Durarara centers on the intertwining lives of the countless residents of Tokyo's Ikebukuro neighborhood. We're first introduced to the city through the eyes of Ryuugamine Mikado, a newcomer who's been accepted into the nearby Raira Academy, at the behest of his best friend, Kida Masaomi, who had moved to Ikebukuro some years ago, though the two continued to talk online every day.
In an amazingly dense, perfectly executed first episode, Kida introduces Ryuugamine to the city itself, and to all of its crazy, colorful residents who populate the remaining 23 episodes. From black Russian sushi chef Simon, to information broker and master manipulator Izaya, to the black rider Celty, Ikebukuro is filled with incredibly interesting, well-developed characters, and somehow Durarara manages to give all of them screentime without ever feeling overcrowded. It's quite a feat.
As the show proceeds, and each of the characters' back stories get explored, the overarching plotlines emerge, and every one of these disparate Ikebukuro residents becomes entwined with one another in ways that feel impressively natural. I actually went back and rewatched the first episode after having seen the whole series, and I was amazed at how much was seeded there for what was to come. The writing for Durarara, I feel, is on a completely different level from any anime I've ever seen. The pacing, the character development, the twists and reversals, it's all brilliantly executed, along with copious amounts of humor, mystery, and supernatural elements.
The animation is also excellent, with a bright, vibrant color palette that immerses you in the city, and fluid movement. I also enjoyed the choice the animators made to color the random passersby in gray, because with such a large cast of characters, it really lets you know immediately who's important, and who's background. I also think it's a great commentary that aligns with Ryuugamine's philosophizing on the nature of everyday life, and those who seek something more than that. Those who are stuck in the mundane lack color.
The soundtrack is great as well, with very subtle, recurring motifs that range from classical piano to ominous bass and horns that fully exemplify what's being portrayed on screen. Durarara's two opening themes are also fantastic, and it's one of the few animes I've binge-watched where I continued to view the opening credits for most episodes. Not only is the music great, but the visuals are as well, serving to remind us that this is indeed a character-driven show. The first end theme I loved, too, though the second one, while not bad, I found to be a little forgettable.
All in all, I can't recommend this anime enough. And a second season is beginning in less than a week! There's no better time to start watching. What are you waiting for?
