Man, even some Noahs like Sheryl (Desires) express their intentions to wipe the Fourteenth off the map, regardless if they follow the will of the Earl Millenium.

After engaging the heated conversations between Bookman and the Noah, and then Allen's bleak take on the Fourteenth I do really want for the current story arc of the manga to finish and move on with the next one delivering the first batch of revelations surrounding Nea Walker (the 14th)
More so, as well since the kind Cardinal is not what he seemed to appear at the start of this episode, and there could be more than one face to the Heart of Innocence.

From what I can gather Sheryl started feeling like a pawn in chess when learning that the Earl wanted Nea so much. I kinda like this because the Noah went from complete monsters to more rational antagonists. The Earl also became more sensitive to the point he went to bed crying apparently about Nea. Road and Wisely (not really sure about the latter) know the true story behind the Earl and Nea but they won't say it. Now, the last piece of this puzzle would be finding out why did Nea chose Allen as his host even though he was Mana's brother. I'm pretty sure Mana actually loved Allen considering his cursed left eye saved him from turning into Nea once (after being hit by Kanda's Innocence). With that in mind, it's possible that Allen also serves an important part in the Noah group without Nea.

Well, that's too much talking.

[Guido]

Originally Posted by amaterasu4

From what I can gather Sheryl started feeling like a pawn in chess when learning that the Earl wanted Nea so much. I kinda like this because the Noah went from complete monsters to more rational antagonists. The Earl also became more sensitive to the point he went to bed crying apparently about Nea. Road and Wisely (not really sure about the latter) know the true story behind the Earl and Nea but they won't say it. Now, the last piece of this puzzle would be finding out why did Nea chose Allen as his host even though he was Mana's brother. I'm pretty sure Mana actually loved Allen considering his cursed left eye saved him from turning into Nea once (after being hit by Kanda's Innocence). With that in mind, it's possible that Allen also serves an important part in the Noah group without Nea.

Well, that's too much talking.

To me I believe that the first show should have even out or have been made better at balancing both sides of the conflict had it introduced the shady nature surrounding the Black Order at an earlier point in the story, since hints on the Order not being as good as it seemed on view first surfaced during the Suman Dark Togaochi story arc from the first season and from there further developed on until Allen's incarceration in this season.

I guess I have to grudgingly admit that the Noah are now presented and displayed as more interesting characters in this season than the Order, particularly my impressions on Tykki that the whole issue with the 14th has begun to pique his curiosity. But, probably, the strange ocurrence that Allen and earlier Wisely noted some physical similarities between Tykki and Nea (14th).

[Stark700]

Well it looks like the Third Exorcists did betray their comrades after all especially after seeing Tewaku is among them.

Decent episode this week, we got a farewell to Lenalee. Just seeing a few of her flashbacks brings me nostalgia from D Gray Man many years ago. One more episode left...and I hope they can conclude the season on a good note as the momentum they got going so far has been fairly well done.

[Twi]

Good episode. Action, drama, resolutions, I love it.

[MgMaster]

Damn, not only was this a sad(yet brilliantly executed ep), but like, seeing Allen walk off like that felt like as much of a goodbye(albeit an early one since we got 1 more ep) as the D.Gray Man saying goodbye to it's fans. I haven't read the manga much, since I heard the anime was coming out but I know there's no more chapters to make another series of, and they come out at a snail's pace too, so...even if it's not a permanent goodbye, it's gonna be a damn long time before we'll see anything again, and who knows what can happen during that time.

The only hope would be for the series to sell well, as well as boost the manga sales so that Hoshino will start focusing on it more and release chapters way more often, say once a week.

[Wandering Soul]

I was expecting this to be the last episode, but we actually have one more. This episode was well done though.

[Mad Pierrot]

For some reason, the final scene brought me nostalgia to a series I read as a teenager.

