Darker than Black ep.16

July 21, 2007 | 39 Comments

I'm sorry that this comes even later than usual but I've been sick in the past few days and didn't feel like writing anything until now. Anyway, this is a very gratifying episode because everything that I wanted to happen actually does happen in this episode. It's unfortunate that some of the incidents in question are not permanent because the show would be a bit more interesting if the writers actually killed a few annoying characters. In other note, I think the answer to Hei's love interest is provided in this episode. I think I was partially right in that it's a toss up between Amber and Yin. Misaki is still not on the picture though despite what the opening implies. In other note, the animation for this episode is unbelievably good. The flashback battle between November and Maki is a good example of this.

The episode begins with the Hoshi-sama talking about how the stars are shining with sadness and happiness. Upon hearing this, the Kanami's assistant wonders if the old woman is talking about Gerhirn wavelength. In response, Kanami tells her that by nature, the fact that Hoshi-sama is speaking is a message on its own. At the same time, Eric Nishijima informs government officials that the astronomical division made the same observation 5 years ago before South America disappeared. He also informs them that thanks to the stream of explosions that occurred recently, the relationship between each intelligence agency in Tokyo is now strained. This situation also made the great sunspot looking like a prologue to the tragic scenario mentioned above. Meanwhile an announcement is made throughout Tokyo, letting the public know that there will be a curfew to protect them from the building explosion terror attack.

At a shrine, Amber is stroking Yin's hair telling herself how Yin has a cute face while sleeping. Meanwhile, Mao and Hei are talking about looking for Amber when they stumble upon an envelope inside Yin's tobacco shop. On the back of the envelope, Amber's name is written on it, prompting Hei to rush out after reading the message. Much to his surprise, Huang arrives with a car, asking him to ride on since he knows Hei is in a hurry. While this happens, Kanami is informing Misaki about Hoshi-sama's speech. She will also send Misaki a list of stars which were active during the time of the building explosions. Having said that, Kanami wonders if this is the work of a Contractor instead a retaliation attack from different intelligence agencies because the later is what she heard from the upper management. Misaki doesn't believe that's the case because intelligent agencies usually moves in secrecy while the attacks are public incidents.

After the conversation ends, Misaki drives her car out of the car park and is surprised when she sees July talking to a police. Inside Huang's car, Mao wonders what Amber wants with Yin since what happened in South America was between Amber and Hei. Before Hei can answer Mao's question, he realises that Huang has taken them to the wrong direction. Huang quickly reacts by taking the car into an abandoned warehouse. Back to Misaki, she finds out from July that he was supposed to look for her in case something happened to November 11. When Misaki asks the boy if he knows November's whereabouts, the boy confirms that he's been tracking his comrades. Because of this, Misaki asks the boy to take her there although she stops momentarily when she realizes that July called November his "comrade". Inside the abandoned bar, Maki is in the middle of practicing Japanese language when Amagiri comes over and brings a hot milk for the boy.

Maki tries to drink the milk and whimpers in pain after burning his tongue. Because of this, Amagiri tells the boy to drink slowly but Maki claims that he can't pay his counter-value if the milk cools down. Upon hearing this November asks them if he can smoke, pointing out that he has some cigarette on the left pocket of his suit. Amagiri, however, refuses to touch November's body since November is an excellent Contractor. He points out how November was able to protect himself from Maki's explosion by creating an ice shield. Besides, Amagiri thinks smoking is dangerous for a person's health. Before Amagiri can finish his sentence how each smoke contains 5.3 to 43 nanogram of cancer-causing dimethyl nitrosamine, November tells him that he already knew. In response, Amagiri tells November that he always wants to know what happens to Contractors who do not pay their counter-value. He jokes about how maybe they melt like butter.

