Descendants of Darkness (Anime)

Descendants of Darkness (闇の末裔) is a anime series created, written & illustrated by Yoko Matsushita. The anime aired in Japan on October 10, 2000 to June 24, 2001. The anime was directed by Hiroko Tokita and was animated by J.C. Staff. The series was divided by four story arcs. In 2008 the series aired on 	November 4, 2008 to December 22, 2008 on Sci-Fi Channel's Ani-Monday block. The story tells that even after death, life is full of paperwork and criminals. Asato Tsuzuki is a 26 year old, happy-go-lucky, and dorky shinigami whose job is to makes sure that those who are dead remain dead and stay in their proper realms. Even though he's had this job for over 70 years, he is in the worst division with horrible pay. He also has a knack for not keeping partners since shinigami work in pairs., But now he seems to have one that will stick around; stubborn, smart-mouthed, serious and defensive 16 year old, Hisoka Kurosaki. With each case they investigate, they come closer to the conspiracies of the serial killer Dr. Kazutaka Muraki. Tsuzuki's relationship with Hisoka is growing stronger and closer...but there is a dark past to how Tsuzuki died that will not give him peace.

Plot
An unfortunate woman walking home one night meets a "vampire". Meanwhile, in Enma Cho's Shokan Division, the younger GuShoShin is briefing Chief Konoe, Tatsumi, and Watari on the recent series of murder cases in Nagasaki where the victims have fang-marks on their necks and are all drained of blood. When Konoe begins to assign Tsuzuki to the case, he realizes Tsuzuki isn't even there. It turns out that Tsuzuki has sneaked out with Wakaba to buy cinnamon buns. Unfortunately for him, Konoe is not too pleased about him missing the important meeting and eventually the cinnamon bun is split between all of them.

Konoe and Tatsumi explain to Tsuzuki on the current investigation. Apparently there is an increase in the number of unknown deaths in Nagasaki, the area Tsuzuki covers. Tsuzuki is told his new partner will meet him later, and the younger GuShoShin will be helping him with the case until then. Konoe asks Tsuzuki to buy some honey cake for him, and Tatsumi gives Tsuzuki a spending book, limiting him to only 3,000 yen per day.

Konoe meets with the Earl. They decide that people change by encounters and it would be good for both Tsuzuki and "him".

When Tsuzuki finally arrives on Earth, he decides to go eat before his new partner shows up. A scream stops him, however, and he rushes off to investigate. He collides with a woman with white hair and red eyes, and wonders about the lipstick mark she leaves on his collar. However, he soon finds out the lipstick mark is actually the blood of another "vampire case" victim. Realizing the woman may be the culprit, he chases after her. On the way, GuShoShin and him are separated. Tsuzuki goes into a church and meets Muraki, who has been crying. Tsuzuki asks him if he had seen a woman, to which Muraki replies no.

Tsuzuki thanks him and leaves the church to continue looking for the woman, but as he is wandering around the streets, someone points a gun at his back and stops him.

Tsuzuki turns around and sees a boy, who believes he is the vampire. Tsuzuki wonders why the boy can read what he is thinking. Just when the boy is about to put a hole in Tsuzuki's chest, GuShoShin shows up and clarifies the situation. The boy is actually Tsuzuki's new partner.

To celebrate their meeting, the trio goes to a Chinese restaurant. Tsuzuki tries to be nice to the boy, but the boy has a real attitude problem. After some inquiries, Tsuzuki learns the boy's name is Kurosaki Hisoka, and he has died of an illness at age 16. Hisoka wants to know why an elite like Tsuzuki would want to work as a Shinigami, and GuShoShin bursts out laughing. He explains that Konoe has duped Hisoka into being Tsuzuki's partner because no one else wants to pair up with Tsuzuki-the-lazy-bum and it's a rule for Shinigami to work in pairs. Already annoyed by the deception and Tsuzuki's indifference in the matter, Hisoka is further provoked when Tsuzuki eats his steamed bun. He retaliates by eating Tsuzuki's food, and a battle of food starts. Hisoka manages to get the last piece of food, only to realize later that Tsuzuki has added chili sauce in it. He grabs the closest drink and gulps it down before Tsuzuki can stop him. The drink turns out to be Tsuzuki's sake, and since Hisoka has no tolerance for alcoholic drinks, he falls down drunk immediately.

Tsuzuki takes Hisoka to a hotel. After putting him to bed, Tsuzuki comments how Hisoka looks kind of cute when he is keeping his mouth shut. GuShoShin thinks it is sad that someone so young would be a Shinigami, to which Tsuzuki says he must have his reasons. Just when Tsuzuki admits to being somewhat immature before, Hisoka talks in his sleep. Tsuzuki takes it all back after that.

The fireworks outside alerts them to the preparation of the Nagasaki festival, so they turn on the TV to watch the broadcast. A reporter introduces the famous Hong Kong singer Maria Won, who has come to Japan for the fair. Tsuzuki notices the similarities between Maria and the woman he has met earlier, and decides to investigate further. He asks GuShoShin to research something for him.

The next morning, Hisoka has a hangover and Tsuzuki gives him a cold drink. They go to the television station, planning to look for Maria there. GuShoShin has done the research like Tsuzuki asked, and finds the date when the vampire cases started matches the date when Maria first arrived in Japan. Hisoka asks when did Tsuzuki find the time to investigate all this, to which Tsuzuki replies, "while you were occupying my bed." Hisoka blushes.

GuShoShin goes back to his library duties, and the remaining two break into the station. They find Maria's preparation room to be empty and in a mess, but Hisoka feels Maria's whereabouts through his empathy abilities. They arrive at the warehouse place just before Maria claims her next victim. A monster appears and Tsuzuki defeats it by summoning Suzaku. Although Hisoka is annoyed that Tsuzuki keeps calling him boy, he is nevertheless impressed by Tsuzuki's power.

