Darker Than Black: The Complete Second Season

This anime series' second season wades into X-Men territory with its lineup of Contractors—able to perform supernatural feats—hired as assassins by governments and corporations. Taking place two years after the initial run's mayhem, the focus is now on a Russian teenager named Suo Pavlichenko, whose scientist father is murdered and whose twin brother, a physically disabled Contractor, has mysteriously disappeared. Suo joins forces with Hei to locate her mother, and the tension between bratty young Suo and the older and taciturn Hei offers a strange True Grit–style vibe amidst a narrative full of conspiracies, traps, and unsavory yet colorful characters. This is a convoluted and somewhat murky story, but viewers can simply enjoy the moody animation and frequent bursts of imaginative energy. Presenting 12 episodes originally aired in 2007 (plus OVAs), extras on this dual-language set, rated TV-MA, include select audio commentaries. A strong optional purchase. (P. Hall)