After Amagiri gets out of the bar, November sarcastically tells Maki that he's admirable since the boy manage to study in between blowing up buildings. Maki tells him that at first words had no meaning to him. However, Amber thought him language and therefore he wants to study hard for Amber. In fact, for Amber's sake, he's willing to do anything including destroying this city. Back to Hei, Huang explains that the upper management has asked him to stop Hei from meeting with Amber. Hei angrily refuses the order and runs out of the car but Huang shoots the guy in the leg to stop him. In response Hei tells Huang that if he interferes, he'll kill Huang. Huang arrogantly tells Hei that if the organization finds out about this, Hei will be the one who gets killed. If Hei asks for it, Huang will do the job for him. When Mao asks Huang to stop, Hei uses the opportunity to hide behind a crate. He then drops a crane on Huang so he can electrocute the guy easily.

Back inside the bar, Maki asks November why a Contractor like him is willing to be used by humans. Maki tells him that they are the chosen ones and therefore those who can't make contracts fear them. Because of this, he feels that they are more suitable to lead the future world. In response, November sarcastically asks Maki if he gets all of that from "Amber-sensei" as well. Maki tells him that Amber didn't say such a thing. However, she did say that they want to cause the same disaster that happened back in South America. Maki admits that he doesn't know that reason but if Amber says that's the case then he thinks it's necessary. Amagiri then chimes in by saying that November needs to understand the meaning of what they're about to do, the meaning of their action. He then tries to make November join their organization, Evening Primrose. When November wonders about the advantage of joining the group, Amagiri tells him that it's the future.

November laughs upon hearing this, explaining that not too long ago, he had said the same sentence to another Contractor, one whom he had no chance of winning against. Back then he wondered what the Contractor thinks. Either way, he refuses the offer. All of a sudden, November notices a specter hovering near him. Because of this, he rolls aside before Misaki and a group of SWAT team burst through the door. Upon seeing this, November can't help but commenting about how Misaki is like a Princess on white horse. While Misaki sets his hands free, November explains that these are the men who are responsible for the building explodion. Their conversation is interrupted when Amagiri tells November that he's sure November will come to them and that they'll meet again one day. Maki then uses his power to blow up the bar so he and Amagiri can escape from the SWAT team.

Later on, Maki asks Amagiri of Amber's whereabouts so Amagiri repeats what he said before about how Amber is looking for the last key. Maki wonders who is so important to Amber that she would leave him. He angrily insists that Amagiri tells him but the man tells Maki that there's no need to tell him. He then tells the boy to go to the second meeting point because it's Amber's order. Maki agrees to turn around and go to the specified destination. When Amagiri doesn't notice him, however, Maki turns around and follow the man. Meanwhile, Amber is in the middle of telling Yin how she's only seen a particular guy smiling once. Therefore, she feels that she can do anything for this guy if she can just see him smiling again. She thinks Yin also feels that way as well. Because of this, she asks Yin to look after the guy in question, who turns out to be Hei. Speaking of Hei, he's on his way to Amber's location when he ends up face to face with Maki.

Maki recognizes Hei as Li and wonders where he is going. After a while, however, it dawns on him that Li is Hei that Amber always talks about. He then tells Hei that back then was the first time he said "Thank You" without thinking about it and that's why he was really happy. Right now, however, his feeling is different. He thinks it's something known as 'jealousy'. As soon as he finished saying this, Maki throws several rocks which turns into explosion towards Hei. Hei hides behind a car and tries to electrocute Maki but Maki manages to evade and destroys the area where Hei is hiding. He then angrily mentions how Amber always talks about Hei and feels that this is the reason that Amber didn't take him with her. After the dust settles, however, Maki realizes that he can't find Hei's body. Before he can give Hei a chase, however, his leg is frozen by November 11's power. November tells Maki that he forgot to say that good boy don't go out this late.

Maki manages to free himself by exploding the ice around his leg and runs away again. Misaki wants to give a chase but November asks Misaki to go after Hei and informs her that Hei is the Contractor that she's looking for. Misaki is not sure about this but November assures her that he's going to be okay because he's got July. After Misaki left, November and July heads to a nearby house whose wall has been exploded by Maki so he can force his way in. Inside, he challenges November 11 to a battle. When November walks closer, however, July warns him that there are handprints in some objects around the building. Maki can then be heard admitting that he's devised a trap around the building. Maki thinks that he's an excellent Contractor for Amber so he wants November to show him that he's actually stronger. November rush through the staircase but before he opens the door, July stops him in time before an explosion happens. After the explosion is over, July tells November that he feels they can do this together.

