D.Gray-man ep.02

October 10, 2006 | 23 Comments

There is something that looks disturbingly similar to a giant condom in this episode. Where did that come from? Anyway, I'm surprised at how dark this episode turns out to be. I always thought that the majority of the story told in this episode is meant to happened during daytime but it's obvious that I was wrong. In addition to this, I didn't expect the writers to skip a couple of chapters. I wonder if that's a sign that the series has a limited amount of episodes given to it. But that's highly unusual for a Shounen Jump adaptation like this one. I suspect they only do this so they can introduce Kanda and Rinali earlier in the series. I am just hoping that the anime writers don't end up writers some fillers later on in the series because they cut out some original material. Anyway, I've replaced the original screencaps with the better ones.

The episode begins with Allen climbing a cliff, wondering why anyone build a place in an area like this. When Allen manages to reach the top, he sees a large Tower of Babel-like building that is apparently the headquarter of the Exorcist known as the Black Order. Allen, however, is not sure if this is really the place since he's only heard stories about it. Inside the building, a group of people are surprised that Allen climbed his way up to this place. Someone who is called Komui tells the others that they can't let outsiders come in and wonders why no one stopped him. Another guy tells him that the reason is because there is something unusual about Allen. A young girl, who turns out to be Komui's younger sister, points out that the boy is accompanied by General Cross' Golem, refering to Timcanpy. Allen then introduces himself, saying that he's been sent here by a priest called Cross Marian and has come to talk to the priests here.

The people inside the HQ are surprised to hear that Allen is an acquintance of the general since they didn't expect him to still be alive. One of the guys asks Komui if he has heard something about Allen but Komui denies knowing anything about him. Because of this, the guy asks Allen to take a test from the gatekeeper behind him. Allen is shocked when he sees that the gatekeeper is some kind of a door with a face on it. The thing immediately scans Allen to determine if he's an Akuma or a human. During scans, however, the gatekeeper has difficulty maintaining Allen's image. When it notices the Akuma that is embedded inside Allen's left eye, however, it becomes panic and tells everyone inside the building that there is a pentacle on Allen's forehead, which suggests that he's an Akuma. Everyone is alarmed upon finding out about this and wonders if there is an exorcist nearby. The young girl informs them that someone called 'Kanda' is already here.

Kanda tells Allen that he sure has courage coming here all by himself. Allen panics upon seeing Kanda's sword, suggesting that Kanda mistook him for someone else. Kanda, however, ignores Allen and swings his sword around before jumping down to attack Allen with said sword. In an attempt to defend himself, Allen activates his anti-Akuma weapon and tries to block the attack with his hand. In the aftermath, however, he realises that his weapon has been damaged by Kanda's sword. When Kanda asks Allen about his hand, Allen explains that it's an anti-Akuma weapon and he's actually an Exorcist. Kanda scolds the gatekeeper for not saying this but the thing defends itself by saying that if it could not determine the inside of Allen. Allen immediately beats the gatekeeper up, saying that he's a human who's cursed a little bit but he's still a good person. Upon hearing this, Kanda activates his anti-Akuma weapon, Mugen.

Unfortunately, his intention is to check Allen's inside to know who Allen really is. Allen panics to hear this and tells Kanda that he's not Kanda's enemy. In fact, the Black Order should have received an introduction letter from General Cross. Upon hearing this, Kanda stops his sword just a few centimetres away from Allen's head. When he tries to confirm what Allen has just said, Allen tells him that the letter should have been addressed to someone called Komui. Upon hearing this, everyone inside the building are looking at Komui, asking for conformation. Komui immediately appoints someone to search the letter in his messy desk area. After hearing the content of the letter, Komui tells the squad leader to stop Kanda from killing Allen. Meanwhile, Komui asks his sister, whose name is Leenalee, to help him with preparation for their new member. Komui belives that he'll enjoy his time judging someone who has been sent by General Cross.

Kanda is not happy when he finds out that Allen has been invited to come inside so he asks Komui what is going on. Komui explains that Allen is actually General Cross' student. The fact that he has Timcanpy is a proof of this. Kanda looks reluctant to let Allen go until Leenalee suddenly appears behind him and whacked his head using a pencil board. Once they are inside, Leenalee introduces herself as the assistant to the supervisor and she is about to take Allen to see him. Before this, however, Allen tries to introduce himself properly to Kanda. Kanda, however, rudely tells Allen that he doesn't want to touch someone who's been cursed. Leenalee tries to calm Allen down after Kanda left, saying that he's probably just tired after coming back from his mission. As Allen follows Leenalee, two guards talk about how Allen is unexpectedly young despite the white hair and the curse that he carries. They, however, are aware that there is no age limit for an 'Innocence' carrier.

Leenalee continues to take Allen around, showing him various areas of the Priesthood from the dining room to the practice room. She explains that all exorcists go on their mission from here so some people called this place 'home'. Allen, however, immediately sweatdrops when Leenalee tells him that there are some who purposedly never come back to this place. This is because his teacher has done this. A flashback reveals that 3 months ago, when Allen was still in India, his teacher, General Cross, told him that it's about time that Allen goes out on his own after being a student for 3 years. Allen will be allowed to use the title 'Exorcist'. However, before he can do this, he must visit the Exorcist HQ. General cross told Allen that he'll give his Golem to accompany Allen and will also write introduction letter to his supervisor, Komui. However, because General Cross hates the HQ, he knocks Allen out after telling him to go North after he regains consciousness.

