Ranked #254

D.Gray-man (Manga)

I first got into D. Grayman out of curiosity because a lot of my friends were reading it and gushing about it. I expected it to be just another basic shonen title with little to captivate me, but I quickly found out that I was wrong. The first volume hooked me like none other, and I found myself with an obsession warranting catching up to the Japanese release on scans. Anyone that knows me (which isn't many of you) knows that I hate reading scans for many reasons, but it was a necessity for D. Grayman because I couldn't wait for the volumes to come out, though I still buy them when they do.

-STORY-
While it's not the most unique storyline I've ever seen, so much just feels fresh and different, especially for a shonen title. With no tournaments to be seen, the darker edge that the series has, and its perfect mix of humor, drama, and action, D. Grayman is a breath of fresh air into the genre. I adore the setting, me being in love with the selected time period, and the vibe one gets from the series is really enjoyable, especially early on. The Rewinding City chapters had to be some of the best chapters in manga ever.

-ART-
The artwork stunned me from the beginning. It's some of the most detailed manga artwork I've seen. I love the character designs, clothing, buildings...everything. The Rewinding City really did look like a small German town, and the Black Order's HQ is a treat to look at. Some characters have designs that aren't only gorgeous, but also unique as well. An example of that is Miranda Lotto. She doesn't look like your typical anime girl in any way, especially her eyes and hair, but is still lovely.

-CHARACTER-
I have yet to find a character that I truly dislike in this series, save some of the villains. They are all interesting to learn about and see interacting with each other, including minor characters like Komui, Miranda, and Reever. I'll admit that Lenalee can get irksome at times, but the others more than make up for that.

-ENJOYMENT-
All I can really say here is that this has to be my favorite of any manga I've ever read.

-OVERALL-
I've given it an overall 10, and you should all go out and buy volume 1. read more

Another misundersanding here, but why is this manga not reviewed?! Second review for manga! Here it goes!

Story: There are stories where we can skim over a few chapters and still understand what's going on; there are stories where we can skim over a few volumes and still get what is happening. D.Gray-Man doesn't fall into either category. If you miss even two- three pannels at first, if that subject rises up a again, you will be lost. Everything is thickly intervoven; you won't find mentions of something just random, and you won't find side-plots ending up with a dead end (in turn with you wasting your time). For some it might be a letdown, but if you really want a manga with style and more than one plot that COUNTS, this is the ultimate top! A 10.

Art: Beautiful images with detailed expressions and actions, the only thing that puts me off is that there can be times when the toning can be overkill ( where even on zoom in on scans you can't see what is going on) Other than that, for a shonen manga, this is probably the highest quality art that you can get. Without a fault that I can name, I give it a 10.

Character:Probabaly the strongest point of the manga, as many old time readers will agree, the character development is superb! All of the characters have a story that, first of all, is not told in one huge chunk of flashbacks as we have so commonly seen ( My first pleasant surprise). Instead, the details are told little by little in situation that really require these explanations, in turn making the story more interesting. No one has the same character and we often see two sides of one character ( as they fight themselves in decisions or in some cases, physically). You will never grow bored of their adventures and soon you will see that they hold something that you can somehow realate to. A 10.

Enjoyment: I get so much joy from sitting down and reading a chapter of this manga. No visable fillers, no long conversations unless absolutely necessary, no random character stories, I find that the manga's whole beauty lies in that. After reading a chapter, it leaves you at a cliffhanger but at the same time, you are satisfied if only for the moment; you feel as if you are given a very good chapter with information ( unlike some manga where you read a chapter and dub it as totaly worthless as you feel you are back where you started). Really, I get a full 10 out of it!

Overall: If you are really in need of something supernatural, shonen-y and full of adventure ( even a little romance!) you must put this on your to-read list. A buy worthy both of money and time, I thing that this brings definitely a certain amount of happiness when reading. If you hve the chance, please give it a try :] I hope you won't be disappointed!


