Production
The series was first hinted by the Bones' staff in July 2008.[4] In a statement on Bones' website, co-founder and president Masahiko Minami said "It hasn't been decided yet. We are interested in doing them. As original science-fiction works, they were extremely fascinating. With these kinds of dramatic story lines, I feel that there's a lot we could do potentially."[5] The second Darker than Black series was confirmed in the 12th issue of Square Enix's Young Gangan magazine in June 2009,[6] and its first trailer appeared in August in that year.[7]
In Gemini of the Meteor, Okamura considered diverging from the previous season.[8] Okamura, who found the first series' narrative confusing and rough, wanted to change the series' tone; Suo was created in contrast to Hei. Okamura hoped that the changes would appeal to new viewers, who would then understand the first season.[9] The sequel added new science-fiction elements, such as the alternate world where Suo lives.[3] A Vladivostok high school model was designed as a building for the series.[10]
For the second season, the production committee provided 12 episodes and four OVAs. Okamura wanted more scope and a different style; he wanted the protagonist to be a girl after reading the Darker than Black manga. When he helped draw the storyboard for Soul Eater, he was attracted to the concept of a little girl with a giant weapon. Bones obtained Mari Okada and Hiroyuki Yoshino as new writers to form a writing team which shared ideas together and used their strengths. There was no head writer, although it had been originally decided that Yoshino would take the role. The four OVAs were made for returning fans who wanted to see what happened after the first series, and became a series complementing Gemini of the Meteor. Due to Okada's experience with shōjo manga, the series targeted a female demographic and she was put in charge of several episodes because Suo was the new protagonist. Okamura was behind Shion's creation of a replica planet.[11] Hei's design was altered in Gemini of the Meteor in the form of longer hair and facial hair which Okamura enjoyed. However, this appearance was not popular within the female staff members. By the ninth episode, it was decided to revise Hei's design again under the hands of animator Hitomi Nadashima who animated such scene of Hei changing his look. Yin, originally a minor character from the first series, was found fit to be center of attention by the director for the narrative, representing the Dolls presented across the two series.[12]
Although there were only two years between both Darker than Black series, Hei's voice actor Hidenobu Kiuchi found the character challenging because of his personality change.[13] Kiuchi felt that Hei was a far darker character due to an unknown incident. The actor said that Hei is notably strict with younger lead Suo Pavlichenko, and he wished that the character would eventually exhibit more caring behavior to the teenager. Kiuchi called Hei one of his favorite roles, and hoped that the audience to look forward to Gemini of the Meteor.[14] Kana Hanazawa felt that Suo's love for her family is the strongest part of her character. Every time Hanazawa received a script, she looked forward to enjoying the experience. Nana Mizuki returned as Misaki Kirihara, whom she found warmer than in the Darker than Black series; she compared Hei to Arsène Lupin.[13]
Music
The soundtrack for Gemini of the Meteor was released in Japan on 23 December 2009, by Aniplex. Its twenty tracks include short versions of the opening and closing themes.[15] Yasushi Ishii replaced Kanno on the sequel and the OVAs, and considers Darker than Black and Hellsing his favorite works.[16] Ishii described the second season as like the darkness before the dawn, a harsh battlefield, and used hard rock, electronic and experimental music in the soundtrack.[12]
The series' opening theme ("Tsukiakari no Michishirube" (ツキアカリのミチシルベ)) is sung by the Japanese rock band Stereopony, who said that it evokes everyday anxiety and despair.[17] The closing theme ("From Dusk Till Dawn") is performed by Abingdon Boys School, who had played the opening theme for Darker than Black.
