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D.Gray-man #2
D.Gray-man, Vol. 2
Old Man of the Land and Aria of the Night Sky:
Set in a fictional end of the 19th century England, the story revolves around a teenage boy named Allen Walker who is cursed with a cross mark on his hand that turns his arm into an enormous weapon, which he uses to hunt down and kill akumas. An akuma, generated by a 1,000-year-old phantom, is implanted into a human's soul during a moment of devastation and despair. The phantom uses the demons to then carry out his goal: destroy all humankind.
182 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
32 people are currently reading
1106 people want to read
About the author
Katsura Hoshino
84 books643 followers星野 桂
Katsura Hoshino ((星野 桂 Hoshino Katsura) was born on April 21, 1980, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, as the younger of fraternal twin girls and the second of three children. She drew her first manga at twenty-one. In 1998, Hoshino moved to Tokyo. She dreamed of bringing her mother to the city and was able to in 2006.
She made her debut with her comics in July 2003 with the publication of her first manga series Continue and is known for her work, D.Gray-man, which began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in May 2004.
Katsura Hoshino ((星野 桂 Hoshino Katsura) was born on April 21, 1980, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, as the younger of fraternal twin girls and the second of three children. She drew her first manga at twenty-one. In 1998, Hoshino moved to Tokyo. She dreamed of bringing her mother to the city and was able to in 2006.
She made her debut with her comics in July 2003 with the publication of her first manga series Continue and is known for her work, D.Gray-man, which began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in May 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
September 13, 2020
Volume 2 is pretty much one short story arc involving Allen's first mission as an exorcist as well as his first team up with Kanda. A good amount of action and a well done and moving bit of drama involving an innocence controlled doll.
Read 9/13
Read 9/13
Read
September 9, 2020This second volume manages to greatly improve on an already very solid debut. It is tighter, covering only one narrative arc, has a greater sense of urgency, conflict and emotional depth. Hoshino-sensei expands on her 'fictional 19th century' so as to create a sense of a wide, rich universe that is as dangerous as it is beautiful.
Allen has reached the Dark Order headquarters, a looming massive edifice that allows D.Gray-man's trademark Gothic aesthetics to find expression in architecture. While we were given a tour via Lenalee in the first volume, it remains a locus of trepidation as much as it is a home in the making for Allen.
Part of this ambiguity originates in Kanda. One of the most popular characters in the entire franchise, Kanda is the ultimate bishie with an attitude. Drawn as a very pretty samurai with a perma-smirk, Kanda immediately clashes with Allen, in the most literal ways: The first thing Kanda did was attack Allen without as much as exchanging a word. The conflict between Kanda's set of values and Allen's will form the core of this volume.
The ambiguity, though, runs much deeper and relates to Allen himself and how his dual nature makes him something of a liability. These two sources are interconnected as well. Kanda's attack, as savage as it is, was not random. The Gate who is responsible for screening Akuma from entering Headquarters flagge him as a threat. It is only then that Kanda proceeded to go all out on him. Allen's status as the carrier of an Akuma-like weapon is what triggered the entire thing and the subsequent ordeal with Hevlaska also had its roots in it. Hevlaska's pit, in the deeper parts of Headquarters, is a very physical representation of the ways in which the building, and by extension the Order, view Allen as a double edged sword.
Allen barely has time to become acquainted with his new residence, just enough for his antagonism with Kanda to climb a notch. In Allen we have the quintessential savior type of shounen hero and one of the defining features of this is valuing other over oneself. It follows that Allen can shrug off Kanda's attack even if he resents it but he cannot do the same when he overhears Kanda insulting the Finders for getting themselves killed in the line of duty. Not only is Kanda being horribly insensitive as he is doubly so given that he addressing Finders who have just lost comrades.
It is this episode that creates the tension between Allen and Kanda, tension that will increase with each panel as they are paired together on a mission. Almost right away Allen is tossed into battle with an ally who has no interest in actually working with him and who operates with an entirely different set of values.
