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onomatopagu-et-cie · 1 year

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Some (too many) mental notes & questions about D. Gray-man!

(SPOILERS UP TO CH. 247 & sorry if the terms used are awkward esp. the localization of the manga, I read it in french!)

I recently re-read DGM as the new chapter came out. I stopped catching up after volume 22 years ago and I am so glad I re-read the series!

If it was already beautifully sad and cruel, the volumes 23 to 27 hooked me even more. Like other manga (eg. Witch Hat Atelier, Berserk), the panel composition was already beautiful in the previous volumes but I was fascinated through my reading. The attention given to hands in these volumes (like MHA) was mind-blowing!

The Allen-Kanda-Johnny-Link group (and now Tiedoll) works really well, I didn’t expect that at all! Oh, and the character development/decline of every character is great, especially Allen & Neah, Kanda & Link (and Cross and Road in those flashbacks?????).

DGM wouldn’t be DGM if the mysteries didn’t keep growing even more cryptic as the story unfolds, so I guess here are some notes and questions I’ll come back to one day to see if they are answered!

► Now that we know the D. in DGM stands for ‘Dear’ (I already sense the tragedy in the title for both Allen and Mana aaaaa), I don’t know if this was intentional, but Mana in front of the mirror strongly reminded me of The Picture of Dorian Gray, especially the end (I shouldn’t have read this scene late at night, I was spooked haha). The characters of Allen and Neah, shrouded in mystery, also encapture the elusive personality of Dorian Gray.

► Paying extra attention to all the parallels between the Ghost of Mater & the Artificial Exorcists Arcs was Pure Pain. I’m always amazed how far the details go and make (even more or a whole new) sense later on.

► Lenalee and Komui’s story touched me once more aaaaaa ► Miranda’s power is really cruel, I wish we could see more of her someday ;;

► Road used for super-human the word ‘choujin’, which also seems to refer to the concept of übermensch in japanese ie. the ideal superior man of the future who could rise above conventional Christian morality to create and impose his own values... NOW THAT IS INTERESTING.

Especially regarding Road and Cross meeting & Allen’s prophecy as the ‘Destroyer of Time’ (the fact he could ‘sense’ Lenalee’s dream and interact with it, Cross ‘death’ by Apocryphos hands, past!Allen’s mystery over his rejuvenated body, Apocryphos observation on ‘Allen’s’ long existence as a parasite, and so on …)?????????????

And could she have a link to Allen and Lenalee’s dream of the future?

► The overarching theme of humans, akuma, Noahs and even the Earl at God’s/The Heart’s mercy manifests in many little plot points eg. the Ghost of Mater (that could even foreshadow the whole Cross/Road meeting), Road dressing Lenalee as a doll, Lenalee and Miranda taking their suffering as the Innocence testing them, Link turned into a puppet, Crown Clown and so on …

► Could this be Campbell’s mansion Allen will visit in the next chapters… ?

► Reever’s devotion to Komui ;;;;;;;;

► Fascinating how everyone except Allen is at risk of becoming a Fallen One, despite everything he does ‘against’ the Order, God and the Innocence: it could be explained by the role he was given by the Heart now that we have a bigger picture And it is foreshadowed since the Suman Dark Arc:

-> When Allen says Suman betrayed ‘God’, the kanji for god is used (kami), but the furigana read as Innocence:

And Allen even says later the Innocence punishes sinners as God itself, devuring Suman from the inside like a worm ……….

-> While Komui says he has betrayed God and the furigana read as God this time:

I love the word plays in the original versions with the furigana (I wonder if this has a name?), another example:

The kanji for family, kazoku, is read as the english « home », which we always saw used to describe the Order as a comforting place to return to: the Order was never Suman’s home, he always longed for his family

► Will this ever be explained? That, and Cross's special bond to God or the Heart!

Also this????????

AND ALSO CROSS HATRED FOR TIMCAMPY???????????

► Could Cross be a Bookman?

Neah’s flashback mentioned an ‘excentric uncle’, so it could also be Cross, given how he remembers Mana’s smile from his childhood, I am Confused Or he could be their childhood friend, as his appearance in the flashbacks suggests he would've had the same age past!Allen, Neah and Mana would have, around 35yo? Idek anymore! Either way, he has an obvious hold over his age like past!Allen, maybe through magic or their nature?

Was the unknown language Bookman spoke when the Ark was disappearing in the sky the same Mana taught Allen? In Komui’s corner, we learn Bookman knew in advance they would synchronize with an Innocence when their mission began???????? Do they somehow have links to the Heart or Apocryphos? Are they from the doomed world Road told Cross, as some sort of witnesses of the Noah's struggles on behalf of God?

► Tyki’s nature is hinted at by Road even as early as ch. 93, and the confrontation with Neah in the volume 26 makes me really think he’s some sort of copy of him

► This panel is Pain:

► I love Lenalee and Lavi’s relationship so much!! Lavi’s arc was gripping, and took Lenalee’s words on the boat (‘am I still in this world?’) to a whole new context

► About Luberrier :

How in hell was he aware of the 14th without even Cross telling him? His dialogue with Zuu before saving Link strongly suggests he knew the 3rd gen. project would cause the Noah attack on the laboratory and the 14th awakening, isolating Allen, as though he made a deal with a Noah or sb else. The ch150 (Hevlaska and Luberrier’s past) is haunting me, I’m really curious to see where this is going!

► About Link : We know so little about his past, how he became a Crow, how his devotion was built by the Administration (Link’s flashback with Luberrier after recovering was scary, how easily he gave in & Luberrier’s whole behavior was ugh)! Komui’s corner mentions the two red dots on the Crow’s forehead are scars left by the operation that made them sorcerers against their will + Allen tried to touch it, which made him mad GAHHHHHH I NEED MORE CONTEXT

Ch247 hurts even more considering Neah used the same words as Allen to greet Link but rang false aaaaaaa

Link’s profile is cut from the Central Administration’s organization chart from volume 25 (when he admits feeling conflicted over Allen’s fate), before his profile was included in the same box:

Komui’s corner once mentioned comforting food thanks to the emotional value they hold eg. Allen and Cross’s porridge. Link says he had something similar so I wonder if this will ever be showed in the manga!

► About past!Allen: This might be a reach, but ch221’s flashback made me think Atuuda’s magic (its symbol in particular) can be linked to past!Allen with the whole spiral of life theory (+ the fact his body rejuvenated by some miracle):

There are also many parallels with other dynamics in the manga: -> Neah-Cross & Mana — he was set on eliminating anything else that draws near Mana, as a promise he made to Neah -> Luberrier-Link & Neah-Allen — Luberrier needs Link in order to protect and save them from anyone -> past!Allen & Neah — he promised Neah he would protect his memory from anyone (-> Kanda & Alma — he was the only one that could save Alma)

(I don’t want to think about Link potentially becoming another host for Neah, sacrificing himself for Allen for example aaaaaa)

I saw Hoshino’s sister loves Link’s character and what happens next to him will potentially be pure pain, I get her because his potential is skyrocketing and I’m definitely not ready aaaaaaaa

► What was even going on between Neah and past!Allen???????????????

► Allen’s past was really devastating. Mana’s words by the sunset ;;;;;

► In ch216, Cornelia’s wood destroys Timcampy in a similar way Red is bound eyes and ears from the scene when the Earl comes back in the circus in the recent chapters (with those little black hands)

► The parallels & oppositions btw Kanda & Link (the potential of the trio Kanda-Allen-Link!!!!!) : -> both presented in a negative light at the beginning -> both now deem themselves unworthy to be a part of Allen’s life: Kanda is glad Johnny is there to support him, Link says he will disappear from Allen’s life if he defeats the 14th (and also That Panel when he saw Allen come back to his senses and save Johnny). Both have feelings they suppress when it comes to Allen, in a stark contrast with Johnny’s honesty -> both were objects of experimentation/intensive training but Kanda feels no loyalty to the Order, while Link does strongly to Luberrier -> both wound up with a shortened lifespan they hide atm (Kanda as a Fallen One & Link with Atuuda) -> both were targeted by Apocryphos and had their memories rewritten -> Kanda wants to kill the 14th, Link is ordered to aid him -> hands shown as holding dominion over them both (the Innocence, Luberrier and the Heart)

► Predictions for the next chapters: Since Johnny is going along with Allen & Link, there’s a chance : 1) Link will drive Johnny away so Neah wakes up ; 2) Neah will do it since he sees everything through Allen’s eyes and even challenges Link’s ‘loyalty’ 1) would be logical as everyone in Allen’s group feared it while Allen accepted the risk but given the whole arc, Link seems VERY conflicted over the whole matter (and their shoujo-esque reunion damn, that and volume 25 whole vibes) Also Road seems to have led Allen to the mansion through his dream because she thought he was dangerous (????) AND a ‘bookman’ was there, so a lot will happen!

