Originally serialized in Shonen Jump in 2004, D.Gray-man has been a curious manga, primarily due to its publication delays. At the height of its popularity in Japan, the series was competing alongside Bleach, Naruto, and even One Piece. On occasion, the series was beating all three respective titles in individual sales records whenever a new volume hit stores alongside its competitors. However, due to Katsura Hoshino’s health complications, and her breaking her wrist (on more than one occasion), the series has since suffered from slow publication, delays, and even a two and a half years long hiatus after Jump decided to halt the series. Currently, D.Gray-man has found its place in Jump SQ.Rise, one of Shonen Jump’s quarterly magazines, which is typically used to showcase one-shots or debut inexperienced manga artists.
Despite only publishing four chapters a year, D.Gray-man has maintained arguably one of the most loyal fanbases in current times, selling out tickets for every meet-and-greet opportunity with Hoshino-sensei, as well as for entries for her solo gallery exhibit that took place in Tokyo in the Summer of 2020. It’s not hard to understand why.
From Hoshino-sensei’s illustration skills, well-scripted scenarios, and every character having their moments in the sun, D.Gray-man stood out compared to other gothic-influenced series that were popular at the time of introduction. She’s always been able to reel in audiences year after year, by insinuating pity for her protagonist, Allen Walker, as well as a devilish love and attraction for the villainous Noah Clan. A personal favorite has been watching the evolution of Hoshino-sensei’s art over the years, going from minimalist to painterly while always being dynamic.
Now, the series has taken a new leap in lines of merchandising, as the four most recognized characters have been given their own perfume, which is being sold in Animate stores across Japan for a limited time.
Characters include Allen Walker (Lemon, Snowdrop, Crystal Mint), Lenalee Lee (Mango, Jasmine, Cedarwood), Yu Kanda (Black Pepper, Lotus, Musk), and Lavi Bookman (Orange, Rose, Sandalwood). Whether or not the fragrance ingredients were designed with character symbolism in mind is unknown, but it’s likely enough. Allen’s scent contains snowdrop — relevant to his birthday being on Christmas, as well as him becoming an Exorcist in the winter. Meanwhile, Kanda contains lotus, a common element in his solo illustrations.
D.Gray-man is not the first series to receive a line of character-themed perfumes. The company, primaniacs (stylized in all lower-case), has been making anime-based perfume for years, stocking Animate stores across Japan with character scents from series such as Shamen King, Fate/Stay Night, and Granblue Fantasy, to name a few.
The company doesn’t stop at fragrances. In addition to scents, primaniacs has made a line of shampoo and conditioning products themed around the cast of Promare. Add a spicy flair to your morning routine as you massage Galo Thymos’s blazing spirit into your scalp!
D.Gray-man and Promare products will be available for a limited time in Japan at select Animate locations as well as primaniacs’ own stores located in Ginza, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, and online. Hopefully, you won’t have to scramble through crowds to get your hands on your favorite character.