Much has been made of this ongoing fight. It is seen as suppressed lust by some, others just see it as comedy (the franchise itself plays with this) or just an interesting dynamic of opposites and Hoshino-sensei very likely meant all these readings to function in tandem. But I would argue it runs much deeper. At its very heart is the question of what a hero should be. Kanda's ideas are those of a ruthless soldier whose comrades serve a purpose and can be discarded, left to fend for themselves or even sacrificed if need be. Kanda is engaged in total war while Allen strives to save everyone, Akuma included.
These are not just radically opposing points of view, they are mutually exclusive. Whether Kanda's popularity hints at a readership that sympathizes with his cold-hearted approach is unclear but it makes me wonder if Kanda, while proven to be usually morally wrong, does not open up possibilities of more drastically dark fiction.
Not surprisingly, Allen and Kanda cannot work together when they most desperately need to do so because they are not up against your average Akuma but a Level Two. The idea of Akuma evolution had already been floated but is only fully realized in this volume. The Level Two is terrifying, the thing of nightmares, a sentient walking nightmare.
Most the action takes place in an abandoned village that is depicted with great care so that the reader has more of a sense of spatial dimensions than the manga has achieved thus far. The battle scenes are almost on point, they flow very well across the vast stage Hoshino-sensei has created, full of spidery cobbled streets and crumbling roofs above them. The Gothic architecture motif is realized with mastery here.
What makes this volume stand out so much is the emotional pull it manages to pack.
It is worth mentioning that the ever savvy mangaka was already dropping hints of things to come in a most masterful way. There is some quite clever symbolism in the later parts of this volume that gain greater strength upon rereading. As aside, I remember the fandom being very confused as to Kanda's gender, with many firmly convinced he is, in fact, a woman. This when as early as volume two he is shown shirtless and very obviously as a male. Yet the discussion persisted for years on end.
At the end of the chapter, Allen has grown as a person and the manga has established what will it reaffirm in harsher tones as the story progresses: Total war or not, at times the best outcome is still fraught with pain.
Massive spoilers for later volumes:
Allen has reached the Dark Order headquarters, a looming massive edifice that allows D.Gray-man's trademark Gothic aesthetics to find expression in architecture. While we were given a tour via Lenalee in the first volume, it remains a locus of trepidation as much as it is a home in the making for Allen.
Part of this ambiguity originates in Kanda. One of the most popular characters in the entire franchise, Kanda is the ultimate bishie with an attitude. Drawn as a very pretty samurai with a perma-smirk, Kanda immediately clashes with Allen, in the most literal ways: The first thing Kanda did was attack Allen without as much as exchanging a word. The conflict between Kanda's set of values and Allen's will form the core of this volume.
The ambiguity, though, runs much deeper and relates to Allen himself and how his dual nature makes him something of a liability. These two sources are interconnected as well. Kanda's attack, as savage as it is, was not random. The Gate who is responsible for screening Akuma from entering Headquarters flagge him as a threat. It is only then that Kanda proceeded to go all out on him. Allen's status as the carrier of an Akuma-like weapon is what triggered the entire thing and the subsequent ordeal with Hevlaska also had its roots in it. Hevlaska's pit, in the deeper parts of Headquarters, is a very physical representation of the ways in which the building, and by extension the Order, view Allen as a double edged sword.
Allen barely has time to become acquainted with his new residence, just enough for his antagonism with Kanda to climb a notch. In Allen we have the quintessential savior type of shounen hero and one of the defining features of this is valuing other over oneself. It follows that Allen can shrug off Kanda's attack even if he resents it but he cannot do the same when he overhears Kanda insulting the Finders for getting themselves killed in the line of duty. Not only is Kanda being horribly insensitive as he is doubly so given that he addressing Finders who have just lost comrades.
It is this episode that creates the tension between Allen and Kanda, tension that will increase with each panel as they are paired together on a mission. Almost right away Allen is tossed into battle with an ally who has no interest in actually working with him and who operates with an entirely different set of values.
Much has been made of this ongoing fight. It is seen as suppressed lust by some, others just see it as comedy (the franchise itself plays with this) or just an interesting dynamic of opposites and Hoshino-sensei very likely meant all these readings to function in tandem. But I would argue it runs much deeper. At its very heart is the question of what a hero should be. Kanda's ideas are those of a ruthless soldier whose comrades serve a purpose and can be discarded, left to fend for themselves or even sacrificed if need be. Kanda is engaged in total war while Allen strives to save everyone, Akuma included.
