Darker than Black ep.18

August 5, 2007 | 12 Comments

It looks like the opening isn't so misleading when it comes to Hei and Misaki's relationship. I am not sure if there will be a romance between the two but it seems they will develop some kind of bond due to their high-risk job. Unfortunately, despite the potential that this arc promised, there's no exploration about the nature of the dolls whatsoever. In the end, the doll and Kenji are nothing more than just characters of the week that Hei must save. I'm even surprised at the lack of Contractors in this episode. If dolls are well-known commodities even amongst normal people, then I wish the writers will start informing us how dolls are used by non-Contractors.

The episode opens with a flashback showing Hitotsubashi seeing a pretty girl while he was fixing his motorbike. In the present time, Hitotsubashi is awakened from his dream when the phone rings. After the phone ends, he tells himself that war has started. Another scene shows that the Nakazawagumi boss and his right hand man have been found dead inside their car. Meanwhile, Hei asks Kenji why he's come here so Kenji explains that outside the gang, he doesn't know anyone other than Hei. Hei is unhappy about this and asks Kenji if he knows what kind of a girl he's brought with her. Kenji admits that according to his aniki, the girl is a just a 'good', prompting Hei to yell at him, asking Kenji why he brought her here if he knew that. Kenji claims that he's fallen for her and has decided to make her happy. However, he doesn't know how to achieve this. Kenji also decides to run away from Tokyo since his aniki must be angry at him now.

Hei thinks that Kenji won't be able to do this but Kenji refuses to believe it. He admits that he is a fool but he knows this much: if she stays there, she won't be able to be happy. In response, Hei coldly tells Kenji that he doesn't understand anything and leave the room. Meanwhile, Hitotsubashi is informed by the bar owner that Kenji was the one who hit him and probably ran away with the doll. Hitotsubashi orders his henchmen to tell the buyer to wait for a while and reprimand them when they try to protest. In a shopping mall, Misaki is in the middle of shopping with Kanami when she notices someone who reminds her of BK-201. She pulls out a lipstick and pretends that she has a weapon. When the man turns around, however, Misaki realises that he's just Li. The awkward situation turns from bad to worse when Misaki sees Li holding a bra and Kanami spots the two. Unfortunately neither of them can explain the situation.

Later on, Misaki tells Kanami that she understands if Hei wants to give his girlfriend a present. However, she wonders if it's normal for a guy to buy a wig to go along with underwear and shoes. Kanami can't help but asking Misaki if she's jealous, which Misaki denies vehemently so Kanami points out that it's probably not a present. After paying for it, Hei thanks the two for helping him choosing the goods. In return, Misaki asks Hei if he's going to use that himself, prompting Kanami and Hei to become embarrassed. Hei claims that he's just helping a friend purchasing it for his girlfriend. After Hei left, Kanami decides to tease Misaki by telling her that she must be glad that the present is not for Hei's girlfriend. When Hei returns to his apartment, he is shocked to know that Yin is already inside his house. He quickly realises that the water tap is dripping so he asks Yin if Huang has ordered her to put him under a surveillance.

Yin denies this and tells him that she just feels he's different from usual. Because of this, Hei asks Yin to help the other doll to change while he and Kenji wait outside. Hei uses the opportunity to ask Kenji if he's serious about it and Kenji confirms it. Hei reminds him that he'll never know when his pursuer will come. This means, they can't remain in one place and always have to be on the run. Hei also points out the difficulty that Kenji will have with money and a place to stay. If Kenji finds a work, what will the doll do while he's working. Moreover, he wonders why Kenji will go this far for a doll who can't communicate her words and desire. Kenji can't answer this until the Philippines girl come out of her room to go to work. This prompts Kenji to ask Hei if he knows why the girl is in Japan and points out how she works hard for her father and brother. In response Hei reminds him that she's connected by blood to her family.

In response Kenji tells Hei that he was abandoned by his own parents. Having said that he believes everyone, including Hei, has something that they want to protect without reason or logic. Hei doesn't answer this but Yin then comes out with the other dolls dressed up. Hei stands up and tells Kenji that he'll take them up to Shinjuku train station. When they get there, Kenji orders two express train ticket but not long after he does this, Hei notices a mysterious-looking man observing them. The four decide to run away while a bunch of men follow them. When they manage to lose them temporarily, Hei pushes Kenji and the doll into a lift which goes to the parking area. By the time the goons arrive in the area, all they see is Yin. Yin points upwards and all of a sudden, Hei appears and knocks down a bunch of heavy boxes their way. He and Yin then go down as well but when they get there, Kenji and the doll are already taken by Hitotsubashi.

