D. Gray-man

Posted on 16-12-2007

Title : D. Gray-man
Genre : drama, comedy, horror, shounen, supernatural
Production : TMS Entertainment
Episodes : 65+
Vintage : 2006 - ongoing

I first came across this series when I was in Japan last November. I saw only the sixth episode on TV Tokyo because I was visiting for a short time. I loved the series from that one episode, so when I returned home I looked for the whole series. I must say that it ranks as No. 2 on my favourite anime list. It’s a great series with a very profound story and unique characters. Throughout the whole series you experience different emotions; the storyline is serious and deep but there are some comical scenes that break the drama overload that makes most anime of this genre unbearable.

The hero of the story is Allen Walker, a 15 year old exorcist who enrolls himself to the Dark Order and fights against the Millenium Earl. The Dark Order is a secret society of people called exorcists and use their “innocence” to fight Akuma. Innocence is the essence of God and only people chosen by God can possess it. The Millenium Earl tries to create an army of Akuma, who are mechanical demons made of the dead souls of people; he wants to take over the world and sink it into darkness.

The series was aired in Japan by TV Tokyo in October 2006 and is still ongoing; until the 11th of December 2007, 62 episodes were released and they have announced the release of another 3 episodes until the 8th of January 2008. Osamu Nadesima, who has directed the series, has also directed Clamp School and Hamtaro; as well as episodes in Lupin III: Part III and Fushigi Yuugi. There is a large list of well known voice actors such as Ai Shimizu, Hiroki Touchi, Hiroshi Yanaka, Hozumi Gouda, Junpei Takiguchi and many more.

Another thing that you might love this series for is the superb music that plays throughout the whole show, from openings to endings. Each song is better than the other and there is a variety in style for everyone’s taste.