Monologues? Check.
Its quality can vary, sometimes it feels brilliant, by giving insight to what the characters are thinking or to give a better understanding of them. The problem lies in the action, sometimes it's just missing by plot constraints, which gives the (now and then) long monologues an important task. They must keep the viewer hooked. Doesn't always work, as not every single line of dialogue is great. So be aware, you can have the feeling it's just there to fill blank spaces (maybe to reach those 24 eps mark).
Reverse chronology? Check.
An old trick but reliable. Many times the episodes starts showing the third act (final scene; climax), then going back to the first act (the setup act). This arouses the viewers attention, as you now are hooked to watch until you can comprehend that final scene.
Some times, to exploit and empathize some important moment in the overall comprehension of the story, the first act (setup) is also traded with the second (development) and vice-versa.
I'll describe the feeling as seeing a Houdini's trick. Admiration and confusion will be felt at the beginning, then you'll slowly understand what you're watching as the trick is revealed.
Narrative? Check.
This show has a considerable number of characters. Not all have the same importance to the story, but there's at least one ep, where we will be presented with a certain point of view, where their opinion will be given on whatever is going on. It's not perfect as sometimes you can feel a little bittersweat about some of them, especially in the second half of the plot. It's there where you'll notice some flaws in some characters design.
OST? Check.
The sound is what I would call the perfect 'accompanist'. It's just a series of spot on instrumental beats that follows the visual and the plot, and that's it. Don't expect epic tracks to be played, a beautiful voice singing as an epic kick throws someone of. The show already has a lot going on, intricate ways of story telling, different characters (points of view) are shown all the time, lots of suspense, etc. Having those kinds of songs would just get in the way and divert your attention from the suspense. In this regard, I'll consider this anime OST not perfect or a masterpiece but the best 'accompanist' I've seen, as it just sets the right mood.
I'll not mention openings and edings, as that to me is only relevant if used in the actual scenes, not just at start and end.
Some quick regards for the animation. It's well made and executed well; not overwhelming, but it also doesn't go unnoticed. Kuddos for some details, like making the spectators who not intervene in the course of action/ or are not important to the plot go grey! Barely any visible mistakes in the animation.
Is it perfect? No. I already hinted that it's not a masterpiece, especially at the beginning: "caughts your attention by the way it's told, not by the content itself". I'll not compare this show to Bacanno like most do, because I want to focus in one important story aspect, so forgive the next comparison. Anime like Shinsekai Yori or Shingeki no Kyojin have one thing in common, whether you agree it's well executed or not... Both start of with a very compelling plot or story that immediately hooks you. This show doesn't.
What's Durarara then? It's your normal setting/plot that can get interesting because of the way it's told. Despite all the gimmicks I said previously, it doesn't change that fact! The team who worked on Durarara never had a compelling story, so they had to use every trick they could to make it stand out. I have no doubt, if it wasn't for them, Durarara would not be as good as it was, it would fall to average or fine.
Video: BD 720p
Audio: FLAC
Method : marathon 24eps
Overall evaluation: 7.8
