Cannular Infection

Time to review the First season of Darker Than Black. Yes, there is a second going on right now, and I'll review that separately later

Darker than Black is an oddly titled little scifi show that delves into a very bizzarre world. A world where stuff has gone awry. Really, a good analog for how awry would be it's a Japanese take on Roadside Picnic/S.T.A.L.K.E.R Shadow of Chernobyl, sorta. There's differences, but the mechanics of it all are similar enough . It's a bizzarre,depressing world where two giant anomalies appear in the world, one in South America(Heaven's Gate), one in Tokyo(Hell's Gate). When these anomalies appeared, much like in Roadside picnic, Odd things started to happen. The sky changed forever, a bizarre radiation emitted from the center of these anomalies, and seemingly at random, people were given supernatural powers at the cost of their conscience and their sense of emotion. These people, known as contractors are rapidly snapped up by governments all over the world and.. ah hell I'm not going to write down the entire bloody preface. You've got enough of the background story there, and it gets delved into during the show.
Anyway, the show's plot follows on particular power-owner (called contractors in the canon), Hei, also known as BK-301. Following him, and his exploits, you begin to uncover the bigger picture about what's really going on in the world, and more importantly, what's going on inside him.

I must admit this show isn't a very uplifting show. If you're wanting something light, this isn't it. You'll get a lighthearted joke now and then, but that's it. It's both deep and philosophical, and could easily give Shirow Masamune a run for his money. That being said, it's also very action oriented and in this regard, it delivers in spades. I'm rather amazed at the depth and diversity thats portrayed in just 26 episodes of 21 minutes each, and how very little the story grates when it switches between tracks. The shows canon just flows, and it's a great ride to be on.

The artwork, all done by Bones, is pretty delicious. The backgrounds and settings are mostly hand painted and full of detail. The character designs are well planned and executed, a real grounding in reality is felt about them, and it's not at all inconsistant across the entirety of the art.Short story, the art is great.

Sound in the show is excellent, showing excellent Foley mixing all over the joint. Voice acting is well cast, and all the voice actors seem into their roles enough that the tone is believable(NB, can't speak for the English dub, haven't heard it yet). The music, particularly the OP and ED tunes are all excellently chosen and mastered in. Particularly good choice getting Abingdon Boys School to throw a tune in, it really helps add to the show overall.

If I were forced at gunpoint to choose a negative point, I'd probably make a comment about point a gun at me being extreme, and then I'd say probably some of the humorous bits felt a bit forced and jarring, completely at odds with the rest of the show, but that's Japanese humor for you.

Overall though, Great watch. I'd reccommend this to anyon e with a.. I'd recommend this to anyone. It's that good.

Interesting point - I largely missed this show when it was actively airing due to the massive amounts of coverage Gurren Lagann and Spice and Wolf ( the shows that were airing directly opposite it in timeslots) were getting. DtB sort of faded into the background and relinquished itself to being a sleeper hit.
I though this review'd be longer, apparently it's not. Note to self- re-acquaint myself with the oxford dictionary.
Toadie, out.