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Rating: 8/10 (but it actually fails…)

Impressions:

This episode is freaking hilarious. I mean really, Komui’s sabotaging takes the cake! The best moment: him using the blowpipe to inject the anaesthetic into Allen’s body! Of course, everyone else’s failed attempts at destroying Komrin are also quite humorous. But if I like this episode so much, why didn’t I give it a better rating? Well, although it is good, funny and all, it FAILS when compared to the manga. There is absolutely no impact whatsoever from the little details that the manga gives. Dunno what I’m talking about? Well, firstly, the episode feels way too much like a filler. In fact, it’s about 50% filler. Actually, just go and read chapters 17 and 18. Try MangaRun: chapter 17 | chapter 18. Well, to sum things up, they completely screwed up the development between Linali and Allen. No really, they REALLY SCREWED UP. Linali’s meant to be knocked unconscious by Komrin early on, before Allen returns. He then comes back to find Linali lying on the stairs, looking very…entic- anyway, everyone else is meant to be pretty badly wounded, to increase the tension. Allen then carries the limp Linali away from Komrin with River, meet up with the rest of the group on the floating platform, before confronting Komrin like in the manga. BUT, when Allen gets taken by Komrin, Linali is MEANT TO wake up and worriedly say she’s just heard Allen’s voice, and asks if he’s back. This is a very important point in the development of her and Allen’s friendship, which becomes extremely strong later on. No one’s gonna believe they’re best friends or something if they do nothing to increase their familiarity.

And finally, the destruction of Komrin is meant to be a sudden cut off, where it then shifts to a scene some time later, when Allen has just woken up after being knocked unconscious by the anaesthetic. And beside him is meant to be LINALI, who has been by his side the whole time, looking after him!!! Linali then gives Allen a very affectionate ‘welcome back’, which makes Allen blush and think she’s cute! Yes, he doesn’t even mention that in this episode! And I’m using exclamation marks too much…Ok ok, I’ve calmed down now. It’s just pretty annoying when your favourite parts are left out. Although this episode is indeed hilarious and a great watch, it shouldn’t have been animated to be so carefree. D.Gray-man is a dark show, and it will only get darker from here on. The next arc is the Miranda arc, then another one, before the main one starts. There is not nearly enough tension; not nearly enough emotions conveyed this episode. And there’s something wrong with the preview. I don’t think the recurring town is meant to have been that way for eternity. If that were the case, it would still be a hollow chunk of space, void of any life. Anyway, Noah’s family (the antagonists) have finally been introduced. There of course, will be fights involving Allen, other exorcists, and the Noahs. I guess you can call them the minibosses. Oh and, just as a final note, the action scenes this episode (by Linali) are far too slow. They should only be slow the first time they are shown, to increase the awe that they are meant to give. I was expecting some fast leg twirling by Linali, but sadly that didn’t happen. The episode also suffered from some lazy animation. Just had to point that out, since it seems like D.Gray-man is still suffering from a seemingly low budget.

Plot Outline:

- Allen wakes up, meets Linali outside his room, offers to go to the cafeteria with Linali, rejected…
- Instead, she gets him to help her deliver some coffee to the scientists’ office
- And suddenly, a ‘thump’…
-It turns out it’s Komui’s new invention, Komrin II, which is supposed to heal injured Exorcists
- Everyone is quite pleased with this, until it drinks some coffee and goes crazy
- Komrin immediately targets Linali, deciding to make her macho and puts her to sleep
- Afraid for his sister, Komui distracts Komrin’s attention by saying Allen needs his arm healed
- Priority shift…
- Soon, Allen finds himself running through the halls with a dangerous Komrin behind him
-The other scientists all try to stop the robot, but all their plans fail one way or another
- Allen sees Kanda and asks him for help, but he gives none

- Eventually, Allen decides to fight the robot and activates his anti-Akuma weapon
- Komui, however, shoots him with some anaesthetic injection and paralyses him
- Komrin then captures Allen and proceeds to operate on him
- Linali finally wakes up and activates her Dark Boots
- She easily owns the robot, then send it and a defensive Komui into the pits of the building
- Before that of course, Allen emerges from the mechanical wreck, covered in bandages
- In the end, Allen is taken down to the cafeteria for his return party (finally!)
- Elsewhere, some guy is eating a boiled egg, but complains of it not being sweet
- He gets so pissed that he starts beating up the maid
- Other characters are introduced, who are collectively known as the Noahs
- They are also seen with the Millennium Earl, who is dining with them
- One of the Noahs, the girl, asks the Earl if they were called by him because they are ’starting’

Preview:

Next episode – #9
Miranda arc! Lots of Linali and Allen together!

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