Have a nice week-end!

#dgm spoilers #dgm meta #d gray man #allen walker #yuu kanda #link howard #cross marian #yullen #linkllen

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yullen · 30 days

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Staring at Wallington Hall and imagining AUs where Nea/Mana never went missing, and has Allen attend their lavish Campbell Mansion parties and Kanda (who isn't a known Order Exorcist outside of E.Asia) comes investigate undercover.

Kanda approaches him to investigate this mysterious 'host', as he heard one of the Noah's men manifested Innocence that saved him when he should be dead... and Kanda was tasked with Link (in disguise) to find out if this 'host' is the heart...

They fear the worst should the heart fall into the Noahs' hands.

[ RT :: threadfic ]

Kanda closes in on Allen during the dances and fishes information out of him. Half the floor is after Kanda because of the way he looks, but he's staunchly ignoring them and Allen doesn't know why.

That Kanda is clearly approaching him with intention does not stop him from stomping Kanda's feet when Kanda is being rude, lol. Kanda's asking all about him. Of course, Kanda is fishing information out of him.

Allen's sad, kind smile enamours him when he talks about himself, and his beloved 'twins' that took him in.

Allen's masks also kind of irritate him. So he purposely barbs the real Allen out of there, smirking in victory as he asks

"Oh－? Is that what you're really like?"

And Allen flushes when he realizes Kanda was trying to get to the real him.

Kanda sees him trying to pretend to eat properly, then try to sneakily black hole some food off the party tables. Kanda teases him for it and they bicker-flirt the whole party.

(Before the mission, Lena tried to teach Kanda how to dance, but Komui caught it and taught Kanda as a follow instead 😂😂)

Komui did not send Kanda to seduce Allen.

It happened anyway.

Nea is protective of Allen so he wants to check who's making advances on Allen himself－

but Link (hair down, glasses, in disguise), 'accidentally' bumps into him, distracts him... (he's the one who wormed them into the invitation list with his spy shit, of course).

After seeing Allen hint at the utter disregard for himself, Kanda kind of wants to just take him and run. For the mission. Y'know.

"When can I see you again?" Kanda asks, to set up opportunities where he can investigate Allen further.

This is not what Komui expected. Since Kanda has no interpersonal skills whatsoever. However Kanda understands the importance of the mission... and chose to do it like this because it's Allen,

and Allen is... seraphic. He doesn't belong in this den of monsters.

Allen doesn't seem to know how easily the Noahs murder humans. (And Kanda doesn't know the Noah are also often kind.)

But they meet outside and also at two future parties, and naturally get closer.

I definitely want Kanda to whisk him away into dark corners at parties to kiss him. 😳

Allen is shown the other side of the truth when he sees Road killing, and Kanda holds him back, covering his mouth, chest to his back, and tells him that the Noah are all like that.

"If you continue as their host, you will die－"

"I know that!"

"Well I don't want that!"

"I already... promised..."

Allen had nothing, then. Kanda is too late.

Kanda is ordered as he wanted, to take Allen away－so he does.

Nea goes after him like a bloody madman after blood, but the other Noah betray him and... yeah. Allen goes back for Mana, who goes mad... etc etc etc.

They find out the Order is also corrupt asf, Second Exorcist project,

Allen and Kanda eventually run away together. Again. etc lol

#Yullen #fic prompt #fic ideas #Yullen storytime #tag later

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alienaiver · 1 year

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Released

Howard Link x gn!reader

“I grieved you.” you let out, all your emotions clawing their way out of your body in strained convulsions and shaky breaths.

“I know.”

He repeats it, several times as he tries to comfort you with his touch. The hand by his chest is still clenched and it takes monumental effort to release the tension and spread out your fingers. You let them travel up past his collarbone, his throat – taking a pause by his pulse point. You need to feel it with more parts of your body – until it finally reaches his jaw, his cheek. His skin is still as soft as it’s always been, showing no signs of decay.

warnings: spoilers for chapter 247 of the manga, mentions of death and grieving wordcount: 1.6k content: angst turns fluff, sfw, hurt/comfort, happy ending, genderneutral reader, bodypositive and poc friendly reader, no use of y/n, canon compliant, not beta’d, ive put reader in as a links lover from before he “passed” and just learning that hes back and alive in the recent chapter so their reunion basically, links makes my brain go brrrr like my freezer after ive taken out an ice cream,

notes: I RUSHED TO WRITE THIS AFTER CHAPTER 247 HELLO?????? DID U SEE ALL LINKS BEAUTIFUL SMILES?!??!?! reader’s role isnt described as neither exorcist or science member or nurse so you choose, honestly i cant say much abt this work except that i just wanted to kiss link.,......... <3 and get this scenario out of my beautiful head bcos it has been ROTATING

When Kanda makes the announcement, you immediately latch onto his choice of words, following his eyes to where they’ve trailed to the window.

And there he shows up. The man you’ve been grieving for months now.

You freeze and air gets hard to breathe. It’s like there’s no oxygen around you as your throat constricts and lungs burn. What? How?

Allen reacts first, opening the door and looking at him. Howard Link’s pose is incredibly relaxed and a smile you rarely saw appear on his face is so casually planted there that you almost want to drag out your weapon to make sure this isn’t an Akuma or some kind of clever disguise puppeteered by Leverrier.

But Allen’s eye doesn’t react. He simply runs to him and you gasp when they almost fall off of the balcony.

You stay behind as they all converge closer to him, your hand still wrapped around the handle of the measly dagger that Tiedoll gave to you when you first joined him going rogue from the Order, “to protect yourself.” He’d said.

You help Tiedoll prepare the food, anything to not be close to him right now as you try to process that he’s there, alive. You’re not sure he saw you before you sneaked to the kitchen but knowing him and his skills, he’s most likely seen you before he even approached on Kanda’s behest.

You don’t look at him all through the food and the talk, staying focused on eating and listening to all the information that Allen is giving out. You flinch at the mention of Link being targeted and killed again, tensing up through your entire spine, swallowing your bite thickly and schooling your expression as best as you’re able.

At his confession you audibly gasp and can’t stop your eyes from looking directly at him before it’s too late. You’re overwhelmed by the radiant smile he gives off. It’s like your heart is beating again for the first time since it stopped beating the day he passed away. He catches your gaze immediately, as if waiting for your eyes to finally look at him. You feel heat in your cheeks as he holds it, though you can tell that he’s not looking at you anymore, but through you.

He's only pulled back when Allen pinches his nose. You can’t help but laugh – their antics back to what they used to be. When food is finished, you make Kanda help you clean up. He huffs and puffs but relents in the end, stacking plates and leftovers expertly in his arms. In the kitchen he grunts at you, “I won’t get involved.” He states and you look at him with question marks in your eyes, head tilted. He pouts at your obliviousness with furrowed brows, “talk to the fuckin’ dog.”

Then he leaves you to dry the last dishes he finished washing, the door closing behind him and leaving you alone for the first time since finding out that Link is very much alive and well.

Your hand clenches around the plate in your hands. You’ve seen four new expressions on his face you’d never been graced with before in the span of an hour. Your eyes can tell that it’s him but your heart wavers. You fear you don’t know the man outside with the face of the man you love.

When you reemerge back in the living room, a hush falls over them all. It’s so obvious that it’s painful and you feel like you’re suffocating. Maybe you are.

Link then gets up from his seat on the floor, dusting off his pants before he clears his throat. He then gathers his courage and looks at you and says your name for the first time. your breath hitches and you can only manage a meekly nod when he nods towards one of the rooms to the sides, his eyes begging for you to go with him and talk.

Allen says something that you don’t catch as you walk in through the door, your hand tracing the door frame before Link closes the door behind you.

None of you say anything for longer than you can count. Your eyes are locked on his chest and how it rises up and down with each breath he takes. They’re leveled and controlled, but they confirm that he’s alive. He’s really here with oxygen in his lungs and a beating heart. Your hands clench into fists by your side.

His breathing pattern changes, telling you he’s about to say something. You bite your underlip and raise your gaze to look directly at him – he flinches but remains posed. Out of your peripheral vision you see his fist clench and unclench, reaching out towards you before retracting again. He then wills himself to relax and smile at you.

This is the fifth expression you’ve never seen on his face. It suits him, but that’s not what you’re focusing on, your eyes locked to the way his lips move, tasting his words before he lets them out in the open.

