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arimiaromage · 13 hours

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I do not trust wisely.

throwing out my thoughts before chapter 251 of d.gray-man releases. spoilers for up to chapter 250 below!!

disclaimer: I don't hate wisely. I really like him. but I don't trust him right now.

I don't trust his actions right now. before chapter 250, I was sure wisely was going to be the new "leader" of the noah now that the earl is somewhat out of commission, either outright or by pulling the strings/giving suggestions to other members. road wasn't really the leader of them but they looked to her for answers about the things they didn't because she was the one that had stuck around the longest (such as when tyki's scars are aching) and was clearly the closest to the earl.

wisely is already suspicious of nea before this...

and when he approached the earl, wisely made a few comments about it, urging the earl to leave.

but he has an extra thought in chapter 224 about how he specifically won't let him cross paths with nea ever again. not really sus, I mean nea did kill the noah and try to kill the earl and the earl is clearly Not Over It, so makes sense.

but as they leave, wisely and tyki have a very specific exchange.

not only did wisely apparently let bookman go before they could find out more info, but wisely seems to know full well about nea- possibly being the reason he let bookman go, before bookman could tell the others who the earl and nea actually are.

specifically, wisely says "even if you don't find it out from me, you'll find it out eventually" and thinks to himself how this information will hurt tyki. that, to me, sounds like he knows most of the secrets of mana/nea. otherwise, how would he know that it will be so damning to tyki?

that brings us back to chapter 250, where they're interrogating apocryphos. I suspect the main goal of this was to find the heart rather than information on nea.

however, apocryphos can't help but jab at the ignorant noah who are in way over their heads, letting it slip that tyki has some deep connection to nea. wisely of course responds naturally by—

—destroying apocryphos' head, preventing him from talking until he heals. he claims it's because there's no use in interrogating him any further, that they've already got as much info as they can. that marks the 2nd interrogation victim he's let loose before the rest are ready.

with nea and the mention of 35 years ago being brought up, there's still tension in the air and sherril isn't about to let it go. remember, he's still pissed about road being hurt so badly trying to protect allen (because she wouldn't protect nea, right?)

and here it's finally brought up that, despite road being the only true survivor (aside from the earl), wisely has more knowledge about the events due to his demonic eye. he's finally being called out for possibly withholding the truth from them.

and what does he do? deflect it immediately. "it's not my fault, it's the fault of the previous wisely!"

okay, let's really dissect this page.

he starts off with apologizing, saying that the reason the other noah can't remember the tragedy is because the knowledge was so devastating the previous wisely locked it away (I guess before he died?? how does that work).

specifically, "to know nea is to know 'mana'". wisely knows who mana is, whereas the other noah only know that nea called the earl mana which made him cry.

the part I think most important is this- how conflicted he looks when thinking about the earl. he's not thinking about the noah here, he's thinking about the earl's safety. about mana.

why is he so conflicted?

let's go over some more stuff real quick.

wisely knows tyki looks suspiciously just like nea

2. nea isn't just a noah, he's the earl

3. SOMETHING happened to adam to make him disappear/split into mana/nea and is most likely connected to the noah & innocence

with all of these things in mind, this leads me to believe this...

wisely is keeping the info about mana secret to get the earl to destroy the world

not really a big shocker, but let me explain. the goal of the noah is to see the end of the world and aid the earl in that, but we've learned that the earl acts somewhat as a ticking time bomb, as he is the one that brings about the end days.

that is the goal of all of the noah, but road has been apprehensive about it because the current earl is mana. she wants him to be safe, and when cross urged her to help him save mana, instead of scoffing at the idea she starts crying and saying she can't because she's a noah. she wants to save him but being a noah cancels that out.

but our wisely didn't grow up with mana & nea. wisely didn't witness nea kill their entire family, mana kill him in return, and quickly descend into madness. wisely has secondhand memories so he doesn't have that emotional attachment.

this is why I felt wisely would be the new "leader". he has the insight to know that the earl = mana and that nea is part of the earl but doesn't have the emotional baggage road has. this gives him the best opportunity to see the noah's goal to the end, to push the earl over the edge and make him destroy it.

how would the rest of the noah feel if they found out the earl they've known their entire life isn't 7000 years old? that he was raised as a human just 50~ years ago? that the earl can die?

