I give the story a 9 out of 10, but I really wanted to give it 10 out of 10. The only problem is that the beginning is very slow and some things did not really make a whole lot of sense until later in the series. I put this anime on hold a lot until maybe episode 6. After that I started to watch it regularly and I found myself engulfed in the story and mystery.
One of the reasons why the introduction to the series is so confusing is probably because the series is an amalgamation of interconnected stories. Which is fun to try and connect, but it is confusing if you are not focusing all your attention on what is happening.
I give the characters a 10 out of 10. I said that they are some of my most favorite characters and the reason being is that they are all drastically different from one another. No one character is like another. There is Shizuo Heiwajime, the strongest man in Ikebukuro. Strong enough to hurl a vending machine across a city. There is Celty Sturluson, a headless motorcycle rider, who is really a supernatural being from Ireland. There is Izaya Orihara, an information broker with a god complex. Those are just the one that really stand out.
Once the anime picked up momentum, I really enjoyed it. The world of Durarara!! is really chaotic and there is a lot happening, but I think that if you like multiple storylines, interesting characters, and just craziness, you will enjoy Durarara!! Overall, 9 out of 10.
