Darker than Black is an anime series centered on Hei, a stoic Contractor known as the Black Reaper, who navigates a world altered by mysterious phenomena like Hell’s Gate and the emergence of superhuman beings called Contractors. It delves into themes of rationality versus emotion, loss of humanity, identity, and the blurred lines between humans and emotionless killers in a dystopian setting with fake stars overhead.
This curated collection of the best 25 quotes highlights poignant moments that reveal character growth, emotional depth, and connections to these core themes across various arcs.
Contractors are not human. They’re killing machines, dressed in human skin. In order to keep their risks to a minimum, they make sure to kill all witnesses
(Episode 1: The Star of a Contract Fell…)
Hei
Defines Contractors’ cold logic, underscoring Hei’s internal conflict and the series’ theme of lost humanity in a tense pursuit scene.
You’re looking at the stars? In the middle of the city? Even though all the stars you see in the sky from here these days are fake?
(Episode 1: The Star of a Contract Fell…)
Chiaki Shinoda
Questions false realities in a peaceful urban moment, highlighting themes of illusion and Hei’s subtle longing for authenticity.
Don’t worry. We don’t think of you as being one of us. Miserably cowering in fear like that – we contractors don’t have the same unflattering emotions that you do. Luckily for us
(Episode 2: The New Star Shines in the Dawn Sky…)
Hei
Taunts with rational detachment during battle, revealing Hei’s facade and evolving emotional complexity amid betrayal themes.
I don’t have the information that you’re after. If you are under contract then you know: ultimately, what comes first to a contractor isn’t the organisation or ideology. It’s oneself
(Episode 3: A New Star Shines in the Dawn Sky…)
Havoc (Carmine)
Emphasizes self-preservation in a quiet interrogation, connecting to Contractor isolation and Hei’s arc of questioning loyalty.
Forget everything else – that the moon has disappeared, and how all the rockets that rise above the stratosphere become lost. Believe. Believe that the sky is the same that we once looked at
(Episode 4: The Sound of the White Snow Flower Drifting in the Red Night…)
Nick Hillman
Urges faith in a changed world during a serene stargazing scene, tying to themes of loss and human resilience.
Contractors don’t dream. Indeed, maybe that was what I thought. Which is exactly why I believed in you. I thought that you, at least, would understand my dream
(Episode 4: The Sound of the White Snow Flower Drifting in the Red Night…)
Nick Hillman
Challenges Contractor stereotypes in an emotional revelation, fostering Hei’s growth toward empathy.
Do you think that someday, the real stars will ever come back?
(Episode 5: Red Giant over Eastern Europe…)
Hei
Ponders hope amid despair in a reflective pause, linking to broader themes of restoration and personal healing.
Impossible! Dolls don’t shed tears!
(Episode 6: Red Giant over Eastern Europe…)
Huang
Shocks with Yin’s unexpected emotion in a pivotal moment, highlighting themes of awakening humanity in dolls.
You go against the syndicate and you’re the one who’ll get killed
(Episode 7: The Scent of Gardenias Lingers in the Summer Rain…)
Huang
Warns of consequences in a tense standoff, underscoring loyalty conflicts and Hei’s rebellious development.
We are the chosen beings, you know. Those not under contract fear us. Maybe it’s only natural; beings with new powers have appeared – beings who are more worthy to direct the world from now on
(Episode 8: The Gardenia Gives Off Fragrance in the Early Summer Rain…)
Maki
Boasts superiority during battle, connecting to power dynamics and societal fear themes.
I couldn’t understand how there could be such a contractor. Just what was he thinking? What principles did he live by? The more I thought about it, the less I understood
(Episode 9: The White Dress, Stained with the Girl’s Dreams…)
November 11
Reflects on Hei’s anomaly in a contemplative scene, emphasizing his unique emotional evolution.
Strange, isn’t it? A contractor using a word like ‘atonement’
(Episode 10: Pure White Dress Is Stained by the Course to Follow… Dreams of Azure)
Alma
Highlights redemption in a quiet exchange, tying to Hei’s guilt and theme of reclaiming humanity.
The biggest difference between humans and contractors is their mental make-up – what you might call rational judgement
(Episode 11: When One Takes Back What Was Lost Within the Wall…)
Alma
Explains core divides during confrontation, revealing shifts in Contractor behavior across arcs.
It’s funny, you know? You keep chasing after stars for a long time and you sort of develop an attachment to them
(Episode 12: Within the Wall, When You Recover Something Lost…)
Misaki Kirihara
Expresses ironic longing in a peaceful investigation, linking to attachment themes despite rationality.
If you pretend to feel a certain way, the feeling can become genuine all by accident
(Episode 13: A Heart Unswaying on the Water’s Surface…)
Hei
Reveals vulnerability in a heartfelt moment, marking Hei’s development from detachment to genuine emotion.
No matter how long you stare at them, you won’t be able to see the stars of the past
(Episode 1 of Gemini of the Meteor: The Fallen Star of a Contract Shines…)
Amber
Warns of irreversible change in a somber reunion, connecting to loss and time’s passage.
Watching the same crimes play out year after year like a jukebox with only one sad song
(Episode 2 of Gemini of the Meteor: Gemini of the Meteor…)
Gai Kurusawa
Laments repetition in a detective’s reflection, highlighting cyclical despair and human persistence.
There’s no value in killing him and getting your hands dirty
(Episode 3 of Gemini of the Meteor: Vanishing in a Sea of Ice…)
Hei
Advises restraint during pursuit, showing his maturing mercy amid battle themes.
Spilled water will never return to its container
(Episode 4 of Gemini of the Meteor: The Ark Trembles in Fear of the Water…)
Hei
Symbolizes irreversible loss in an emotional farewell, tying to regret and character growth.
A contractor can get as scared as anyone. He simply doesn’t let his feelings affect his reason
(Episode 5 of Gemini of the Meteor: Gunpowder Smoke Drifts Away, Life Drifts Away…)
Mao
Admits hidden fears in a vulnerable talk, challenging Contractor myths and emotional themes.
The light in our hearts is even darker than black
(Episode 6 of Gemini of the Meteor: An Aroma Sweet, a Heart Bitter…)
Yin
Reveals inner turmoil in a quiet confession, underscoring hidden emotions and Yin’s development.
The lights of our hearts is even darker than black. The dim glimmer of hell itself
(Episode 7 of Gemini of the Meteor: The Doll Sings in the Winter Wind…)
Yin
Deepens despair in a poignant moment, connecting to hellish isolation and evolving bonds.
I’m sure you feel the same way
(Episode 8 of Gemini of the Meteor: Twinkling Sun on a Summer Day…)
Yin
Seeks connection during crisis, highlighting her growth from doll to empathetic figure.
There isn’t a day I don’t think about it
(Episode 9 of Gemini of the Meteor: They Met One Day, Unexpectedly…)
Yin
Expresses persistent grief in reflection, tying to memory and personal healing themes.
I’m searching for you as you call
(Episode 10 of Gemini of the Meteor: Your Smile on a False Street Corner…)
Yin
Affirms loyalty in a desperate search, emphasizing bonds and Yin’s emotional awakening amid chaos.