and worse-

how would the noah feel if they found out a personality of the earl was the one what slaughtered them all?

it would absolutely fracture them, possibly worse so than the exorcists finding out about apocryphos. the man they trust as their leader, who they feel in their souls a deep connection to, isn't even actually him and the man that killed them was supposed to be their leader.

that's why I feel like wisely is still keeping secrets. if he does actually know who mana/nea are, then it doesn't make sense for him to reveal this info so easily. I don't know what he's going to do next as the scene cuts there with him supposedly revealing the secrets, but I have a fear he's either only revealed a small part of it or worse, created a new lie about mana/nea to show them.

maybe he's telling the truth??

there's always a chance I'm grasping at straws, but from what I've seen it just doesn't make sense to me for him to reveal "everything" about mana/nea to the other noah, ESPECIALLY TYKI, so quickly. sherril snaps at him and he immediately folds. we've seen such careful character motivations thusfar from everyone else and I doubt hoshino would stumble here, on such a pivotal plot point.

so yeah, I don't believe wisely when he says he's going to reveal everything. he has the best shot out of all the noah to bring about the apocalypse and it doesn't make sense for him to fumble that now.

thanks for being a lil shit wisely, love you

#dgm #dgrayman #nice thoughts!!#it does feel like at times the plot has gone back and forth between what the noah *actually* want to achieve #they hate the pillar but also say this world is theirs to destroy?#long post

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arimiaromage · 15 hours

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HOSHINO KATSURA LIVESTREAM ABOUT DGM 251 SUM-UP (first part)

Hello,

As some of you may know, I have live tweeted Hoshino-sensei's stream, which took place on April, 28th. She answered many questions and talked about the new chapter.

Here is a more detailed sum-up of what has been said. At first, I wanted to make a transcript but I realised the stream was too messy to do so, that's why I decided to create "categories" and to sum-up what she said for each category. Hence, this is not in order (in comparison to the way she spoke in the stream).

There will probably be two or three parts, I'll publish them in a few days or weeks. This is the first part, summing up until the 40th minute, in a total of two hours of stream.

Of course, beware of spoilers from chapter 251.

Have a good reading, because it is a long post.

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Remarks:

-in italics are the questions asked by the fans

-I didn't write down EVERYTHING, I selected what I thought was the most interesting

-I didn't write down every comment she read and to which she said "thank you" or "Alright"/"I see".

Very long post ahead...

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The beginning of the stream

Hoshino Katsura: "So, last week was my birthday. I wanted to do this live stream on my birthday and talk about DGM, but, sadly, I was under pressure with all the deadlines, I didn't have time, so I decided to do it this week.

So, about today! I said I wanted to talk about DGM but I haven't really decided what I was going to talk about. I don't have any idea of what I should be telling you, but look, it was Lenalee's birthday recently, and then, it will be soon Kanda's birthday and Lavi's birthday. After that, a small break, a few minor characters and then the main character, Allen's birthday. It's like a full calendar. I can talk about their birthdays if you want, or the new chapter, or answer your questions, I can do anything! If possible, I would like to avoid talking about things that I have talked about 100 times, for instance how did I became a mangaka. Of course, if you want to ask, please do so.

Q. Kanda's birthday is important...

A. Yes, it is. June, 6th right? It's soon..hmmm, that's kind of scary. On this day, I'll have soba, so please spare me. If I don't, I feel it would be unforgivable.

Q.I'm taking my paid leaves every year for Kanda's birthday :

A. For real ? Kanda... seriously...

About the new chapter (overall)

Q. I want to hear about the latest chapter! Or some characters like Lavi...

A. Lavi-chan? Yes, I would like to talk about Lavi but you know...I can't...Ah, but if it is TMI or random stuff, I can.

Q. Where is Lavi?

A. (Small laughs) Hmmm, you are right, where is he?

Q. I would like to ask what was you favourite panel from the new chapter and what panel was the most difficult to draw.

A. Right. So let's talk about the latest chapter. Did you read the latest chapter? I'll talk about it so please be careful. And I won't be explaining page by page, but more like overall.