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However, I doubt Hoshino has plans to make this a romance unlike Watsuki. Allen also reminds me to Kenshin due to how they care about even their enemies but I find Allen as a weaker version of Kenshin.

[Guido]

This is how D.Gray-man repeats once more its former glory days in anime with well thought writing to bring the narrative to such melodramatic and sorrowful moments.

I'm just one episode behind the 12th one, and, yet, the mystery continues to dive deeper into the abyss and encourages me to go all excited wishing that the manga starts to pick pace.

Honestly, after watching this episode I do not know who is friend and foe anymore; who is telling the truth and who is lying, unless both sides are flawed liars to begin with.

Apocryphos is gross, creepy, and steathily dangerous more so than the Noah, because you may never know if the amiable and likeable person next you is who really is or more than meets the eye. His raspy voice which grants it serpent-like qualities nicely compliments its ethereal aura and blood-soaked eyes.

I have quite a few theories on this matter:

Spoiler:

1. The Heart reneged or revoked its alliance with the 14th, since if memory serves me right in the previous anime the Earl mentioned that the 14th made an alliance with the Innocence, although an uneasy and shaky one.

2. Apocryphos, being an independent-type Innocence, move on its own agenda deeming the current situation too risky to continue on the alliance with the 14th. Apocryphos is taking action just like if Sheryl and the other Noahs would do in the opposite side of the battlefield, eliminating the liability that the 14th's existence poses to either side; Sheryl is acting from within the shadows without the Earl knowing, and so does Apocryphos is moving on its own against the will of the Heart.
I feel that this last one is more the likely scenario.

It's interesting to note a couple of details from Allens' memories the night after Cross Marian was seemingly killed:
1. Apocryphos has been moving behind Lvellie's watch, and the latter mentioned in a previous episode to Link that someone at Central acted behind his back much to his suspicion and anger.

Perhaps, Central's high echelons have kept Apocryphos's existence concealed from even their most valuable assets like the Lvellie family. Briefly, I can only guess that Lvellie eventually would have no choice in matter but to take a giant risk with aligning his interests with the 14th, although the execution order against Allen has been given.

2. Cross mistake was not figuring out Allen's identity right at the time when he first met the boy.

In this tricky one statement, I presume that Marian either suspected or had a hunch that eventually the Innocence will come for the 14th by any means necessary, so what Apocryphos told to Allen about Marian sacrifcing him to the 14th is true but with a nasty spin on the whole account.

[Kuroageha]

Ah, the last episodes make it seem Cross really is dead.

[Guido]

Only hoping this season can end with a high note. In fact, what better way would be to setup a season's finale for D.Gray-Man Hallow...

Spoiler:

...if the writers were to introduce one last special appearance.

[Mad Pierrot]

Does anybody know who voiced the 14th (Nea)?

Also, Anime News Network's cast section has brought an extreme similarity concerning one voice actor. Whoever doesn't want to get spoiled, DON'T CHECK IT!

[Cloudedmind]

Originally Posted by amaterasu4

Does anybody know who voiced the 14th (Nea)?

Also, Anime News Network's cast section has brought an extreme similarity concerning one voice actor. Whoever doesn't want to get spoiled, DON'T CHECK IT!

Are you referring to the one we see in Allen's head? I'm pretty sure it's Ayumu Murase, the same guy who voices Allen.

[Guido]

Finally, caught with the current episode and with all of you guys.

What a ride it has been and only waiting for this current season's finale to get released.

As to how Allen has been treated for the last two story arcs in the manga, he's been sandwiched in-between two monsters: Innocence and 14th's Noah memories and knows nothing about himself. Either side despises him now and wants him dead, that I felt just helpless for Allen going through all that unfairness.

Nevertheless, it's interesting to note that Tykki left some good advice to Allen, in spite of his earlier taunts to the lad at being a bringer of chaos and conflict; Allen now knows that he has to settle matters on his own regarding the literal monsters dwelling literally inside of him. That and his determination recovered from the abyss when Road told him those same words that Nea told to Mana before, and after Mana told Allen, "Never stop but keep on walking".