You can’t take this. Your heart is beating rapidly, your hands and your back is sweaty from the strain of all your emotions and the way you clench your jaw is starting to hurt. In frustration you lift your fist to punch him and as it stands high in the air, you catch his gaze – his smile widens. That stupid, handsome smile. Your hand collides with his chest in a much slower and gentler pace than what you first intended and you instantly feel his body heat traveling to you and you sigh, biting the inner part of your cheek before your head follows your hand towards him and rests on his chest. A sob is threatening to leave you but you inhale deeply instead.

Not many moments pass before he wraps his arms around you, his head resting on the crown of your head. Without embarrassment he noses your head and breathes in your scent, hugging you tighter to him. He seems to relax much more now that you’re touching him.

You’re not. Your spine is locked and you’re rigid in his embrace, refusing to take in the scent of him, the feel of him. He died.

The sob that’s been lodged in your throat since you saw him on the balcony finally breaks free and all the muscles that you’d tensed up spasm before they relax. He coos at you and rubs gentle circles into the small of your back.

You move your head from his chest and towards his neck, your lips ghosting over his pulse point. You’re so close that you can feel it beating against your lips and the first tear roll down your cheek, wetting your lips. If he feels the wetness on his skin, he doesn’t say anything.

You whimper softly before you finally push yourself closer to him, your lips pressing into his skin, arms wrapping around him, clenching his shirt as if your life depended on it.

“I grieved you.” you let out, all your emotions clawing their way out of your body in strained convulsions and shaky breaths.

“I know.”

Your breath hitches at the moment of contact and you stand frozen, eyes still open to be sure he’s real and doing this. His own eyes are closed and his brow is relaxed. The kiss is featherlight, like he’s unsure if he’s allowed this touch. You close your eyes and relax as much as you’re able. It’s only when you push further into him that he redoubles his efforts and pulls you impossibly closer, a whine escaping his throat as he continues to kiss you.

He’s here, he’s alive and he’s kissing you like it’s the only thing he’s been thinking of since he came back from the dead. You chance a look at him again and see how his brows has furrowed. He’s frustrated he can’t be closer to you than this right now and you can’t help the laugh that bubbles from deep within you, a place you’d thought had withered and rotted. Happiness blooms in you as his hands travel up to caress your cheeks.

This is the Howard Link that you knew, you know this now.

It’s just Howard Link without the chains binding him, the one able to express his wants more clearly than when he was shackled and controlled by another will than his own. This is the man that you love, finally able to do what he wants, to love who he wants without the heavy weight of guilt looming over every kiss, every chance meeting at the library, every cake secretly baked with you in mind.

Howard Link feels freer to make his own choices than he’s ever been, and he’s choosing to side with you. You smile into his lips before you run your hand through his hair, messing with his braid. He pulls away and with a breathless chuckle says your name. You hands travel to his nape with a warm smile, "welcome back."

#dgm x reader #d gray man x reader #dgm x you #howard link x reader #howard link x you #dgm fluff #dgm angst #i guess? its kinda both. hm #nohr.writing #nohr.dgm #NOW I WILL HEAD TO BED. MY CAT IS VERY DISPLEASED WITH MY #APPEARANCE. IVE BEEN GONE FOR A WEEKA ND THEN I JUST!??! SIT ON THE COMPUTER?!?!???!!?#JAIL FOR ME FOR A THOUSAND YEARS #hes been biting me all through the final three paragraps IDJSEIUHFEUISHFUSEIFSEUFHSFHS

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thefinalsnart · 1 year

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Top 5 Link moments 👀

OH STELLA WHERE DO I BEGIN. I genuinely thought this would be easy but I had to go through and double check so many chapters, I ended up with double the amount of scenes and had to narrow it back down to just 5.

I haven't read the latest chapter yet but I know he's back again, so this might just have more tacked on later LMAO.

5. Link Fighting the Akuma in Hearst Orphanage

This was maybe the first time we got to see what Link could do, and where I really started to go "Now, who is this guy?" He only gets a couple licks in, but what he did for a 'civilian' was so impressive. I went with this page because the kick is just so incredible, and I love him talking about being a CROW-- "I have black wings." Love love love this whole scene.

(Also just before this, he carries Emilia and Timothy over his shoulder and jumps down a whole flight of stairs. That I didn't really remember until looking for these panels, but GOD does that really do it for me. Mr. Link please carry me over your shoulder like a bag of four.) 4. His 'Last Words'

I don't have a lot to say about this one. I love how Link can be a little sassy on occasion, and I just love his bitchy smirk as he delivers his 'last words.' His death CRUSHED me, but I can't lie he really served here.

3. His Backstory and the Thirds

I love love love not only Link, but the Third Exorcists as well. I wish we got to know more about them all. This also felt like such a sweet, rare little moment of Link opening up to Allen for once. Allen has talked to Link about Mana a bit at this point, but Link is still such a mystery. But it's also bittersweet! Kiredori and Goushi are dead, and they haven't a clue as to Tewaku, Tokusa, and Madaro's fates... In the pages before this Link has extra lines under his eyes, has he been sleeping? Has he been crying? I just love him so much. I hope someone asks about the Thirds in a discussion room one day so we might learn more about them and Link.

2. Link's Inner Conflict

First of all, this page is GORGEOUS. His expression, the tattoo in full view. But I love this scene because we start to see some more character development in Link. He's always been one to follow orders, and we see him wrestling with these decisions and the consequences they might have. He wants to save Allen, but Lvellie is pulling him to Nea. Who will he choose? I just love a character whose faith gets challenged. What are you going to do Link?

1. Link's Return from the Dead

Alternatively titled "Link's First Smile." I lost my MIND when he was revealed to be alive. And then he shows up in thigh highs and a slutty little turtleneck? The audacity. But what I love about this is that he's smiling. Even if it's just a ruse for Kanda, this is one of if not the first time we see Link smile? In one of the discussion rooms I believe Allen comments on how he always tried to get Link to laugh or smile, but he never could. As much as I love this scene, truly a Cunt vs Cunt moment, it also stresses me out so much. Link what do you have planned? Where will this lead him? Will you ever be free of Lvellie? Do you even want to be free of Lvellie?

He tortures me. I love him so much and he tortures me!!

Bonus: I'll leave you with Link's sexy little Artificial Exorcist Arc outfit

Also thank you so much to the website d-gray-man-manga for all the pages! I went through their translations/scans to jog my memory and grab these panels.

#Maybe one day I'll finally post about Beatrice my OC I ship with him #and their tragic affair #But for now: just Link #howard link #howard link my beloved #dgm

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faeriexqueen · 1 year

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University/City AU (DGM)

Going off of this post, I’m now thinking of what some DGM characters would study in general in a university/city AU setting (maybe taking place somewhere like NYC?). These ideas are mostly just for fun and I’m not actively thinking of writing anything with it, but I figured I’d share what’s on my mind. :3

Alma Karma — Starting with him because I’m biased and he is a favorite, but he’s majoring in fashion and textile design! Alma loves playing with different colors and fabrics to create vibrant outfits. He definitely doesn’t ascribe to certain gender norms, either, and likes to have a lot of freedom with his designs. (He also loves making clothes for his friends, and always wants to recruit them for modeling. XD) He’s also pursuing a minor in photography.

Lenalee Lee — She’s majoring in fashion design like Alma, but specifically, she’s focusing on shoes! She’s probably in a lot of classes with Alma, and they tend to partner up for projects and photo collaborations. Lenalee is probably also focused on accessories like handbags, and is working toward an internship with Anita (who is a well-known fashion designer in this AU >.>). Lenalee also likely minors in business, since she’s the type to want to know how to manage things.

Allen Walker — Originally, Allen likely planned to pursue a degree in criminal justice. His altruistic nature makes him want to do good and make things better for others, but I can see him getting disenchanted with that field. So, he likely switches to political science to given him a broader scope of things to work with. (He lands on wanting to do youth outreach, which I think suits him. :3) He hasn’t decided to pursue a minor, but tends to get busy helping his friends with their own projects. (He loves to taste test whatever Link bakes. XD)

Lavi Bookman — Double major in library sciences and history! Lavi comes from a background of library and museum archivists, so he’s one to follow that path. He’s super fascinated with book collections and history (especially with the broad scope it covers), and is working toward an internship at a large, well-known library in the city everyone lives in. (Since he’s double majoring, he’s not planning to get a minor at the moment — but he probably has some English literature classes he opts into. He’s a fast reader with an eidetic memory.)

Kanda Yuu — He’s majoring in botany and minoring in photography! Kanda isn’t exactly a science-oriented person, but he likes working with plants and gardens in his free time. He doesn’t like to admit it, but he does have an artistic eye for floral arrangements (he’s very particular about organizing things), and likes to take photos of them. Because of this, he works part-time as a florist when he’s not overloaded with classes. (Since he’s minoring in photography, he also shares some classes with Alma.)