The two go back to Enma Cho, where they learn Maria has committed suicide two months ago. Elsewhere in a dark room, Muraki cradles Maria's face and tells her all will be well if she does as he says.

Back in the Shokan Division, Tatsumi recounts the situation regarding the vampire cases. According to the reports from China, Maria Won has committed suicide two months ago. They do not yet know the reason behind Maria's so-called resurrection. Watari suggests that someone has revived Maria for profit, but since Maria's body is already dead, she is more of a zombie and requires outside energy such as human blood to sustain her condition.

As the topic gets more serious, Watari takes out a strange looking machine and places a honey cake on top of it. Not soon after the others make some more comments, Watari thrusts the machine in front of Tsuzuki and Tatsumi. The cake is now cut into smaller and equal pieces. Everyone is speechless for awhile, then Tatsumi breaks the silence by remarking how Watari has really weird design sense/style.

That doesn't stop them from enjoying the final product, so soon everyone is eating the cake. Tsuzuki looks very blissed after he finishes his cake, so Tatsumi decides to give him his share, too. Tsuzuki is overjoyed, of course, but Konoe interrupts and demands Tsuzuki return to Nagasaki right after he is done with the food. Apparently the higher ups are not very happy with Tsuzuki's progress. Tsuzuki retorts they won't think it's so easy if they had been the one doing the job. Angered, Konoe reprimands Tsuzuki, saying how a "salary thief" has no right to complain. To save himself from getting into more trouble, Tsuzuki immediately declares he will go back right away and fix everything. Hisoka just stands up and starts to walk out the room. When Tsuzuki asks him where he's going, Hisoka replies, "we have free time until 3 p.m." Then he proceeds to walk out the door.

After leaving the meeting room, Hisoka wanders to the library, where he meets the two GuShoShin. The younger GuShoShin, whom he is already familiar with, introduces him to the elder GuShoShin. Hisoka is surprised the two are twins.

Meanwhile, Tsuzuki is back on earth eating desserts while he waits for Hisoka. The two waitresses nearby feel really sorry for him since he looks like a very nice person but obvious his "date" has stood him up. At first Tsuzuki is really pissed, but the apple pie IS really good and soon he returns to his good mood. As he goes to pay the bills, however, the waitress tells him the total is 4,500 yen. Tsuzuki has a flashback of Tatsumi telling him there would be no unnecessary spendings. Defeated, Tsuzuki asks the waitress to write him an invoice. Suddenly there is a scream outside, so Tsuzuki rushes out of the store without taking the invoice with him. The waitress is not very pleased.

The scream turns out to be from a worried mother whose little girl has fainted. After checking to make sure there are no fang marks on the little girl's neck, a relieved Tsuzuki tells the mother to call an ambulance. Muraki appears and asks to treat the girl. Tsuzuki learns that Muraki is a doctor. Muraki suggests them all move to a building with shades, since the little girl has fainted due to sun-stroke. Tsuzuki and Muraki share a very interesting moment when they shake hands. After the little girl and the mother leave, Tsuzuki comments how human beings have amazing vitality. Muraki doesn't agree. All this is said while Muraki advances on Tsuzuki, who looks very helpless and nervous. At last, Muraki moves away, but he soon turns around and takes off his glasses. After Muraki's departure, Tsuzuki wonders about the enigma that is Muraki.

Deciding to ask the younger GuShoShin to be his temporary partner since Hisoka is nowhere to be found, Tsuzuki returns to Enma Cho and goes straight to the library. The GuShoShin brothers inform him Hisoka is there. Meanwhile, Hisoka is walking towards the Classified Documents Room. He has lied to the GuShoShin brothers earlier, saying that Tsuzuki has sent him there to do research. Before he reaches the room, he has a brief flashback and almost collapses. He manages to get to the door, but Tsuzuki shows up and stops him from opening the door. Tsuzuki is angry at Hisoka both for not showing up at their meeting earlier and also for lying about his intentions to enter the Classified Documents Room.

He starts to shake Hisoka, who knocks him away and burns his hand. Tsuzuki asks if Hisoka really dislikes him that much. Hisoka backs into the corner and sits down with his back against the wall. He looks very vulnerable and younger than his age like that. Tsuzuki realizes something is wrong and asks if Hisoka's okay. Hisoka tells him that because he is an empath, he sometimes synchronizes with others against his wishes, especially when they touch. Earlier, Tsuzuki's anger goes directly into his hear/soul, and it is too painful for him to bear it. Tsuzuki decides that is understandable, but since Shinigami work in pairs, their partnership will not work out unless Hisoka trusts him. With that, he leaves.

Back on Earth, Tsuzuki and the younger GuShoShin are staking out near Maria's hotel. Tsuzuki apologizes for dragging GuShoShin along, and makes a comment about Hisoka being very cold and distant. GuShoShin, a bit awkward for letting out someone's private information, finally tells Tsuzuki about Hisoka's parents. They are from a very traditional family and do not understand or like Hisoka's powers, so they lock him up in a cell and call him a monster. Growing up in this environment, Hisoka soon withdraws into himself and learns not to depend on anyone. That is how he has survived before, so even after his death, he doesn't know any other way to live. Tsuzuki is saddened by this and says, "but he's not alone anymore". Tsuzuki decides to sneak inside the building disguised as a hotel staff.

In room #1403, Muraki is observing Tsuzuki through the windows. Maria, kneeling next to a table and the remains of a shattered glass, grabs a broken piece and tries to kill herself with it. Before she succeeds, however, Muraki turns around and stops her. He is impressed Maria can fight his spell long enough to try something so foolish. When Maria pleads with him to let her go, he turns her back into a mindless puppet. Or as he calls her, "my doll".

By the time Tsuzuki arrives at the room, it is again empty and in a mess. He runs back outside, worried that he may be too late to stop Maria from claiming another victim. Then he sees Maria walking into a narrowed alley.

Later that night, Tsuzuki is sleeping on a bench in a park. A cleaning lady tries to wake him up so he won't get a cold staying there, but Tsuzuki is too deeply asleep to hear her. After the lady leaves, Maria shows up with white hair and red eyes. Muraki is controlling her. Just before her teeth descend upon Tsuzuki's neck, Tsuzuki opens his eyes and jumps away. He has set himself up as bait to capture Maria. He starts to call up a binding spell, but Muraki interferes again and Tsuzuki is bound instead. Now he is helpless in bondage while Maria starts to bite him.

Elsewhere, Hisoka senses Tsuzuki is in trouble and comes to his aid. He passes a church and notices the abnormality about it. He goes in, finds the source of the binding spell, and fires a couple of gun shots to destroy it. Tsuzuki is now freed and immediately casts the binding spell on Maria. Hisoka rushes toward Tsuzuki. Muraki, standing atop the church building, notes Hisoka's appearance with interest and leaves the scene.

Tsuzuki gets a scolding right away for his "stupidity". Tsuzuki thanks him instead, and Hisoka blushes and turns away. Maria confesses that she has wished to be in good relation with her stepmother, but the woman only sees her as an object to be used for making money. Discouraged, she has decided to end it all by killing herself. However, she has woken up only to see a man on a night of the red moon (tm). This man has been asked by her stepmother to resurrect her so the stepmother can continue to make money off her. Tsuzuki comforts her when she blames herself for the death of so many people. She says she will go with them to wherever they are taking her, but she has one last wish.

When Maria goes back to the hotel, Maria's stepmother is in a fury. She slaps Maria and reprimands her for being late. Maria tells her that she will not sing for her anymore. Dismayed by Maria's defiant tone, the stepmother tries to slap her again. Tsuzuki and Hisoka show up and stop her.

Maria's last wish is to sing for herself and not for her stepmother. She sings "Amethyst Remembrance" during the Nagasaki Song Festival. Tsuzuki's binding spells can temporarily remove her from whoever's been controlling her. He also restores her body to the condition it has been before her death for the time being. While listening to the song, Tsuzuki teases Hisoka. He wants to go for a drink, but he will only offer Hisoka "juice".

Hisoka turns to look the other way and notices Muraki standing not too far away. He has another flashback, but this one is more vivid and he can clearly see Muraki has a part in it. As Muraki walks away, Hisoka follows.

The two of them face off at a clearing. Muraki comments that he is surprised to see Hisoka again. Puzzled, Hisoka asks if they know each other. Muraki is satisfied that his spell is still working, since Hisoka does not recognize him. He says he never would have guessed Hisoka would come back as a Shinigami. Stunned, Hisoka doesn't know what to say. All of a sudden, Hisoka's eyes lose their brightness and he collapses. Muraki catches him and clasps his hand over Hisoka's. Looking into Hisoka's lifeless eyes, Muraki smirks.

Tsuzuki calls out Hisoka's name and rushes toward the clearing. He steps on something in the darkness and turns to see what it is. As the clouds clear and the red moon comes out of hiding, he realizes it's a puddle of blood. Suddenly, he remembers Muraki's words from before: "be careful you don't lose someone important to you..."

In the Classified Documents Room, GuShoShin calls up a file from the computer on Hisoka. The real cause of Kurosaki Hisoka's death is....!?

In Enma Cho's Classified Documents Room, GuShoShin calls up Hisoka's files. Hisoka has died at the age of 16, after 3 years' stay in the hospital. However, the illness is not the real cause of his death. He is actually killed, but since the case is unique in style, the killer is never identified or found. Just then, GuShoShin receives a call from Konoe, who tells him Hisoka has been kidnapped. Back on Earth, Maria's stepmother is pissed off because she cannot contact the doctor. There is a knock on the door and she hurries to it, thinking the doctor has finally shown up. However, it is an angry Tsuzuki who greets her at the door. He demands to know who is behind the plan regarding Maria's resurrection. When Maria's stepmother says she will be killed if she revealed the truth, Tsuzuki asks instead if the man is Doctor Muraki. Maria's stepmother collapses in defeat.

Elsewhere in a dark building, Hisoka is covered in blood and tied up with wires against a bed that has been turned standing up. Muraki is standing in front of him, a few feet away. Hisoka struggles to move against the wires and only succeed in cutting his neck. Muraki tells him it's futile because the wires are made of women's hair and a special binding spell. When Hisoka asks what Muraki wants with him, Muraki just smiles and fires a shot that lands only inches from Hisoka's face. He then walks up to Hisoka and tilts the boy's chin with the gun. He then licks Hisoka's bloody fingers. Hisoka thinks to himself how he can only feel a dark, muddled feeling coming from Muraki. He wonders how someone can be so disturbed/twisted inside. Muraki moves away and says he never expects to see him again. Hisoka is surprised at this. Muraki decides it's probably time to revive Hisoka's sealed memories. He reaches out touches Hisoka on the forehead, and Hisoka screams...

Tsuzuki is standing at the railings, close to where he has found the puddle of blood earlier. He places his hand on a blood-covered spot on the railings and blames himself for Hisoka's disappearance. In his right hand, he holds the cellphone that belongs to Maria's stepmother. GuShoShin comes up behind him, worried. Just then, the phone rings and Tsuzuki answers, knowing Muraki is on the other line. After a private conversation on Muraki's part, Tsuzuki replies, "I understand," and hangs up. He tells GuShoShin he's going to meet with Muraki. GuShoShin tries to convince him otherwise, knowing the meeting is a trap. Tsuzuki decides to go nevertheless, since he has to save Hisoka no matter what. He calls up a shikigami in the form of a bird, and tells GuShoShin that the shikigami is a tracker who will lead him to Hisoka's hidden place.

