Anyone else realize that the Earl and Nea like are in each others arms THE WHOLE CHAPTER. Like, I can’t get over it. I don’t know how to take this large amount of intimacy. I mean, is it because I’ve spent so long with the idea that Neah and Earl are sworn enemies who have tried/will try to kill each other? Is it because they’re wearing the faces/bodies of Allen and the Earl who ARE (as of the past chapters, so not including the revelation of Mana) definite enemies? Is it because this is the most/ longest amount of physical closeness/intimacy I’ve seen in D.Gray-man from any character? Is it because I’m not used to feeling some sympathy towards the Earl? Is it because I’m not sure how to feel about Neah; as his motives and true personality hadn’t yet been revealed, but from the way he’s been acting it seriously kinda giving me chills? Is it because I’m not used to Allen having such a manipulative, strangely empty smile on his face; or seeing him acting slightly seductive in an also very manipulative way??
Like, the whole thing; I’m slightly uncomfortable about this fact. And I think all these questions kinda factor into why. Like, the biggest thing is Neah. At first it was really heartwarming (kinda) how they reunited. But, like, then you remember all this stuff; and realize that no, this is actually really disturbing. Neah’s extreme closeness, the somewhat empty smile, his manipulative seductiveness– showing on a face that isn’t his, using a body that’s not his in a way that Allen would probably be disgusted with- towards someone who’s obviously not entirely mentally stable– like it’s disturbing. Neah, really disturbs.
Or maybe I’m just projecting, and no one else sees Neah in the creeper lighting that I do
I see it as rather manipulative too… Neah had said during the Alma arc that he was going to kill the Earl… and he makes some creepy faces at one point as if he is going to hurt Mana when he is hugging him… I think that was the original intention of that hug. But it is his brother, so he gets a bit carried away with the hug himself.
EXACTLY, I’ve mentioned this on another reblog But I think that’s exactly why Neah was so open in the beginning– he knew the Earl would get closer to him. The panels even focus on his hands and eyes during this so that we can see this internal struggle! All his smiles are fake, basically. He’s very controlled and uses them for some purpose. He loses that control once they hug, he gets emotional; then he remembers that Mana’s memories are fucked and he smiles again, back in control. He’s smiling while he’s telling the story of their past in a mocking form of comfort. Because he’s not telling the story to hopefully win Mana back– he’s doing it to either torment or confuse the Earl’s fragile psyche. He’s lashing out in this way. Idk he reminds me of a manipulative partner; you have to be weary of his every move, because he hides his intentions with a believable smile.
Yes, all of this exactly. It was very clear that his intentions were to hurt Mana while his guard was down…
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