I understand that Road knows a lot of what truly transpired between Mana and Nea, and if she has continued keeping secret on the matter is because maybe could be that wants Allen to find out the truth on Nea by himself.

Lastly, I do suspect that Lvellie is keeping a secret agenda of his own, because once witnessing Link's apparent corpse he came to realize it was Apocrypho's doing. I'm pretty sure Lvellie knows about Apocryphos, although likely not being awared of the latter's true identity as a sentient, humanoid Innocence but more as Central's monster assassin acting from behind his back, and, definitely, Apocryphos has quite an extensive knowledge on Lvellie's shady dealings.
Pretty much, I suspect as well that Lvellie will eventually have to align his interests with the 14th.

This episode covered only chapter 205 of the manga, and they did a good job at not only adapting faithfully the content but also filling the gaps and expanding on what happened off-panel in the manga with the Exorcists and Generals clashing against the Thirds in the anime.

I got to see the Generals and the main cast and brand-new exorcists in glorious action once more, as well as delivering very beautiful drama chemistry in between Allen and Lenalee as he parted ways from her and the Order in the last scene.

Praise again to Kaoru Wada who did wonders with the soundtrack. I cannot help but waiting for the soundtrack to get release to listen again the violin rendition to the 14th's song.

[foxbox360]

Here to another 8 or 20 years guys.

[Guido]

Originally Posted by foxbox360

Here to another 8 or 20 years guys.

That depends if Hoshino-sensei picks up the pace with the manga so one can hope that the anime encourages a boost of interest on both newbie and veteran fans to pick-up or resume the manga.

IMO, I would say another 8 years wait for a season three, as long as more manga material has been released by then.

[GDB]

It's not like the chapters are slow because she's disinterested.

[Mad Pierrot]

Finally, they changed the ending. They have exploited Kanda and Alma's relationship too much after the latter's death with "Lotus Pain". Still, I wonder if this series will ever have a movie or a third video game. I think the next manga chapter will be in October.

Originally Posted by GDB

It's not like the chapters are slow because she's disinterested.

It's because she had health issues but I don't remember what. Still, I would like to see here back in Jump Square where she has more time to focus on chapters (and we could have at least 2 volumes in a year) rather than the Shonen Jump where the mangakas barely have a life as far as I can tell. In her current state, Hoshino only wrote one volume in one year. I hope she recovers.

[Guido]

Originally Posted by amaterasu4

Finally, they changed the ending. They have exploited Kanda and Alma's relationship too much after the latter's death with "Lotus Pain".

Well, actually, the ending song was still "Lotus Pain" played during the end credits to this season's epilogue.

Originally Posted by amaterasu4

Still, I wonder if this series will ever have a movie or a third video game. I think the next manga chapter will be in October.

Back when the first D.Gray-Man anime aired I thought about that posibility for a film to the show getting released, and, still, I'm clinging on that.

Glad to hear the next chapter comes next month, since I thought the manga went on another undefined hiatus.

Originally Posted by amaterasu4

It's because she had health issues but I don't remember what. Still, I would like to see here back in Jump Square where she has more time to focus on chapters (and we could have at least 2 volumes in a year) rather than the Shonen Jump where the mangakas barely have a life as far as I can tell. In her current state, Hoshino only wrote one volume in one year. I hope she recovers.

From what I read Hoshino-sensei got sick multiple times with Norovirus and there were other times she sustained injuries in her wrist and neck, forcing to put the series in hiatus. Nevertheless, I'm glad she continues on with the series and cheering for her.


A question, is it true the soundtrack for Hallow is getting released this Wednesday the 28th?

[AB079]

Oh well is finally gone, it was a fun ride overall. Some rush here and there, some character designs that didn't fit but that's just nitpicking, I still live D-Gray man and hopefully we can get more in the future (in like 10 more years xD).