Comments on: Final Thoughts: Darker than Black

By: 0rion

0rion — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:32:05 +0000

While I understand where you’re coming from with your criticisms, and while I agree that the main plot was decidedly hurried, I feel that Darker than Black still stands pretty well simply on the strength of the individual story arcs.

Rather than being concerned with fleshing out the grand overarching plot, the writers used that as a backdrop to tell a series of brilliantly executed character stories. Certainly the vagueness of the setting and plot mechanisms smacks of a story where even the writers aren’t sure what’s supposed to happen, but I feel that the unhurried pace was also one of the greatest strengths of the series. It gave the smaller thematic stories breathing room, where in other circumstances they might have been buried under the momentum of the main plot.

In essense, Darker than Black is best appreciated one episode at a time, without regard for those larger elements. Much like Mushishi, each episode creates and nurtures a theme, and manages to draw something profound out of it in the space of 22 minutes – not an easy feat. Once you view it in that light, the entire show makes a lot more sense and becomes more enjoyable. :)

By: WB RsS

WB RsS — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:46:02 +0000

Well I disagree with you completely. The last few episodes of DtB had me completely hooked. I liked the fact that it didn’t spoonfeed you every answer, as it keeps the discussion value high and allows for speculations. To each their own I guess.

And KJ O’Neil it was just Ep8’s manuscript he ran off with.

By: K.J. O'Neil

K.J. O'Neil — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:44:32 +0000

I still liked the show. Then again, I tend to love mediocre… it assures that I’m the only fan of a particular franchise. It got me invested enough in Hei that I was actually concerned that the show was going to go the usual route and well… kill him off. I blame the show’s lack of fans and respect on a pace which was too slow. Though even I have to admit I’m not sure exactly what the directors/writers intentions were/are for the series. Then again, the series characters didn’t even understand their predicament and in that maybe the show’s true issue lies in the fact that it was sticking too close to reality in pacing. Things never move as fast in reality as they do in shows.

Then again, didn’t the production manager take off with the manuscript at or around episode 8? Or was it just episode 8’s manuscript that he ran off with?

By: Zealot

Zealot — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:53:39 +0000

I agree, DtB had some great promise but didnt quiet live up to it in the end. I didnt so much mind the stars/gates not really fully being explained as I really like the mysterious feel. I found the main plot fairly tricky to follow which added alot to the enjoyment to the mysterious feel. But it didnt really explain the characters enough and had too much of a weak plot later on :(. I enjoyed it all the same :)

By: kiseki gurl

kiseki gurl — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:27:21 +0000

From the beginning, I thought Darker than BLACK was way overhyped. I liked it mind you but it’s not that great. Overall, I think it’s a series with good production values that wasted away its potential. It’s still enjoyable though the ending is a little too open-ended for my tastes. Now all we need is a DVD-only episode that continues Hei x Misaki :P.

By: Karura

Karura — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:22:54 +0000

It’s a different class of trainwreck, imo, one that makes you not care instead of wondering how ridiculous it can possibly get the way Good Witch did…*gets worried about the fact that train wrecks are common enough to have different varieties*

By: Venneh

Venneh — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:41:18 +0000

So, basically, a train wreck of Nishi no Yoki Majo proportions? Or does it leave that in the dust? xD