Rating: 
Summary: If you want to waste some cash...
Review: "Descendents of Darkness" is an okay series. That means that everything in this series is just okay. The animation, the plot, the voice-overs....everything. The box set presentation is also somewhat misleading. There are really only four episodes that are divided into three episodes each. There is some continuation but none of the characters are really fleshed out well. Tzsuki,the main character, never really gets a proper backstory and neither does the main villian. This is pretty upseting if that for the simply fact than is the last episode their histoary is supposed to play a major role. I recommend this series for people who have already gotten into anime since this is not the best series to start off with. I do heed a small warning though, there is male slash within the series. The villian rapesa young boy and Tzsuki has a deep "connection" with his partner.
Rating: 
Summary: read the manga
Review: "Descendents of Darkness" is an okay series. That means that everything in this series is just okay. The animation, the plot, the voice-overs....everything. The box set presentation is also somewhat misleading. There are really only four episodes that are divided into three episodes each. There is some continuation but none of the characters are really fleshed out well. Tzsuki,the main character, never really gets a proper backstory and neither does the main villian. This is pretty upseting if that for the simply fact than is the last episode their histoary is supposed to play a major role. I recommend this series for people who have already gotten into anime since this is not the best series to start off with. I do heed a small warning though, there is male slash within the series. The villian rapesa young boy and Tzsuki has a deep "connection" with his partner.
Rating: 
Summary: Crazy and sexy.
Review: A good one for yaoi/shounenen-ai enthusiasts. If you like Gravitation, this is better, but probably only for those older since the theme is more mature.
Rating:
Summary: I wish not to sound too bombastic...
Review: but I think this is THE best anime of all time.Yes, entertaining by all means I found these episodes to be, especially with their themes of the occult, the mysterious, and lots of pretty boys abounding. But as the storyline progressed, there was much more, especially a very intense character development, and the relationship between Hisoka and Tsuzuki.
Rating:
Summary: Great anime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!^.^
Review: Decendants of Drakness is one of the best anime series i have ever seen. I don't what to give anything away, but if your looking for a pretty boy anime then this ones for you thou the guys do get firendly with each other, so if that offends you then maybe its not for you. And if you are just starting out watching anime this is a good series to begain a collection with. And another thing to the people who rat on the english voice actor's. I realize that some of them [are bad], but give them a break. My first anime movie was Macoss dubbed by Australians. So take it easy on them.
Rating:
Summary: Dark and beautiful
Review: Descendants of Darkness is an anime series with bishounen/biseinen and shounen-ai elements that is very enjoyable to watch. It is absorbing and beautifully animated. Japanese animation is known for its meticulous, artistic details and this one is no exception, from the fiery Suzaku to the mists of Kyoto. The characters are strong and believable: Tatsumi, Watari, Tsuzuki, Hisoka, Muraki, each distinctly different, all beautifully drawn. Even the villain Muraki is so elegant that it's not possible to completely hate him.
This anime is for mature adult, with plenty of blood and an underlying sexual theme. Yet the sexual content is what charges the show; without it, it would be a regular detective story with a rather mediocre fare (vampire, possessed violin, tarot cards, serial murders, nothing new here). The supernatural angle is impressive, but this, also, is not unique. What makes us glued to the show is what happens between Tsuzuki and Muraki: the tension between the hero and the villain is not one of antagonism but sexual attraction. Muraki's obsession with Tsuzuki is overpowering, and one wonders if Tsuzuki is truly repulsed by it. When Muraki won a night with Tsuzuki in a poker game, Tsuzuki could have left, he didn't have to keep his promise to a villain. But Tsuzuki was submissive. Is he a man who always keeps his end of the bargain, or did he in fact want it? He seems to always make himself close enough for Muraki to grab and embrace him.
Even so, there is no sexually explicit scene involving Muraki and Tsuzuki. Near kisses, the suggestive caressing of a wine glass, light necking, none which can be considered offensive. Muraki's advances are not vulgar, in spite of his sinister nature, he is a romantic. It's a credit to the animators that the shounen-ai is presented in scenes that do not turn people off, yet brimming with passion and sensuality. It's hard not to be moved by the scene where Muraki held Hisoka in his arms while a romantic song played in the background (end of episode 2). Or the kiss in episode 12.