These are not just radically opposing points of view, they are mutually exclusive. Whether Kanda's popularity hints at a readership that sympathizes with his cold-hearted approach is unclear but it makes me wonder if Kanda, while proven to be usually morally wrong, does not open up possibilities of more drastically dark fiction.
Not surprisingly, Allen and Kanda cannot work together when they most desperately need to do so because they are not up against your average Akuma but a Level Two. The idea of Akuma evolution had already been floated but is only fully realized in this volume. The Level Two is terrifying, the thing of nightmares, a sentient walking nightmare.
Most the action takes place in an abandoned village that is depicted with great care so that the reader has more of a sense of spatial dimensions than the manga has achieved thus far. The battle scenes are almost on point, they flow very well across the vast stage Hoshino-sensei has created, full of spidery cobbled streets and crumbling roofs above them. The Gothic architecture motif is realized with mastery here.
What makes this volume stand out so much is the emotional pull it manages to pack.
It is worth mentioning that the ever savvy mangaka was already dropping hints of things to come in a most masterful way. There is some quite clever symbolism in the later parts of this volume that gain greater strength upon rereading. As aside, I remember the fandom being very confused as to Kanda's gender, with many firmly convinced he is, in fact, a woman. This when as early as volume two he is shown shirtless and very obviously as a male. Yet the discussion persisted for years on end.
At the end of the chapter, Allen has grown as a person and the manga has established what will it reaffirm in harsher tones as the story progresses: Total war or not, at times the best outcome is still fraught with pain.
Massive spoilers for later volumes:
March 5, 2022
The second volumes is about Allen first mission after joining Black Order. He's in a mission with Kanda Yuu (damn pretty boy cough).
More information about Innocence and how it apply on various forms like the doll. The doll and human story is so emotional for me, I'm tearing up a bit.
Kanda and Allen is so funny, they could be instant bestfriend but Kanda is an emo boy who being angry and scolds Allen for his good nature (which is good and bad sometimes). I admire that there is a character that have opposite personality from Allen, its shows how their friendship have a good dynamic.
Overall, I enjoy the comedy, action and a bit angst in this volumes. Its so good.
More information about Innocence and how it apply on various forms like the doll. The doll and human story is so emotional for me, I'm tearing up a bit.
Kanda and Allen is so funny, they could be instant bestfriend but Kanda is an emo boy who being angry and scolds Allen for his good nature (which is good and bad sometimes). I admire that there is a character that have opposite personality from Allen, its shows how their friendship have a good dynamic.
Overall, I enjoy the comedy, action and a bit angst in this volumes. Its so good.
June 14, 2020
D.Gray-Man volume 2 is pretty much a self-contained story arc. This time, Allen teams up with the ever-grumpy Kanda to fight a more powerful Akuma in a race to get the Innocence.
Once again, rereading after 10+ years was a bit of a trip. These early translations of the series still had yet to settle on the Romanization of the characters names, and so it ends up with some inconsistencies, some within the same volume ("Toma" for instance is referred to as "Tom" on the back cover). This will eventually even out, but it's kind of fun to see the early days of the series.
This particular story is where D.Gray-Man starts getting its stride. It's a nice encapsulation of the way D.Gray-Man is told for quite some time going forward: a shorter self-contained adventure that ties into the bigger picture. It's a sad tale that I remember reading again and again back when I first picked this volume up, and its holds up better than the wordier first volume. The battles are bigger compared to volume 1, and the art is already improving, especially on the chapter images.
We also get little nuggets of back story for the perpetual grouch Kanda that actually pay off in the far-flung future of the series, so it was kind of nice to see those early hints and be able to go "hee hee, I know what he's talking about~"
It's a strong second volume that makes for a good quick read.
Once again, rereading after 10+ years was a bit of a trip. These early translations of the series still had yet to settle on the Romanization of the characters names, and so it ends up with some inconsistencies, some within the same volume ("Toma" for instance is referred to as "Tom" on the back cover). This will eventually even out, but it's kind of fun to see the early days of the series.
