Characters from Darker than Black are a mixture of characters so different that the viewer simply begins to feel dizzy, while veterans just chuckle at the neophyte's attempts to figure out the plot. Creation opens up a whole new world full of conflicting protagonists, distinctive storylines. Against the background of all this, there is an ordinary guy who must either bring down the world at the feet of his own kind, or save him, dooming his family to a slow fading. The characters in the Darker than Black anime are really capable of not only awakening empathy, but also making readers or the audience literally sob sobbing, and some plot moves are still closed even to fans.
Information about the author, some facts
Anime "Darker than Black" special. It was originally shot just like a series, and only after its success did a manga appear, which is now moving forward compared to the events of the TV version. The director is Tensai Okamura. The project was conceived as extremely serious, therefore, the choice of seiyu, voice actors, was carried out as for a Hollywood movie. The premiere took place on April 6, 2007. In total, the animated series Darker than Black consists of 2 seasons, as well as a 4-episode OVA, chronologically between the first and second seasons. The second part was criticized for the loss of plot acuity, but in general the anime turned out to be successful. Viewers rated the series at 7.8 out of 10, which is a pretty good result.
The target audience
At first, the anime “Darker than Black” was targeted at teenagers. However, the series turned out to be a more mature audience, which is why the manga with the events of the second season was already published in a more status magazine. Despite the abundance of battle scenes, the plot pleases with thoughtfulness. The story of the world is served in parts, the viewer does not have time to drown in detail. The setting is unique because it combines several subgenres at once, such as post-apocalypse, superpowers, the fight against terrorism and others.
The animated series Darker than Black is unlikely to be suitable for a young audience under 16, as there is a lot of cruelty and blood in the scenes. In addition, some questions posed by the plot require repeated viewing and very thoughtful thinking. Watching the series Darker than Black with subtitles can significantly improve your impression of the characters. Some points are simply lost due to other scoring.
Plot basics
Ten years before the events in the series on Earth, a disaster of an unknown nature occurred. Two anomalous zones appeared in South America and Japan - the Gates of Paradise and Hell, respectively. Inexplicable events occur in the contaminated area. Expeditions cannot reach the center, plants that make their way in the affected area hardly resemble the usual flora, no traces of animals were found. A specialized organization for the study and use of the influence of the Gate called Pandora is being created on the basis of the UN. Anomalies led to the fact that contractors began to appear among people - those who were lucky or not lucky to get abilities. However, each such "superman" has lost his emotions, feelings and connections with society, and is also forced to "pay" with special actions or their absence.
Judging by household items and cars, the chronology of the plot covers the 90s and zero years. The size of the anomalous zones is hundreds of kilometers. Each Gate is surrounded by a high wall, the military are on duty at their border. Due to their abilities, the contractors themselves have a huge impact on the geopolitical situation in the world and are widely used by criminal and state organizations, representing, in fact, independent combat units with a powerful potential for destruction or penetration.
Contractors and their classification
Heroes of "Darker than Black" have various abilities. In the course of the narrative, it turns out that certain forces are acquired with an eye to events in the applicant’s past life, in fact, like the price. So, for example, Yin, before becoming a medium doll, miraculously played the piano, but when she got strength, she lost her hearing, although in the course of the plot she demonstrated a wonderful game. One of the main mysteries of the series lies in how the unknown Force chooses contractors. In addition, the world with a shudder awaits the moment when the Gates of Hell open. With a similar collapse in South America, a surge of terrifying force occurred, the protagonist was there and saw everything.
The classification of contractors involves dividing into several "classes", namely:
- Directly contractors. Previously, a person acquires such a force under the influence of particles at the quantum level, while not everyone is transmitted the power. Abilities have no obvious boundaries, the only limiter is the board. Almost always, this is something that in ordinary life a person would never do. So, for example, in the second season, the contractor girl Tanya gained control over insects (phobia) and is forced to use the ability to tear her hair (during her life she was very worried about them).
- Doll. A medium that feels other contractors. Some are able to catch not only a shade of strength, but also indicate an absolutely accurate location. Instead of spies, they use "spirits", a substance or organisms of an unknown kind, which move in a certain environment, for example, in the case of Yin, in water.
- Moratorium. A very strong contractor who rarely controls his abilities. Presumably, moratoria are those that, due to circumstances, survived a terrifying tragedy. No charge is required for the use of force. The splash occurs under the influence of strong emotions, the rest of the time they are often apathetic. After a certain period, moratorium times turn into puppets, less often into contractors. In the first season, the protagonist meets a moratorium girl with the terrifying power of fire, in childhood she survived the fire.
