Darker than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini

[Korath]

Hei was a bad ass killing machine (Black Reaper) without his powers so he's not too much at a disadvantage (if he stops drinking i suppose :P) - Want to see him back zapping people tho

[SabakunoYana]

Well, I just ended ep. 04

I'm so dissapointed... The first three eps was so great and then this was like . Hei drinking a lot, Suou, July and Mao doing unnecesary silly things and everything becomes normal... Maybe the colaboration of the contractors with Kirihara was the most significant matter

[klmnumbers]

My Hei character rant:

This season is really disappointing me. I am a HUGE fan of series 1, and have pimped it to so many of my friends. The thing that always had me coming back was the dichotomy of Hei's character- wearing so many masks and playing so many roles that who he truly is gets lost. The finale of series one was so poignant to me..

Season 1 spoiler -

but it only works when we see him genuinely care about the individuals in all the little arcs. Yes, he is a cold blooded, badass killer - but episodes like the "fake date" with Kirihara and his genuine mourning for Havoc made him such a great character.

This season, it's like they threw away one half of his dichotomy. He's just a cold-blooded killer, and he is also a child abuser/molester for the heck of it, too. It's getting old.

I want him to get a haircut, rediscover that part of himself that got lost,

and get his powers back

. I'm really hoping that Bones does EVENTUALLY go this route - and they're making him such a despicable character so that his redemption is even stronger.

because at this point, I'm starting to hate him. and that makes me sad. =(

[Omurqi]

True words klm, pretty much exactly how I'm feeling about this season so far, it's not just Hei either.
Who knows, the characters might get more interesting / deepen a bit later on, but I'm not really feeling it yet.

[Zakiel]

I've watched two episodes so far and I like it.

There are also two Darker Than Black manga.
The first one is, in my opinion, a terrible shoujo (VERY) alternative version of the first season.
The 2nd, and newer, seems to be good. It's a seinen and it takes place during the two year time skip between the seasons.

I updated the episode count to 4 as well. Then I added the second manga so I could mark it.

[Lenaxia]

Cool, we finally get to find out where those 3 people are from

OMFG 6:40 was SO FREAKING FUNNY. I loved their looks! "Smiling isn't in my program"

Hei should have her do pilates! She'll strengthen her core muscles!

Ahhh mao being chased by a cat was perfect

Anyway, episode just finished.

klm, I really think that is what they are trying to do. Part of S1 was about its mystery but they can't just leave for instance what happened to Yin a mystery. I think this build up is important.

I am enjoying this overall though still it is definitely very different from S1 but still very striking.

I also think that this season will focus more on the emotions of contractors. I mean look at the ending scene of the episode where Shion explicitly asks if contractors lose their emotions then says "I hate you". In the context of the anime, it is a very profound statement that the anime straight up acknowledges contractor's emotions. While implied in S1, it was never explicitly stated

[Xennon]

Originally Posted by Lenaxia

I also think that this season will focus more on the emotions of contractors. I mean look at the ending scene of the episode where Shion explicitly asks if contractors lose their emotions then says "I hate you". In the context of the anime, it is a very profound statement that the anime straight up acknowledges contractor's emotions. While implied in S1, it was never explicitly stated

See, I disagree.

The emotions of contractors and dolls was a huge focus of season 1. In season one, there were no questions. There was no Suou to sit there and say, "Am I losing my emotions?" and "I'm not supposed to have any emotions." All there was were secondary characters or minor characters basically calling contractors killing machines with no emotions, there was no third perspective.

And despite all that was said, you still saw time and time again emotions from both dolls and contractors. As I said, I don't think there stressing more on emotions (yet), It's just they brought in another perspective.

And with that said, episode 4 was pretty good. I liked the training bits, but my favorite part had to be the ending. Man, that was an amazing scene, very powerful. *wonders when Hei will stop being an ass*

P.S. Guess this show is also a coming of age for Suou lol. I thought she was older, I guess not. That guy that has the hots for her needs to be arrested, shes like what, 11, 12?

[klmnumbers]

I'm masochistic, so I watched this episode RAW even though I really only follow the major plot points. Lost out on a lot of nuance that I KNOW was happening based on facial expressions. So, I'll make a more detailed post when the sub comes out, but I have to say..

I quite literally giggled with joy when Hei put down the bottle and sat to eat with Suou. He even chomped it down like old times and asked for more

[Xephelion]

I definitely enjoyed the 5th episode. It's pretty rare that I actually watch an anime as it's being released as I usually don't have the patience for it, but so far I'm definitely not disappointed. I can't wait for the 6th episode.

I definitely am glad to see a bit of the old Hei showing up :)

[Warlucith]

Originally Posted by klmnumbers

This season, it's like they threw away one half of his dichotomy. He's just a cold-blooded killer, and he is also a child abuser/molester for the heck of it, too. It's getting old.

I want him to get a haircut, rediscover that part of himself that got lost,

and get his powers back

. I'm really hoping that Bones does EVENTUALLY go this route - and they're making him such a despicable character so that his redemption is even stronger.

because at this point, I'm starting to hate him. and that makes me sad. =(

I personally have felt like the alcoholic, unshaven, emotionless Hei is just another mask that he wears. Instead of deceiving his syndicate's target this time, he's deceiving his employers. It's just a feeling, but in any case I wouldn't give up hope on Hei yet, especially after

eating with suou

. Plus, they've been hinting that he's not just heartless throughout, like

when he saved suou

.