This particular story is where D.Gray-Man starts getting its stride. It's a nice encapsulation of the way D.Gray-Man is told for quite some time going forward: a shorter self-contained adventure that ties into the bigger picture. It's a sad tale that I remember reading again and again back when I first picked this volume up, and its holds up better than the wordier first volume. The battles are bigger compared to volume 1, and the art is already improving, especially on the chapter images.
We also get little nuggets of back story for the perpetual grouch Kanda that actually pay off in the far-flung future of the series, so it was kind of nice to see those early hints and be able to go "hee hee, I know what he's talking about~"
It's a strong second volume that makes for a good quick read.
May 10, 2024
Reread: i forgot how much of an asshole Kanda is in the beginning hahaha
And i still remembered a lot of Lalas tragic story, but enjoyed reading it again. This volume showed how much of an empath Allen is and Hoshino didn‘t force immediate friendship with Kanda. I liked that 👍🏻
There is already so much symbolism though, i feel like i need to make notes for later..
And i still remembered a lot of Lalas tragic story, but enjoyed reading it again. This volume showed how much of an empath Allen is and Hoshino didn‘t force immediate friendship with Kanda. I liked that 👍🏻
There is already so much symbolism though, i feel like i need to make notes for later..
September 17, 2020
So creepyyyyyyyy
And also so sad. I'm so not ready to survive this serie.
On a more technical note: good follow up. we meet more characters, learn new concept, see new fighting. The world is slowly being built and I like it.
And also so sad. I'm so not ready to survive this serie.
On a more technical note: good follow up. we meet more characters, learn new concept, see new fighting. The world is slowly being built and I like it.
December 8, 2022
Kanda and Allen's chemistry in this volume is fantastic. The Akuma had a really cool design and power set, and the story Guzol and Lala was very cute and subverted my expectations. This is a really strong first couple of volumes. If the series keeps this level of quality, it could end up being a favorite of mine.
March 23, 2017
That was really good. I am so intrigued!!! I think I'm starting to love these characters.
October 10, 2020
This one made me emotional 😭
June 7, 2021
Plot - 5
Character - 5
Writing Style - 5
World Building - 5
Art - 5
Cover - 5
Overall - 5 / 5
Character - 5
Writing Style - 5
World Building - 5
Art - 5
Cover - 5
Overall - 5 / 5
July 2, 2022
first mission had me tearing up, I have such high hopes
April 10, 2023
It's interesting because I've seen the episode equivalent of this volume and it's one of my least favourite ones and yet, it's so emotional still
June 20, 2021
Ho fatto un piantino
April 21, 2024
A bit dark and a very dramatic story, almost romantic and sad.
September 26, 2024
These are such quick reads! I would say that I'm a slow reader, so it taking me only an hour is an accomplishment lol.
This volume actually has a little plot twist and somehow I always forget about it, so it always catches me off guard and surprises me. 😆
I dislike early-on Kanda so much, but if I remember right he gets a lot of character development and becomes a good character later on.
Super fast paced! Love it!
This volume actually has a little plot twist and somehow I always forget about it, so it always catches me off guard and surprises me. 😆
I dislike early-on Kanda so much, but if I remember right he gets a lot of character development and becomes a good character later on.
Super fast paced! Love it!
June 30, 2023
Manga/graphic novels count as reading and after writing 66 cover letters I need this for my brain.
April 13, 2018
I was so sad when I finish reading this because Lala was dead. On the other hand, I have 2 points that I really like. One is when Allen’s ANTI-AKUMA changed into stronger one. That was really cool. Second is Toma’s bag! It has a function of phone. I love it!
September 11, 2008
Overall Rating: B-
Synopsis: The plot revolves around Allen Walker, an Exorcist, in the end of the 19th century Europe. Allen is a member of the Dark Order, a group of Exorcists connected with the Vatican. Their mission is to stop The Millennium Earl, an evil ghoul intending to cleanse the world by destroying all the humans in the manner of Noah's great flood. In the first volume, we get some back story, learn that exorcists kick ass, have a clubhouse, and don't play well with others.