- Regressors. Contractors who, due to a certain scenario, have lost their strength. It is not known why this is happening or how this can be provoked. Presumably, the contractor will lose power under the influence of all the same particles, this is partly confirmed by the protagonist, who in fact uses the power of his sister, and not his own, having visited the Gates of Paradise. However, loss is also possible if the contractor has not “paid”.
The contractor may gain the strength of another, but how exactly this happens is unclear. The first season of “Darker than Black” showed both the side that is fighting to eradicate people with superpowers, and those who support them. However, help also requires a fee, in this case, service for one or another structure.
Organizations involved in storytelling
Among the structures that are fighting for the study of the gate, there are both public and private. A short list can be represented as follows:
- Organization. Structure of an unknown kind. The protagonist of Darker than Black, along with his sister and girlfriend Amber worked for this company. During the conflict in the area of the Gates of Paradise, many contractors died or went missing, including Pai. Amber survived and, unlike the main character, remembers what happened. The motives of the structure are mysterious, but it definitely does not want the destruction of contractors.
- Pandora. Characters "Darker than Black" speak very ambiguously about this organization. It was conceived as an institute and research laboratory for studying the influence of particles on people, but later became a paramilitary structure with its operatives.
- YPRES. The structure is headed by Amber. It has an impressive staff of militants with very strong abilities. The key task is to prevent the death of all contractors and the scenario that took place at the Gates of Paradise.
- MI6. A secret scouting service that pursues its goals and does not hesitate to use contractors. In fact, it seeks, if not destroy, then at least completely curb superhumans, has its agents in Japan.
- AII. Astronomical Institute, whose scientists are studying contractors. Responsible for the installation of "artificial sky", the stars on which are a symbol of every person who has gained their abilities. He has a staff of mediums who monitor the situation on the ground, cooperates with the police.
Most organizations do not hesitate to use contractors for their own purposes, including when destroying their brethren.
Distinctive features of the contractor
As mentioned above, the contractor loses its humanity and emotions. All the same Tanya from "Darker than Black: Gemini and the Shooting Star" told her friend that she didn’t even remember how she confessed her love. At the same time, Yin proved that after acquiring abilities, feelings remain, but it is much more difficult to awaken them. In addition, the contractor very poorly remembers his past life and the people in it. So, for example, after gaining strength, childhood memories, attachment to parents and even your own child are lost. The contractor's only connection with the past is his abilities and pay for them. Otherwise, gaining strength allows you to think more soberly, to remain calm even in a critical situation, to easily adapt and get used to a new role. There are cases when contractors became sadists or masochists.
Black Reaper
The protagonist of the anime "Darker than Black." The real name is Hay, the star code is BK201. Mercenary, the details of life before becoming a contractor are unknown. Brunette with black eyes, in ordinary life prefers loose clothing, something simple and inexpressive. On a task he tries on a black turtleneck, trousers, a raincoat from bulletproof fabric. Perfectly possesses a two-blade knife, usually starts a battle, throwing a dagger at the enemy. A wire is attached to the blade, which allows Hay to reach the enemy with his abilities and hit the enemy with electricity. At first, the viewer is assured that his pay is food, the guy eats a lot. However, as it turned out later, it is not a contractor. He received his strength from his sister. Key abilities - electricity management, its generation, change in the structure of matter. Prefers to introduce herself as the Black Reaper, wears a mask during missions. Trying to figure out what happened to his sister in South America, and restore his memory.
Yin
Real name is Kirsi. Together with Mao and Hey, he is in the same group. Conducts exploration and learns about new contractors. Her mother died shortly after the crash of an airplane with her father on board, which served as an impetus for becoming a doll. It has the beginnings of feelings, which is amazing. In fact, she is very attached to Haye, loves him and saves him at the end of the first season. Becomes the main target of Pandora and MI-6 in the subsequent narrative. Details of the transformation of Yin into Izanami are unknown. Presumably, her second hypostasis is a contractor who can destroy the Gate, which will lead to the death of all those with power. In the form of Izanami, he turns to Hey and assures that Yin was truly devoted to him. In the main photo, Darker than Black, which is used as a poster, Yin holds Mao, as she has become attached to a cat.
Mao
The first impression is a talking cat. In fact, a contractor whose ability allows to inhabit animals. He lost his body as a result of an operation in Russia, being a member of the Organization. Helps Haye sort out the current situation and events near the Gates of Paradise. In the second season, he changed his abode to a flying squirrel. It is not known exactly how it survives on the streets. He is very afraid of losing himself, in order to avoid this, he retains his own consciousness on a dedicated server through a wireless interface. Sometimes it loses memory. Characters of the anime "Darker than Black" all as one differ in an interesting biography. For example, Mao was called Ricardo, and before he was a pretty impressive man. He dreams of regaining his body, what kind of payment he has, is unknown.
