If you haven't checked it out yet, now is the time to do so.
15 years ago, Durarara!! was released, an anime adaptation of Ryohgo Narita's light novel series of the same name. To say that the title, filled with chaos, mysticism, and complex relationship stories, found an immediate response from viewers around the world would be an understatement.
Durarara!! has long since become a classic, sincerely adored by fans of supernatural stories and non-obvious plot twists.
What Is Durarara!! About?
An ordinary schoolboy, Mikado Ryugamine, moves to the Tokyo district of Ikebukuro. Together with his childhood friend Masaomi Kida, the boy gets to know the area and its inhabitants, including the strongest man, Shizuo Heiwajima, and the information broker Izaya Orihara.
From Kida, Mikado learns the legend of a headless motorcycle ghost who punishes criminals for their misdeeds, while at the same time constantly hanging out in online chats and discussing the latest news with his peers.
Soon, strange events begin to occur in the city: mysterious disappearances, street gang wars, and rumors of ghosts fuel interest in the changes taking place in Ikebukuro.
Durarara!! Has a Rather Complicated and Multi-Layered Plot
The main intrigue is built around several key events. First, the investigation into the mystery of the black motorcyclist Celty and the search for his head. Second, the confrontation between three street gangs, one of which was founded by the protagonist's best friend.
Third, the secrets of Mikado himself, as a seemingly unremarkable schoolboy, turns out to be the leader of one of the three main groups, which advocate anonymity, and the administrator of the chat for the entire district.
You might think that there are too many storylines for a two-season, sixty-episode series. But this diversity is what makes Durarara!! stand out from the crowd of one-sided linear stories.
The title did not follow the viewer in a straight line, but constantly changed the narrator, allowing you to see the story from different points of view. As a result, each episode threw up unexpected twists and left clues for the future.
Durarara!! Has Well-Thought-Out Characters With Clear Motivations
The characters who played the roles of puppeteers and manipulators in this theater were also special. Despite the fact that Ryohgo Narita used popular archetypes in his work, the characters of Durarara!! became a breath of fresh air, mainly because the typical traits of the characters were always explained as the plot progressed.
No matter who the character was shown to be in the plot: an information broker, a super-strong criminal, or a disembodied spirit, he always had a clear motivation. And most importantly, they understood that in the world of Ikebukuro, you had to survive at all costs.
Durarara!! Had a Huge Impact on Anime and Pop Culture
The cultural impact of Durarara!! is hard to overstate. The series has become a model for how to combine a complex, non-linear plot with strong characters and a unique atmosphere.
Many titles exploring topics of social connectedness and the impact of technology have been inspired by Durarara!! and have successfully developed the ideas and themes embedded in the title.
But the main advantage of the anime is that, years later, the series gives the viewer the necessary advice: to get rid of loneliness, it is enough to go beyond the online images and look around.
Where to Watch Durarara!!?
Durarara!! is available to stream on Crunchyroll.