The relationship between Tsuzuki and Hisoka is less complex, but just as intense. Personally, I don't think the affection they share is more than love between older and younger brothers. But it is true love, the kind that thinks of the other before oneself. In the first story, Tsuzuki jumped in the line of a dragon blast in order to protect Hisoka, and in the last, which realistically depicts how one falls into depression, Tsuzuki was saved only because Hisoka was willing to risk everything to save him.
Perhaps the reason the show is so appealing is because it focuses on human emotions; a reflection of our own fears and desires (including fear of the after life). It draws us in, causing us to ignore the oddities (like the count and the gushoshins) and the plot holes. Still, the stories move well, and the morbid premise is balanced with a lot of humor -- although I fail to see the need to turn Tsuzuki into a dog for comic relief. Going back and forth between such a silly childish caricature to an exquisite man with the power to summon the shikigami is simply ridiculous.
The dubbing is excellent; I like Muraki's voice better in the original Japanese. There's a certain elegance and detachment in it that is missing in the English version. But gushoshin is infinitely more tolerable in English with a male voice. Music is okay, some great BGM like the devil's trill but in some places it's too loud and cacophonous. And the closing song is truly awful. The only real disappointment, however, is that the series only consists of 13 episodes. Many questions remain unanswered -- I would love to know more of Muraki's past (like the story with his right eye and how he acquired his power) and of Tsuzuki's. I'd also like to see more of Tatsumi, the serious sweet secretary of the ministry who likes to wipe out those he doesn't like. Even Muraki seems afraid of him. But Muraki is still alive and the manga continues, I'm sure more anime episodes will be made in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Well, it's okay...
Review: I had read up quite a bit on Yami no Matsuei (Descendants of Darkness) before I saw this series. I was pretty psyched about it when I started watching it and I instantly fell in love with Tsuzuki. However, this series ultimately proved too dark and violent for my liking so I stopped watching it mid-series. If you're into constant bloodshed and really odd plot twists (as in "Wow, I didn't see that coming" and also, "?!... That was weird...") then I would suggest giving this a try. Certainly not for the faint of heart.
Rating:
Summary: Violence and the Struggle for Redemption
Review: I hate contradicting other viewers, but come on, kids. Muraki is a compelling villain, sure, but he is never a gentleman. If anything, his doctor persona only serves as a Jekyll to his more prominent Hyde.
He's evil. Stop trying to redeem him.
We're working at redeeming the protagonists, and making sure they don't become Muraki. No Darth Vaders will revert to Anakin Skywalkers here.
Any attempt at subplot in this series, whether including vampires or demons, what have you, is merely a thin veil for the emotional upheavals of the main characters. I remember watching the third story arc with my step-father, and listening to him recount the numerous plot mistakes included in it. After the DVD finished, he asked me why I enjoyed such a poor story. "Tell me, you're just interested in the romance, aren't you?"
"Yes, isn't that what you were watching for?"
Yami no Matsuei (or Descendants of Darkness) makes character development its strongpoint. When viewing the series in regards to plot, or even character design, it is highly stereotypical. A white-haired (European) villain, of the more dominant persuasion, a blonde, effeminate submissive, a dominant, sexually frustrated businessman, and even absurd animal mascots. In this case, supernatural "flying chickens", as the DVD commentary refers to them. Even the main character is a stereotype: Tsuzuki is a handsome Japanese youth, well mannered, slim, and tall.
The music is subpar, mostly cacophonus or merely earsplitting. The ending theme caterwauls, and opening only endears itself after multiple exposure (it's an acquired song, like the taste of alcohol). Often a bold musical number will disrupt the tone of a scene, transforming a mood from serious to maudlin. A few exceptions exist, such as the delicious reindition of the Devil's Trill violin solo in the second DVD (sadly, only the second), and the errie lullaby which accompanies a child rape scene.
For all of it's directorial weaknesses, ironic content at least provides basis for the more compelling regions. To a strictly western viewer, the show reverses the archetypal realms of light and dark, white and black. The heroes' archnemesis practically radiates, while the protagonists themselves reside in shadows. Now, in some Asian cultures, one might note, white in fact is a colour of mourning, and sterility. Having a murderer wear a funerary hue daily seems fitting.
