Back in 2016, fans of D.Gray-man eagerly awaited the return of Allen Walker and his friends in HALLOW, after a hiatus of over 8 years. This season promises a darker and more intense storyline, especially with the confrontation against the Noah who begin their battle in earnest. Does it live up to the wait? Let's find out.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
D.Gray-man HALLOW picks up directly from the events of the first season. Allen Walker, a young Exorcist with a cursed left arm, must fight demons called 'Akuma' created by the Millennium Earl and his 14 Noah. In this season, the conflict escalates as the Black Order faces threats from within and without. The revelation of Allen's secret regarding the 'Crown Clown' and the mystery of the '14th Apostle' make the story more complex and engaging.
Although this season has only 13 episodes, the story is condensed and fast-paced, which might confuse viewers unfamiliar with the manga, especially due to some skipped content. Overall, it retains the dark tone and the theme of fighting to protect humanity.
Performance and Characters
The original voice cast returns with noticeably improved skills. Ayumu Murase as Allen Walker conveys the character's determination and inner pain effectively, while Takuya Sato (Yu Kanda) and Ai Kakuma (Lenalee Lee) remain strong as ever.
A highlight of this season is the added depth to supporting characters, especially Arystar Krory (voiced by Noriaki Sugiyama), who plays a more significant role, and the introduction of new characters that drive the plot. However, due to time constraints, some character development feels incomplete, particularly for the Noah, who are heavily cut.
Direction, Animation, and Music
The animation by TMS Entertainment is improved over the first season in many aspects, especially in fluid and powerful fight scenes. The character designs remain beautiful and faithful to the manga, though some episodes suffer from inconsistent quality.
The soundtrack by Yuki Kajiura is excellent as always, perfectly enhancing the eerie and grand atmosphere. The opening theme 'Key -bring it on, my Destiny-' by Lenny code fiction and the ending theme 'Lotus Pain' by Mashiro Ayano fit the series' theme well.
Editorial Analysis
Our editorial team views D.Gray-man HALLOW as a season that tries to make a strong comeback but faces several limitations. One is the insufficient number of episodes compared to the complex manga content, leading to many plot points being condensed or cut, which may make the pacing feel too fast for non-manga readers.
However, the series retains its strengths: a dark atmosphere and themes of sacrifice, friendship, and fighting fate. Allen's return in this season shows his growth as a character, especially as he questions his identity and purpose.
Verdict
D.Gray-man HALLOW is a sequel that fans of the series should not miss. Despite limitations in episode count and continuity, it retains the charm of a dark fantasy story with intense themes and excellent voice acting. Suitable for those who enjoy action-adventure and want to follow Allen Walker's growth.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Excellent voice acting, especially Ayumu Murase
- +Smooth and beautiful fight animation
- +Yuki Kajiura's soundtrack remains superb
- +Intense and dark storyline fitting for a sequel
👎 Cons
- −Only 13 episodes, causing some content to be condensed or skipped
- −Incomplete character development, especially for the Noah
- −New viewers unfamiliar with the first season or manga may be confused
- −Inconsistent animation quality in some episodes
Top Cast
FAQ
Yes, you should watch the first season because the story is directly continuous. Skipping it may lead to confusion about characters and plot.
This season ends after 13 episodes, but the story is not fully concluded. It continues in the manga, which is still ongoing.
This season has a darker and more intense storyline, revealing secrets about Allen and the 14th Apostle, along with escalated battles against the Noah.
It has 13 episodes in total.