D. Gray-man is written by Hoshino Katsura, and shows a lot of promise. I knew I was going to like the book when I immediately began considering cosplay options for the main character, Allen Walker. In the world of D. Grayman, apparently there are ghosts, ghouls and more, and the only thing that can fight them is an Exorcist. As mentioned in the synopsis, there is a clubhouse of Exorcists who are pretty much a bunch of pricks, but they have special powers and wear cool outfits. The plot isn't bad, but I didn't feel particularly attached to any of the characters (other than because they looked cool). It also felt a little too clichéd, but I'll probably pick up the second volume to see if I get drawn in any more. They are also apparently making this into an anime, and the art at least looks top notch, so I will give it a shot once it comes stateside.
If you're itching for something new to read, check out D. Gray-man, but there is lots of better manga out there, so only check this one out if you've exhausted the obvious choices.
For more manga and anime reviews, please check out Hobotaku.
Synopsis: The plot revolves around Allen Walker, an Exorcist, in the end of the 19th century Europe. Allen is a member of the Dark Order, a group of Exorcists connected with the Vatican. Their mission is to stop The Millennium Earl, an evil ghoul intending to cleanse the world by destroying all the humans in the manner of Noah's great flood. In the first volume, we get some back story, learn that exorcists kick ass, have a clubhouse, and don't play well with others.
D. Gray-man is written by Hoshino Katsura, and shows a lot of promise. I knew I was going to like the book when I immediately began considering cosplay options for the main character, Allen Walker. In the world of D. Grayman, apparently there are ghosts, ghouls and more, and the only thing that can fight them is an Exorcist. As mentioned in the synopsis, there is a clubhouse of Exorcists who are pretty much a bunch of pricks, but they have special powers and wear cool outfits. The plot isn't bad, but I didn't feel particularly attached to any of the characters (other than because they looked cool). It also felt a little too clichéd, but I'll probably pick up the second volume to see if I get drawn in any more. They are also apparently making this into an anime, and the art at least looks top notch, so I will give it a shot once it comes stateside.
If you're itching for something new to read, check out D. Gray-man, but there is lots of better manga out there, so only check this one out if you've exhausted the obvious choices.
For more manga and anime reviews, please check out Hobotaku.
February 9, 2011
Katsura Hoshino, D. Gray-Man vol. 2: Old Man of the Land and Aria of the Night Sky (ViZ, 2004)
After I read the first volume of D. Gray-Man some time ago, I didn't quite get all the hype, which comes from everyone from the expected otaku right down to the reviewer at Publishers Weekly, who calls the series “...a fantastic vision of Victorian England.” I'm starting to get it a little more, having now read the second volume as well, but it still doesn't rank with the classics, IMO. I'll give it a few more volumes and see where we get. In this episode, Allen is teamed up with Kanda (they don't like each other, of course) and sent to Italy to discover an Innocence that's currently being pursued by an akuma. The expected battles ensue. Rock 'n roll! Okay, maybe I'm not doing it the justice it deserves, because there are some glimmers of what could be amazing here. The relationship between the last living human in the city and the steampunk-like doll he guards is quite nicely done, even if it does seem at times like it exists solely as a way to highlight the differences between Allen and Kanda. That said, once we delve into that part of the story (the last quarter or so of the book), Kanda actually seems as if he's going to become more than a two-dimensional “evil good guy” who exists solely as a foil for Allen's good-heartedness and naivete. Not great, but not bad. ***
After I read the first volume of D. Gray-Man some time ago, I didn't quite get all the hype, which comes from everyone from the expected otaku right down to the reviewer at Publishers Weekly, who calls the series “...a fantastic vision of Victorian England.” I'm starting to get it a little more, having now read the second volume as well, but it still doesn't rank with the classics, IMO. I'll give it a few more volumes and see where we get. In this episode, Allen is teamed up with Kanda (they don't like each other, of course) and sent to Italy to discover an Innocence that's currently being pursued by an akuma. The expected battles ensue. Rock 'n roll! Okay, maybe I'm not doing it the justice it deserves, because there are some glimmers of what could be amazing here. The relationship between the last living human in the city and the steampunk-like doll he guards is quite nicely done, even if it does seem at times like it exists solely as a way to highlight the differences between Allen and Kanda. That said, once we delve into that part of the story (the last quarter or so of the book), Kanda actually seems as if he's going to become more than a two-dimensional “evil good guy” who exists solely as a foil for Allen's good-heartedness and naivete. Not great, but not bad. ***
September 7, 2015
This volume may bring a tear to your eye. Have the tissues hand. Still seems like a fairly generic shonen series to me, but I can't quite figure out why. It's got a great villain, influences of goth and steampunk ... it's just missing ... something. The art is not the greatest, a little too busy and muddy for my liking. Some calculated use of white and/or black open spaces would really improve it, I think. You've seen all these shonen character types before. I'll give it one more volume to impress me and see what happens.
