Views : 961
Darker than Black is an anime series that presents a promising premise but falls short of delivering a satisfying experience. Set in a neo-noir, Gotham-esque city, the show introduces a captivating protagonist in a mysterious world filled with characters possessing extraordinary abilities. However, while Darker than Black offers enjoyable action and stylish visuals, it ultimately fails to provide clear answers to its intriguing mysteries and suffers from a lack of character development. Despite these flaws, the series may still appeal to anime fans seeking a thrilling, albeit imperfect, viewing experience.
The story of Darker than Black follows a series of mini-arcs, each addressing a new conflict. The main group of characters is assigned tasks by a crime syndicate, and the protagonist, Hei, acts as their foot soldier. These conflicts involve underground organizations dispatching individuals with unique powers, known as “contractors,” to carry out their bidding. The clashes unfold in secrecy as the city’s governing bodies cover up the existence of these superhumans to prevent civil unrest, resulting in a fast-paced narrative filled with energy and action.
While the series gradually unveils the mechanics of its world and introduces intriguing concepts, it fails to provide a sense of direction or a clear destination. Darker than Black often meanders aimlessly, lacking a purposeful narrative progression. It relies on unnecessary expository dialogue and ambiguity to avoid explaining crucial concepts, which at times leads to characters acting out of character for the sake of explaining the story to the audience. The show underestimates viewers’ intelligence and repeats explanations excessively.
One of the significant drawbacks of Darker than Black is its failure to provide answers. Despite dropping hints and clues throughout the narrative, the series never delivers a definitive explanation for the anomalies and mysteries it presents. The lack of justification or proper explanation for the show’s central enigmas leaves viewers unsatisfied and frustrated.
Visually, Darker than Black employs a stylish direction influenced by Western aesthetics. It features a dark, murky color palette and character designs reminiscent of comic book adaptations. The action sequences are thrilling and well-executed, enhancing the overall viewing experience. However, occasional usage of CGI detracts from the visual immersion.
The soundtrack of Darker than Black successfully sets the tone with a blend of new-school jazz, funk, and blues. The music complements the visuals, contributing to the show’s atmosphere. The voice acting, particularly in the English dubbed version, is solid, with no noticeable flaws. Although the show lacks in-depth character development, the performances capture the essence of the characters and maintain consistency.
Unfortunately, the cast of Darker than Black suffers from the series’ premise, which limits character growth and personality. The contractors and other superhumans are depicted as lacking irrational emotions and possess no moral compass outside of calculated thoughts. While the show attempts to compensate for this with character backstories and victimization, it often feels forced and fails to establish a deep connection with the audience. However, the mature handling of most adult characters helps to ground the show to some extent.
The main protagonist, Hei, presents a stoic and enigmatic persona, accompanied by brief glimpses of humanity. He masquerades as a mild-mannered person in public but reveals his true nature when on a mission. Despite being one-note, Hei’s cool and skilled nature adds entertainment value to the series. Huang, a hardened character with a no-nonsense attitude, stands out as a well-handled and characterized member of the cast. On the other hand, Yin, a doll character, lacks personality and fails to leave a lasting impression.
While Darker than Black introduces various recurring characters, most of them receive limited development. The supporting characters, such as private detective Gai Kurasawa and detective Misaki, offer glimpses of characterization but fall short of profound depth. The lack of true development and the absence of clear answers to the show’s mysteries hinder the overall impact of the characters.
In terms of enjoyment, Darker than Black offers entertaining action sequences that showcase the protagonist’s skills in the city’s dark alleyways. These moments, filled with style and ease, provide thrills for the viewers. However, the flaws in the plot and the convoluted narrative threads hinder the show’s potential. Darker than Black’s entertainment value heavily relies on its action-oriented approach and rule-of-cool moments.
In conclusion, Darker than Black is an ambitious anime series that falls short of its promises. Despite its intriguing premise, stylish visuals, and enjoyable action, the show disappoints due to its inability to provide clear answers and a lack of character development. While imperfect, the series may still appeal to anime fans seeking a thrilling experience. With lowered expectations, Darker than Black could be worth a watch, but viewers should be prepared for its flaws.
Share on other Social Medias: