I first want to confirm something: AniDB labels this series as one with 24 episodes, but it’s also the only source to do so (no MyAnimelist doesn’t count, they don’t double-check their sources when putting up information). Can someone confirm that we’re indeed going for 24 episodes here, because AniDB usually tends to be correct with these things, it’s not like them to base information on something that hasn’t been confirmed yet.
In any case, Durarara already was my favourite show this season, and this episode only made it better. I really see no way in which this series isn’t going to work out well. The direction is incredibly solid, the way it combines the dialogue with the visuals, and the way it intertwines the different stories. There are many different characters here, and this episode made it clear that the creators aren’t going to be biased for the main ones, and intend to give every one of them attention. This episode actually showed many scenes of the first episode, but from a different perspective, and so they get a totally different meaning because of that.
Overall, this season is really dry and unimpressive. THIS is one of the few exceptions. It takes overdone tropes, like teen-aged angst and suicide, and gives them a fresh and original feeling. The city it’s placed in feels alive, especially in the first episode.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
Creq history shows cite from official website.
http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=creq&do.showhist=1&creq.id=2125406
I loved it when they did the “flashback” thing in the Opening of Baccano so it’s good to see that’s made a return =)
This is the only winter show that I actually like watching. It looks like it might be a respectable urban fantasy when it’s all through. It looks good, the work they put into ambiance is nice, the characters aren’t immediately annoying like several from Baccano! were, and both episodes have left me wanting more. It’s a pleasant surprise for me.
Here’s to hoping there aren’t any Shinpachi Splots waiting in the shadows.
I agree, only new show this season that I look forward to every week. The OP is AMAZING. It’s so catchy I can’t stop listening to it, and the animation/style of it is great too.
I agree. It seems Durarara is the only “gold” series this season. I eagerly wait every week for a new episode to come out on zomganime.com. I love the music, the direction, the characters we’ve seen so far and the list goes on. As long as Takahiro Omori keeps doing what he does best, I will continue to watch this 24(?) episode series to the end!
This is looking into the future but, I would totally buy the boxset if this series becomes available in the US.
I’m definitely happy with this show as well, and it’s definitely my favorite show of winter 2010, though i think ookami and soranowoto have a lot of potential, those are really the only three shows I’d call good. A couple more are “watchable”, and that’s it. This, however, is truly good stuff. Genuine gold in a season of garbage. I know you always try to be cautiously optomistic, but Winter 2010 really is as bad as everyone thought it was going to be. I know winter is always a small season, but this is ridiculous. Thank god Armed Librarians is still airing, which i think deserves the honors of best show of fall/winter. If it had stopped at 13 eps, I wouldn’t know what to do with my time.
From the official website, translated:
“MBS · TBS started broadcasting in more than one Mon 2010 (scheduled to air all 24 episodes)”
http://www.durarara.com/media/
So, that is really awesome news to me. I’m pretty tired of these 12/13 ep series that never seem to finish the story
I don’t think Sora no Woto is particularly great. The setting/culture is pretty unique/captivating, but the characters are pretty cliche and their interactions, not to mention designs, are very K-On-ish (not a good thing for me, personally).
I’m enjoying Ookamikakushi, but that’s b/c I’ve never really watched a horror/mystery before, so it’s not staled yet. Aside from that, everything this season is garbage. FMA, Bantorra, and Durarara are my weekly fixes.
Definitely my favorite series this season. I like how it feels refreshing and doesn’t use your typical anime cliches in their standard way.
The way they set this series up so far is reallly similar to baccano.
Excellent series, as expected from the author of one of the cleverest anime (Baccano!). been a while since there’s something of this level.
A clear winner of this season so far. i guess u couldn’t rly go too wrong with the actual original concept (light novel)