I for one haven't given up on D.Gray-man because the characters have pretty much kept me hooked. I'll suffer through wonky art and odd pacing because through it all, the story and characters are what keep me wanting more. Say what you will about Hoshino, she's a damn fine story teller.

I pretty much saw the whole Alma soul thing coming from a while back, it's what I would have done if I was writing DGM, another reason I adore Hoshino, more than once I've felt that she's been in my brain. :D