Howard Link — His family likely expected him to go into law (and he considered it), but Link ended up doing a culinary arts program! Specifically for baking and pastry making. While it has always been a hobby of his, he’s ended up taking it very seriously and wants to eventually open his own bakery shop one day. With that in mind, he’s double majoring in the culinary program and business (and probably shares some classes with Lenalee).

Johnny Gill —Biochemistry! Johnny has always been interested in the sciences, and decides to pursue biochemistry. He’s likely contemplating pursuing biotechnology (specifically industrial as opposed to medicinal) in the long run, and is really interested in innovation and improving things in day-to-day life for people. A lot of his classes cross over with Kanda’s, actually, so they interact a lot. (For whatever reason, in this AU I imagine he’s Kanda’s roommate. XD)

That’s all I have for now! I might add more if others are interested about this AU, but wanted to get this out of my system while it’s fresh on my mind. ^^

#dgm #d gray man #dgrayman #allen walker #alma karma #lenalee lee #lavi bookman #kanda yuu #howard link #johnny gill #university au #city au #I should be writing BUT #I just needed to get this out XD #headcanons #ideas #writing ideas

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autumnmobile12 · 1 year

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D. Gray Man's manga is just out there, you know.

The scene where Cross dies, this is the last panel of the chapter.

And this is literally the very next page.

One of the most powerful characters just gets offed out of nowhere and you go from "Oh, shit!" to "Oh, what?" at the turn of a page.

Here's Link reviewing the footage where he was possessed by Timothy. (And Allen being an opportunist.)

For some reason, this exists.

This was the aftermath of the scene with Kanda’s Crystal Innocence.

And this happy, little moment of Alma forgiving and reuniting with the scientists of Lab 6.

The series has gotten pretty serious over the years, but I will always appreciate Hoshino's attempts to relive the days when this was still a moderately lighthearted, not as soul-crushing romp. (You know, for the first couple books.)

#d gray man #allen walker #yu kanda #howard link #lenalee lee #d gray man manga #manga to anime adaptations #lost in adaptation #or something

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poupeesdecirque · 9 months

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Doll Plans for 2024!

The infamous plans post. Haha.

No, I really know what will be happening, these are all Dolls that have at least parts ordered or are here even and wait for things.

Lenalee (Little Monica Bella x Myou Body) - Need to sew for, Face up Repaint

Sokrates (Logan.Dolls Pan/Jac-o-Leery) Waits for Body, need to sew for

Kanda (Little Monica Little Enrill) - Waits for body, need to sew for

Janet (LenaRuiis Pallu) - Waiting for Doll, need to sew for, face up

Reese (PeachyDayDreams Viviane x Kid's Sky Body) - Sanding head, face up, sewing

Patchlings (Mirror's Pumpkin Friends x Penny's Box Bodies) - Face ups for all 4

Maple (Sleepy Sheepys Dreams Batrina) - Wait for body, sewing, sanding head, face up

Bookman (The Broken Maiden lunl) - Waits for body, sewing, hair

Lavi (Ling Tai Studio - Zhu Hong Human) - Waits for body, face up, sewing

Adam (Conarium Doll Wuhan) - Waits for body, face up, sewing

Darjeeling (Abingbing - Empty) - Waits for head, face up, sewing

Clown!Allen/Allen's battle head (Withdoll Ian) - Wigs, Face ups, sewing outfits

Yup, it's a lot, but some will be done quite fast and there is no need for me to rush. Some I can't even work on as parts need to arrive first.

I have two possible candidates on my wishlist for Link and Johnny (maybe), so we will see. And Pumpkins always are invited to join the patch.

#doll plans #wip

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jeidafei · 2 years

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Komui's Lounge: Vol.28 (Part 3/4)

>> Part 1

>> Part 2

Q11: Lavi was of the impression that Kanda’s case file reads suspicious from the start. What was the thing that hit you as odd?

Lavi: Hm? Well, you only had to keep an eye on Yu and you’d know. You know the face of a man carrying something heavy when you see one. Besides, those records are pretty detailed alright, but they still give off this air like something fabricated by the government.

Reever: Guess you can’t pull wool over the eyes of those from the Bookman Clan when they devour such vast amounts of books.

Kanda: Who the hell cares.

Lenalee: But, ever since I was small, I’ve always felt that Kanda definitely has a secret as well. And at the same time, I felt it was probably beyond someone like me to do anything about it, too.

Allen: So, you both had your suspicions? Looks like I was the only one without a clue, huh…

Lavi: ……(Well, to tell the truth, I’m suspicious about Lenalee’s records as well).

Allen: What’s the matter, Lavi?

Lavi: Hm? Nah, nuffink (offhanded).

Q12: Miss Anita had said that General Cross loves the rain. Is there an anecdote behind this?

Lenalee: Really? I had no idea.

Allen: Aaaah. Yes, he really did seem to like it. I vaguely remember him musing about it back in my apprentice days.

Lavi: What about it, exactly?

Allen: Hmm. What was it again? Pretty sure it was something about the sound of the rain…

(T/N: Allen's brain prolly too filled with memories of running from Judgment to remember lmao)

Kanda: Isn’t that the rhythm of the rain? Heard it from General Tiedoll. Said it’s like the rhythm of the heartbeat of living things and it calms him.

Reever: Whoa, really? So, you do remember General Tiedoll’s every word, eh, Kanda? (pat pat)

Kanda: Don’t touch my head!

Allen: I’m getting this feeling, like I’ve stumbled upon an unexpected side to my master. And now, I’m feeling somewhat sick……

Lavi: How come?

Q13: How does everyone in the Science Division even keep themselves awake?

Reever: With all the coffee and tea Lenalee brought us, obviously.

Lenalee: Liar. I know full well you guys spike your drinks with some mysterious liquid, so don’t bother.

Reever: *jolts*

Allen: Mr. Reever, let’s come clean about this, shall we?

Lavi: We’ve witnessed it countless times, you know…? The truth will set you free, brother.

Reever: M-my bad! Truth is, we occasionally slip in a drop or two of these energy drinks for fighting off drowsiness. We each have our own recipe…but we created them to be tasteless and odorless so they won’t affect the taste of your tea, so…!

Lenalee: That’s not the thing here, Section Chief. I’m not worried about how my tea tastes; I’m worried about you guys overdosing on drugs…! What if the side-effects land you in some trouble again? You don’t want that, do you?

Allen: I for one don’t ever want to relive that Zombie Incident ever again.

Reever: Yeah, nah, that one's definitely a whole ‘nother level. Like, no-one but the Supervisor could’ve pulled off something of that caliber, I’d say.

Lavi: And I'm telling you, you Science Division folks aren’t that far behind on the screwed-up meter yourselves. Have you forgotten Bunny Gramps?

Kanda: Hire more people, dammit. You got the money, don’t you?

Reever: We are hiring more. It’s just that they rarely stay…(sobs)

Q14: What has enabled Lenalee, who has been traumatized by Central, to warm up to Link, an Inspector from Central, to the point where she enthusiastically discusses tea-brewing with him?

Lenalee: Hmmm, you’re right...Yeah, I was super uncomfortable at first. But then, day after day, I watched the Inspector bravely taking care of Allen-kun’s every need, and I kinda…should I say wound down?

Lavi: He’s a mom personality, that one.

Allen: Yeah, Link does make heavenly sweets, after all. Wish he’d tone down the nagging a bit, though.

Reever: At first, I was worried, too. Then I realized, huh, so there are folks like this even among Central officials, too. And I’m a bit more relieved.

Kanda: Tch. What a bunch of Pollyannas...

Q15: Who has the best penmanship between Allen, Kanda, Lavi and Lenalee? I also would like to know whose mission report is the easiest to read?

Allen: I don’t like this question…(sullen).

Lenalee: You’re getting better and better studying with Inspector Link and Krory, aren’t you? Gotta keep your spirits up, Allen-kun!

Reever: She’s right, Allen. Your reports are much easier to read now!

Kanda: Learn to write a goddamn report at the least, Beansprout. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?

Allen: Oh, bother!! I apologize for not being well-bred!!!

Reever: Alright, alright, enough! Back to the question. Lavi has the best handwriting. And his report is also the easiest to read.

Lavi: Huh, really? I’m actually half-arsing it, you know.

Allen: Grr!!! (rage)

Lavi: Mr. Allen, your eyes—your eyes are freaking me out. I actually like a good old scribble with a unique style like yours, you know~?

Lenalee: Lavi’s handwriting is just beautiful. Like, straight out of a textbook. Don’t tell me you’ve even memorized all the lettering styles?