Tsuzuki finds Muraki in the church, since Muraki's message is "I'll wait for you at the place where we first met." Muraki turns to Tsuzuki and says, "I had prayed to see you again." As a reply to Tsuzuki's inquiries on Hisoka's whereabouts, Muraki throws him a blood-soaked handkerchief. Not waiting to see Tsuzuki's shocked face, Muraki says, "let's go."

Muraki takes Tsuzuki to a museum. He starts a conversation about the time when Bakufu has attempted to suppress Christianity, so people find a way to keep their religion by hiding signs of cross behind the Buddha. He then turns to Tsuzuki and comments on the beauty of Tsuzuki's eyes.

They go to an antique shop, where Muraki has some fun playing with two dolls. When he asks Tsuzuki which dolls he like more, Tsuzuki is too worried about Hisoka to even hear him. Muraki is very pissed at this.

Afterwards, they go to a cafe. Tsuzuki has a outburst and tells Muraki to quit playing games with him and just spill Hisoka's whereabouts. Muraki says he's doing this all for Tsuzuki. He then replies the boy is okay, and Tsuzuki really shouldn't worry about him that much.

Back in the dark building, Hisoka opens his eyes. He starts to remember what has happened to him, just as Muraki starts to tell Tsuzuki about it in the cafe. The red marks of Muraki's curse resurface on Hisoka's body. Hisoka couldn't sleep one night, so he went out for a walk. Under a cherry tree, a man in white trenchcoat was hovering over a woman. As the red moon reappeared from behind the clouds, the man stabbed the woman with a knife. He turned around and saw Hisoka.

In the cafe, Tsuzuki listens with shock. Finally getting out of the shock, Tsuzuki tells Muraki to shut up. Muraki tells him Hisoka is only bait in this game. Muraki also mentions that even though Hisoka's a shinigami, he will still die if he lose any more blood. Before Muraki leaves, he notices Tsuzuki's shikigami flying outside the window.

It's near nighttime. In the dark building, Hisoka has flashbacks to all the times when Tsuzuki helps him. Amused, he wonders why he is thinking about Tsuzuki at a time like this. Suddenly, he hears someone calling his name. He opens his eyes and sees Tsuzuki and GuShoShin in the doorway facing him. As Tsuzuki starts to free him from the wires, Hisoka asks why Tsuzuki has come to rescue someone like him. Tsuzuki replies he can't just leave him there. Before they can escape, however, Muraki shows up.

Tsuzuki is now very angry at Muraki for treating them all like toys, so he attacks Muraki with a spell. Not the least affected, Muraki tells him to look up, where bats occupy the entire ceiling. The bats start to attack them. Tsuzuki terminates them with spells, while Hisoka and GuShoShin stay in a barrier created by another one of Tsuzuki's spells.

Muraki summons a powerful three-headed monster to attack Tsuzuki, who dodges all the attacks. However, the explosions manage to damage the barrier protecting Hisoka and GuShoShin. Hisoka tries to set up another barrier, but his blood loss prevents him from getting enough strength to do so. Sensing this weakness, Muraki sends the monster to attack Hisoka in full-force. Tsuzuki yells at Muraki to stop, but that only fuels Muraki's anger. Muraki is very annoyed at Hisoka now, since the boy keeps getting in between him and Tsuzuki. He thinks he can have Tsuzuki all to himself if Hisoka is gone. Muraki tells his monster to destroy Hisoka once and for all. The barrier is about to break, and the monster sends another strong attack against it.

Tsuzuki rushes forward and shields Hisoka with his own body. The blast hits him straight in the back and leaves behind a deep gaping wound. [Is it me, or is the blood flowing out from the wrong place?] Muraki is really happy now because he figures Tsuzuki is too weak to fight back. He demands the boy move aside and hand Tsuzuki to him.

Tsuzuki grabs Hisoka's arm and begins to speak to him via Hisoka's empathic abilities. He says he knows Hisoka would feel uncomfortable synchronizing with him, but he needs to borrow Hisoka's body and energy to summon Suzaku. Hisoka replies he understand and will let Tsuzuki borrow his body.

As Muraki closes in on the two, Hisoka suddenly stands up and holds Tsuzuki behind him. A red aura surrounds him and he begins a summoning spell in Tsuzuki's voice. Muraki is awed at this combination of power and wonders how it is possible. When Suzaku appears, Muraki is mad and yells, "it's not fair!". After Suzaku properly disposes off the monster, Muraki's anger changes to joy. He is impressed that Tsuzuki is stronger than he has imaged. Then he vanishes into thin air, vowing they haven't seen the last of him.

GuShoShin worries about the two until he sees Tsuzuki carrying Hisoka out of the ruins. GuShoShin is relieved.

In the rain, Hisoka tells Tsuzuki now he understands why he has chosen to become a shinigami. {Hisoka: "I wanted to know the truth."} Hisoka has learned by chance that his death is not due to illness, and wants to find his killer. Now that he does find the killer, however, he can't do anything about it.

When Tsuzuki asks him what are his plans from now, Hisoka replies that he doesn't know, but he would understand if Tsuzuki doesn't want to pair up with him anymore. Tsuzuki jokes in a serious tone that Hisoka may be right, since no one would want to pair up with a brat like him.... "at least that was what I thought before". Now Tsuzuki wants Hisoka to be his partner. When Hisoka asks why Tsuzuki saved him, Tsuzuki replies, "because we're partners".

