Outside the D.Gray-man manga and anime series, Cross has also appeared in a light novel prequel, which shows that he has been investigating Allen ever since the child worked in a circus.

However, Cross Marian's design gave Hoshino difficulties, owing to his large hair and the fact that the character always wears half of a mask.

Critical reception to Cross Marian has been generally positive due to his impact in the story and his complicated relationship with Allen.

Manga author Katsura Hoshino had multiple ideas when deciding on the concept on how Cross Marian's design would expose his personality.

During the main story, Cross often appears in flashbacks, most notably in Allen's due to his abusive treatment he gave to exorcist when training him.

Malcolm C. Rouvelier deduces that Cross disappeared on purpose to meet a person simply known as the "14th" who is also related with Allen's ability to control the Ark.

Cross later appears in a sidestory chapter which shows how he treated for the younger traumatized Allen after his adoptive father was turned into an Akuma.

Outside of the main series, Cross also appears in the light novel Lost Fragments of Snow, where he investigates Allen's life in a circus and briefly tells the child not to be involved with Mana, who still did not adopt him.

The book Representing Multiculturalism in Comics and Graphic Novels noted that the character's name has a common element within the series, which is to add a coherent level of narrative, as seen in the multiple uses of "Cross"; D.Gray-man often makes use of symbolism in regards to Christian religion through its themes, and story.

[9] Grant Goodman of Pop Culture Shock found the discussion between Cross Marian and Allen Walker in regards to the student being revealed as a Noah to the point it felt as intense as a fight scene.

Shortly, he is believed to have been killed due to the Hallow's first episode, ending with his body being covered with blood and then disappearing, much to the shock of the members from the cast despite Cross being noted as the strongest exorcist within the series.

[11] IGN enjoyed how Hallow allowed to explore the relationship between Cross Marian and Allen, despite some confusing moments in regards to how their discussion is handled.

Like Anime News Network, the cliffhanger involving Cross' apparent death made the IGN reviewer excited more how the story would be later explored.

[13] Manga Tokyo instead liked the handling of this revelation as Cross' death remains as a mystery most possibly done by a character within the Black Order rather than the series' antagonists, the Noah.