Darker than Black

Alternate Titles: Kuro no Keiyakusha

Original Japanese Release Date: 2007

Episode Length/Run-time: 26

Summary:

Hei is what’s known as a contractor.  Someone with super-psychic powers who can only wield them if he fulfills a part of his contract as a result.  The powers of contractors varies as well as the demands of their contract.  These psychically powered people appeared 10 years ago, at the same time as the mysterious “hell gate.”  A mysterious field which no one enters in or out.  Hei works with Yin to discover the secrets of the Hell Gate against rival organizations and contractors.

Review:

Darker than Black is arc based.  Every four or so episodes a new arc is introduced in which the overall story is progressed.  This is one of the big problems in that some arcs are really well done in characters/villains/story where others are just okay at best.  However the “overall story” is minimal, they introduce all these cool concepts like rival organizations and the “Hell Gate” giving you the perspective that this will be the focus but the anime is definitely character-driven.  Which, I generally have no problem with but the issue with Darker than Black is that the characters are on the whole are generally boring as hell.  They use a plot device that the emotions of the contractors are diminished, and they generally focus on logic.  Which I can respect.  But that makes for boring characters! What do we love about a character? Their emotions, their hopes, their dreams, their screw-ups.  To follow a character who doesn’t have or do these things makes for a dull watch.

This series is a mature, thoughtful series.  But despite the fact that it does have action it ends up being dull and the spotty arcs yield it to be average at best. Animation is consistent through the series which is nice.  Though the best thing about this series is the music.  Composed by Yoko Kanno it should be obvious how high-quality and well put together it is.

[starrater]