Afterwards, Tsuzuki decides to celebrate their partnership with a meal, and proceeds to recommend several different types of food.

A man is playing the violin. Suddenly, he stops and the scene zooms up to his left eye, where a strange pattern is shown. Blood runs down his eyes and the man starts to laugh insanely. In a doctor's office, the doctor takes off the bandages around a boy's eyes and asks him if he can see. The boy, Minase Hijiri, looks outside the window and sees Tsuzuki and Hisoka standing next to a tree. He rubs his eyes and when he looks again, no one is there. The doctor asks what's wrong, to which Hijiri replies he is just glad he can play the violin again. Before he leaves, he asks the doctor about the donor whose cornea is used in his cornea transplant. He learns that the donor Otonashi Tatsuya is dead, but he has a daughter by the name of Kazusa.

On the way to the orphanage, Hijiri passes a big black dog, who snarls in the background. [Kazusa's now an orphan, and is staying with a nun]

Hijiri thanks Kazusa for what her father did for him, and apologizes for the father's death. Kazusa tells him it's okay, and is glad that at least Hijiri can see now. Noticing Hijiri's violin, she remarks that her father was also a good violin player. Kazusa makes Hijiri promise to play the violin for her one day.

That night, thunder takes over the skies. Hijiri is in his room, kneeling next to the window. He feels like he has killed Kazusa's father. He looks at his hands, which are covered in blood, like his face. Then he starts to feel guilty for his existence.

The next morning, he goes back to the private school. The principal is glad Hijiri is now fully recovered, and plans to let him play the main violin solo in next month's concert. In the classroom, his classmates surround him and tell him how they have been worried about him and how wonderful it is that he's back. Saionji and his gang make fun of Hijiri and thinks it's a joke that someone who is nearly blind can be the main show. Hijiri talks back, saying that Saionji can't beat him in talent, and is only complaining because his father is rich. Saionji is mad and threatens Hijiri before he and his gang leave the room. Hijiri suddenly feels pain in his left eye. His classmates are concerned and he is prompted to get it examined.

Hijiri goes to the school clinic, where he sees Tsuzuki about to eat a cake. Tsuzuki tells him the main doctor is away and he's the substitute. When Hijiri asks for some aspirin, Tsuzuki searches the medical cabinet and ends up giving Hijiri a bottle of tooth pain reliever. Hijiri tells him so, and finds the right medicine himself. He advises Tsuzuki to try harder next time. After Hijiri leaves, Tsuzuki remarks how Hijiri really does resemble Hisoka in appearance.

In one of the music rooms where the violins are stored, Saionji sets fire to Hijiri's violin. It soon evolves into a big fire and alarms sound. Outside the school, the big dog notes the fire.

Hijiri visits Kazusa again. This time, he apologizes to Kazusa for not being able to fulfill their promise because his violin is gone. Hijiri is very depressed because the violin is his favorite, and a momento his father had left him. When Kazusa offers to give him her father's violin, Hijiri whines [or so it seems] that not any replacement will do because he has developed a bond with his old one and it's difficult to do so with another one, no matter how good the violin is. However, when Kazusa opens the violin case, Hijiri gets an eye-full and remarks that the violin is exquisite.

The next day in the music room, the music teacher is scolding a student for not being able to play something right. Saionji then proposes to let Hijiri play, since he is going to be the main show for the concert. Hijiri agrees and starts to play. Everyone is impressed by how well Hijiri is, and wonders when he has reached that level. The teacher is shocked because he recognizes the song as "The Demon's Trill." Just then, a bow string snaps and cuts Hijiri across the left cheek. The teacher yells at him to stop, but Hijiri is in a frenzy and continues to play like nothing has happened. He starts to laugh and his left eye begins to glow and show a slit-pupil effect. Some students notice this and decide that Hijiri has been possessed by a demon.

In the clinic, several female students are talking to Tsuzuki about Hijiri. They tell Tsuzuki about "the Demon's Trill”, one of the most difficult violin pieces ever composed. The composer, an Italian man by the name of Taruteeni, is said to have sold his soul to a demon.

Everyone is afraid of Hijiri now. They gossip about him in the hallway and think he is weird and demonic. When Hijiri visit Kazusa, she hides behind the nun and yells, "don't come near me!" Hijiri is very surprised and hurt by this outburst, so he does not see the black dog standing behind him.

Depressed, Hijiri goes to a church. There, he starts to see hallucinations of his classmates calling him a monster. When finally an image of Kazusa shows up and asks him to return her father to her, he collapses. A knife appears beneath his hand, and a deep voice calls out, "your existence is pointless”. As if hypnotized, Hijiri agrees with the voice and ends his life with the blade. Blood flows all around him.

When Hijiri wakes up, he finds himself in a bed and sees cherry blossoms outside the window. As he wonders outloud whether he is in heaven, a voice answers him. Hijiri is surprised to see Tsuzuki and Hisoka, especially since Hisoka looks just like him. Tsuzuki, Hisoka, and the two GuShoShin brothers come to his bedside. Hisoka tells him that they are not human, but Enma Cho's employees by the title of shinigami. Hisoka also reveals that they are after the violin Kazusa has given him. Tsuzuki follows and says that behind the violin is a deal with the demon. Whoever plays the violin will go crazy and commit suicide. GuShoShin adds that over a hundred violinists have already died this way. Tsuzuki tells Hijiri they are looking for the violin. However, Tatsuya has already died by the time they get to him, so they try to talk to the daughter. Kazusa doesn't reveal anything though, so they have to ask for Tatsuya's diary from the nun. Per Hisoka's request, the GuShoShin brothers read from the diary, and Tatsuya's voice overlaps theirs in a flashback sequence.