Thank you all for reading my review! I hope it was helpful to all of you! read more

There is something strangely compelling about D.Gray-man. Perhaps it is the cast of characters that grows, not one obviously faster than the others, but together, or perhaps it is the emotional rollercoaster the mangaka has managed to take the readers on.

But whatever the case, D.Gray-man has this mysterious air about it, this feel of something apocalyptic and yet real, as though the characters are losing while it is clear that they are winning. [But are they winning? Winning? Or losing?]

There is something about D.Gray-man that makes you think, that makes you wonder, and that makes you shocked and surprised at the littlest of things.

The main character is one that is perhaps not easily identified with, but easily understood. His emotions, his feelings, his goals and his dreams, all these are splayed out in front of the reader. Perhaps not clearly, perhaps not in-your-face, but these themes come subtly across, and whilst these themes might be, like most shonen mangas, slightly clichéd and all too hopeful, D.Gray-man manages to bring them across such that they are believable.

D.Gray-man lets you empathize with the characters, there are never too many of them, and there are never any that you can really hate. Most of the villains [with the exception of the main one who epitomizes pure evil] have this inherent innocence, pardon the pun, to them, and at the same time there is something not quite pure in each and every one of the heroes.

D.Gray-man takes the common perception of good and evil, and while it does not quite turn this perception on its head, it makes the reader start to question, start to think, and start to worry.

Oh yes, the main villain is delectably evil and will stay so, but at the same time, there is this almost childish air to him that can easily be identified with. And yes, most definitely, the main character is fighting to defeat this main villain, but in between them lies this grey area, this killing field where hatred for the other side abounds. And yet, within this hatred lies a certain level of understanding. The characters, they understand each other, they fight each other, and they grow in many many more ways than just power.

One could perhaps say that in D.Gray-man, the lines of good and evil, of friend and foe, are sometimes a little blurred.

There is always something rather, perhaps not disturbing, but profound within the themes and characters of D.Gray-man.

D.Gray-man makes you think, and that is much much more than I can say for most other manga. read more

D. Gray-man was a series that I got into because my friends often talked about it. However, the first few chapters did not disappoint me, so I kept reading.

While the feeling of "this is your destiny, find these items" has been used time and again, D. Gray-man does bring some interesting spins. However, this does not ignore the difficulty of such a broad thesis, so to speak. I think that Hoshino realized rather belatedly that it's difficult to keep the reader interested in a manga that will go on for quite a while. There are 109 or so Innocence; the Order must find them all. I think that Hoshino realized this would take quite a long time, and that it was taking on a Tsubasa Chronicle-feel (and we all know how that went...). It scared me a little, how the plot seemed to be a little similar to Tsubasa's. It is my belief that, after realizing this, she added in, "Oh, wait! If the Earl finds the Heart, we're all dead!"

After that declaration, the story seems to peak at the arc with the Ark (hehe... is that considered punny?). After the Ark, everything had this new feel to it, yet Hoshino let me down by not taking advantage of this new start. Then there were complications and the storyline slowed down, eventually becoming as twisted as Tsubasa Chronicle, of which my gut had warned me. What really disappointed me, as a former (well, I guess it is more accurate to say dormant) Yullen fan, was chapter 176. I remember it clearly because that chapter just killed me oh, so much. It is possible, though, for Hoshino to recover from this literary slump. Only time will tell, I suppose.

A very prominent factor in drawing me into this manga was the cast of characters. Though yes, they seemed to be easily grouped into certain "types" of characters (Kanda, for a while, seemed to be a long-haired Sasuke to me, even though Kanda's my favorite character and I cannot bear 95% of the characters in Naruto, including Sasuke), Hoshino finds little ways to begin to wedge them away from that grouping... and after the Ark, slaps them back in the category, which disappointed me-- very much so. However, there is a chance for redemption.

Throughout the time I read the manga, I enjoyed it very much until it seemed like a down period for Kanda, and after 176, I had no will to read it anymore because I was so shocked by what Hoshino had done to him. I got over it, though, and was shocked again. The plot twists involving Kanda wrenched my heart (but maybe that's because I'm biased).