Lavi: Yup. Gramps’ handwriting is the same, too, right Reever?

Reever: Yeah. You both have this beautiful, textbook-like handwriting, it’s impossible to tell who wrote it between Lavi and Bookman.

Allen: No fair…

Lavi: Well, on the flipside, you could say it has no interesting feature at all, so stop scowling at me, Allen!

Lenalee: Section Chief, so who’s up next in both?

Reever: Hmmm. Handwriting goes to Lenalee, easy-to-read’s probably Kanda. Wait...Crap! We’re fast approaching the word count limit!! (sweats profusely)

>> Part 4

#d gray man #dgm #d gray #komuislounge #komui's lounge #dgm vol 28

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venjamin1555 · 5 months

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Re-watched an old favorite anime and wanted to draw my two favorite besties but with some headcannons

The outfits are based on matching Christmas sweaters (Komui would want to match with Lenalee and Kanda would flat out refuse)

The accessories each match one of the friends (Purple for Miranda, Dark Blue for Kanda, Teal for Lenalee, Pink for Krory (he feels pink idk??))

I also felt like Allen would have a split eyebrow from the scar but eh

Also I know his hair is white but I like adding pink to it to reference back to his old hair color

Allen's not smiling big because I like thinking his real smiles are a little more awkward than the fake ones

The nail polish is for Kanda and Lenalee too

I felt like the more Allen uses his cursed eye the more it starts looking like the cursed version when not activated

might still work on it but I'm pretty happy with how it is now. If I do add anything it'll probably be Cross or Link related

#d. gray man #dgm fanart #dgm allen #dgm lavi

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sobamoyashiart · 1 year

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After chapter 247

Allen decides to keep going with Johnny and Link, Kanda comes back to the Black Order with the general Tiedoll, hope they'll see each other some day...

It's for Kanda's birthday but I post it two days early bc I'm gonna be inactive from tomorrow for my military course 💦

#d gray man #dgm #d grey man #allen walker #kanda yuu #yullen

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icharchivist · 1 year

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dgm 247 thoughts: (with spoilers and pictures)

(from a French fantranslation, at this date i do not have any English translation to link to)

-For so long there were speculations about Mana dying out of an accident but the confirmation he died out of becoming weaker and weaker after Allen attacked him is... actually quite horrible. He literally died in Allen’s arms while they were snuggling together this is the worst thing ever.

-Kanda’s “hey let’s go to Mana’s grave i want to check if he’s really dead” iS SO. IT’S SO. LIKE OF COURSE ALLEN LOOKS FUCKED UP ABOUT IT.

It’s so insensitive but can’t blame him when 1) he’s fresh from having seen someone he was SURE he had killed being alive actually, 2) we know Mana is technically Alive.

but still the absolute DREAD of this moment, never change Kanda

-ABSOLUTELY LOVE that they started fighting right afterward, Allen shared the most traumatic moments of his life with Kanda in a rare moment of vulnerability and it ends with the two of them beating each other up

-oghhhh Kanda literally talking about Alma and saying how he can’t believe Mana is dead for sure until he checked because of how traumatizing it was to see Alma was actually alive, end me

-”I believe that due to the circumstances it’s possible Mana is what we refered as the Grey Zone of the war” oh my god Kanda

-Oghh the art is as stunning as ever but i’m genuinely emo over some Mana panels and Allen’s too

Mana looks so tender here

HE’S SO PRETTY HE’S SO PRETTY

also “i understand, now i’m bringing you all into all of this” HE’S NO LONGER THINKING ABOUT CARRYING IT ALL ALONE, a MOMENT OF JOY FOR THIS

-Allen’s set up the Grey Zone officially now, and while Kanda was always ready for it and Johnny too, i’m so touched Tiedoll just nods along and say “yeah ofc i’m joining i need to watch over you younglings” i’m so emo i’m so emo i’m so emo

-LINK

-OH MY GOD LINK?????????,

-I LOVE how Kanda introduces him like “i need you to meet this bastard dog first”, you can really feel the moment from Allen going “seriously i just told you i was named after a dog and you-” bUT THEN

BUT THEEEEEEEEEN

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

NOW ALLEN KNOWS LINK IS ALIVE AT LEAST

-ALLEN HUGGING LINK BC HE MISSED HIM AND WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT HIM IM FULL BLOWN CRYING

-also “i looked at Link’s face and now i’m hungry” ALLEN.

-God it’s so exciting to see the “Grey Zone” in place now, and to see Allen actually discuss everything he knows with them. I’m genuinely going to cry just seeing them in circle discussing it AND THE FACT LINK JOINED THEM........

-And now Link knows that Apocryphos killed him, not like he remembered since Apo erased his memories. that’s exiciting, this might change his opinions on his side as well godd.

-Link 🤝 Kanda “Us? in danger from Apocryphos? you mean it’s Apocryphos who’s in danger fROM US. WE’LL FUCK HIM UP” Johnny: you both almost got killed by him though. Link&Kanda: HEY NOW.

-oh they’re splitting :( Tiedoll and Kanda going back at the Order to investigate from the inside...

-... And Allen, in a rare moment of actually relying on others, actually asked Johnny to accompany him to the Campbell Mansion because only Johnny could bring him back to reality when Nea tried to erase him...

i’m so fucking emo 😭😭

-KANDA THIS EXPRESSION IS SO SCARY

-”The Crow who became a pervert, apparently? what’s your goal” WHAT DO YOU MEAN PERVERT

EDIT:

THANKS ENGLISH TRANSLATION IT MAKES MORE SENSE NOW

-LINK????????????? WELL AT LEAST LINK ISNT HIDING ANYTHING FROM THE GROUP BUT LMAO THAT HE SHOWS IT LIKE THAT????

-so yeah Link is actually super honest? he tells Allen downright why he’s here, that Lveille assigned him this mission, and that when Allen disappears he will help the 14th. like holy shit man decided i’m no longer hiding anything from Allen ever.

-ok true downside this time wtf Link why are you talking about wanting to “save Lveille” from himself and his own hatred, Link, Link look at me, no need to develop a Savior Complex Link, not for him, he’s not worth it. Focus on your Crow family please my sweetheart.

-Also wow this chapter is making me like Link a hundred times more than i ever did before, i always had a bit of a mixed feeling regarding him (that wasn’t helped by seeing fandom opinions of him tbh but that’s bc i’m super contrarian) but this chapter’s characterization of Link is... genuinely not what i would come to expect of him but also i love it??? am i genuinely starting to love Link now??? after all these years????

-ALLEN WHY

-So now they’re set in motion. Kanda and Tiedoll go back to the Order to investigate it from the inside. Allen, Link and Johnny are all headed to the Campbell Mansion to meet Katerina and get answers (so we WILL actually kick off the Bookman thingy here)

-Their goal: discovering the mysteries under this holy war once and for all Kanda and Tiedoll will try to search infos about Apocryphos as well as finding Mana’s grave and see if he’s still in his grave

-They’re OFFICIALLY setting a Grey Zone. for how long the manga has been hinting that the true answer would be in the Grey, we’re finally going into it holy shit

Conclusion: first chapter since we left the flashback, first chapter since we see the gang back together, and yet this works SO WELL. Returning to all of those dynamics are SO worth it, i missed seeing them so much, and now my blood is pumping!!! i love all that’s hinted here!!! oh my god!!!

I’m so happy with this chapter and for once in a very long time i’m VERY looking forward where it’s going

also now that Allen knows Link is alive and we know Link will travel with him: DOES THAT MEAN WE’RE OFFICIALLY GETTING CLOSER TO THAT ONE LEAK

INCREDIBLE CHAPTER MOMENT LETS GOOOO

#ichablogging dgm #ichatalks about dgm #dgm spoilers #dgm247

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onomatopagu-et-cie · 1 year

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Some other theories and observations, part 3

First impressions after re-reading DGM Some theories and observations, part 2 Notes on Link, part 1 & part 2

Again have a nice week!!

(SPOILERS UP TO CH248!!!!)

▶ Allen's curse

Will the manga elaborate more on Allen’s curse? The pentacle reappeared on volume 28’s cover again and D is an integral part of the title. (Btw, I can’t wait to read the copy I got of volume 28 as it’s now out in France! The cover is so beautiful, Hoshino outdoes herself every time with the new format, the back cover is pretty!!!)

This is the only piece of information we’ve got on it, apart from its evolving abilities. How can Komui be 100% sure a curse can only be inflicted on humans? Given how the majority of the Order didn’t know about the Noah and Apocryphos, I wouldn’t be surprised this could be false too.