The panel which I put the most efforts in...let me see ...Well, I can tell you for sure it's not the first page. The first page was drawn by my assistants...let me think...let me start by my favourite. It's the one where Lucia raises her finger and says "please answer one question from the master". I love this part. I think I drew her in a cute way. Besides, it has been a long time since I have drawn a girl...it was so fun to draw a girl. So this page, I love when she smiles while raising one finger, I really like it.

And the one I put the most efforts in...Well, there are a lot of them but it would be when Allen literally jumps toward Lucia and takes the poison, and drinks this kind of disgusting seed. I was a bit stressed when drawing it. I tried to put all my feelings. There is no dialogue here, so I wanted you to concentrate on the characters'movements. And when Allen says "thank you", I really love his facial expressions. It has been a long time since I have drawn that well Allen's expression. Allen is a difficult character when it comes to drawing his expressions. He smiles, but he has a lot of different types of smiles, even for me who has created him, I am sometimes wondering what hides behind his smile. I feel I can't get his feelings right, so it's hard to draw him. However, this time, he really drank the poison without hesitation, he was determined. Hence, his smile was sincere and I feel I drew him well.

Q. I loved the chapter but yes, it was emotionally hard to read

A. Yes, it was. My editor and assistants told me it was going to be tough one, I was like "ah, really?" and when I was drawing it, I realised it was. But it's a kind of win-win, right? It's hard for you but it is also hard for me.

About Lavi

Q. All the fandom was so excited to see those two small Lavi panels.

A. Aaah, yes. I drew Lavi this time, it has been a while since I drew him in the story. If course, I draw him a lot outside of the story (for instance, for her Instagram) I feel my training has paid, because I drew him very easely. Yes, Lavi, dude, you're so easy to draw. I love you. Besides, please take a look, he has a very serious look. I'm not used to that but I succeeded in writing in one shot, I am very happy.

Q. When did Lavi get his ears pierced? Is it Bookman?

A. Hmmm, no I think it's his parents. He got his ears pierced when he was a child, maybe a baby.

Q. Was Lavi raised by Bookman ?

A. No, well, Lavi is human, he has to be born from a mother.

Q. Didn't he become a Bookman when he was born?

A. Like I told you, I can't answer. I'm sorry. I can't tell you now.

Q. When Lavi changes uniform, he got new earrings (bigger ones), is it because he wanted it or is it Johnny who gave him?

A. It's totally from him, ahaha. He wears the accessories he likes

About Lucia

Q. Comments about how cute is Lucia

A. Yes, it has been a while since i have drawn a real lady. My assistant, who is a guy, told me Lucia was very cute and that he could marry her. She is so cute that she could be Lenalee's rival?! Actually, Lucia is a character that I had in mind for a while, and she is going a to have a part to play in the plot. This time, she appeared as a scary character who gave poison to Allen, but please understand, Lucia had her reasons. I'm sure you are going to like her. So please, be nice with her.

Q. Did you decide Lucia's hair colour?

A. Of course, I did. But I want to to see it in colours! For instance, if I told you "her clothes are green" you would not know if it is a light green, a darker green, or kaki etc. So that's why I want to see her in colours.

Q. I don't get why there is a small Lucia and an adult Lucia.

A. yes ... Of course you don't.

Q. How old is Lucia, is she older than Allen? A. yes, she is older.

Q. You said in a stream there was a character you liked drawing this time, is the master?

A. No, it's Lucia. Lucia helped me the lot, whether it is her smile, her clothes, her expression, everything is easy to draw. It might be because I had her in store for a long time, so I knew exactly how she should be. I was a bit stressed to draw her at first, but it was very easy. And actually, I love Lucia's clothes. They are easy to draw. If you want to train, please try drawing her clothes ahaha.

Q. How much is the correction of Lucia's glasses?

A. Arrrrgh, I didn't think about this, sorry.

Q. Her clothes are so cute, what did you use as a reference to draw?

A. Actually, I didn't have any, it's really from my head. You know, when it comes to the Noahs or to Lenaleew they have to fight so I draw their clothes accordingly to that. So, their clothes are a bit tight because it's easier for action scenes. But I love clothes that hide a bit your body, so that's why I used it for Lucia.