The artwork in the beginning was very good, but it became even more beautiful as the series progressed. Every panel was like a flower blooming; every battle scene was depicted with clarity-- until after the Ark, when Hoshino began having health problems. I will concede that carpal tunnel does impair an artist's ability, but one of my closest friends has carpal tunnel but continues to produce beautiful work whose quality surpasses that of everything she had every drawn before. But I digress.

Character designs are all very unique; costumes and hairstyles are outlandish yet somewhat realistic at the same time. The only person whose hair is unnatural is Allen, and... well... he's not natural. Also, white is a natural color... just not on a boy of fifteen (is that how old he is?). All of the designs are acceptable in a realistic, modern setting (costumes and clothing aside). It is filled with lots of eye candy (Kanda and Lavi ♥),

Overall, D. Gray-man is a very good manga-- to a point. I would like to think that Hoshino has lost interest and needs to be invigorated with the power that once compelled this author to write such a great beginning. Although I have lost interest, perhaps I will come back. read more

there is something about this series that i find very captivating. before i started reading/watching this series i remember one of my online friends mention it every now and then and she seemed to really like it. even so there was still something that kept me from trying it and i fully regret that now because there is not much about this series that i can't appreciate.
ok let's get down to business now. let's start with a story. when i first heard the basic story of humans vs. demons what i thought was "this doesn't seem like a very original story and i might get bored quickly" but boy was i wrong! while it might not have the most original concept of good vs. evil there are many little quirks and different sides to it that give it a very original spin and i am far from ever getting bored. i think one of the strongest points of the story is the perfect balance of comedy, horror, drama, fighting, and a hint of romance to top it all off. one of the only things that might irk me a little is the fact that the main characters always seem to be in some of the most helpless situations, but then again that keeps away lame filler chapters and definitely keeps the story going. this story put me through an emotional rollercoaster! i laughed, i cried, i felt angry, and i fangirled.
the art is some of the best art i've seen in shonen manga. the character design catches the feel of the character's traits and it captures emotions so that i can practically feel it coming off of the page and i feel like i'm practically jumping right into the story which is obviously a major plus. the action is intense, the emotions are raw, and the art definitely adds to all that.
no doubt, the characters are the best you will find in any story, manga and otherwise. the characters are definitely far from one-dimensional, especially in the main character, Allen Walker. if you were to see Allen at the beginning when he seems like the most innocent and adorable person in world, and then skip towards the chapters in the hundreds you would be amazed at the development. not only in Allen, but all the characters. none of the characters are completely good or completely evil either and the ugly side is shown in each character which definitely adds to the series.
the enjoyment of this series is the highest enjoyment i have had for any series in a while. i seriously can't stop reading this, i have to always see what happens next.
overall this series is amazing and i can't believe this was created by just one person alone. anyone who is looking for a good series should definitely consider trying this read more

This is my first review, so I apologize if it's not very clear or has any other problems. Now onto the review:

Story 7:
The manga started off great and the story was very pulling and imaginative. The wealth of characters and the different types of weapons/enemies in the manga made it very enjoyable. Although it followed a somewhat streamline shounen storyline as the main character achieves more and more power-ups as time goes on, the philosophical and religious perspective of the story added more depth than what most other similar mangas have. I loved the story a lot until the more recent chapters where things have gotten very confusing. The story itself is still interesting, but the way the manga is presented it's hard to understand what your looking at and through whose eyes your seeing it as flashbacks and reality become mixed together in an unflattering way. If it somehow comes out of this with some clarity I'd raise the score but as it stands, it is very crude and deserves a mere 7.

Art 8:
I'm not much of an art guy when it comes to manga as long as you can understand what is going on in all the frames. The manga does have a unique look and the characters each have their own sense about them from the drawing, but once again the recent chapters and their confusion has lowered this score as well.