▶ Allen/Neah’s (?) hidden ability

(thisoneislongsorryyyy)

Note: I wrote this BEFORE ch248 came out in July: it revealed the Allen we know was entirely remade by Apocryphos, and this could finally explain Neah, Road and Wisely’s confusion over Allen’s strange powers ; however, this doesn’t explain Apocryphos’s own confusion over Allen when he first encountered him nor exactly to what extent Allen was 'remade', so I kept these notes as is since we still don’t know more!

At the beginning of the volume 25, Wisely addresses Road as his brethren, probably because of the similarities of their powers. Wisely worries over Neah’s powers because he can’t read his mind somehow. At the end of the volume, after saying « Allen » is dangerous to Neah and them, Road states that she can’t connect her dream realm to his at will for some reason.

The two scenes mentioned sort of answer each other: both take place in Wisely/Road’s realm, one is at the beginning and the other at the end of the volume. And while Wisely thinks it’s Neah that outweighs his power, Road believes « Allen » (edit after reading ch248: Allen as he's remade by Apocryphos) the true danger instead.

Road’s inability to do as she wants might then involve a power we have not been officially introduced to when it comes to (past?)Allen besides his Innocence. And I don’t believe it’s about Neah at all, since she deems Allen dangerous (and also other people/things she refers to as ‘they’), and wants to warn Neah. If it was about Neah’s ability, this scene wouldn’t even happen and Road wouldn’t have questioned it since she knows him fairly well (while the other Noahs don’t because of the memory gap Neah caused).

In this chapter, Road also says « they’re using us », suggesting they could be the reason Allen is that threatening. She uses 奴ら (yatsura, plural) to refer to ‘them’: 奴 (yatsu, singular) is a derogatory/familiar pronoun.

EDIT: It's actually Cross, not Road, who says this specific part ('Allen is dangerous', 'They're using us.')!!!! She only speaks in the next page in her mini form, about her dream realm! This also means Cross and Road might've been communicating (and it's not only Road one-sidedly using him like I thought initially eg. manipulating him to lead Allen to the mansion), working together because they share some common goal (eg. protecting Mana and Neah)!

The only subjects triggering that pronoun and hatred from the Noahs (essentially, their memory crying out ‘I won’t forgive/I hate’) so far were:

→ Innocence (eg. Skinn Boric’s awakening as a Noah) → the exorcists (eg. the Earl when the Ark was saved by Allen) → Neah (eg. Wisely as he talks to Road) → the Pillar (eg. as Cross mentions it to Road)

Maybe Allen’s power is something close to what both Wisely and Road have since that sort of power can equal theirs to the point that both can’t stay omnipotent against that, just as they usually are eg. Wisely with supposedly all the Noahs (and also when he forced Alma’s memories with Allen and Kanda) or Road with Lavi.

And we have already seen (but without any real explanation yet) that Allen experiences « visions » (夢, yume, which we usually associate with Road, the Noah of dreams, can also mean vision):

→ Lenalee and Allen's respective apocalyptic dreams

→ Allen sensing Lenalee is drowning while facing the akuma Eshi

→ having a kind of out of body experience and seeing Krory and the ghost after being KO’ed in the Destruction of the Black Order Arc

→ his second dream in which what we now know as the Pillar talks to him ; Mana calls out to him in the original version by « ••• » (which is weird in itself since Neah is supposed to have no Noah memory??? Since Mana and Neah were two « halves » of the Earl, and we don’t know exactly what each half covers, could there have been some sort of mix-up between the two along the way?)

→ a glimpse of Kanda’s past when Marie talked about it

→ witnessing Cross’s ‘death’ through Apocryphos

→ whatever was happening when Allen and the Earl shared the same vision of Road protecting Mana in volume 24 was never explained (I put it here but it simply could be because Mana and Neah were revealed as the two halves of the Earl in the next volume)

→ seeing Johnny reaching out to him in the inn when we know it was Neah who sleep-talked after having a dream about the Campbells and woke up (idk if I should count this in bc it could just be Allen’s semi-consciousness fighting Neah)

But when Allen saw Cross’s ‘death’ through Apocryphos, he called that a consequence of the « parasitic » influence over « Allen ». According to him, it went on for many years. He then proceeded to merge with Allen in order to « erase that influence and suppress the 14th’s memory »: this might suggest that Apocryphos deemed Neah as the parasite of the exorcist Allen.

If he’s really talking about Neah, what Apocryphos says could contradict Road’s assumption that this power comes from Allen, not Neah. So, between Apocryphos and Road, who is right? ????????

Let’s consider for a moment that whatever is going on is due to Allen’s ‘long’ experience with a ‘parasitic’ Innocence and that Apocryphos never meant Neah when he talked about a parasite. But we know from Cross that Red’s arm didn’t show any sign of activating at all. Moreover, Neah wouldn’t have been shocked by the Innocence’s influence over past!Allen’s arm after awakening 35 years later if the latter synchronized with it when they knew each other, it wouldn’t make sense. So where does this long influence fit in? Are we talking about the parasitic-type Innocence or is Apocryphos referring to something entirely different?

It doesn’t help that the type of Innocence Allen has is called a ‘parasite-type’ in the original version and the English localization.

It helps even less that Apocryphos uses the same terminology as Komui when he first introduced the parasite-type: 寄生型. Except for Komui the furigana reads 型 as the loanword ‘type’ (kisei-taipu) and for Apocryphos it reads ‘kata’ (kiseigata) as the kanji should be pronounced.

Note: in French they chose to call this type of Innocence a ‘symbiotic-type’: it emphasizes the close association between the accommodator and the Innocence more and suggests the bond is mutually beneficial, but we know after all these chapters that it’s a totally one-sided control led by the Innocence over the accommodator’s body. It’s anything but mutual in retrospect. Parasite suits the Innocence more!

Interestingly, the word used for Allen’s role as a host is 宿主 (shukushu). I didn’t know the word ‘host’ could refer to the organism affected by a parasite!

Both Neah and the Innocence are parasites hosted by Allen. The imagery is also carried by the Fallen Ones’s design. When Allen witnesses Suman’s suffering, he uses the verb 蝕む, ‘mushibamu’:

What looks like giant worms pierce his body and tinier worms gnaw at his heart:

And also, I never considered it but 寄生, kisei, ‘parasite’ almost sounds like 犠牲, gisei, ‘sacrifice’ with just one letter difference: if intentional, these paronyms ironically bring out Allen’s sacrificial role even more. Ch240’s cover illustrates this dimension even more:

I might be missing something or this doesn’t really add up.

It’s also interesting to note that ch222 is titled « Hypokrisis ». Cross calls out Allen’s selflessness once again:

The noun ὑπόκρισις (hypokrisis) meant 1) answer & 2) role (on the theater scene, the masked actor was called an ὑποκριτής, hypokritès, separate from the chorus) in ancient greek. But its meaning became morally (and religiously) loaded, now suggesting a duplicity in someone’s behavior (their personality, qualities, principles, opinions, …).

This chapter shows Allen in a dream staged by Road that leads him to the Campbell mansion. Facing Cross offering him to stop his search for the truth, he gives his definite answer to once again fulfill his vow to Mana and « keep walking » even at the cost of his own existence and the bond to his home. It’s also a call back to « Mana’s mask » during the Phantom Thief G arc.

Behind the scene, Road now understands she made a mistake she should have realized sooner: she’s being manipulated herself (along with Neah and perhaps the other Noahs) by someone else and Allen is dangerous, a reality that was concealed to her eyes until now.

The phrasing also parallels Cross’s late realization:

Were they making the same mistake on Allen’s true nature? After Red’s flashback, at least we know one mistake Cross made: Red didn’t say he was « Allen » (thinking Cross asked about the dog) ➾ even though he didn’t want the Innocence close to Mana (as it could 1) destroy him, being a Noah and 2) call forth the Earl, I guess), Cross didn’t monitor Red enough to see the influence of Apocryphos ➾ Red synchronized with an Innocence and the Earl was called back.

So far, Road (and the other Noah) benefits from these consequences: she wanted the Earl’s awakening to destroy the present world in order to take revenge of the Pillar. So either Cross and Road talk about two different things or there’s more to it than that to the point that even Road considers this a mistake despite the advantages at first glance.

At least, I guess it’s (kinda?) safe to assume Allen’s body = past!Allen as Neah knew him. Allen wouldn’t have been able to move the Ark otherwise:

Another lead to whoever past!Allen was might be linked to THIS in volume 27:

????? Who was this? And also what kind of situation were they in? It looks like the mystery person held past!Allen right before parting (before he lost his memory maybe?)/dying. They look as though they’re stuck in a tricky situation: their clothes look torn to shreds, and particles in the air look the same whenever there’s action in the manga? OH. Perhaps the transfer of Neah’s memory into past!Allen would be successful if and only if the memory of his past self was erased? Because two memories maybe can’t safely coexist in one body: we know even the Noahs, described as « superhumans », struggle with their memory and it threatens their sanity if they don’t suppress it. So this could be worse should a human unrelated to the Noah experiment the same thing.

