Review of Durarara!!

tl;dr: An interesting character focused story that though somewhat messily put together, comes together quite well nevertheless. This is a pretty well crafted tale of a pretty large number of characters. While there certainly is a set of main characters, there are a pretty large number of characters besides them that are similarly important and also get solid development. The way the story is structured is that each of the three friends, Mikado, Masaomi, and Anri are shown as having secret lives essentially. While the three became close friends in high school, each has a past that the others know nothing about. Each of their paststies them into the conflict brewing. But at the same time, because each of them thinks that the others have nothing to do with the conflict, they hide this connection from the others in order to protect them. As a result, we have the three friends in conflict with each other without really knowing it. The plot deals with a number of threads, but for the most part they all revolve around this and slowly build up to them finally fully facing each other, which it handles pretty well. Now, set around this conflict is all the side characters, who end up establishing relationships with each of the main characters in varying contexts, hence creating situations where they are secretly connected to multiple of the three and knowing of their place in the conflict, but keeping it a secret from the others, creating a very interesting web of people and connections. This cast of side characters each has their own motivations and personalities which are the base for actions that end up having a significant impact on the plot. There's a lot there and ultimately it comes together incredibly well. That said, there were some issues. Because there are so many characters with the perspective constantly shifting, the story is told in a really disjointed way. There are parts that feel like they were rushed or skipped over that feel like they could be important. There are also parts that are essentially repeated from multiple perspectives to a degree that seems unnecessary, resulting in the show feeling really slow at times. I understand that there was really no way for such a story to be told without doing something like this to some degree, but even if it is inherent it still felt somewhat annoying at times.

In terms of art style it is really solid and the city has a very unique yellowish and dark look to it that comes across quite well. The animation is solid. The music is pretty unique and also works well with the atmosphere. Both OPs were good, and having them include a recap in the middle of the OP worked tremendously well. The first ED was great though the second was only okay.