Character 8:
The characters are numerous and up until recently were covered extensively in both their background and how they acquired their abilities. One of the main drawing points of this manga was that even though it had to focus on Allen, it never sacrificed the other characters to do so. Once again, in recent chapters, a large number of new characters are introduced and this score, which was a 10, has now gone down to an 8.

Enjoyment 9:
Even with the recent flaws, the manga as a whole is very enjoyable for a variety of reasons: unique storyline, great variety of characters with a lot of depth, the different weapons and enemies that keep the reader intrigued.

Overall 8:
All I've said above should sum it up pretty well I would hope, and this would be higher if the recent chapters had not taken such a horrible turn for the worst. One can only hope the manga will be restored to its former greatness. read more

I can't remember if this is one of the cases where the Anime ended prematurely causing me to start reading the manga. But regardless D. Gray Man has lost me over the past few years. Many of the chapters seem to jump in time and location making the already confusing story line even more difficult to follow. Who is bad and who is good becomes frustratingly unclear as the story moves from a simple black and white to one huge conspiracy theory.

STORY
Despite the fact that this story begins as a typical good vs. evil plot, the story thickens, twists, elaborates, and eventually becomes a huge web of gray. One of the previous reviews states that the main villain is inherently and undeniably 100% evil. If the reader simply invests into the series, there will doubts. D.Gray Man has proved itself to be unique and compelling. The story line may begin as standard, but evolves onto a whole new caliber.

ART
The art is very appealing to those that enjoy detail. The style consists of handsomely created main characters that are set in juxtaposition with the Gothic 'Akuma' and sometimes ugly Innocence. The visual appeal of D.Gray-Man is never boring, especially considering the fact that the author's style vastly and rapidly changes over time. Look at a picture from the beginning, middle, and end. It's difficult to believe they're even done by the same artist, save the detailed character designs.
Towards the most recent chapters, Hoshino displays an immense understanding of muscle and anatomy as well has implicating immense details into her horror-geared demons. Definitely one of the most interesting mangakas out there.

CHARACTER
The characters of DGM are anything but typical. Allen Walker, the protagonist, starts out to seem one way, but then turns out to be another person completely. As the series develops and reveals new questions and insights, so does the main character. Allen begins as someone who knows exactly what he wants and where he's going, and the current Allen is completely at a loss for who he is and isn't as open-minded as he would have liked to think (as are most people in the world). He becomes easier to identify with as he struggles with his identity.
Miranda Lotto is a great comic relief character, and it is delightful to know that Hoshino (the author) based this accident-prone screw-up almost solely on herself.
Kanda Yuu is the typical brooding jerk that the fangirls always fall for. At first, I hated this character. But when his mysterious past is revealed, I gained a new respect and intrigue for him.
Lavi is another one of the humor-oriented characters, but has a very serious dark side. The Bookman clan of which he belongs is a very interesting idea of the author and offers a new take on things.
There are several other lovable characters, one being Lenalee Lee. As far as female characters go, she is one of the best. She has a strong personality and holds her own even without the overwhelming male characters.

The villains are absolutely phenomenal. They're sometimes more likable than the heroes themselves. Tyki Mikk and Road Camelot are good examples. They have their own motives and ideals along with the Exorcists.

ENJOYMENT
There is a nice balance of comedy, tragedy, and mystery. Despite the fact that the situation of the protagonist is inherently hopeless, the readers find themselves loyal and tenacious just like the main characters. There aren't very many dull moments in this manga.