But could one erase their memory in the universe of DGM? It doesn’t seem that far-fetched since:

Neah’s memory was successfully transferred in Allen,

magic is a thing in this universe,

Skulls can ‘reprogram’ a human’s brain to transform them and Apocryphos can easily rewrite memories,

in ch209, when Johnny was searching for Allen, Crows (who use sorcery) coerced him into drinking a drug that would supposedly erase his memories of the Order??? (now I know it could be a lie and it was poison instead since the Central and the Crows’ methods are rather radical):

Heck, past!Allen could even be from another timeline/from the previous/future world destroyed by the Pillar! Which could explain Allen’s recent dream of the Pillar? It could even be linked to « ••• » in this dream eg. his ‘real’ name or role (since the syllables don’t even match Neah’s even though it triggered Neah’s awakening once he woke up)??

▶ Road and Apocryphos

It’s more apparent in the original version but Apocryphos wavered, looking almost surprised/bothered to face Road as it’s accentuated with the ツ. Compared to his confidence in taking down Tyki, calling himself their Reaper and so on, this looks like Road could be a bigger threat than the other Noahs. (Perhaps it’s only random but Road stabbed Apocryphos in the left eye, just as she did to Allen in the rewinding city!)

It’s also interesting to note he recognized Road as the 9th Noah only once Tyki shouted her name. It could mean:

Road took another appearance we don’t know of 7000 years ago, and it’s confirmed in the manga: she’s stayed like this for 35+ years. We know that since Wisely awakened as a Noah and met them.

Either Apocryphos didn’t meet her since she took on this appearance (so in this 35+ year span)

Or he did meet her but didn’t recognize her as the 9th Noah

If he only recognized her after his punch, how could it have badly hurt Road? I thought you had to know her true ‘identity’ to harm her, which was why Allen couldn’t hit her with his sword.

Allen could harm Tyki but not Road, and only Apocryphos could???? Since he was present 7000 years ago and most likely was responsible in whatever happened then, it’s safe to say he should know about the Noah and the world they lived in enough to be able to harm Road.

▶ Chapter 219: Butterflies, the souls and the Earl

(thisoneisevenlongersorryyyyy)

When the Earl vanished before Katerina and split into Mana and Neah in ch219, two butterflies are seen flying above them.

My best guess would be they’re respectively male and female white cabbage butterflies (pieris rapae, or the great white butterfly, pieris brassicae, a close relative to this species), pretty common butterflies:

I also found that pieridae caterpillars often PARASITE cruciferous plants (they often eat cabbages, broccoli, kale, mustard) ie. plants with flowers that have CROSS-arranged petals (yes, it’s a detail that’s probably irrelevant but it was fun to find that randomly, I live in overthinking and reach-land haha).

In Japan, butterflies often symbolize the souls of the living and the dead. It’s also a symbol of spirituality (the cycle of life, birth, death, metamorphosis, reincarnation, immortality), as the cycle of a butterfly embodies it in its four stages (egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly).

As the later part of the manga focuses on helix magic and its principles (the body, the soul and the spiral of life), the ‘death’ of the Earl makes way for Neah and Mana, a ‘rebirth’ of some sort. Which makes me believe that what we saw as the Earl against Allen in volumes 24-25 (and perhaps even the rest of his appearances in the manga with the suit) was actually his ‘body’, which takes the shape of his suit (we even see the costume ripping in half with what looks like a zipper). According to past!Allen, a body is merely a vessel that needs a soul for life to exist. The costume of the Earl might be in desperate search of its lost soul (Mana + Neah), which is why it endlessly devours human souls (through perhaps the making of akuma?): Hoshino said there’s a reason why she draws the Earl plump, it’s just a theory for posterity haha! Is this the same mechanism that turns Timcampy this big?

Note (see the end of this point for more on golems and DGM!): I read on Twitter that at the exhibition held in honor of DGM, it was explained that Adam was the name of the ’skin of the Millenium Earl’ and Adam was the first golem (just like in the Bible, Adam was made of the dust of the earth and was animated by God’s breath)! (With their poison, Akuma turn humans to dust………… Timcampy also turned to dust once touched by Cornelia’s bark…………. Innocence also turns to dust, just like Mugen when Kanda left with Alma or just like Allen’s did at the Asian branch…………)

This is pure speculation, but perhaps the Earl decided to forsake his tragic millenium role once he finally witnessed the beauty of this world (be it his meeting with Katerina and/or something else). After all, according to Neah’s words: « Seven thousand years of life… yet the Earl’s heart is stuck in that scenery. » Maybe he realized the Three days of Darkness were meaningless, that they would feed an endless cycle of atonement, hatred and vengeance? It could also be why he gave life to Neah and Mana. Neah holds the power to destroy the Noah while Mana seems to be able to devour the Noah: perhaps the Earl intended Mana to first devour all the Noah in order for Neah to finally destroy them all and put an end to this all?

However, something ruined this project: the Noahs probably disagreed, determined to see their vengeance through (by sacrificing the Earl, summoning the Earl and destroying ‘this world’ they created). It could also be the Heart, or both the Noahs and the Heart working with each other. In one way or another, they managed to persuade/compel Mana to devour Neah (perhaps that’s where Joyd played a significant role in all this?).

On the subject of the souls, since Neah describes Atuuda’s power as the opposite of Mana devouring him (and we now know the Earl feeds on human souls), it certainly works as the partial transfer of the owner’s soul to another to ‘heal’ them (or is it something like ‘rewinding’ their state to before they got injured? Does this have something to do with whatever rejuvenated past!Allen and aged up Mana’s appearance??). Before Link healed Neah in ch221, Allen’s jacket was pierced ; Atuuda mended his injury and the hole in the jacket was also gone.

Zuu only described it as Atuuda exhausting his own ‘life-force’ to transfer it to someone else, he was not specific in his explanation so it’s only guesses here.

Design-wise (and reachland-wise haha), the six spots on the female white butterfly could be a recurring motif related to the soul, like the six dots on Link’s tattoo 8D

(Also noticing just now but dude Link must have a lot of gloves in stock, he came back with a glove when he saved Neah haha)

I can’t decipher what Zuu wrote to summon Atuuda but they’re replacing the dots here. Atuuda also has three spheres on each mustache-thingy!

I found a retelling of a Japanese legend of a white butterfly (in Myths & Legends of Japan, by Frederick Hadland Davis). I found it narrated on Japanese Folktales: The Butterfly Soul – Under the influence! if you want to check it out! A white butterfly visits an old man at his deathbed. It was the soul of his beloved that died when they were young, the old man never left her alone and would keep tending to her grave. The butterfly didn't leave until his soul left with her.

The butterfly in ancient greek was ψυχή (psyche), which holds several meanings: the wind blow or breath and by extension life force or breath, life, soul, butterfly and Psyche (essentially known from the myth of her love with Eros/Cupid and its trials). Interestingly, « psyché » in French also refers to a piece of furniture with a window-frame in which a great mirror was mounted. It was a great Art Deco symbol and was a motif depicted in paintings. It reflected its owner from head to foot, just as the mirror reflected Mana, Neah and the Earl’s souls in volume 25.

It’s also a symbol of (tragic) love sometimes eg. the chinese legend of the butterfly lovers.

Final note on golems: the word ‘golem’ was used once in the Book of Psalms to refer to Adam when he was what was translated as a shapeless mass, an embryo out of clay lacking a soul. The Talmud sometimes calls Adam a ‘golem’ when referring to the first twelve hours of his life: it was still only an inanimate body without God’s breath of life.

Golems also have a mystical origin, created by magic spells. The methods of creation and destruction vary from a tale to another eg. dancing and chanting the hebrew alphabet in different combinations ; using a pure mass of dust, water, sand, earth or flour ; prayers, fasts, purifications ; engraving ‘emet’ (truth, God’s seal) on its forehead and erasing the first letter alef to call its death (met means death).

In ashkenazi hassidic traditions in the 15th century, the golem became a real creature, serving its masters and fulfilling the tasks it was given. This tradition became really popular in the 17th century, and was linked to the ancient belief in the possibility to resurrect the dead by putting in their mouth (or on their arm) a piece of parchment marked with the tetragram. Following this belief, it could turn into an evil being that had to be destroyed to prevent terror and death from spreading.