Q. you sometimes drew only one eye for Lucia because it's hidden by the reflect of the glass, is it easier this way?

A. Hmmm not really, I prefer drawing the two eyes, it's easier.

Q. I love the medieval-like style of Lucia's clothes

A. yes, me too, I love European medieval clothes.

Q. How tall is Lucia, I feel this is quite tall right?

A. Yes, she is a bit taller than Allen.

About Bookman Junior

Q. What is JB's hair colour?

A. hmmmm hmmmmmm, I see. I'll be drawing him often from now on so, you'll see. I'll reveal it.

Q. Junior's scar on his eye is a bit suspicious

A. ah, you mean his right eye? Hmmm yes.

Q. Junior's piercings and earrings look like Lavi's. Is there a reason?

A. So, now there is no reason, I think each Bookman has their own taste and wears what they want, but...How should I put it? They kinda have the same tastes...ah but no, maybe they don't. But, this time, because I showed Junior, I wanted to show you he belongs to the same clan as Bookman and Lavi, so that's why I chose the piercings.

Q. I was so shocked to see Allen and Bookman Junior were two different people.

A. Yes. I know. Thank you.

About Bookmen in general

Q. I didn't expect explanations about Bookman at this state

A. Yes, it says a bit unexpected. But the thing is, if I don't draw it and explain it now, I can't keep drawing the story in the present timeline. I had this problem. And by explaining you about Bookman Junior, I wanted you to understand very clearly, do that's why I spent a lot of time drawing the storyboard and thinking about the dialogues. You know, for me, it's pretty obvious in my head but it's difficult to explain to other people. And the other problem is that I am limited by the page number, so I had to make it very clear. It was difficult.

Q. How many Junior is there by generation? A. Only one. I explained it in the chapter.

Q. So recently, a lot of characters appear to have round glasses, is there a reason?

A. Yes, I made it purposely so they had the same aura/atmosphere. But actually...(Silence)hmmm, how should I put it...those round glasses...Well I have something in mind with the round glasses.

About Allen

Q. I feel Lenalee and Allen are very similar now..

A. Aah, you mean when she drank her Innocence. Got it. You are right. Exorcists have a lot of determination. This way of drinking seems the most beautiful and the most determined for me.

Q. I was so surprised Allen has already arrived at the bookshop

A. hmm, you know, I could have drawn some scenes in between, but it would not have been plot relevant.

Q.What was the snack Allen had before coming to the library?

A. ah, thank you. I think it's a kind of baked sweets they are selling in town.

Q. Allen looks great in blue. What's the fabric if his jacket?

A. I know, I love him in blue, he looks good. And it's pretty rare to see him wearing blue. But sorry, I didn't think about it. Please imagine what you want.

Q. Allen wrote the story of his life, but how long did it take ?

A. Aaaah, so they arrived after 3PM at the bookshop because they had a snack, so he started around 4PM? Then, he writes his story and goes to the master's room where you can see the moonlight...so that means it took 3 to 4 hours? Maybe.

About the seed of the truth

Q. How did you come with the design of the seed of truth?

A.I just wanted to draw something disgusting.

Q. I thought Allen would just swallow the whole seed

A. Actually, I thought that too! But then I realised it would not look good, so I changed the storyboard. On my storyboard, he was swallowing the whole seed but I realised it was not that great...and Allen is cute...so you know, I don't want to draw Allen having this disgusting thing in his body. I decided to break it in half.

Q. Did you have any model for the seed?

A. I just wanted to make it look disgusting, like you should really NOT drink it. So I decided to add a "face", it's kind of scary, right? But to be honest, I didn't have a lot of time, so I could not take time to design it. It's also a bit too big to be swallow as a wholew that's why I should have drawn it smaller if Allen were to swallow it. But making it higher makes it look more disgusting but I realised Allen could not have swallowed it.

Q. Will Nea also learn about the truth Allen is going to see because of the seed of truth?

A. : hmm, well, yes but listen, I know you are all very curious but please understand I can't really answer such questions. Please ask random stuffs. Besides, I'm not sure you want to hear spoilers. So please just ask things like "why does Lucia have her bangs on the right side?" Or ask about the clothes? The design? Lavi and Bookman's piercings? Junior's piercings? Please ask things that aren't plot relevant..

About the publication pace and the upcoming chapters (flashback arc)

Q. Will there be a sign event this year?

A. No, there is not.

Q. Are we going to enter in another flashback/ past arc?

A.No, I won't make it long. I think. It hope. You know, I want to draw the present so I can't afford spending too much time on the past. I'm sure you think that too. So yes, it won't be long, probably.

