It's not too often we get the chance to post full anime episodes here on Animekon, without tempering with the balance of Justice and smearing our otherwise immaculate conscience (using plenty of napkins keeps it clean). Recently we had two such opportunities, and we grabbed 'em: first it was FUNimation streaming the first 3 episodes of Darker than Black on the anime's website, and then the debut episode for ef - a tale of memories was also released for free online viewing. So we took our chances and "mirrored" them locally, at least until some big corporate machine comes crashing down on us. Here's hoping it won't!

The 3 Darker than Black episodes are dubbed in English, and FUNi's offer is a great way for promoting the anime's November 25 DVD release in North America. The story of Darker than Black - Kuro no Keiyakusha begins ten years ago in Tokyo, with the appearance of a bizarre field that is impossible to analyze. Coinciding with this "Hell's Gate" is the appearance of humans possessing new forms and new powers. These criminally insane beings are fearfully called "Contractors" and sometimes brutally murder others. Yum!


As for ef - a tale of melodies' debut episode, it was originally streamed on the anime's website (and on Animate.tv) right after it aired on TV - so it's obviously in pure Japanese. ANN gave us hopes that a new episode would follow each day, but so far there's only this first one. Unless they'll be streamed on a weekly basis - which would be mighty fine, too!


Update: I just noticed that FUNimation began streaming more stuff this weekend, we'll be back with details (and hopefully videos) tomorrow.