As the pop-up feature of the 3rd DVD mentions, several Freudian allusions can be gleaned from any critical viewing. The staggering plethora of phallic imagery (hardly necessary) pushes the 'ambiguous' homosexual themes almost to the breaking point. Again. Also note elements of Jung's dream anaylsis, especially the archetypal father/lover/God figure, and how he shifts in relation to different characters (sometimes one person might act as this figure for multiple characters, or a single character might transfer his/her associations of this image).
Questions of mirrors arise during the second story arc, when both Hisoka and Tsuzuki are confronted with foil characters of type. For Hisoka, this should be quite obvious, since his foil is almost his clone, except alive. Tsuzuki's relationship with this foil, even after demonic possession, might parallel some of his repressed longings after Hisoka.
Of all the story arcs, I found the fourth one (Kyoto chapter) most intriguing. Oriya, Muraki's only confidant, challenges Hisoka to consider his motives. Oriya makes a striking parallel between Hisoka and Muraki, protagonist and antagonist, using revenge as the only distinguishing mark. Although Oriya never asks Hisoka to forgive Muraki, he warns about how to pursue justice for the sake of love, which may redeem, instead of corruptive vengeance. I can't go on anymore - I've already spoiled much of the plot.
What makes Yami no Matsuei worthwhile is not its surface elements. Although aesthetic in design, and definitely pleasantly animated, the real appeal of the series is in its gut content. Allusions to psychology strengthen themes of love, revenge, corruption and redemption. At times, Yami no Matsuei can be rivetting in emotional intensity, even jarring. I confess, Hisoka's scream in episode 12 sobers me up each time I hear it, and his tearful plea in the last episode always, without fail, elicits tears from me too. But is this a sleepover, or group series? Unless you have a tight knit group of friends, I say no. The superficial content of the show is so weak that even the jokes stop working after enough times. I advise watching with a close friend, or alone. Who knows? You might even get some worthwhile discussions out of it.
Rating:
Summary: Descendants of Darkness Review
Review: I have quite a few anime series and movies. I bought a lot of them based on reviews since I have only been watching anime with a couple of years. A lot of the reviews for the anime's I bought often start out with 'this is the best anime I have ever seen' and indeed I have found in a lot of cases the anime's like Akira, Cowboy Bebop, Amon Saga and so on were really good. However for me 'Descendants of Darkness' are on a level all of their own. Nothing I have seen in other anime's quite compare with the brilliant artwork, the dark and moody atmosphere creepily gothic in places. The characters are well fleshed out so you actually get to care for them. I found 'X' and 'Vampire D a little disappointing in this respect. I am an adult and wanted adult themes i.e. real life concerns not pornography. While some sexual scenes are dealt with they are not too explicit or invasive of the overall plots. 'Descendants of Darkness' is a DVD set to treasure whether you are into yaoi or not. The story satisfies on many levels and has a broad appeal not just as yaoi. The character Tsuzuki reminds me of Fox Mulder of the X Files in many ways, a delight to watch. There are also comic moments which are a hoot affording some relief from the darker moments in the plots. It is no wonder Yami No Matsuei [Descendants of Darkness] have an ever-growing cult following. I can't reccomend it enough.
Rating:
Summary: Yami no Matsuei is amazing...
Review: I have watched many anime series, but "Yami no Matsuei" ("Descendants of Darkness") is without a doubt my favorite. I had heard of it a few years ago, but was "ify" on buying it, because I didn't really know anything about the series. Now, a few years later, I have learned many things from various sites detailing the happenings in the manga and the anime itself. After watching the show, I couldn't believe I ever doubted buying it... it's such a truly wonderful and enjoyable show (in both Japanese and English...) that "almost" anyone would enjoy. The reason I say almost like that is because "Yami no Matsuei" has homosexual tendencies, which many people (even today) do not understand and may find disgusting. However, the shounen ai (boy love) aspect isn't very definate, except in a few brief instances (ex: Muraki/Tsuzuki). With that said, I recommend this wonderful anime to anyone who enjoys the shounen ai genre, bishonen/biseinen (pretty boys/men), or lots of action. ^_^
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