Q. I thought we are entering in a flashback arc

A. Don't worry, it won't be long. I can't afford making it too long, I'm sure you also want to see the present time, right? I've really thought a lot about how I should draw it. Of course, what happened 35 years later is very important, as important as the present, but I want the characters who are still alive to keep on moving. Right now, I'm discussing with my editor about how we should show you.

Q. I thought the 35-years-ago arc would come.

A. It will, it will. But ummmm... How to explain...it's a pretty long story (what happened 35 years ago) so...like, you want to them to go the Campbell mansion right?

Q. I feel the story pace is getting faster and faster since the end of the circus arc

A. Yes, it's something we decided with my editor. We need to move forward.

About the design of the bookshop

Q. How did you decide the design of the bookstore?

A. So, I told my assistants what I wanted but I let them do it. I was busy drawing the plot, and they were in charge of the backgrounds. What did I ask them: well, since it's about Bookmen, I wanted a place as dirty as Lavi or Bookman's room. I don't want a cute and pretty bookshop but a dirty one. I think they made a good job.

Q. Last time, it was your assistant who drew the symbol of the bookshop, he really made the whole bookshop right?

A. Yes, indeed. My chief assistant is the one who drew the interior of the bookshop, but recently, I had a new assistant joining us, even if is still a newbie, he has a lot of skills, he looks like a veteran. He is the one who drew the symbol.

Q. I was amazed by the difference between the room where Allen was and the room where the master is, after the elevator.

A. Really ! I actually meant to make the atmosphere a bit different, that's what we decided with my assistants. We wanted to have the lower floor full of books, and then, the upper floor, like an empty room. Also, we decided to make the last scene taking place at night. When Allen arrives at the bookshop, it's around the end of the afternoon and when he goes up to meet the master, it's the moonlight.

About the master

Q.If the master and Lucia know about Apocryphos, does it mean they're exchanging information with Lavi?

A. Ah, I can't tell you.

Q. Does the master wear shoulders pads?

A. Hmm, yes, I think he does. Actually, I love men with shoulders pads. And the Master doesn't wear socks, he is barefoot!

Q. How tall is the master?

A. Probably tall, like 1.90m or something? DGM men are pretty tall. I mean, when you see the master, you are like "He can't possibly be around 1m60!"

Q. Is the master a minimalist ?

A. He is, probably ahaha.

Q. Does the master live in this room the whole time? Or does he have a house?

A. well, the master is a human so, you know, he probably doesn't live here.

Q. Why does the master is barefoot ?

A. Hmm, that's just because I wanted to draw a man barefoot ahaha. I loved drawing him, he was so easy to draw. I felt giving socks would ruin his fashion. It's sexier this way.

About other characters and TMI

Q. I am waiting for Bak Chan

A. He will appear, please wait! There will be an important scene with Bak Chan, so please wait.

Q. I want to see what happens to Allen but I can't help to be curious about the Noahs.

A. Oh yes, and especially because Wisely has taken off the seal. So, what will happen?

Q. How do Kanda, Lavi and Allen sleep?

A. Eh ???? How do they sleep? Lavi, well, he falls prostate. As for Allen, he sleeps facing forward and Kanda, he sleeps while turning sideways.

Q. What were Link and Johnny doing while he was writing?

A. they were just waiting.

Q. I love Nea, I would love to have more info about him

A. Hhmmm I get it but like, I can't tell you. About Nea, I can't really tell you sorry.

Q. Is the bookshop far from the place Allen and Kanda got separated ?

A. Of course, I decided it but it's in my computer so I don't remember. Sorry. But there is a lot of distance, yes. But it's not that far, but more than two days of walking.

Q. Is there any famous people who, you think, has a face similar to Allen or Kanda?

A. no, there is not.

Q. What is Kanda eating right now? Probably Soba?"

A. What is he eating....? Actually, I have no idea where Kanda is right now. This chapter was about Allen and only Allen, so Kanda...

Thank you for reading and see you in a few days for part two !

#dgm #dgrayman #“even for me who has created him I am sometimes wondering what hides behind his smile” crying #ty for the translation!#long post

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