Apparently, Tatsuya has a dream one night in which he meets with a demon. The demon makes a deal with him - he will become a good violinist, but only in exchange for one of his most treasured possessions. The demon then stabs his left eye to seal the contract.

Tsuzuki says that they wish to examine Hijiri's eye, and promises to protect him.

Watari analyses the results on the computer, and finds the contract written in strange text within a round pattern. The contract states that when the deal is fulfilled, the demon gets Kazusa in exchange. Because Hijiri gets the cornea from Otonashi Tatsuya, a part of Tatsuya is technically still alive and the deal is not completed. In other words, the demon is out to kill Hijiri in other to complete the rest of the deal.

Later, the group stays in a living room. Hijiri is depressed about the whole incident. Tsuzuki suggests another surgery to remove the donated cornea, but Watari replies that it won't work because the cornea is now a part of Hijiri's body. To cheer up Hijiri, Tsuzuki promises to protect the boy, and prompts Hisoka to agree with him. However, Hisoka refuses because he doesn't want to make invalid promises. Hisoka warns Tsuzuki he will be the one to suffer if he fails.

Hisoka leaves the room and meets Tatsumi in the hallway. Tatsumi wants to know how he's adjusting to the shinigami work. Hisoka replies he is not very sure yet. Hisoka is also learning spells from Konoe because a shinigami who cannot use spells is useless and he wants to be on the same level as Tsuzuki. However, he feels Tsuzuki is too kind for the job and makes promises he may not be able to keep. Tatsumi reassures Hisoka that Tsuzuki is only like that on the surface, and he always keep his promises. Tatsumi also believes the two of them will work well together.

Meanwhile, Hijiri refuses to stay at Enma Cho for protection, no matter how Tsuzuki and the others try to convince him otherwise. Tsuzuki finally gives in, but vows to keep Hijiri safe.

In the next couple of days, Hijiri faces all kinds of danger. First, the basketball stand at school falls and almost flattens him. Then, an empty car almost crushes into him. Tsuzuki saves him on both occasions. The third time, the hill on the side of the road collapses and would have swallowed him alive if not for both Tsuzuki and Hisoka. Hijiri notices Tsuzuki's right hand is injured, but Tsuzuki says it's okay because he's a shinigami and the wound heals instantly. In Enma Cho, Watari is frustrated because he can't identify the demon's true form. The GuShoShin brothers, however, notice something is unusual.

Tsuzuki, Hisoka, and Hijiri go to see Kazusa. Tsuzuki suggests bringing Kazusa to Enma Cho for her safety. When Kazusa first sees Tsuzuki, she calls him "ojisan". Tsuzuki spends majority of the time sulking in the back, poking at a stuffed toy. Kazusa tells Hijiri she isn't afraid of him, and the reason she hid from him before is because there was something scary behind him at the time. Tsuzuki and Hisoka note this and believes what Kazusa saw may be significant in this case.

Later that night, Hijiri and Tsuzuki are back in Hijiri's place. Hisoka has taken Kazusa to Enma Cho, so Hijiri doesn't need to worry about her. Tsuzuki makes some curry rice and wants Hijiri to try it out. Needless to say, Hijiri almost throws up due to Tsuzuki's horrible cooking skills. Tsuzuki, totally oblivious but having great confidence in his own cooking, thinks Hijiri is speechless because of the delicious taste. After Tsuzuki leaves the room to finish the curry, Hijiri starts to play the violin. The black dog from before growls and suddenly Hijiri feels pain in his left eye again. The wind blows the window open and a demon appears before him. The demon promises to teach Hijiri all the songs he know. By the time Tsuzuki notices something is wrong, he finds the room empty.

Hijiri goes to the school clinic and finds a hidden violin. When Tsuzuki finally finds him, Hijiri is playing the violin in a frenzy, his left eye glowing in the dark.

When Hijiri wakes up, he is lying in a bed in the school clinic. He apologizes to Tsuzuki and Hisoka for his weakness, to which Hisoka replies it can't be helped, since humans are no match for such a strong demon. Hijiri makes a decision and asks Tsuzuki to help him with something.

Watari is still trying to figure out the identity of the demon. Kazusa is sitting on a chair nearby and holding her teddy bear, with the owl 003 perching behind her. She comes up to Watari and points at the computer screen, saying she has seen the image before. The image in question is that of a creature in the shape of a dog. Watari realizes the dog is one of the demon's true forms. Just then, Tsuzuki enters the room and takes in the current situation.

Hijiri takes Kazusa to the school's auditorium, so he can fulfill his promise to play the violin for her. As he starts to play, the demon comes out of his shadows and tries to attack him. However, a barrier blocks the demon's attack. The performance is actually a trap to force the demon out. Tsuzuki shows up to fight the demon, who transforms into a bigger monster. He is then identified as the Fire Dragon Brigade Leader Surgatanus.

The demon begins to attack all of them. His power is so strong that soon the building is in ruins. Tsuzuki summons Byakko, a shikigami in the form of a great white tiger. Byakko spits out an energy bomb at the demon, injuring him. In revenge, the demon bombards flames at Watari and company.

The flames bounce off the protective barrier surrounding them. As Watari observes the air battle, he finds it impressive that Tsuzuki has enough power to fight such a powerful demon. Just then, the demon looks over at Hijiri and causes Hijiri to bend over in pain. When Hijiri looks up again, he sees the demon heading for Tsuzuki. Hijiri runs out of the barrier and into the open field. Surprised, Watari and the others shout out his name. Tsuzuki gets distracted by the commotion and looks their way. The demon uses this chance to slam into him, biting him on the shoulder. Tsuzuki manages to escape by calling Byakko, who blows the demon away.

