Durarara
Durarara!! Review – Chaos, Legends, and Twisted Urban Life in Ikebukuro
1. Introduction
Durarara!! (DRRR!!), based on Ryohgo Narita’s light novel series, is a chaotic and character-driven anime that fuses modern city life with supernatural myth. Set in the bustling district of Ikebukuro, it captures the interconnected lives of residents, gang members, mythic figures, and internet-based identities, where everyone has secrets and no one is what they seem.
2. Plot Summary
The story begins when Mikado Ryugamine moves to Ikebukuro seeking excitement. He reunites with childhood friend Masaomi Kida, who introduces him to the city's strangest personalities and warning signs. As urban legends like the Headless Rider roam the streets and anonymous chat rooms buzz with secrets, Mikado is pulled into a growing web of conspiracies, gangs, and supernatural forces — especially surrounding the mysterious Dollars organization.
3. Main Characters
🧍♂️ Mikado Ryugamine – The seemingly average protagonist whose quiet nature hides deeper ambitions.😏 Masaomi Kida – Charismatic and flirtatious, with a tragic past tied to gang activity.
🧠 Anri Sonohara – Soft-spoken classmate with a dark connection to a cursed sword.
🏍️ Celty Sturluson – A Dullahan (headless rider) from Irish folklore searching for her stolen head.
💢 Shizuo Heiwajima – A bartender with superhuman strength and anger issues.
🧠 Izaya Orihara – A manipulative information broker who loves watching humans suffer and clash.
💻 Simon Brezhnev – Russian sushi chef and peacekeeper in Ikebukuro’s chaos.
4. Arcs & Sagas
🏙️ Ikebukuro Arc – Introduces the city’s main players and teases Celty’s mystery.
🗡️ Saika Arc – Focuses on a cursed blade that controls minds, drawing in Anri’s past.
🧠 Dollars Arc – Explores Mikado’s darker motivations and the rising gang warfare.
🧩 Ten, Shou, Ketsu Arcs (Seasons 2 –3) – Dive deeper into character backstories, Izaya’s games, and escalating chaos in Ikebukuro.
5. Powers & Abilities
Dullahan Physiology – Celty has no head, communicates via phone, and rides a shadow-horse motorcycle.
Superhuman Strength – Shizuo’s anger grants him impossible brute force.
Saika Possession – A cursed blade that creates mind-controlled “children.”
Information Manipulation – Izaya expertly spreads rumors, truths, and chaos through the internet.
Gang Leadership – Multiple characters lead colorless or color-coded gangs (Yellow Scarves, Blue Squares, Dollars).
6. Top Moments & Highlights
🏍️ Celty’s shadow rampage – A jaw-dropping display of her powers and emotions.
💥 Shizuo vs. everyone – Anytime Shizuo throws vending machines is gold.
📱 The Dollars chatroom reveals – When identities get unmasked, alliances shift.
🩸 Anri's Saika reveal – A surprising twist to her seemingly passive demeanor.
🧠 Izaya’s final fall – The manipulator meets poetic justice… or does he?
7. Influence & Legacy
Popularized multi-perspective storytelling in anime, where the same event is shown from various viewpoints.
Known for its strong ensemble cast and unreliable narrators.
Brought Ikebukuro’s real-life landmarks into anime spotlight.
Cemented Izaya and Shizuo as iconic modern anime characters.
8. Anime & Manga Status
📺 Anime:
Durarara!! (2010) – 24 episodes
Durarara!!x2 Shou, Ten, Ketsu (2015–2016) – 36 episodes total across 3 parts
📚 Light Novels:
Original series: 13 volumes (2004–2014)
Sequel: Durarara!! SH continues the story with new characters
📕 Manga adaptations exist for both main and spin-off content.
9. Where to Start Watching?
Start with Durarara!! (2010), Episodes 1–24
Then continue with Durarara!!x2 Shou, Ten, and Ketsu in that order
Recommended to watch chronologically due to complex, evolving relationships
10. Anime vs. Light Novel Differences
Anime is faithful, but condenses and rearranges some scenes for pacing
Light novels dive deeper into side characters and motivations
Durarara!!x2 adapts later novels with more complexity and less clarity for casual viewers
Reading enhances appreciation for the plot threads and psychological elements
11. Movies & Specials
📺 Durarara!! Specials
Episode 25 (OVA): Wraps up loose ends after Season 1
Episode 12.5 (OVA): A fun side story between arcs
No major theatrical films released, but rumors swirl of adaptations for Durarara!! SH
12. Fan Theories & Speculations
👤 Izaya is immortal or reincarnated – He appears in Baccano!-related media; fans speculate connections
💻 The Dollars still exist online – Many believe the anonymous organization mirrors real-life internet activism
🧠 Celty’s head grants godlike powers – Her severed head may hold control over life and death
🔗 Everything ties to Ryohgo Narita’s universe – Durarara!!, Baccano!, and Etsusa Bridge share canon clues
13. Final War & Ending
Durarara!!x2 Ketsu ends with the collapse of Izaya’s web
Major character arcs wrap up — with many learning uncomfortable truths about themselves
Celty recovers her head but chooses to remain without it, living as who she’s become
Open-ended, leaving room for the SH sequel and fan interpretation
14. Live-Action Adaptation
🎬 No official live-action, but its urban setting and character-driven format make it a strong candidate
Fans cast actors for Izaya, Shizuo, and Celty frequently in Japanese fan circles
Could resemble a gritty modern Tokyo crime drama with mythological twists
15. Ratings & Reviews
⭐ Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.4/10)
🧠 Story Complexity: ★★★★★ (9/10)
🎭 Characters & Drama: ★★★★☆ (8.8/10)
🏍️ Supernatural Mystery: ★★★★☆ (8.5/10)
🎧 Style & Atmosphere: ★★★★★ (9.2/10)
16. Recommendations
🎯 Watch if you liked:
Baccano!
Monogatari Series
Paranoia Agent
Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront)
Erased
Durarara!! is like an anime jigsaw puzzle — the more you piece together, the more brilliant the picture becomes. Dive in if you like layered characters, shifting alliances, and urban legends wrapped in neon chaos.
