When a young boy contains the ability to possess both humans and Akuma, innocence and action are sure to be found.
Creative Staff
Writer/Artist: Katsura Hoshino
Translation: John Werry
Adaptation: Lance Caselman
What They Say
Parting Way: It’s been three months since Allen Walker’s mentor, Cross Marian, pulled his latest disappearing act. Allen and fellow exorcist Kanda now learn of an odd new threat known only as G. G plans to steal a valuable crown from the Louvre, so Allen and Kanda join the local constabulary in trying to prevent the theft. This leads to a surprise discovery that could have no small significance for the future of the Black Order!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
In Paris, a thief knowm at the Phantom G has been giving the local police a run for their money. The chief inspector in the case has even caught G numerous times! The catch, however, is that G turns out to be a different person each time and they are all locked up. Of course, this story about a thief in Paris wouldn’t be in this volume unless there was something in it for our favorite exorcists. Kanda, Link, and Allen soon arrive in Paris to investigate these crimes in hopes of finding another piece of innocence.
At this point in D.Gray-man, there are really no surprises as to how the events will unfold and the basic purpose behind the story arc. D.Gray-Man has always been just another run-of-the-mill Shonen action show and shows no signs of straying from that path. Despite being virtually identical in development and characterization to other Shonen action series, D.Gray-Man continues to work the formula extremely well. It is quickly discovered that the Phantom G is a young boy named Timothy who has a gem embedded in his forehead and can possess any person in order to do his bidding.
Almost immediately after the exorcists meet the boy a group of Akuma seal everyone inside the boy’s orphanage home and successfully render Allen’s powers useless. The rest of the volume plays out just like every other scenario in which a piece of innocence that has already found it’s accommodator has played out. Again, this is not saying that it isn’t good and/or enjoyable. Because this series plays the Shonen formula so well, we, as readers, are guaranteed to enjoy the events and action that are coming. The fun twist in this arc is that Timothy can not only possess humans but Akuma as well, simultaneously purifying the Akuma and gaining the ability to use its powers.
This volume doesn’t complete it’s arc but gives us enough interesting turns of events and, given our desire to keep reading because it is so enjoyable, new characters to love that the next volume can’t come fast enough!
In Summary:
D.Gray-Man is a thoroughly enjoyable series that has great characters and an interesting story despite playing to the typical Shonen formula. In volume 18, my favorite aspect of the series is played to wonderfully and I couldn’t have asked for more. While the overall story is really good and interesting, I have always enjoyed the story arcs where a new accommodator is introduced and we get to see what their innocence can do. That is this volume in a nutshell and if you haven’t been sold on this series yet, this volume is not going to change your mind anytime soon.
Content Grade: B
Art Grade: A-
Packaging Grade: B
Text/Translation Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: August 3rd, 2010
MSRP: $9.99