The golems embody both the figure of a protector/servant but also of a creature of destruction:

→ Golem | Jewish Museum Berlin « A golem is a creature formed out of a lifeless substance such as dust or earth that is brought to life by ritual incantations and sequences of Hebrew letters. The golem, brought into being by a human creator, becomes a helper, a companion, or a rescuer of an imperiled Jewish community. In many golem stories, the creature runs amok and the golem itself becomes a threat to its creator. (…) Originally, creating a golem was a way for medieval Jewish mystics to come closer to God. »

I don’t know why, but these two pages of ch231 comes to my mind when I read the last sentence:

I wanted to know more about golems in general, and I came across this conference of Ada Ackerman, an art history specialist that dedicated a great part of her works on the golem and its representations through time (religion, myths, books, cinema): YouTube

She quoted a yiddish play excerpt and it was really reminiscent of the creation of Akuma. The golem in the play pleads with a voice (which is unusual, since it is mainly represented without a voice and genderless) its creator to not create them. It is already conscious of its potential for destruction, and asks to remain into nothingness:

I tried to translate it very roughly: « I have a voice that is not yet a voice. I have a heart that is not yet a heart. (…) I will say it again and I warn you, please do not create me! See those stars dying! And so will the light of every eye laying on me. My footprint will only leave desolation, and from what my hand touches only ashes and dust will be left. »

Interestingly, גּוֹלֶם in modern hebrew designates both the pupa and the golem, as well as a dummy, a mould or a fool.

▶ Chapter 219: Poppies, puppets and myths

Flowers also grow at the foot of the tree Cornelia. When the Earl disappeared, Katerina was plucking those flowers. It could be poppies, that often bloom in wheat fields. These flowers are also on the chapter’s cover.

In hanakotoba, poppies can symbolize peace of mind, sympathy, presentiment of love, sorrow of parting, comfort or consolation, rest or relief. This is pure speculation, but like I said above, this could fit with Katerina and the Earl meeting and whatever he found in the mansion, making the latter realize his war against the world is meaningless.

Poppies in Japanese are 芥子, keshi. I remember seeing on her ig account that Hoshino wanted to emphasize the meaning of flowers in her story. For example, the lotus held a heartbreaking significance to Kanda and Alma’s arc. She also focuses a LOT on the puppet/staging/dramatic imagery in DGM (Lala, the exorcists controlled by the Innocence and Apocryphos and the Noahs by their memories, Crown Clown, the circus, …)

And funnily enough, poppies can be phonetically associated to a kind of japanese traditional wooden dolls, こけし, kokeshi. Kokeshi doesn’t have a kanji writing people generally agreed on: I read that before an exhibition in the 20th century, dolls were referred to by many names. Artisans and collectors agreed on ‘kokeshi’ in hiragana only.

Therefore, you could have various combinations to write kokeshi:

→ the ‘ko’ in kokeshi could refer to ‘child’, ‘small’ or ‘wood’ (then deriving from 'ki') → the ‘keshi’ in kokeshi could refer to the verb ‘chisel’ (削る, kezuru: kokeshi are wooden pieces chiseled on a lathe). It could also correspond to ‘poppy’. But most interestingly in DGM’s story, it could be linked to another verb, ‘erase’ (消す, kesu eg. an eraser is a 消しゴム, keshigomu): Neah said the Earl disappeared only once off the face of this earth, Mana ‘devoured’ Neah, and Allen is now facing the risk of disappearing himself.

Kokeshi can be made with cherry wood, japanese maple, but also dogwood. Dogwood’s variety is also known as cornus in latin, that Cornelia’s name could also originate from aside from cornix (raven).

One of the kokeshi features is sometimes the lack of limbs, just like the Innocence and the Fallen Ones.

Note: Poppies and crops (just like the Campbell mansion landscape) are also symbols of Demeter, the greek goddess of the harvest, the fertility of the earth. These flowers are also associated to Nyx, the goddess of the Night, Hypnos, the god of dreams and sleep, and Thanatos, a minor god of death, who are her sons. The abduction of Demeter’s daughter, Persephone, by Hades also involves poppies. In some tales, as the poppy was cultivated for the sleep-inducing and anesthetic properties from its sap, it is said that Hypnos gifted Demeter the flower to find sleep as she grew desperate at her daughter’s disappearance and left the earth barren. Other tales explain that poppies would grow to announce Persephone’s return to Earth, symbolizing the nature and Demeter’s rejoice.

▶ Mana or the Earl’s destruction?

I’ve been wondering about this since Allen’s escape from Apocryphos & Cross’s involvement with the plot: what real difference does it make whether Mana/the Earl is destroyed by Neah or the Heart?

Ch237 introduces these two paths clearly as opposites in Cross’s pov: « Right now, Mana has forgotten that he is the Millenium Earl. For the Innocence… The Heart, this is an opportunity like no other to destroy the Millenium Earl. Neah must be the one to destroy Mana. I have wandered this world for decades for that very reason. Searching for Neah’s host. Anything else that draws near Mana, I eliminate. And by that, I mean anything. Anything at all. »

Dude was hellbent on this mission to the point of 1) killing a kid should he come too close to Mana & 2) making a deal with Luberrier to ‘protect’ Neah (and eventually use him as a weapon)??? And THIS makes me wonder (when I read the trivia on his wikia character page):

What was his relationship with Neah? He was dragged in this mission by him. Which is interesting since Cross was introduced in the story as Neah’s supporter by outsiders ; we now get to see a more nuanced relationship. I wonder what differs from his relationship with Mana.

So, in addition to what it carries emotionally (to have Neah destroy Mana to save him from his misery), the consequences must be different depending on who (Neah or the Heart) kills who (Mana or the Earl) somehow. It must be the same consequences for Allen as overcoming Neah’s memories by himself and letting Apocryphos fuse with Allen to get rid of Neah. In ch236, Apocryphos witnesses Mana and Red embracing each other, saying Red will destroy the Earl so that the Heart will be reborn????? (First of all, it is a loophole in the Heart’s description by the Order: it is an Innocence that presumably holds an absolute power over the others, its destruction by the Noah would be fatal to the Order. Since it will be reborn, how come the rest of the Innocence still exist, eg. Cross’s Judgement and Maria were both seen, idem for the exorcists experimented on for the 2nd gen. project before that alleged rebirth?)

What if (see my theory in the previous points): → the Heart destroys the Earl (after destroying Neah) ➾ perpetuation of the cycle, the Pillar is again summoned since the end of the world is also « God’s » will: the Earl must forever be God’s sacrifice in atonement of his past sins. The manga suggests → Neah destroys Mana ➾ the end of the Noahs, set free from their vengeance and the Pillar

At this point I’m even starting to believe the Heart is a Noah haha (I was thinking about Road but what if it was Joyd 8D? He was perhaps not yet ‘reborn’ when Apocryphos changed Mana and Red’s fate because Neah killed him, and he was the only Noah seen destroying Innocence in the manga when he destroyed Allen’s)

In volume 25, we learn through Neah the Earl disappeared only once, dividing into Mana and Neah (so prior to the Heart’s rebirth). After Apocryphos mingled with Red and Mana’s fate, we see one of its direct consequences is the Earl’s awakening. And in ch202, we learn the Earl (or a piece of Mana’s consciousness) asked the Noah to protect Neah from the Heart even at the cost of their lives?????

The first time we learn of the Heart’s existence is from the Order’s point of view. With the search for the Heart from the Order's perspective, we take it for granted that the Heart is a single human being synchronizing with this special Innocence. Since the story revolves around the possibility it might be told by an unreliable narrator (the existence of Apocryphos and its ability to rewrite entire pans of memories, Innocence — a false ‘God’ the Order is fighting for, Noah’s hidden truth, the other side of the war …), who is to say the Heart comes in a shape no one expects?

In ch111, Lavi states the Heart should only be one. But should it, really? The original version of this panel puts accent on ‘one’:

For example, the Heart could be two halves forming a whole, just like … Mana and Neah form the Earl … Mana and Red were also needed for Apocryphos’s plan to succeed … I don’t believe the Heart is the Earl, at least not alone (why would it first want the awakening of the Earl and then his destruction?), there must be more to it than that.

▶ Joyd

I never paid attention to this bit in ch226:

I get the feeling that whatever made Mana ‘eat’ Neah was also urged by Joyd. Especially because Joyd appeared grinning as soon as Tyki set out on destroying Neah’s bond with the Earl, the obvious bad blood between Neah and Joyd (+ the fact he reincarnated with an uncanny resemblance to Neah, and his peculiar existence apart from other Noahs was hinted at by Road since ch93) and these panels:

Mana sounds helpless here, overwhelmed by whatever made him do this.

#dgm spoilers #dgm meta #d gray man #allen walker #mana walker #neah campbell #road kamelot #tyki mikk #link howard

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