Durarara!!

About Durarara!!

Durarara!! is a beloved TV series released in 2010. The tale is set in Ikebukuro, a district of Tokyo, where the lives of a group of unique individuals intertwine through a series of complex and unexpected events. Each character, from high school students to shady underground figures, has their own motivation and background. They all exist within a web of intrigue, superstition, and underground activity, ultimately leading to an exciting and unpredictable climax.

Making / Production

Durarara!! was produced by the Brain's Base studio and directed by Takahiro Omori. It’s an adaptation of the light novel series written by Ryohgo Narita. The show’s use of multiple storylines, a large ensemble cast and breakneck pacing to create a sense of chaos and unpredictability has been praised by critics and viewers alike.

Actors

• Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Mikado Ryuugamine: Portraying the role of an ordinary high school student who moves to Ikebukuro, Toyonaga excellently captures Mikado's transition from a naive suburban teenager to a central figure in Ikebukuro's underworld.
• Miyuki Sawashiro as Celty Sturluson: Sawashiro unveils the mysterious "Black Rider" as a sympathetic character, despite her being an urban legend. The voice actress' performance brings life to the headless rider, making her presence unmissable.
• Kana Hanazawa as Anri Sonohara: Hanazawa masterfully depicts Anri's quiet strength and mysterious aura. Her performance enhances the ambiguity and complexity around Anri's character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Although the title 'Durarara' doesn't have an actual meaning in Japanese, it's believed to be sound symbolic for revving of engines because it’s a story centered around the headless motorcyclist.
• Durarara!! is a spin-off of the light novel series, Baccano!, also written by Ryohgo Narita.
• The series includes multiple references to other anime, almost like Easter Eggs for fans. For instance, in one episode a character is seen watching an episode of Baccano!

Music, Soundtrack

• The series' opening and ending themes are incredibly popular due to their catchy beats and fantastic visuals.
• For the first half of the series, "Uragiri no Yuuyake" by Theatre Brook was used as the opening theme, while "Trust Me" by Matsushita Yuya served as the closing theme.
• The second half of the series used "Complication" by ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D as the opening theme and "Butterfly" by ON/OFF as the ending theme.

Quotes

• "People who do bad things to others, they will have bad things done to them." - Mikado Ryuugamine.
• "The world isn't as cruel as you take it to be." - Celty Sturluson.
• "No matter what’s in store for us, we’ll never run away." - Anri Sonohara.