Pandora Hearts – 11



Ah, finally it’s time for Raven to reveal how he ended up with the Nightray family. This episode mainly talks about his past, and again it was quite an enjoyable episode. But something is bothering me. Some of the comments on last week’s entry talked about how this chapter was supposed to be one of the best of the series, but I don’t really see why; there have been much more impressive episodes so far. This one felt more like a solid build-up. And besides, even if this was supposed to be the best part of the series, then what does that mean for the rest of the story?

Still, I was pretty surprised to learn that Vincent is Gilbert’s younger brother, that was pretty random. Another surprise is that he also seems to have made contact with a being called “Raven”, probably in an attempt to get Oz back. Which apparently failed since Oz found a way to get back on his own. It also turns out that Vincent isn’t like Break in that he doesn’t age. Instead, ten years ago he was just a child as well, which begs the question of who was with Alice when she was younger. My guess now would be Oscar.

This episode also marks the return of Oscar, which at least also answers the question of where he went, although I am still curious as to what happened to Oz’s father. It’s going to be interesting if the two of them ever got to meet each other again. I’m interested to see how this guy changed over the past ten years.
Rating: * (Good)
Not among this series’ highlights but a solid episode on Gilbert’s past nonetheless.

12 thoughts on “Pandora Hearts – 11

  1. While it is indeed not one of the best, that honor goes to the next arc, it is still one of my favorites. It left a deep impression on me when I first read it, which was helped by the absolutely stunning artwork. It also focuses on Gil, who’s a fan-favorite.

    I was really delighted that they added a cameo appearance of Eliot and Reo – even if they got Eliot’s hair color wrong.

    Next episode is the CC arc! Can’t wait to hear how Kappei Yamaguchi handles the role.

  2. And I don’t consider CC arc the best, also. XD I think that series has more potential to it. I’m just after the CC arc, though. But for me, it just gets better and better with each page.
    As for 11 episode, I find it really kawaii, of course…:P

  3. The ones who probably thought of this episode as the best would be those who are Gil’s fans LOL

    But hey, this is an important episode too for the future plot.

    And YES! CC arc xD
    I didn’t expect them to make it so soon xD
    Oh well, the sooner I see the “mysterious man behind the curtain” and the insaner Oz goes in that arc, the happier i am xD

    I’m just crossing my fingers for a second season!

  4. My favorite standalone chapter has to be ch33 (St. Bridget’s Day), but I don’t think they’re going to animate all the way up to that.
    Seems like most people consider the CC arc to be the best one, and I think so too. 😛 (although the current arc in the manga has the potential to take that spot, depending on how it goes…) Can’t wait for it~

    It also turns out that Vincent isn’t like Break in that he doesn’t age. Instead, ten years ago he was just a child as well, which begs the question of who was with Alice when she was younger.
    Eeh, I’m confused about your comments here. Are you thinking that Vincent and the man behind the curtain are the same person? If so, then that’s not it; they’re different people.

  5. As much as the latter chapters are getting better I do wonder how the manga/show will end (I know the manga is finished but I’m reading scans). Things are just piling up one after another D:. On a side note my guess about the comments were most people are Gil fans so maybe that’s why they found it to be the best?

  6. psgels, the next arc is completely awesome in the manga, and I tend to lump this build-up chapter together with the CC arc. It might be because after this arc, Gil and Vincent’s interactions in this episode carry a much darker undertone.

    I don’t think this counts as a spoiler, but it might, so here:

    SPOILER?
    We do not yet know in the anime who the man in Alice’s memories is/was, and he is/was not a presently-named character. Well…his name was mentioned once in passing. Nevermind. x(
    END SPOILER?

  7. @Machi: It actually isn’t finished. Currently it has 37 chapters, 8 volumes; we’re getting introduced to the nature of Oz’s “sin” and the appearance of a often mentioned, never seen, but crucial character. Meaning lots of good stuff. 😀

  8. It also turns out that Vincent isn’t like Break in that he doesn’t age. Instead, ten years ago he was just a child as well, which begs the question of who was with Alice when she was younger.

    As someone said above, if it’s the man behind the curtain, that’s someone else. However, the whole not-aging thing happens when you make a contract with a Chain. Once you’ve contracted with a Chain, you don’t age anymore, that’s why Break and Sharon looked exactly the same 10 years later, but Gill got older.

  9. So is the manga darker than the anime? I get the feeling they’re not going as all out as they should sometimes and I know it’s common for the anime adaptations to tone down all brutality, etc. I was actually kinda let down because the beginning of the first episode made it seem like it would be much more about what it would be like getting trapped in an insane world where you don’t understand much about even the most basic workings… Maybe we’ll see more of that in the coming arc?
    If it there is a big difference manga/anime wise I think I’ll check the manga out.

  10. @Surreal

    The manga does have a way of making a lot of the moments a WHOLE lot creepier. Oz definitely comes across as creepier/more damaged in the manga than in the anime.

    The Abyss hasn’t been a “major” setting in either the manga or the anime so far, but the anime (so far) is on about the same level as the manga in this respect. It’s very loyal to the original.

    It’s a must-read, even though the scanlations aren’t very far yet. =)

  11. now i’m more interested in Break- like, what happened with his eye? it just added more to his creepiness

  12. After reading chapter 25 the anime will either have to diverge from the manga that they’ve so faithfully followed from this point or will have to end it after the upcoming arc since 24 and 25 don’t really lend well to being a conclusion T__T Of course it would be great if the episode count went up 😀 In any case I wonder what anime ending they plan to do.

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