Review of Durarara!!

*Brief review, primarily concerned with DRRR's structure.* I'm not sure why I liked this show as much as I did. It probably could have easily been half as long as it was and it would have been a stronger series for it. Much of the early proceedings are occupied with detailed studies of minor (but fascinating) characters, who are mostly reduced to dues ex machina in the final stretch. Indeed, for the final few episodes, the writers narrow their focus on the three least interesting (though perhaps the three most sympathetic) characters: all high school students who have something to hide. Still, there's a certain confidencein its scripting and pacing, and its twists, payoffs, and playfulness (you've never seen Irish mythology or gang warfare come alive in quite this way before, believe me) all contribute to making the series something that is truly stronger than its individual working parts would lead you to believe. A good attention span is required, as is the ability to keep track of dozens of characters and how they relate to one another. The team behind this was also responsible for Baccano! (indeed, DRRR!! takes place in the same 'universe'), and while it never rises to the same virtuoso heights of that series, it does require the same amount of dedication and puzzle-solving abilities from its viewers as all its numerous pieces begin to click into place.

I want to take a brief moment to bring attention to one of the characters in this series--she might well be one of the most interesting characters I've seen on anime's small-screen, and it mostly boils down to the fact that she has no head. This is a bigger handicap for character development then you might initially realize. Consider just how heavily anime relies on facial expressions. Creating 'perfect' anime faces has become an art, and animators know exactly how to manipulate the emotions of their audience, and how to accomplish this manipulation with their pliable facial canvasses. The DRRR!! team has to work around this, and while they do take one shortcut (because she has no head, she cannot speak--however, her writing and typing is given a voice-over), they must rely almost entirely on body language. This results in perhaps one of the most 'realistic' anime characters I've seen, in spite of everything. It's really wonderful.