OVERALL
Definitely recommend. There is so much to this series. To really grasp the ideas listed here (and so many more that aren't mentioned), one just has invest in the work. Ultimately, DGM deserves a 10. read more

~ My Feeling For This Manga
When I First Reading The Manga D.Gray man From Vol 1, I Was Like Hmm... The Cover Looks Really Nice
- At First It Seems Like Kinda Boring In The Few Chapters But I Keep Reading Cause I Was Like Pfft. I Know This is Really Nifty Manga Ima Keep Reading
- In Secs The Action Made The Think It Was Like Bleach, After One Hour I Was Like Wow.... Im Already Finished With The 3 Books I Have In Rl
So I Keep Reading And Reading On Internet Cause I Only Had The 3 Vols In RL
Until Then I Was already On Chapter 50+ In Few Days
It Had Very Sads Momments , Funny Momments, An OMG Was Going To Happen Next Momments O _ O
So Here I Am At On Chapter 211 Waiting For Jan. To Come So I Can Read Chapter 212 To See Whats Going To Happen Next
~ To Me Im Glad I Didn't Give Up On This Manga,
- I Regret The People Who Did Cause Its A Lovely Story An Manga

~ Main Character
Ok Ok.... Lets Start Beginning ( Struggles To Remember)
The Story Starts About This 15/16 White Hair Child Named Allen Walker,
- Ok First I Know What Your Thinking Why Is Is Hair White?
Well He Used To Have Brown Hair When He Was a Child, Plus
He Was Homeless Too Until He Meet This Clown Named Mana He Spinned Alot With Him Until He Died, Until Earl Came To See Allen And Asked Him If He Wanted Him Back, Yada yada > < So Earl Brought Mana But Into a Akuma (Robot Like Skeleton That Uses Dead Human Bodys)
This IS When His Innocence Woken An Processed Him, Now Know On Hes Hafe Akuma/ Human He See if Humans Around Him With His Akuma Eye....
He Was Born With This Rare Innocence (The Clown King)

~ My Story Info
- The Story Is Mostly About Allen Walker Searching / Finding Innocences Or With Innocence Within Them
- The Story Gets More Exciting Were You Dont Want To Stop Reading, Or Some Parts Were You Kill Over Whats Going To Happen Next, Or Cry Over The Saddest Most Touching Parts In It


~ My Rating
Story : 10
- Reason: Above xD
Art : 10
- Reason: The Art Is Really Beautiful Throe out The Story
Characters: 10
- Reason: The Characters In This Story Here Dont Think Its Not Just About " Where On a Team So We Gotta Stick Together" They Say That But They Really Mean "We May Be On Team But Friendship Never Died Even If The World Will End"
Enjoyment: 9
Reason - Lots Of Amazing Drooling Over Fights,
Very Funny Sports, Some Were Go Laughing Out Loud, And Some Here You Go Laughing Outta The Chair.
Very Emotional Parts Were You;ll Cry Through Until There is Funny/Happy Part

Overall I Have it a 10 :D read more

D.Gray-man has the most common elements of shounen manga. The main character has a rare and special ability, he had a hard childhood but is still a kind person. There is a clear line between good and bad, a large group of supporting character and a lot of action.

And even though this manga has all of this, it's different from the most popular shounen mangas, and much better than them.
First of all... It's hard to believe, but yes, this story has a plot. Not just separate sagas and fights, but also a clear pattern of cause and effect. Defeating one enemy after the other until you reach the goal is part of the plot, but it's not all of it.
Another good thing is the character development. You can't describe any of the characters (at least the good guys) with just one word, or even one sentence. The main character isn't the usual dumb protagonists, and not the usual attention-seeking protagonist, and not some type of protagonist. He makes the impression of a person, not a type-of-character (and he's cute!). And the other characters aren't stereotypes either, they all have their own personalities.
And here I finally get to the art. Since I'm an artist myself, the art in a manga is usually the most important thing to me. It's not about the actual quality, but about the ability of the artist to show what he means. And D.Gray-man is great! In the fight scenes, it's easy to follow. You can always tell the characters apart. There are a lot of details, but not enough to confuse you. The reason why I give the art 9 points and not ten is because I don't like the design of the monsters. But everything else is awesome, much more than I expected from a shounen manga!

There are many other reasons why I like D.Gray-man. The perfect balance between action and comedy and the character design are just a few of them.
So, erm.. Go read it! (?) read more