Here is the continuation of Durarara!! we’ve been asking for since 2010. Of course, expectations are high and that is always a recipe for disaster, at least for me. With the failure that was Samurai Flamenco (such a great human drama ruined by supernatural bullshit), it was only natural for the team behind Durarara!! and Baccano! to go back to a formula that worked.
Without giving much away, this second season focuses on a lot of the same characters as the first while also introducing a bevy of new, interesting people and factions, all competing against each other. There are Yakuza, Russian mercenaries, a biker gang, arms dealers, information brokers, a serial killer, lesbian twin sisters, and so much more. Through a web of intrigue and insanity we watch Celty, Mikado, Anri, and Shizuo try to survive the conflagration.
There’s a lot going on here, much like the first season, where it may require a couple of viewings to catch all the subtleties. I’m amazed at how many minor characters appeared in season one that have major portions of this season dedicated to them. It feels natural that way, inviting us into a very organic world. The story being told from multiple perspectives also makes it interesting by presenting us with snapshots of various events with no context, then doubling back to give us that information. It’s an entertaining and intelligent way to keep us invested in every character.
While the story is very serious and multi-layered, there’s also a ton of comedy. Durarara!! is absolutely hilarious and not one episode went by without me having a good laugh. It’s a rare show that is able to balance the hilarity of otherwise ridiculous situations with a seriousness that invests us in what is taking place.
Characters
If you’ve read my review of the first season, then you know that the characters are well-balanced, funny, and there’s not one that is boring. Shizuo and Izaya provide some of the series finest moments while Mikado, while not very exciting, is still an interesting counterpoint to the situations he’s gotten himself into. Introduced in this season are Izaya’s twin sisters, who are channeling their inner Fire Sister’s apparently. While not as compelling as the best girls in the universe, they’re still cute and funny. Aoba is an antagonist who annoyed the living piss out of me, which I guess is a good thing. Shizuo’s brother gets a little bit of time to shine as he enters into a relationship with the insane idol Ruri; an arc I wish had gotten more time. Akane is a loli who is adorable and, while nothing so much as a damsel in distress, still brings out some heart in a few characters you wouldn’t expect that from. And to round things out, Vorona is a Russian mercenary who pretty much wants to kill everyone. Her backstory is sad and her character funny, but also deadly serious. If I had to choose a best addition to the cast, Vorona is definitely it.
Animation
Durarara!! doesn’t have the best animation out there, but it works. Backgrounds look nice and the action is pretty smooth but the character design is weak. A lot of the female characters look alike and many characters just don’t look very good to begin with. But that doesn’t take away too much from the overall experience.
Sound
There’s a ton of reuse of music from the first season. Our opening is wonderful while the closing is a painful, autotuned mess.
Entertainment
If you like convoluted stories with tons of characters, a lot going on, and plentiful action and comedy, then you’ve come to the right place. If you enjoyed the first season, you may enjoy this second helping even more. It’s the perfect balance of action, comedy, and character drama. You’ll find yourself marathoning and possibly starting over again after you finish.
Overall
If you liked Durarara!!, you’ll love x2. If you haven’t watched the first season, then go watch it. While there are some technical issues, the story and characters are beyond what many anime are providing and the entire package is something you’ll have a hard time forgetting after you finish. With two more seasons upcoming, now’s the perfect time for you to check out what I consider one of the finest anime series of all time.
