Common DGM Misconceptions, Part 2

Jan 4, 20157 min read

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Published: Jan 4, 2015

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"But they didn't wear clothes like that in the late 1890's!!! Your character's clothes are way too modern!! They'd be considered a slut and run out of every town they went to!! YOUR CHARACTER IS SUCH A SUUUUUE!!!!1!!!!11!"

D.Gray-Man's setting is at the end of a fictional 19th century

What am I getting at, you may ask? Well, let's start with the visual evidence:

wOW, look some other girls aside from Lenalee with an above-the-knee skirt - and for no reason other than to look damn cute. Unless you wanna tell me they're hiding some Dark Boots of their own?

Oh, hey look! Klaud's first uniform was technically sleeveless plus the additional arm guards. But even with the arm guards, she's showing her shoulders. WOW, so historically 19th century modest! (Also, PANTS. Officer Moa from Episode 1 also wore pants - OH THE HORROR).

Timothy's lookin' pretty 21st century in his casual, if you ask me. And he wore that at the orphanage!

Mmmm - bare shoulders, bare arms, skin tight tops, and form fitting pants (HARK! PANTS ON WOMEN AGAIN!). Perfect for training [source] or any other occassion at the Order [source]!

Oh, what was that about all women wearing Victorian dresses?

Hmmm, I think these lovely ladies would say otherwise.

Annnd, I'll just throw this in here cuz I can:

Because who doesn't wanna see the whole Noah family in their skin-covering, modest clothing? : D

TL;DR: D.Gray-Man is obviously not 100% historically accurate, nor should it be taken as being 100% historically accurate.

Addressing the Popular Arguments

Now I totally understand that most people aren't gonna count the Noah from the image above (they do have traditional outfits when blending in with humans, after all [source]), but the point is clear nonetheless. Regardless of DGM being set in the late 19th century, it's also listed as being set in an obviously FICTIONAL, IMAGINARY late 19th century. No literally - it's not just implied. It's outright said: [source]. There are countless modern (almost steampunkish) elements presented throughout the manga - clothing included - especially at the Black Order. It's only outside of the B.O. in the general populace that we see the attire more historically accurate.

Regarding (Casual and Not) Outfits Within the Order:

One could argue, perhaps, that Eliade and Fou/Fo don't count because one is an Akuma and the other is a "guardian angel" and they aren't really seen outside amongst the populace in their choice clothing (unless you count the anime's extension of Eliade's history). Okay, fine.

However, we see Renee Epstein (above) in her stylish wear and Lena in her casual, which consists of short shorts (seen here). Of course, there's also the exorcist non-uniform outfits with the skin-tight shirt and pants (or in Lena's case, shorts). Additionally, Lou Fa (a scientist) wears a skirt; as does Brigitte Fey, Komui's secretary (though it's longer, she still shows leg and ankle). That is four examples of human women who wear less then 19th century historically accurate clothing. (All these examples shown in above images).

Now Regarding Exorcist Uniforms:

One could also argue that Lenalee did have a dress to wear over her first uniform [source]; we haven't seen her out in public as much in her third uniform, but we do see her wearing an overcoat whilst sitting on a bench with Marie [source].

However, this means that an exorcist could have a showy uniform outfit and wear something over it, just like Lenalee, and not worry about it. There's also Klaud Nyne's first uniform, which was sleeveless with those large arm coverings, and she didn't even wear a jacket over that from what little we saw of her. Additionally, the historical setting didn't stop Road from going out in public with her short skirt and thigh high stockings during the Rewinding Town arc, and no one called her out on it.

Addressing "New" Counter-Arguments!

Lenalee is a fan service character, you can't use her as an example!
Whether or not Lenalee is a fan service character* is irrelevant as to whether it's possible or not in canon for a girl to wear a short skirt. Regardless of Lenalee's role, she is a canon exorcist character wearing a skirt as her uniform, and that makes her a solid example.

*A mini skirt alone does not equate to fan service character. A fan service character lacks development and is only there to show off her body (particularly her tits and ass). Lenalee does not fall into this category as she is well-developed (and wears shorts under her skirt anyway), and neither will your OC if you give them development and purpose.

Road is a NOAH, she doesn't count!
Her being a Noah is irrelevant as she is perceived as human by the public when she's walking amongst people. Yes, she does walk in public with that mini skirt. Repetitively. No one bitches at her about it.

Road looks like a child, it was fine for children back then to wear shorter dresses/skirts!
Please look up Victorian kiddie dresses. Because no dress/skirt of children in our realistic late 19th century history was that shortly styled for as old as Road appears.

But Lou Fa isn't fighting as an exorcist, so she doesn't count!
Lenalee is fighting in a mini skirt as an exorcist, so your counter-argument is invalid.

And to finish this off, words from Hoshino herself, a CharaGray interview

Question: Lenalee’s skirt has been getting shorter and shorter, hasn't it?

"Ah, that surprised me as well (laughs). I thought, ‘Huh? I guess her skirt was longer at first?’ Her skirt gets shorter and shorter every time I draw her jumping up… I make excuses like ‘she’s wearing shorts underneath anyway’ and tend to shorten her skirt more and more (laughs). I guess I lost my restraint after the series moved to Jump Square; I started thinking ‘oh well, it’s no big deal’. Sometimes the current Lenalee and her uniform are my favorite part of the series; maybe the old man inside me has been awakened? (laughs)”