In the present time, Leenalee brings Allen to her brother, Komui Li, who wants to examine Allen's left hand. Allen hesitates about this but Komui reminds Allen that his weapon got damaged by Kanda's. Upon seeing the hand, Komui thinks that the nerve and cords got damaged. In order to examine the hand further, he asks Allen to activate it. Upon seeing the weapon, Komui informs Allen that he's a 「寄生」- Kisei (Parasite) type. This simply means that Allen is someone who can turn his body into a weapon. It's something of a rarity. Komui then produces some scary-looking gear and claims that he's going to use them to repair Allen's arm. He admits that it can be a little shocking so if Allen doesn't want to be traumatised, he better not look. As Komui goes crazy with his tools, Leenalee asks him if he will take Allen to 'that place' to see if Allen is human. Komui, however, tells them that is unnecessary since he knows that Allen is a human.

When Leenalee wonders why her brother is so sure, Komui tells her that in this world, the only species that can get cursed is a human. In the aftermath of the repair, Komui tells Allen that his arm won't be able to move until tomorrow due to anesthesia. However, it's been healed. Komui also informs Allen that his type is one the best at activating the power of "Innocence". Allen is confused to hear this but the elevator that they take suddenly stops and he can see 5 people sitting in a podium-like area. These people then tell Allen that they've managed to obtain a 'God'. Komui then asks Allen to show his worth to these people. All of a sudden, a gigantic Medusa-like creature envelopes Allen with its arms/tails. Komui asks the creature, whose name is Hebraska, if Allen suits her needs. In his panic, Allen tries to activate his cross but Komui reminds him that his arm won't be able to move until tomorrow due to the anesthesia.

Allen, however, is persistent and eventually able to overcome his anesthesia. However, because his nerve is still weak, his arm looks out of shape. Upon seeing this, Hebraska tries to calm Allen down, assuring him that she is not his enemy. Hebraska then brings Allen's forehead close to her own and starts reading Allen's synchronisation level to his weapon. She finds out that Allen's maximum synchronisation level is 83%. Apparently, the lower the percentage, the harder will it be for a person to activate his/her weapon. Hebraska then tells Allen that she wasn't trying to scare him. She just wants to know his innocence. Hebraska then tells Allen that sometimes in the black future, he will create an extraordinary 'Time Destroyer'. Upon hearing this, Komui congratulates Allen but Allen is not in the mood of celebrating and tries to punch Komui. Allen insists that Komui tells him the next time he does something like this again.

Komui then decides to tell Allen the story behind 'Innocence'. Apparently the story is only known by the Black Priest, the Vatican, and the Earl of Millenium. It started when a cube was found a century ago. The cube informed them that whoever left the message won a fight against darkness. However, in case there is problem in the future, they've decided to leave this message. The cube itself was a substance known as 'God's crystal' which posseses special power. This power is what is now known as Innocence. An example of this will be the cross on Allen's left hand. Komui believes that the creator of the cube might have used this innocent to fight against the Earl of Millenium. However, although they defeated Earl of the Millenium, in the end the world was destroyed. This is an event that is known in the Old Testament as "The Great Flood of Noah". The cube also predicted that the world is going to meet its end at the hand of Earl of the Millenium.

Since the prophecy has been proven to be correct, the Vatican decides to follow the cube's message. This means a revival of the Innocence and the Black Priest. Without a compatible person, the power can't be used. These innocent-compatible people are the Exorcist. However, the Earl has created Akuma with the intention on stopping the revival of the Innocence. Apparently there are 109 units of Innocence in total. The Exorcists' job is to basically awaken people who possesses the innocence and create an army to counter the Earl's Akuma. If they lose then the Earl will destroy the world as foretold. Komui then offers Allen to work together to save the world. He also points out that there are many exorcist. In fact, Hebraska is one of them. Hebraska explains that although she's different from the rest, she's compatible with the cube. The episode then ends with Allen remembering what his father once said about moving forward. Allen promises his father that no matter what, he won't stop walking until he dies.

Impression:

There are many new mysteries introduced in this episode and most of it revolves around the Black Order. The most interesting one was the one that somehow managed to drag Noah's Ark into the story. It appears that in this universe, the great flood that happened in that Old Testament story was the result of a battle between the creator of the cube and the Earl of the Millenium. At a time like this I regret the fact that the Earl of the Millenium has been clearly depicted as a villain. If he had been shown in a more ambiguous manner, then maybe there could be some twist to the story. Anyway, either way I want to know what happened back then that caused the world to turn into mostly water. Apart from this, I'd like to know more about the hodded men's identity since unlike their subordinates like Komui, they look rather sinister in their appearance. I can't help but thinking that they'll probably end up becoming a bigger nemesis than Millenium Earl.

Obviously there is a good reason as to why Allen's master refuses to return to the base. Unlike the remainder of the Exorcist, General Cross seems to be far more knowledgeable of the on going situation within the organisation. Another thing that I wish the series will explain later on in the story is the origin of these 'non-humans' characters like Hebraska and a few other creatures who are seen in this episode. I think it's strange that they seem to be accepted rather well by the humans. Anyway, I better discuss the new characters before I run out of space to write. I generall like the Li siblings because they seem to be fun and interesting individuals. Komui is quite amusing in this episode. He seems to enjoy making life difficult for those around him. The only character that bothers me so far is Kanda. It's probably because his character reminds me of that other famous Shounen Jump character. But at least Kanda is a lot more tolerable thus far.

Altered ED Theme

NIRGILIS - Snow Kiss (ED Theme V2, 16.7MB, AVI format)

Preview

On next week's episode: Searching for the innocence.

© memento 2003