March 4, 2016
We start off with this vol. with Chapter 8: Mission Start.
Kanda and Allen set off on the wrong foot in the cafeteria. Their opinions completely differ like opposites of the same coin. Elsewhere near an abandoned city an innocence has manifested itself, and the Akuma have been drawn to it. Kanda and Allen are assigned to find the innocence. Also the Akuma are starting to evolve and get stronger. Read for yourselves to witness an excellent story.
Kanda and Allen set off on the wrong foot in the cafeteria. Their opinions completely differ like opposites of the same coin. Elsewhere near an abandoned city an innocence has manifested itself, and the Akuma have been drawn to it. Kanda and Allen are assigned to find the innocence. Also the Akuma are starting to evolve and get stronger. Read for yourselves to witness an excellent story.
December 23, 2015
Katsura Hoshino's "D. Gray-man, Vol. 2: Old Man of the Land and Aria of the Night Sky" is an enjoyable shonen manga, but I just feel like it's missing something that I cannot put my finger on. The art is okay; it could be a bit crisper, but I have certainly seen worse.
Allen Walker is a likable character, and the villains are cool as well, it just feels like a garden-variety plot. I'll probably try the next volume in the series to see if it improves a bit.
Allen Walker is a likable character, and the villains are cool as well, it just feels like a garden-variety plot. I'll probably try the next volume in the series to see if it improves a bit.
July 19, 2016
Read a book only after sunset, check! I chose to read a manga, of course, and I'm glad to continue this series. Even though the sentiments of this manga reminded me a lot of FMA, but I'm curious to find out more about where this manga is leading to and the main character's noble heart touched me, all the time. I guess this is why shonen manga is popular. So hopefully this series will become better! 3.5 stars!
January 2, 2014
I can't describe how much in love I am with D.Gray-Man. It is the one Manga tha can always make me cry and laugh in just a few pages. I am so glad I started buying the Manga issues 'cause I am dying to own the whole collection. Also, I am dying to know what happens next... Hopefully Katsura Hoshino will go back in writing soon!
August 26, 2024
Siempre que pienso en D.gray man como mi manga favorito pienso en este como el primer arco después de la introducción y entiendo todo. Esta volumen hace las cosas tan bien, plantea el mundo y su lucha, al igual que la filosofía y escencia de sus personajes. Uno de los volúmenes mas bellos que he leído.
February 8, 2017
A fun and quick read, though not overly text-based. I happen to love Kanda. I like Allen, but he's a regular idealist. Kanda calls it like he sees it, and it's not what most people want to hear, but he speaks with honesty and truth.
September 19, 2010
Otro tomo que entretiene y no mucho más pero muestra bastante potencial para seguir leyendo la serie. Eso sí, al menos por ahora, el dibujo le saca bastante ventaja al guión.
March 1, 2016
Well, the ending was a bit sad... But, glad that both Kanda and Allen teamed up to destroy that Akuma..
November 6, 2017
Bellissimo secondo volume: Kanda mi sta piuttosto antipatico, ma la storia della bambola, ambientata in Italia poi, è commovente.
Mi inquieta di più l'akuma di Mater che IT.
Mi inquieta di più l'akuma di Mater che IT.
July 29, 2016
Another great volume, still recognise a lot of things. And it is so fun to see how Kanda and Allen keep on fighting in a silly way. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews