Thousands of years ago, there were individuals endowed with divine powers. Their mission was to eliminate the malevolent beings known as "Akuma," which lurked in the shadows. Under the Millennium Earl's leadership, these Akuma sought to destroy fragments of "Innocence," the only weapons capable of harming the Earl and his forces, and to initiate a catastrophic flood similar to one from a century ago.
To prevent this looming disaster, the Black Order was established. This organization recruits Exorcists—individuals who can wield Innocence—to fight against the Akuma. In the late 19th century, Allen Walker, a young boy with white hair and a left arm made of Innocence, along with a cursed eye that can detect Akuma, joins the Black Order. There, he meets various comrades: the volatile Yuu Kanda, the compassionate Lenalee Lee, and the cheerful yet enigmatic Lavi. Despite their differing personalities, they share a common goal: to save the souls of Akuma and stop the Earl from destroying the world.
D.Gray-man has been published in English by VIZ Media under the Shonen Jump Advanced imprint since May 2, 2006, and in 3-in-1 omnibus editions since July 2, 2013. It has also been published in Spanish, initially by Glénat for the first 23 volumes until August 2012, when Shueisha terminated the contract. Since July 2013, Ivrea has taken over, reissuing the first 23 volumes and simultaneously releasing new ones. In Italian, it has been published by Panini Comics under the Planet Manga imprint since July 20, 2006.
I was recommended this manga by an old friend named Brian, whom I met at a McGill summer camp in Montreal. It's really good, and if you're reading this, Brian, I miss you and want to reconnect. DM me on Twitter if you see this @NodRocka.
The story is solid for a shounen manga. I particularly enjoyed the system they used and the various elements of the story.
The panels were beautifully drawn.
The characters, though basic, were likable. The creators tried to do a lot with these characters, which added depth to their development.
Since I enjoy shounen, I would rate my enjoyment as a 9/10.
Overall: 9/10
The D.Gray-Man anime is enjoyable, though it can be a bit strange and quirky. The story follows a somewhat formulaic pattern, but the characters are intriguing, and the art style is quite distinctive. If you enjoyed Soul Eater or Pandora Hearts, this anime shares some stylistic similarities.
The manga is also entertaining, although there are moments where the author seems to lose track of the narrative she's trying to tell. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly dramatic and dark.
The anime doesn't have a definitive ending because the manga was still ongoing when the anime concluded, leaving things a bit open-ended. This isn't unusual and is generally acceptable.
Regarding the manga, after chapter 170 or so, there was a long hiatus. When the series resumed, the art style had changed dramatically. If you plan to read the entire series, be prepared for this shift in art around that point. I wouldn't say the quality decreases, but it certainly looks like it's being drawn by a different person.
It began at a slow pace, but around the second half of the series (around volumes 12, 13, and 14), it starts to pick up. By volumes 21 and 22, things get truly intense. It's enough to label it an unfinished masterpiece. I'm confident that when I read it again, I'll notice many details I missed before.
Story: 10 - The plot twists are incredible, and the slow buildup pays off if you're patient while reading this.
Art: 9 - The artwork is stunning and improves as the series progresses.
Characters: 9 - The dynamic between the antagonist and protagonist is mind-blowing, just brilliant. All characters have an air of mystery and are intriguing.
Enjoyment: 8 - It was very enjoyable, though personally, I found the first half a bit of a chore to get through on my first read. Still, it was enjoyable, and I'm sure a second read will increase my appreciation even more.
Overall: 9
Total Score: 45/50 = 9/10
Depending on how the story concludes, it might be a 10/10. Additionally, I plan to read it again, so my rating could change then.
Excellent manga worth giving a shot.
D.Gray-man is definitely one of my top 10 manga because it has everything I want. It includes humor, adventure, a touch of horror, and maybe even some romance! LOL
The characters are unforgettable, and the storyline moves at a fast pace. Plus, they are Hot! LOL Especially Kanda, Rabi, and Allen. Overall, it's awesome!
It's unfortunate that the series is on hiatus. There's a rumor that the mangaka was sued for plagiarism, so I looked into it. It was frustrating to see such a fuss made over something that is only slightly similar. If you could see the article, you'd feel the same way. I hope the mangaka wins the case and can continue creating this amazing manga if that's indeed the reason for the hiatus.
