Well, this is it - the fourth and final DVD of the Descendants of Darkness saga. Will Tsuzuki and Hisoka be able to solve the mysterious machinations of the evil Dr. Muraki and find true happiness? If you haven't been following the series, check out the reviews for the first three volumes, and then meet us back here for "The Kyoto Files..."

Episode 10
Under the city, mad doctor Muraki gloats to a head suspended in a chamber by wires that his plans will be finished very soon. At the Ministry, he Chief tells the staff there has been a rash of recent serial murders and send Tsuzuki and Hisoka to help Watari unravel this mystery in the capital of Kyoto. After waxing nostalgic about the capitol, Watari reveals platinum blond hair found at one of the murder scenes - Muraki's? Meanwhile, the evil doctor visits his old genetics teacher at the Kyoto University - Dr. Satomi. The prof tells Muraki he needs more specimens for his cloning research. Muraki visits another old colleague - Oriya - who runs a brothel. He tells his friend he planted his lock of hair for Tsuzuki to find. Returning to their hotel base that night, Hisoka finds Muraki standing above a mutilated body covered in blood. Using the lad as a hostage, Muraki forces Tsuzuki to join him for dinner, where he reveals he knows all about the Guardians past. What is the secret Tsuzuki's been hiding? And why does Muraki have such an infatuation for him?

Episode 11
Muraki informs a skeptical Dr. Satomi that Tsuzuki was in his grandfather's care for eight years without food, water or sleep. Hisoka has a dream where Tsuzuki fades in to the fog - he's hurt because Tsuzuki is hiding his feelings from his friends. Muraki confides to Oriya that his plans are moving into their final phase and no one can stop him. When the Ministry boys go to the university to "chat" with Dr. Satomi, he is amazed that Tsuzuki hasn't aged since the time he was with Muraki's grandfather - 72 years ago! That night at the local fair, Tsuzuki and Hisoka meet two schoolgirls who gave them directions to Dr. Satomi's office that afternoon. The girls also meet Muraki, who tells them it's two bad they met the Guardians. Their screams compel Tsuzuki and Hisoka into action. They find Muraki gloating as griffons rend one of the girls; Muraki tells Tsuzuki that everyone the Guardian meets will wind up with the same fate! How can a guilt-ridden Tsuzuki stop the madman now?

Episode 12
Saved by a timely arrival from Tatsumi, Tsuzuki and the boys disguise themselves as teachers to keep an eye on Mariko - the surviving schoolgirl. Tsuzuki has vowed not to let Muraki kill her just for knowing him. Muraki entice Dr. Satomi to kidnap Mariko, which forces Tsuzuki to join the madman for another "date." At the theatre, Muraki reveals he knows just what Tsuzuki is - and this information drives Tsuzuki insane! Despite the support of his fellow Guardians, Tsuzuki spirals down in despair. However, when Mariko is found alive, he volunteers to watch over the girl to resolve his guilt. But Muraki has different plans for the girl and the object of his affections...

Episode 13
Muraki asks Oriya for help in stalling the Guardians while he finishes his plans for his captive Tsuzuki. Tatsumi inspires Hisoka to be strong and save his partner. The search leads the Ministry men to Oriya's place, where Hisoka faces the owner in a swordfight. His feelings for Tsuzuki erase the boys' doubts and enable Hisoka to defeat Oriya, who sends the Guardians to Muraki's hideout. Muraki reveals his master plan to a comatose Tsuzuki - and what a plan it is! But Tsuzuki recovers and the final fight is on! Which descendant of darkness will be victorious? And more importantly, will either actually survive?

The Descendants of Darkness concludes in a literal ball of fire, but unfortunately, the results are somewhat unsatisfying. Once again, there is little continuity between discs (each story seems to be written independently from the others) and Muraki's ultimate scheme is kind of under whelming for the set-up they've given our evil doctor. The evolution of the characters throughout the series is pretty flat; they fail to develop enough to give a real emotional climax at the end. The homosexual relationships are treated "politically correct" - while you know Tsuzuki and Hisoka are fond of each other, nothing of a gay relationship is ever overtly acknowledged, which is disappointing. It would have been a nice thing to have gay characters that actually weren't stereotyped. At least the secondary characters like Tatsumi and Watari get a chance in the spotlight during these last episodes. If only there had been better script editing, then the series might have been considered groundbreaking in its portrayal of gay lead characters. Ultimately, too much repetition and not enough continuity leave the impression that the series is "nice, but nothing to write home about."

The series continues to be finely animated, a cut above the regular TV style. The picture images are very clean and distinct. The audio continues to be also very good, as one would expect from a Japanese TV show these days. The DVD contains a few extras such as an art gallery and a "Meet the Detectives" featuring the Chief and Oriya. There is an explanation of the Sazaku legend - the deity Tsuzuki likes to call upon in times of trouble. Also included are text less opening and closing credits, trailers for the series and previews of other central Park Media anime.

Descendants of Darkness Volume 4 concludes the series, but I was left wondering what could have been. If the creators had only restrained their wandering plot and tightened their editing, and had the courage to have real gay characters, this could have been an exceptional series. It turns out to be a nice to look at, but ultimately unsatisfying series. Of course, they did leave the door open for a sequel...

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