When Tsuzuki lands on the ground, the group rushes over to his side. The rest of the group are shocked. While Hisoka and Hijiri blush silently, the two GuShoShin brothers try to cover Kazusa's eyes and ask what the heck Watari is doing. Finally done, Watari breathes a sigh of relief and says it's all good. Watari then explains how the demon has a strong vitality and may not be so easily killed. The demon also does not have a solid form and is a sort of parasite that needs a host to survive. Hijiri is concerned about Tsuzuki's injuries, but Tsuzuki tells him not to worry about it.

However, when Tsuzuki returns to the school clinic, blood explodes out of his shoulder. The demon then begins to take over Tsuzuki's body by invading his body cells one by one. The blood disappears into the shoulder wound and forms a black X mark. Black wings spout out of Tsuzuki's back. When Tsuzuki speaks again, it is in the demon's voice.

Hijiri is having a lot of fun during the sightseeing trip. Hisoka, who accompanies him, is already tired and wonders about Hijiri's enthusiasm. Hijiri remarks how he wished to have Tsuzuki with them, too. He thanks Hisoka, "I'm still alive because you protected me”. Hijiri is sad that they would not be able to see each other after the day. During this time, Tsuzuki has been at the school's basement storage area. He is again posing as the school doctor. The janitor thinks Tsuzuki is very dedicated to be working an extra shift. He hands Tsuzuki a package, which Tsuzuki unwraps and reveals the big cleaver inside.

Later that night, Tsuzuki returns to Hijiri's place. He asks for Kazusa, and learns she is back in Enma Cho. Suspicious, Hisoka tests Tsuzuki on Konoe's taste in food, which Tsuzuki answers incorrectly. Tsuzuki goes to take a shower, and Hijiri starts to tell him about the change of clothes. However, Hisoka stops Hijiri from following.

In the shower, Tsuzuki is in pain again from trying to fight the demon. The demon prompts him to kill everyone.

Hijiri is in his room, standing next to the window. When Tsuzuki comes in, he says, "look at the sunset. It's like the souls of the people who have died at sea”. Tsuzuki slams his hand against the window, causing Hijiri to turn to look at him. Tsuzuki demands some gratitude from Hijiri in exchange for protecting him.

Tsuzuki embraces Hijiri from behind, startling the boy. Then Tsuzuki stabs him with the cleaver. As Tsuzuki starts to hack Hijiri to death, blood splatters everywhere. [The scene changes into black & white. Outside, the clouds turn red while the moon turns to a blue-ish color. The blood is also blue instead of red.] The scene ends with Tsuzuki's laughter and Hijiri's shocked face, pale against the blood pooling around him.

The next morning, Hisoka reports the incident to Konoe. Tsuzuki has been possessed by the demon. When Konoe asks for evidence, Hisoka lists two. He senses no feelings from Tsuzuki, who also doesn't remember Konoe's fondness for sweets. Just then, Tsuzuki attacks their headquarters with Suzaku and Byakko. He wants Kazusa, since he has already fulfilled the contract by killing Hijiri. Konoe and Watari show up and try to stop him.

{Watari: You're possessed by the demon!"} Suddenly, Hijiri appears. Tsuzuki is shocked, since he is so sure he has killed Hijiri the night before. Hijiri then pulls off the wig and reveals himself to be Hisoka. Apparently, the one Tsuzuki has "killed" is not Hijiri, but Hisoka in disguise. Hijiri and Kazusa are hiding in a safe place within Enma Cho. Back outside, Tsuzuki decides the matter has now expanded beyond the contract. Now he plans to kill everyone, saving Hisoka last for the worst torture. Byakko starts to attack Enma Cho in earnest. Feeling the building shake, Hijiri tells Kazusa to stay in the room and runs out himself.

Meanwhile, Hisoka asks Konoe for permission to perform a procedure that will separate Tsuzuki's spiritual power. Konoe refuses, until Hisoka explains to him their grave condition and how Tsuzuki will end up destroying them all if this keeps up. {Hisoka: "I don't want to do this either, but there is no other way."} Konoe finally gives his consent and Hisoka turns to face the entrance.

As Tsuzuki comes in and demands to see Kazusa, Hisoka casts the binding spell on him. However, before Hisoka adds the final spell, Hijiri stops him. Hijiri doesn't want Hisoka to hurt Tsuzuki anymore. Hisoka replies that he doesn't want to hurt Tsuzuki either, but it's either the binding spell or Tsuzuki will destroy everyone else. By this time, Tsuzuki has gained enough time to break through the half-completed binding. Tsuzuki tears open the barrier and attacks. Hisoka pushes Hijiri out of the way and gets hit hard in the back.

Tsuzuki starts to advance upon them. Hisoka slowly gets up and declares he will destroy the demon no matter what. Watari decides they must try to save Tsuzuki first. Tsuzuki laughs and says, "save him? I control him totally. He cannot escape. He also remarks how Tsuzuki isn't worth saving and, when Konoe asks why, reveals that he has indeed seen all of Tsuzuki's memories. The demon remarks how easy it is to break Tsuzuki's spirit by showing Tsuzuki the crimes he has commited in the past. Burdened by guilt, Tsuzuki will not be able to escape the demon's world. The feeling is so strong Hisoka feels it and falls to his knees in pain. After hearing Tsuzuki taunt them all, Hisoka gets up again and walks toward him, starting another binding spell. Hijiri also joins in the fight, calling out for Tsuzuki to come back to them. In Tsuzuki's mind, a young Tsuzuki runs away crying and begging for forgiveness, as blood-soaked hands reach out to him yelling out "why?" Then he changes into the grown-up Tsuzuki and says, "I didn't want this". He hugs himself tightly, then collapses. The demon appears before him in the beast form. Then, Hijiri appears. The demon gets really upset. Hisoka joins in soon afterwards.

