# Darker than Black Watch Order Also known as: Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha, Darker than Black: Gemini of the Meteor, Darker than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini, Darker than Black: Gaiden, Darker than Black: Origins, DTB Source: https://www.animechrono.com/franchise/darker-than-black Last updated: 2026-11-03 Last checked against current sources: 2026-11-03 AnimeChrono watch orders put every season, movie, OVA, ONA and special in chronological story order, mark optional entries, say where to start, and are maintained by signed-in fans with versioned edits that can be reverted (4 entries in this order). Where to start Darker than Black: begin with Season 1, episode 1 (2007), then the Gaiden OVA (2010) and Season 2, Gemini of the Meteor (2009). This Darker than Black watch order is in story order. Season 1 (Episodes 1-25) follows Hei, a Contractor working for the Syndicate in a Tokyo changed by Hell's Gate. Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom is an optional bonus episode from the last Season 1 DVD, often called episode 26. Darker than Black: Gaiden (Episodes 1-4) is set between the two seasons and shows Hei and Yin on the run after Season 1. It came out on the Gemini of the Meteor discs, so in release order it comes last, but watching it before Gemini of the Meteor (Episodes 1-12) explains why Hei has changed when Season 2 starts. ## Recommended first watch Start with Season 1 (25 episodes), then the Gaiden OVA (4 episodes), then Gemini of the Meteor (12). Gaiden is set between the seasons; release order puts it after Gemini of the Meteor. Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom is an optional bonus episode after Season 1. ## Start here Start with Episodes 1-25 (Darker than Black). 1 entry is optional: Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom (Episode 26). The story still tracks without them. Filler and skip notes: - **Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom (Episode 26)** — Optional bonus episode (2008) from the last DVD: Hei's team hunts a Contractor's buried secret. ## The chronological order 1. Darker than Black: Episodes 1-25 2. Episode 26: Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom (special) — optional 3. Darker than Black: Gaiden (OVA) 4. Gemini of the Meteor: Episodes 1-12 ## Release order Sorted by air date. This follows when each entry aired, which may differ from the chronological watch order. 1. Darker than Black: Episodes 1-25 — aired 2007-04-06 2. Episode 26: Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom (special) — optional — aired 2008-03-27 3. Gemini of the Meteor: Episodes 1-12 — aired 2009-10-09 4. Darker than Black: Gaiden (OVA) — aired 2010-01-27 ## FAQ **What order should I watch Darker than Black in?** Start with Season 1 (25 episodes), then the Gaiden OVA (4 episodes), then Gemini of the Meteor (12). Gaiden is set between the seasons; release order puts it after Gemini of the Meteor. Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom is an optional bonus episode after Season 1. **Where should I start Darker than Black?** Start with Season 1, episode 1 (2007). Watch all 25 episodes, then the Gaiden OVA, then Gemini of the Meteor. **Should I watch Darker than Black: Gaiden before Season 2?** Yes, in story order. Gaiden is set between the seasons and explains Hei's change and what happened to Yin. It was released after Gemini of the Meteor, so watching it last also works, as a flashback. **What is Darker than Black episode 26?** Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom, a bonus side-story episode from the last Season 1 DVD. It is optional; watch it after episode 25. **What is the chronological order of Darker than Black?** Start with Episodes 1-25 (Darker than Black), then continue with Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom (Episode 26), Darker than Black: Gaiden, and Episodes 1-12 (Gemini of the Meteor). The full Darker than Black watch order on this page has 4 entries across 4 series, listed in chronological viewing order. **What is the release order of Darker than Black?** In the order they aired, start with Episodes 1-25 (Darker than Black), then Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom (Episode 26), Episodes 1-12 (Gemini of the Meteor), and Darker than Black: Gaiden. Release order follows air dates and is not the recommended chronological order. **How many episodes is Darker than Black?** Darker than Black has 37 TV episodes in this order, plus 1 OVA and 1 special. **Can I skip anything in Darker than Black?** Yes. 1 entry is marked optional: Beneath Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom (Episode 26). Everything else is part of the main story. **Is Darker than Black finished?** Yes. Darker than Black has finished airing, and this order covers everything released so far in chronological viewing order. --- Something wrong or out of date? Anyone can edit this order at https://www.animechrono.com/franchise/darker-than-black. Every change is versioned.