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Rating: 8.3/10

Impressions:

Yay D.Gray-man, a show I really look forward to! And what an improvement this episode is compared to number 8. I was quite surprised with Road’s voice, it sounds so cute!! I had also thought she looks like Mikoto from Mai Hime/Otome, and what do you know, it’s the same seiyuu too! Well, she’s cute when she doesn’t have those cross-shaped engravings in her head. I wonder how old she is…and speaking of ages, Miranda is actually 25 years old. She looks much younger when she departs and returns anyway. A few people have pointed out how Miranda doesn’t give off the same sad aura as in the manga. I’m not sure as to why that is, even though I too felt it, but I believe the episode would do much better if the entire introduction of Miranda is performed with a bit more obscurity. Perhaps a sad walk out in the rain as she reminisces about the looping time trap she’s in. Maybe make her facial shadows even darker. She wasn’t drawn that well either, which probably contributes to her lack of gloom. The other characters weren’t drawn all that well either…such a shame. Road’s gruesome entrance into the rewinding town is also toned down a lot, with her entire body turning into a crispy fried zombie into just a blackened leg. I guess that also means there will be much less blood…damn.

This arc lasts about 7 chapters only, but seeing how only one and half a chapter were used for this episode, the arc might last four episodes. Then there’ll probably be another half filler interchange episode to shift between arcs. The time sequence is once again changed, and that’s really starting to bug me. Why can’t the producers just stick with the original manga, since they’re doing a crap job of making it different? The anime is also too straightforward. I mean, how bout a bit more dialogue during that briefing Komui gives Allen and Linali? Slightly more word exchange would be nice, and they shouldn’t accept the job just like that! Whether it’s questions, protest or something else, I don’t care, as long as things don’t flow so smoothly. Allen and Linali’s entrance into the rewinding town is also a bit dull, and far too simple. They see for themselves that Toma can’t enter, so they should at least feel around with their hands first. I know that if I see someone walk into some invisible wall, but another guy tells me I will be able bypass it, I sure as hell wouldn’t believe him that easily. Anyway, I know I’m whining too much, but Linali and Allen don’t have to walk together so tidily! How about someone runs up ahead when they reach the town, or walks around checking out the stores while the other continues forwards? Oh well, I’ll stop now, since I actually did enjoy this episode.

Preview:

Next episode - #10
Road vs Allen? Probably not just yet…

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