Tsuzuki escapes from the demon's control. {Surgatanus: "So it's all YOUR doing. Enma DaiOh!"} The demon is pushed out of his back. Watari comments that now they finally get to see the demon's true form. When the demon is almost entirely out of Tsuzuki's body, Tsuzuki sends Suzaku and Byakko to attack the demon, killing it. Parts of the building collapse, about to hit Hijiri. Tsuzuki screams his name, and Kazusa suddenly shows up, reaching towards Hijiri.

After leaving Enma DaiOh's office, Konoe tells Tatsumi everything is now settled and Tsuzuki will not be punished for the Meifu destructions. When Hijiri wakes up again, he is told it's all over and he doesn't have to worry about the eye anymore. Unfortunately, Kazusa died shielding him from the falling debris.

Sometime later, by the pond with the cherry blossoms, Tsuzuki and Hijiri are talking. Tsuzuki blames himself for trying to kill them when he had promised to protect. Hijiri reassures him it's all right, and that he should be happy for himself. Hijiri hugs him and asks him to go to the concert. He's going to play the Demon's Trill.

Still sometime later, Hisoka shows up to stand beside Tsuzuki. Tsuzuki thinks Hisoka is right in saying he cannot keep the promise, since he did not protect the two people he was supposed to protect. Hisoka replies everyone understands and Tsuzuki should not worry so much.

Hisoka, Tsuzuki, and Kazusa all attend Hijiri's concert, but they stand in the back. The audience is impressed with Hijiri's solo and the concert is an success. When Hijiri goes to the backroom, one of his classmates show him a bouquet of flowers and a card without names. The classmate thinks the person is careless to forget the name, but Hijiri knows who the flowers are from. He is glad they had come to the concert.

Theme Songs

 * Opening


 * "Eden" (Ep. 1 - 13)
 * Closing


 * "Love Me" (Ep. 1 - 13)

Voice Cast

 * Japanese


 * Shinichiro Miki as Asato Tsuzuki
 * Mayumi Asano as Hisoka Kurosaki
 * Sho Hayami as Kazutaka Muraki
 * Tomomichi Nishimura as Chief Konoe
 * Toshihiko Seki as Yutaka Watari
 * Toshiyuki Morikawa as Seiichiro Tatsumi
 * Wasabi Mizuta as Gushoushin the Younger
 * Yumiko Nakanishi as Gushoushin the Elder
 * Jurouta Kosugi as Earl, the Narrator
 * Ikuya Sawaki as Sarganatas (Ep. 4 - 6)
 * Kumi Sakuma as Eileen (Ep. 8 - 9)
 * Machiko Toyoshima as Tsubaki Kakyouin (Ep. 7 - 9)
 * Shozo Iizuka as Shinzo Wakabayashi (Ep. 7 - 8)
 * Minami Takayama as Hijiri Minase (Ep. 4 - 6)
 * Naoko Matsui as Kanoko Houjou (Ep. 7 - 8)
 * Takeshi Kusao as Tetsuhiro Abiko (Ep. 7 - 8)
 * Yumiko Nakanishi as Asato Tsuzuki (young; Ep. 6), nurse A (Ep. 10), reporter (Ep. 1), schoolgirl B (Ep. 12), student A (Ep. 11)
 * English


 * Dan Green as Asato & Sargatanas (Ep. 4 - 6)
 * Liam O'Brien as Hisoka
 * Chunky Mon as Chief Konoe
 * Edward MacLeod as Kazutaka
 * Eric Stuart as Yutaka
 * Walter Pagen as Seiichiro
 * Angora Deb as Gushoshin #2 & Mariko (Ep. 10 - 12)
 * Beth McGowan as Kazusa (Ep. 4 - 6)
 * Edward Hajj as Akiyama (Ep. 7 - 8)
 * Jack Lingo as Hijiri (Ep. 4 - 6) & Mibu (Ep. 10 - 11, 13)
 * Jeffrey Gimble as Satomi (Ep. 10 - 12)
 * Jonathan Boggs as Sakaki (Ep. 9, 12)
 * Joshua Popenoe as Tetsuhiro (Ep. 7 - 8)
 * Leicester Tunks as Grandfather (Ep. 10)
 * Lisa Ortiz as Maria (Ep. 1 - 2)
 * Michael Alston Baley as Gushoshin #1
 * Rachael Lillis as Maki (Ep. 10 - 11)
 * Rodd Stone as the Narrator
 * Scott Cargle as Kakyoin (Ep. 7 - 9)
 * Suzy Prue as Kanoko (Ep. 7 - 8), Maria's mother (Ep. 1 - 3)
 * Tara Jayne as Princess Tsubaki (Ep. 7 - 9)
 * Tristan Goddard as Count (Ep. 13), Otonashi (Ep. 4 - 6) & Shinzo (Ep. 7 - 8)

Trivia
all information on the Descendants of Darkness (Anime) came from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descendants_of_Darkness
 * The Devil’s Trill, episodes, 4, 5 and 6’s title, is a real piece of classical music. The anime used 5 minutes, 38 seconds of the normally 14 minutes, 30 seconds Devil’s Trill for the episodes. The best known work of Italian composer Giuseppe Tartini, the Devil’s Trill is so called presumably because of a legend surrounding it. The legend has it that Tartini dreamed of the devil playing a violin. When Tartini woke up, he composed a violin sonata based on what the devil was playing in his dream. Another version of the legend has Tartini even making a contract with the devil for the violin sonata. The Devil’s Trill is also so called presumably because of its defining, very difficult cadenza part, which consists of trills (a musical technique of rapid playing of the marked note and the note one step above) going for a lengthy period that the violinist plays on one string while he plays rapidly moving notes on another string.
 * In Episode 3 Gushoshin is on Hisoka's left but after an attack Tsuzuki is now holding him next to Hisoka's right.