Juan
A former policeman who now leads Haye's group and directs him to tasks. It is not a contractor, but is a member of the "Organization" as a consultant and intermediary. Has access to the databases of his former colleagues. After Hay leaves the Organization, his further fate is unknown.
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The real name is Qin. Sister Hey, one of the first and most powerful contractors. Participated in the conflict at the Gates of Paradise. She looked like a slender brown-haired woman with blue eyes. A key ability is controlling electricity and changing the structure of matter. The application fee is a dream. After it turned out that the war in South America was started with the aim of reducing the number of those possessing power and ultimately destroying the Gate, she used her power to create a semblance of a black hole, as a result of which she disappeared. Before that, she transferred part of her strength to Huy. Whether the protagonist is Darker than Black, or Amber, they both blame themselves for what happened, but believe that the Qin sacrifice was not in vain.
Amber
It aims to protect all contractors on Earth. He loves Hey from the moment they were in the Organization. It later became known as a terrorist who undermines the foundations of state power. She created her own structure, the task of which is to prevent the destruction of the Gate. A key ability is time manipulation. Pay - getting younger. Too frequent use of force will cause Amber to die, which happens at the end of season 1. Her latest outbreak allowed Hay to stop the collapse.
Hawok
Member of the Hay group in Latin America. It is a regressor. She regained her emotions and agrees to help the protagonist in search of his sister. Possessing strength, she was known as the most terrible and powerful contractor. A key ability is creating a vacuum. The fee is to drink the blood of children. During the operation, MI-6 was killed by an operative on November 11. He does not at all regret that she lost her abilities, but she does not know how exactly this happened.
Misaki Kirihara
Police lieutenant and girlfriend Hay. However, he is investigating the reaper’s killings, trying to determine his identity. Good-natured and calm girl. At one time, the protagonist often met with her, having fun. But later Hay realized that the policeman was living in a completely different world, and abandoned attempts to make friends with her. Misaki is looking for a protagonist for the 1st and 2nd season of the series. He believes that even contractors can be honest and worthy members of society.
Suo Pavlyuchenko
Professor Pavlyuchenko's daughter and contractor. The protagonist of the anime "Darker than Black: Gemini and the Shooting Star." Her father carried out experiments with her brother. The goal was to create an exact copy of a person. Very attached to her brother, good-natured and calm girl. It is hard to perceive the fact that he is a contractor. Her strength is the call of a heavy rifle and ammunition to her. The fee is to make origami. At the end of Season 2, Darker Black characters face a difficult choice. Her brother gave his life so that Suo had his own world, in fact creating a copy and giving it to the girl. Now he lives a normal life and goes to school. Her parents are alive and protecting her daughter.
Zion Pavlyuchenko
A key ability is making a copy. The resulting replica differs from the original, albeit slightly. A contractor with great potential. Pay - cannot walk for a while after applying abilities. He made a contract with Yin / Izan in order to save his sister from the horrors of the whole world. In fact, she loves Suo very much and is ready to give up her life for her sake. He took part in an experiment of goodwill. The characters of Season 2 of Darker than Black turned out to be less charismatic, which is why the project was criticized. However, the twin tandem seems well thought out and interesting.
What happened at the end of the second season?
Are Darker Black characters dead? No, not really. The fact is that Izanami is a contractor who can fulfill wishes, any. Her pay, as well as any other who wants to use force, is the souls that the girl absorbs. Zion sold himself in exchange for Izanami creating a separate world for Suo and July, where they are happy. In addition, she asked what she could do for Hey, and he wanted to stay with Yin. They were transferred to another world, only for dolls and contractors, actually opening the Gate. The main narrative is interrupted along with the awakening by Izanami, now the Organization must find and destroy this contractor, since the girl, in fact, has tremendous power.
Possible continuation
At the moment, there is no information about whether the 3rd season of “Darker than Black” will be released. Despite the fact that the original project received another series in honor of the anniversary of the series, there is no confirmed data on subsequent work. Most likely, the story of the characters “Darker than Black” is officially completed. Despite the fact that fans of the project hardly want this. If we take into account the rumors, we can note the cyclical appearance of new "ducks" regarding the continuation of the original anime.
"Darker than Black," as mentioned above, the original series. He is catchy, deep and a little sad. The opening of “Darker than Black”, or rather, of his first season, is all that remains for the fans. However, everything is not so bad. You can watch your favorite anime more than once with voice acting and with subtitles. "Darker than black" in the end allows you to plunge into a completely different world, full of its secrets and mysteries. The story is over, but fans still have a lot of questions. Well, the open plot with Izan gives hope for the appearance of a completely new project in the future.