D.Gray-man ep.19

February 13, 2007 | 10 Comments

Well, we're finally back to the manga-based version. Because of certain events in the filler version, however, there are some plot changes in this version. I think some of them feel a bit redundant since they've been done before in the filler. This is especially true when it comes down to Allen's injured left eye. I don't understand why the writers didn't just left it unhealed when he injured it back a few episodes ago. Maybe they're being sadistic but I don't see the point of injuring it again when we all know that it'll get healed eventually. On the other hand, it's nice to see the plot going somewhere. I want to see the inevitable battle between the Exorcists versus the Noah family.

The episode begins with a man asking a woman if there's something wrong so the woman tells him that someone is coming. As the two sees a train moving on its track from their window, the woman claims that she's worried that someone may come between them. The man, however, assures her that no one won't come. The woman agrees as the man bares his fang and bites her neck. Meanwhile, Allen has arrived at the train station inside the town because he's been ordered by Komui to look for General Cross. When he steps out of the station, however, he only finds one lone vendor who thinks it's unusual that someone comes to this town. Upon hearing Allen's name and noticing the Black Order logo on his uniform, the man suddenly bolts out and disappears from Allen's sight. A few minutes later, however, he comes back with a lot of the townsfolk and before Allen knows it, they've taken him to a hut.

Allen is informed by his kidnappers that they want him to deal with a vampire called Baron Krory. They claim that they never see him come out of his castle during daytime and at night, they can hear scream coming from the castle. They even say that those who enter the castle never come out alive. However as long as they stay away from the castle, they are not in danger of being attacked by Krory since the vampire lives quietly in his castle. One night, however, they find an old woman being killed by Krory, who sucked her blood until her body evaporated. Because of this tonight the villagers were planning to risk their lives and slay Krory. But now that Allen is here, they begged him to confront the vampire instead. Allen informs them that the truth is that he has come here for another purpose: to find a person. He then unties himself from the rope that bind him and shows them a really bad sketch of General Cross.

Much to Allen's surprise, the villagers are happy upon seeing Cross' sketch and really believes that Allen is here to save them. The street vendor explains that Cross asked for a direction to Krory's castle. They tried to stop him by saying that he'd die if he went. However, Cross just laughed this off and left for the castle. 3 days later, everyone thinks that he's dead but much to the street vendor's surprise, Cross was alive. Back then Cross told him that if something strange happens to the master of the castle, they need to contact someone wearing the same uniform as he was. Because it's late, they think Allen should rest for now. However, while he was asleep, a man enters the room and transforms into an Akuma before shooting at Allen's bed. Thankfully Allen was prepared due to his eye and manages to terminate the Akuma easily. The problem, however, compounds when more Akuma comes out and attack Allen.

One of the Akuma happens to be a level 2 Akuma who manges to hurt Allen's left eye. Thankfully Lavi and the bookman then appear to help him. The next day, Bookman looks at Allen's eye which apparently has been damaged due to the injury. The bookman, however, believes that it'd get better again like the last time around. Allen and Lavi are then off to investigate Krory because they believe that there must be a reason why Cross left the message to the villagers. While on their way to the castle, Allen wonders why Lavi and the bookman are in the area. Before Lavi can answer the question, however, the villagers ask them to look forward. Upon entering the area, they find several demonic-looking statues, prompting Lavi to remark that Krory has bad taste. All of a sudden Krory makes an appearance and grabs one of the villagers. Upon seeing Krory biting the neck of the villager, Allen realises that it's not an Akuma but a vampire.

Impression:

I am a bit disappointed that the episode is not as silly as it should be. I was hoping to see Lavi appearing out of nowhere when Allen was all tied up. And then the villagers would gang up on him and tie him up as well. I just thought it was hilarious when I saw it in the manga. Ditto with the scene when Allen and Lavi enter the castle. I was hoping there Allen and Lavi would be a lot more freaked out than they were in this episode. I don't know why the anime goes for a creepy mood since the situation is not that creepy to begin with. I can't remember the last time I was scared of vampires. As far as horror stories goes, their freak level is just not that high. Sure it sucks (ha, ha) if you get bitten but you can always hope to become a vampire. Now, if we're talking about zombie that's an entirely different matter. I find them disgusting and I am not looking forward to have them eating my brain. Plus being a zombie is not an exciting idea.

Oh well, enough digression. On the subject matter at hand, the anime seems to make it more obvious why Krory hunts certain types of people. Maybe it's because I already knew the plot beforehand that I'm aware of this. However, I think the anime does a good thing of letting you know why certain people got bitten by Krory. Just take a look at Krory's last victim. There is something in his eyes that suggests something which unfortunately I can't divulge at the moment because it would spoiled next week's episode. Speaking of next week's episode, this is shaping up to be a rather short arc. I thought there would at least be 3 episodes but the preview seems to suggest otherwise. Before I forget, I may as well mention that the anime does a better job of including the supporting characters into the story. In the manga, the most prominent supporting character seems to be Lavi. In this version, however, both Kanda and Lenalee get decent exposure.

Preview

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