Darker than BLACK

**Poparteeb** · 05-28-2008, 02:05 PM

This series may not be appropriate for everyone. It doesn't contain the most gore, nor the most violence in a story, nor the most amount of dialogue. However, the convolution and supernatural aspects of this series are bound to confuse some people, but if you're like me, you'll find it enjoyable.

Story (or otherwise the convoluted background you need to understand)

Ten years ago, an inscrutable and abnormal territory known as Hell's Gate appeared in Tokyo and altered the sky and decimated the landscape. The heavenly bodies disappeared, replaced by false stars. During this time, people who possess various special abilities emerged. Kept secret from the knowledge of the masses, these individuals, known as Contractors, are able to murder in cold blood. Various nations around the world use Contractors as spies and agents, often resulting in violent battles for information. Each fake star has a corresponding contractor, and they vibrate when their contractor's power is being used. As such, contractors are usually identified by their star's Messier catalogue number. However, their abilities are gained at the edge of their humanity. They lack human emotions, especially aversion to killing. Contractors usually work for one of various rival Syndicates as spies and assassins, although the ultimate purpose of the Syndicates is initially unknown. (wikipedia) This is basically the background you need to start out with to understand the premise of Darker than BLACK. The series opens with the protagonist, Hei an elite contractor with the Messier code BK-201 and the plot begins to unravel the mysteries surrounding the abnormalities of Hei and his search for his sister Pai, that then pulls in the past that seems to be horrifying and bleak.

Art

Great animation is what I'll say for this series. It's good for the series, perhaps not the best, but still really entertaining. I'll say its very good for its genre and you'll find it satisfying to watch. The action scenes are fluidly animated and overall animation is not bad at all. The setting painted by the colors are right for the mood, dark at times, contrasting with the aptly placed humor at others. You wont find a problem with this series in terms of art, though I have to say some scenes maybe one or two seemed like it was cheaply done....

Character

Alright, we're down to the most redeeming aspect of this series. *Takes a deep breath*. For a sci-fi series that I've seen, this has some of the best character development you'll ever see; each character really except for some has an incredibly detailed and intriguing back story that doesn't detract at all from the overall enjoyment of the main plot. Taking into consideration the mood of the series, the backstories of often grim, realistic, and oftentimes tragic. I'll say this; lots of people die. The protagonist, Hei, or his alter persona (the alias he uses when not on missions) Li Shengshun is a fascinating case of character study. Very little is revealed about him in the beginning and you begin to wonder if he's just another one of those silent dominating protagonists. Then very soon, you're brought into his alias, the gentle, clumsy Chinese transfer student Li Shengshun who has an enormous appetite yet is still thin. Character interaction for the most part aren't as illuminating or enjoyable as series like Spice and Wolf, where the essence of it is the dialogue, but what makes Darker than BLACK an unique series is each character's backstory. From Hei's troubled past and the mysteries surrounding his sister and his lover in the South American disaster, to Yin's equally bleak past, to Huang's unbelievably bitter past history; each backstory has relevance to the main plot and provides considerable food for thought on their actions.

Enjoyment

How do I put this. At first I put this on hold due to the beginning not quite drawing me in. However after a while I returned, and quickly became fascinated by its intriguing storyline. Darker than BLACk is a plot driven series, so much, that I didn't really care about anything else when I watched it. So will you, when you see it, of the betrayal, irony, friendship, love, and political machinations. Such is the value of Darker than BLACK.

I give it a 9/10.

**Aracelais** · 05-28-2008, 02:51 PM

Wow! This sounds really interesting & different. Thanks for the great review, Pop!

**Furanshisu917** · 05-29-2008, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aracelais

Wow! This sounds really interesting & different. Thanks for the great review, Pop!

gooo watch it, its really good.
i recommend it if u havent seen it

**Poparteeb** · 05-29-2008, 02:42 AM

it is really good, as i gave a review!

**Furanshisu917** · 05-29-2008, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poparteeb

it is really good, as i gave a review!

and a good review at that!!

**Benawolnow** · 05-29-2008, 03:46 AM

Sorry Pop once you said gore in there I just said no thanks. Not a fan of gore and shooting but I like bleach and naruto and stuff O.o

**King of Nebraska** · 06-01-2008, 08:16 AM

Great review & Great anime I recommend anyone who hasnt seen it to watch it

**Furanshisu917** · 06-01-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benawolnow

Sorry Pop once you said gore in there I just said no thanks. Not a fan of gore and shooting but I like bleach and naruto and stuff O.o

be a man lol

its not that much gore tbh. but is really anime-zing

see what i done here lol

**Jakku** · 06-01-2008, 12:42 PM

I got to episode 9 and got seriously Bored, so i dropped it.
Like Popateeb said, its not for everyone, nether the less, nice Review mate

**blizzarddog5** · 06-01-2008, 03:13 PM

nice review pop. ill think about watching this. but atm i am trying rto watch or watching too many

**Naga** · 06-01-2008, 04:36 PM

It gets kind of un-addicting/boring because each 3 episode is a new arc/story (same main character though) and the story doesn't develop much right until the end. If you're going to watch this don't quit on it until you finish it ;P. I personally love this series and Hei is the coolest character ever.

**Poparteeb** · 06-01-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benawolnow

Sorry Pop once you said gore in there I just said no thanks. Not a fan of gore and shooting but I like bleach and naruto and stuff O.o

I think you misunderstood what I said.there is not much gore in it...

**Dante** · 06-09-2008, 08:54 PM

Guys i recommend this to really watch its awesome and fun but abit dark if you know what i mean ?

**Harry MacDougall** · 06-10-2008, 01:18 AM

Im gonna go check that out sounds cool enough