If “Heroes” was an animated series, it would probably be a lot like “Darker Than Black.” Both shows share a similar set-up (a mysterious phenomenon triggers the arrival of individuals with supernatural powers), and likely, the same audience. But while the live-action series has just recently experimented with its darker side, “Darker Than Black” is completely immersed in it from the start. You never really know who the good or the bad guy is throughout the first five episodes of the show, but you do know that Hei (nicknamed The Black Reaper) is the protagonist. Equipped with the ability to generate electricity, Hei works for a secret organization where his powers are used to carry out the dirty work of others, but when a special agent begins investigating his recent string of murders, both his friends and enemies begin to question his true intentions.
The introductory episodes don’t explain a whole lot, and the self-contained stories make it even more difficult to invest in the big picture (whatever it may be), but there’s something strangely alluring about “Darker Than Black” that extends a little farther than its cool concept and hyper-stylized action. Whatever the reason, you’d think that with so many different animes being released each year, a show like “Darker Than Black” would try a little harder to stand out from the pack. It’s not like it doesn’t have the tools to do so, but for some reason, the show seems content with keeping its audience in the dark; at least for now, anyway. Here’s hoping that changes, because if we don’t get answers soon, Funimation is going to have a heck of a time convincing viewers to stick around.
