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Darker Than BLACK is an anime that I had no knowledge of whatsoever before watching it. I decided to start it because the plot sounded interesting, and I am so glad I did. Most of it consists of 2 episode arcs up until the last several episodes, and they all help the plot along while also dealing with character development and sometimes a little comic relief.

Art: The art in DTB is perfect for the atmosphere the story and characters are meant to be in. It gives off a neo-noir feel that also has variety within it. Character designs are varied depending on gender and age, ... and they are all very realistic while maintaining fantasy-like charming qualities. The settings in DTB are realistic as well, as it is supposed to take place in a modern Tokyo. You will not see an abundance of bright colors or too many dark ones, but it tends to lean a little darker. The battle scenes are done well, being intense yet not so intense that you can't tell what is going on. Much of the story is based upon the sky and stars itself, so those will come into play when regarding the art. The way shooting stars are presented whenever a Contractor is killed is done beautifully, even if it is just a shooting star. The art in DTB isn't something you would compare to other animes, simply because it just suits this anime's feeling so perfectly.

Sound: The sounds and music used in DTB also fits the anime, ranging from a heartwarming song to a chase scene's music. The genre of music used on DTB fits the neo-noir aspect, as it sounds jazzy like it's supposed to. The same composer also did Cowboy Bebop's music score. The sound effects dealing with the splatting of blood to rainfall are done just as well as one would expect, so no complaints or super praising here. I must say that listening to DTB's background music outside of the anime has turned out well, and the songs are just too good not to listen to on repeat for a long while.

Character: All of the characters in DTB had good development and progress in my opinion, with some having their own arcs. Now you might be thinking "ugh, character development arcs" however they are done in such a way that they do not divert from the main plotline. It is also done in such a way that you want to know more about these characters and their past, just so you can get a better feeling of attachments towards them. Hei, the main character's intentions are never really clear until the conclusion of the series, yet you still feel like you're able to figure out what it is he is truly seeking. To be able to relate to Hei even though you're not completely sure of his true intentions shows how good of a character he is, although even after the end of the series he still might seem a little shrouded in mystery to you as it might feel a bit inconclusive.

Story: Much of DTB deals with several parties of people having some development dealing with their past and other characters they must interact with. During these arcs, Contractors are always present. While also learning more about certain characters, you will still be learning about Contractors and the groups trying to find out more about Hell's Gate. The story in DTB might start out slow or might seem like it isn't progressing, but if you pay attention to what is happening in the world around the characters and the characters themselves, it shouldn't be hard to see what is going on. What you'll be seeing here is conflicts between the government, Contractors, and the Syndicate that Hei and his team work for. They battle for peace, equality, and to find out each others intentions. Their biggest goal, however, is to find out the truth behind Hell's Gate and the other mysteries surrounding it.

Enjoyment: I took my time with DTB and only watched 2-3 episodes a day, to help make it last longer. Being able to see the progress of Hei's and others' goals was very enjoyable, and sometimes a relief. Finding out more about the mysteries and the true intentions and goals of certain characters gave a big sense of accomplishment. So, although the ending might seem a little off, I still felt a sense of completion and that I could see where things in the future of this world might lead to.

Overall: DTB was one of the most enjoyable animes I've had the pleasure of experiencing, and I'm glad it lasted a while. I'm not going to say it is the best ever, but for right now it is one of my favorites. The story, atmosphere, and plot development pace might not be suited for everyone or even a vast majority of people. However, if you can appreciate and understand it, you will be able to find an anime that has good characters and a story that isn't terribly full of depth but has enough for you to be able to get hooked. I can say for sure that I'll have fun rewatching this many times.