I read D. Gray-man because I wanted to delve deeper into the series after finishing the anime. The fights thrilled me, and I learned many things not covered in our history classes. Here’s my take on it:
Story:
The story is incredibly creative with an engaging plot. Its originality is commendable. What really hooks me is the blend of mystery, suspense, and unexpected twists followed by moments of comedy. This mix keeps me addicted and guessing about what will happen next. The setting perfectly complements every situation, creating the right atmosphere. I particularly love the historical period depicted. During this era, real-world conflicts over land, money, and power were rampant, but the author ingeniously introduced a unique battle between Innocence and the Noahs. This twist makes the Noah Ark Arc my favorite part of the story.
Art:
Initially, I wasn’t fond of the art style, but as I continued reading, it grew on me. The imaginative architecture, such as that found in the Black Order and the Ark, is fascinating. The interior designs are equally impressive. The accuracy in depicting various countries like Edo, Berlin, Brooklyn, and China adds authenticity. Even the exorcist uniforms are both fashionable and cool.
Character:
Allen, like many shounen heroes, is stubborn yet funny. After reading numerous shounen manga, I’ve grown to appreciate his attitude. Each character has their own unique charm. Minor characters like Cross Marian, Bookman, Komui, and Bak add significant depth to the main storyline. My favorite characters are the Noahs, especially the Earl, due to their enigmatic nature and unpredictable motives.
Enjoyment:
Once you start reading, you’ll find it hard to stop. The story is so captivating that you’re bound to enjoy it. The humor often comes unexpectedly during serious moments, leading to laughter amidst thrilling battles.
Overall:
It’s an awesome and fun read that leaves you craving more. It’s thrilling and keeps you hooked from start to finish.
8/10
I watched some of the D. Gray-man anime back in middle school, and when I heard it got another anime adaptation, I decided to finally check out the manga. It was worth it. I ended up reading all the currently published chapters in just one weekend.
Usually, I don’t get into many shonen series because they tend to be too long and drag out the plot to the point where repetition and retcon character development become issues.
However, I was captivated by the simple yet beautiful premise set up at the beginning of D. Gray-man. While the pacing can be a bit odd at times, the characters are strong, distinctive, and relatable. Their emotions resonate with me.
The characters aren't just archetypes; they feel real. To me, one of the most crucial aspects of any story is its characters.
The visuals improve with each chapter, especially during pivotal emotional moments or stylistic shifts in art style during comedic scenes.
The story can be complex and sad, but also fun and interesting.
I have to admit, I didn't expect D.Gray-man to be this good when I first started reading it. I recommend it to anyone and everyone. The plot was well-structured, and the characters were thoughtfully developed. However, the art was a mixed bag – it was both amazing and terrible. The mangaka clearly knows how to draw characters in still poses, and I found the expressions she drew for them to be excellent. The only downside was the fight scenes, particularly during the Edo arc. I must confess that I didn't understand half of that arc. Aside from that, it was a perfect ten.
This is my first review, so I apologize if it's not very clear or has any other issues. Now onto the review:
Story: 7
The manga started off great, with a story that was very engaging and imaginative. The wealth of characters and the variety of weapons and enemies made it highly enjoyable. Although it followed a somewhat typical shounen storyline where the main character gains more power over time, the philosophical and religious elements added depth that most similar mangas lack. I loved the story a lot until the more recent chapters, which have become very confusing. The story remains interesting, but the presentation makes it hard to understand what you're looking at and whose perspective you're seeing, as flashbacks and reality blend in an unappealing way. If clarity improves, I'd raise the score, but for now, it feels crude and deserves a 7.
Art: 8
I'm not much of an art critic when it comes to manga, as long as you can understand what's happening in each frame. This manga does have a unique look, and the characters are distinctively drawn. However, the recent chapters' confusion has lowered this score as well.
Character: 8
There are numerous characters, and up until recently, they were well-developed with detailed backgrounds and ability origins. One of the main draws of this manga was its ability to focus on Allen without sacrificing other characters. Unfortunately, the introduction of many new characters in recent chapters has brought this score down from a 10 to an 8.
Enjoyment: 9
Despite recent flaws, the manga remains very enjoyable due to its unique storyline, a great variety of characters with depth, and diverse weapons and enemies that keep readers intrigued.
Overall: 8
All of the above should sum it up well. This score would be higher if not for the recent chapters taking a significant downturn. One can only hope the manga will return to its former greatness.