Inside a room, Maki is talking crazed-talk, wanting Amber to acknowledge that he is excellent. When he opens a door, however, he finds November 11 standing in front of him surrounded by rains, which now pours through a hole in a ceiling. At the same time Hei manages to reach the shrine limping. Amber who sees him is concerned about it but he slaps her hand because he doesn't want to forgive a traitor. However, before he kills her, Hei wants Amber to tell him what happened back then and to his sister. In response Amber tells him that before she tells him that, he should have said about how they haven't seen each other for a long time or how she's still pretty. Hei becomes impatient and insists that Amber answers him so she asks him if he'd like to see Pai. When Hei asks for her whereabouts, Amber playfully tells him that Pai is very far but very close and points to Hei's heart. Hei can't contain his anger anymore and slaps Amber.

Preview

Despite the treatment, Amber remains composed and tells Hei that he can see his sister if he comes with her. However, he wonders what Hei would do if this city disappears into darkness for this purpose. Hei becomes angry to hear this and activates his power. At the same time Misaki arrives on the scene and tries to arrest Hei. Meanwhile, Amagiri decides to activate his power to protect Amber from Hei. Yin panics and tries to stop everyone but before anyone can do anything else, Amber uses her power to stop time. He then tells Hei that she's travelled a lot and wanted to see him for a long time. Amber then moves forward and kisses Hei on the lips while tears stream through her eyes. She then moves back from him and flicks Amagiri's forehead with her finger, activating him. Amagiri is shocked to see the situation around him and warns Amber that she has a limit to which she can pay her price so she should consider about when to use her power.

Amber agrees with him but goes on to say that this is one of those times. Meanwhile inside the astronomy dome, Hoshi-sama tells the stars to not be impatient because the full moon has yet to come. Later on, Misaki regains her ability to move and finds out that no one else is nearby. Meanwhile, Amber and Amagiri are seen talking to 3 shadowy figures. They feel that a man is required to make their Evening Primrose bloom. Amagiri realizes that Maki should be here but Amber knows that Maki is not coming. The reason for this is because he's been speared by November 11 and is dying on the floor of the building. Not far from November 11, April is offering him some cigarettes. Back inside the warehouse, Mao tries to see if Huang has regained his consciousness. It turns out Hei didn't actually kill Huang but simply made the loser unconscious. Hei himself is now back in his apartment and looks at the charm which Amber gave him.

Impression:

I have to admit that I was rather surprised at the writers' decision to kill Maki. I guess it's been a while since I saw an anime with heavy theme that I forgot anime writers often don't hesitate to kill young characters. Maki himself seems rather anti-social and has a rather disturbing view of the future. He seems to think that the Contractors are special beings chosen to lead the future. His view makes me wonder about the kind of teaching that Amber and people from Evening Primrose had taught him. I wonder if the story is going to end up as one of those humans versus special beings story. If Evening Primrose want to take over the future of the world from other humans then we're in for an exciting final arc. It's also clear that the writers want to use the 3 MI6 agents on a more permanent basis. The way Amagiri talked to November 11 suggests that he want the later to understand their cause and join the organization.

This episode also confirms something that has been bothering me for a long time and that was the question whether the South American gate or the entire South America actually disappeared 5 years ago. Judging from what Amber said, it seems the entire South America actually disappeared since she did ask Hei what he'd do if this entire city disappears. I really hope that the writers will address this issue before the finale because this is one of the more interesting aspects of the story. Moving along, I find it interesting that November asks Misaki to go after Hei. This suggests that November 11 believes Misaki would be safer going after Hei than going after Maki. As for Hei/Amber pairing, I kind of suspect it but still don't feel the chemistry between the two. I think if the writers had shown a little bit of flashback between the two, I'd have believe that Amber had been pining for Hei but to just show it now feels a bit abrupt. Plus, I'm kind of rooting for Yin so it's hard to sympathise with Amber.

© memento 2003