[Criticism] D.Gray-Man Hallow: the return of the human who loves akuma!

We've been talking about it for several months: the long-awaited return of D.Gray-Man in anime! And it's been almost a month since the first episode of D.Gray-Man Hallow was broadcast on the Wakanim platform. So after four episodes what is this sequel worth? Are the changes positive? Do you absolutely have to follow D.Gray-Man Hallow ? I tell you more in this review that takes stock halfway through the second season!

D.Gray-Man Hallow

Original title: ディー・グレイマン HALLOW

Alternative title: D.Gray-Man Hallow

Gender: Fantasy, Action, Combat

Type : Shônen

Year of production: 2016

Broadcast: Wakanim (July 4, 2016 at …)

Number of episodes: 13

Studio: TMS Entertainment (Angel Heart, Detective Conan)

Director: Ashino Yoshiharu (Azuki-chan TV, Tweeny Witches)

Mangaka: Hoshino Katsura

Writers: Higuchi Tatsuto, Yamashita Kenichi, Tagashira Shinobu

CharaDesigner: Kabashima Yousuke (Battle Spirits, Sora wo Kakeru Shojo)

Musical composition: Wada Kaoru (Monster Hunter, D.Gray-Man, Inuyasha)

Synopsis

Since the Central discovered that he was the host of the 14th Noah, Allen Walker has been under the constant watch of Inspector Howard Link. However, he continued his work as an exorcist and regularly participated in missions with Yû Kanda, his rival, leading him to travel to Paris. During one of their missions, their group is attacked by members of the Noah clan and they are brought back to the North American branch of the Order, stormed by the Count. There, Allen meets Alma Karma, a being from the same experience as Kanda…

© Katsura Hoshino/Shueisha, D.Gray-man Production Committee

This review may contain some spoilers, and only reflects a personal opinion about anime D.Gray-Man Hallow. To read in full knowledge of the facts.

A hand for humans. A hand for the akuma.

For this sequel to the 103 episodes of the first season of D.Gray-Man, we are once again immersed alongside the young exorcist Allen Walker, who by the way, seems to have grown up. And who has still not lost an ounce of his "love" for the akuma, formerly human beings too. After following the first volumes of the series, D.Gray-Man Hallow tackles a different story, that of Alma Karma. This arc begins in volume 18 of the manga and promises many encounters with new characters. But also a serious deepening on the history of Kanda Yû, our talented swordsman grump. All without forgetting, Allen and his personal problems that may cause him great thorny existential upheavals, Lavi and grandpa panda, Lenalee and the entire clique of exorcists of the Order!

A charadesign faithful to the manga

If like me, your eyes have remained anchored on the first season of the anime level charadesign, you may have some surprises! We must also admit it… Between 2016 and the primitive anime, produced between 2006 and 2008, a few long years passed. And the design has had time to evolve, both in the manga and in the anime, which is proven by these first episodes.

If we remain stumbled on the first season of the anime, the balance side charadesign for D.Gray-Man Hallow is somewhat mixed… Especially for a character from my point of view. Allen has gotten a little older and Krory a little older, but if there's one character that has offended my sensibilities, it's Lenalee. As much for his charadesign which falls more into fanservice as for his exaggerated blue flower attitude for my taste. But all this remains only a personal opinion. Nevertheless, if we make a strict and objective parallel between the charadesign of Katsura Hoshino's manga and the anime, we can not complain because the 2016 work is very faithful. Note also that changes have been made on the side of the seiyuu (voice actors): the first episode can be a little harsh to our ears as we were used to the original voices of Allen, Kanda and Lavi. But after a few episodes, we are already used to change.

Rhythmic fights, a nostalgic atmosphere

As usual, the fights of the D franchise.Gray-Man is not lacking in spirit! From the first episode, we find with great pleasure the whole gang of the Congregation of the Shadow in full fight against akuma. And that it is not our joy to discover that the attacks of our merry lions are much more devastating than before! It is therefore under cover of this first episode of recovery that we find all the characters who made the first season. A perfect reunion, balanced, with the launch of a major plot for Allen. Our ears also revel in the special soundtrack that makes the atmosphere of D.Gray-Man and makes us nostalgic for these first 103 episodes. We also appreciate the opening and ending of this new season interpreted by Lenny code fiction and Mashiro Ayano.

Nevertheless, where the second season sins for my taste is that apart from Allen and Kanda, we are very likely to see the other characters of the Order only in a gust of wind, without real support or anchoring in the plot. Do not expect, as in the first season, group missions so. But the plot of the anime following to the letter that of the manga, we can not blame anything, if not the road taken in the original work.

But a complex plot for so few episodes…

And that's where it goes wrong for D.Gray-Man Hallow… Because for these twelve episodes that count D.Gray-Man Hallow, the plot is rather full-bodied. Especially when we remember that in the first season for example, the arc "Krory" extending from the 31st night to the 40th, was portrayed in nearly 6 episodes, half of the current season. What tick a little when you see the speed with which the episodes scroll this summer and the ton of information "balanced" each time. But let's not blame the animation staff, the manga is messy and the events pass, link, mingle and intertwine with speed, without the time being taken to unravel or slow down the tempo. A certain lack of freshness in both versions.

And so there is a big question that needs to be asked… This "second" season of D.Is Gray-Man only to be taken as an exploration, a test phase to know if fans will follow a real second and longer adaptation? Because at present, the manga has 223 nights (counting the chapters published in Japan). Believing that the current anime will cover until the 204th night and surely launch hostilities regarding Allen's existential problem, the team will never find the time to cover this entire part. Especially since it is still ongoing in Katsura Hoshino's manga. A question that therefore remains unanswered. Because if there is a third season, it will not be planned for several years, in order to give the manga time to get enough ahead… A strategy in the choice of the number of episodes and the rhythm that is difficult for us to understand… Especially since it could have been an opportunity to lay down the story a little more and take the time to evolve and describe things. Because our favorite exorcists are in bad shape, new characters arrive from all sides facing the Noahs and our eyes hardly follow. A black spot in this anime that is finally too rhythmic in its scenario and approach.

In short, D.Gray-Man Hallow is a rhythmic and faithful sequel to the first season of Allen's adventures, but which perhaps, is too faithful to the manga, even in its messy moments. A short season that is worth seeing and that will certainly delight fans of Allen and Kanda!