DVD Corner

D.Gray-man Season 2 DVD Review

The season 2 set of “D.Gray-man” is an improvement over the season 1 set.

In this season 2 DVD set (which collects episodes 27-51), the story turns darker for the show’s heroic exorcists (Allen, Lenalee, Lavi, Miranda, Tiedoll, Daisya, etc.) Plots include multiple Akuma attacks, a search for General Cross, soul selling, pirates, a witch, the evil Millennium Earl plotting to kill the Exorcists, Daisya’s past, the Noah clan, village conflicts, Exorcists traveling everywhere from Barcelona to Czechoslovakia, Innocence destruction, and the protection of Generals.

After seeing the season 1 set, I didn’t quite get what all the fuss was about with “D.Gray-man.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad series by any means, I’ve just seen better. While this second season is a definite improvement, many of the series central problems remain. I for one could do without the endless exposition and the cringe-inducing humor (namely with Krory and the Noah Clan fighting at the dinner table). To me, the humor drags the show down. The show is at its best when it’s dark.

Another element that bugged me is how the writers drag out story arcs. Early on in this set, the exorcists go on a search for General Cross. By the time episode 51 rolled around, the General had still not been found! I can only hope the search ends relatively quickly at the start of the season 3 set.

On the plus side, there is much to admire about this show. If you watch this show for action, you’re definitely awarded in that department as there’s plenty of exciting fights here (with the Akuma especially). I’m also a big fan of the main villain the Millennium Earl. Most of the time the villains in anime series are rather cliched and lifeless, but Earl winds up being more interesting than most of the Exorcists.

Summary: “D.Gray-man” has a huge fanbase and they will undoubtedly want to pick this season set up. If you haven’t seen the show, it’s worth checking out, but I don’t believe it’s as good as some folks make it out to be.

Video/Audio:

The widescreen picture quality is noteworthy, but I have to wonder why season 2 hasn’t hit Blu-ray yet. Perhaps it’s on the way soon?

This set includes English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Japanese Stereo tracks. The English track flat-out doesn’t work for me. The voice work doesn’t seem to fit the characters at all.  Despite it only being a stereo track, the Japanese track is far and away the best option here.  

Extras:
* Trailers for “Dragonaut,” “The Tower Of Druaga,” “Vexille,” “One Piece,” “Utawarerumono,” “Nabari no Ou,” “Mushi-Shi,” “Tsubasa,” “Gunslinger Girl,” “D.Gray-Man,” “Soul Eater,” “Sands Of Destruction,” “Heroic Age,” ‘Burst Angel,” “Samurai Champloo,” “Spice And Wolf,” and “Dragon Ball Z.”
* Textless opening and closing songs.
* A random lone commentary on “Feelings Of Devotion” by the English director, a voice actor and a voice actress.

May 15, 2011 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | D.Gray-man Season 2 DVD Review