Instead the two see Mao, who inform them that if they're looking for the boy and the doll, they've been taken away. He also suggests that this is a good time to quit. Mao believes that after the boy is killed and the doll is sold, the mafia will go after Hei to shut his mouth. Since they can't possibly continue their mission now, he suggests that Hei and Yin disappear quickly. Further support for Kenji might be taken as rebellion against the organization. In response, Hei asks Mao if he's reported this to Huang. Mao finally loses his temper and scolds Hei, asking him what benefits Hei gets out of this. Mao thinks that this is just a waste of Hei's time. Meanwhile, Hitotsubashi is inside a car, making a call to the client to apologize for being late in handing out the good. From inside the car trunk, Kenji makes a noise, prompting Hitotsubashi to tell him that they'll open the trunk soon but that time will be Kenji's last moment.

Back in the parking lot, Yin receives a message from the doll, asking for help. Mao finds it hard to believe that a doll can unleash an observation spirit on its own free will. Hei decides to ask Yin what she thinks and why she told him that he was behaving strangely. Yin doesn't answer him so Hei decides to take her to find Kenji and the other doll. Meanwhile, Hitotsubashi has just beaten up Kenji, calling him a fool for throwing his life for a doll. Kenji, however, argues that she's not just a doll but a girl. Because Kenji refuses to back down, Hitotsubashi points a gun to his head. Before Hitotsubashi can shoot him, however, Hei already barges in and starts attacking Hitotsubashi's henchmen. Kenji is the one who ends up disarming Hitotsubashi from behind and take over the gun. Despite this, he doesn't shoot his aniki and instead asks him to drive him and the doll back to Shinjuku station. Before he left, Kenji gives his bike to Hei.

While on their way to the station, Hitotsubashi points out that this is the second time he has given a ride to Kenji. The first time was when Kenji was riding on Hitotsubashi's motorcycle. Back then it was Hitotsubashi who actually told Kenji that a motorbike is not just a machine. If one treasures it, it will respond back and won't betray the person. Hitotsubashi also told Kenji to find something that Kenji will protect with all of his life. He feels that if Kenji can find this, Kenji will stop being fearful and will be able to do anything. In the present time, the car arrives in Shinjuku station so Kenji and the doll run off to the station. Hei, who's been secretly following the car, asks Hitotsubashi why he let those two go, pointing out that there's no more bullet left in the gun. Hitotsubashi, however, claims that he didn't know about it. Before Hei left, however, Hitotsubashi asks Hei if he has anything that he'll protect with all of his life.

Since Hei doesn't anwer the question, Hitotsubashi tells him that he doesn't have one know but he used to have one. After Hei left, however, Hitotsubashi bumps into a random man who shoots him with a gun. Hitotsubashi collapses due to immediate blood lost. Inside the train, Kenji tells the doll that she doesn't have to stay with him if she doesn't like him. Much to his surprise, the doll puts her hand on his and smiles. Later on, Huang tells Hei that because Hitotsubashi has died, the illegal smuggling route also disappears, effectively cancelling their mission. Meanwhile, Misaki receives info that BK-201 was seen twinkling when a Yakuza leader got killed. Hei himself returns to his apartment to find that someone has sent him a box containing Kiritanpo (mashed rice put on stick and baked). The landlady remembers that this is an Akita's specialty dish so she wonders if that's where Kenji has gone. The episode ends with Hei sharing the package with everyone else because it's too much for just one person.

Preview

Impression:

I suppose I should be happy for Kenji but it's hard to feel that way when I'm not sure if he made the right decision. The yet to be named doll seems lifeless, even more so than Yin. The whole situation reminds me of an old argument that often goes around in Blade Runner message board. The argument, of course, is whether or not a machine is capable of loving a person. Everytime someone argues that this is the case there's always someone who points out that your toaster does not love you. Arguably, it's possible that the dolls in this story are actually humans who have lost their emotion. However, I feel the doll's display of emotion towards the end of this episode was creepy and not human-like. In other note, it seems the writers start hinting at possible Misaki and Hei. It may not go anywhere but judging from her reaction, I think Misaki is a bit intrigued by Hei. They also did a good job of developing Hei's connection with Yin although it's still unclear what kind of feelings he has for her.

© memento 2003