A display panel and a display unit are provided that allow a high-contrast and a bright image to be obtained. A display panel is composed of a light modulation device. The light modulation device includes: an electrode capable of generating a main electric field in a direction parallel to a plane intersecting with a normal line of a transparent substrate; and a light modulation layer including a bulk and a particulate each having an optical anisotropy. Optical axes AX1 and AX2 of the bulk and the particulate are parallel or substantially parallel to a top surface of the transparent substrate, and may be faced in different directions from each other and may be faced in same or substantially same directions with each other within the plane parallel or substantially parallel to the top surface of the transparent substrate depending on a magnitude of the electric field generated by the electrode.