This time: Shizuo. This was a pretty straightforward background episode: we learn what drives Shizuo, we get to see his past and how he grew up, and we also see how he’s connected to some of the other characters in this series. At first I thought that he was deeply involved into the yakuza-stuff along with Izaya, but that turns out to be a bit differently.
Instead, he’s just another one of Izaya’s victims. Izaya is a strange guy: we know that he’s involved in shady business, but some of his actions are just strange, and don’t seem to have any particular merit or reward: why would he make Shizuo’s life miserable to such an extent? Why would he order some people to kidnap a random girl?
In any case, I like these series that are about all kinds of generations, like this one: we’ve got high schoolers, college students and working adults, the flashbacks are focused on kids, and on top of that we also have a bunch of people in their thirties and forties, plus an immortal one. In any case, this episode also explains why Izaya and Shizuo knew Celty. One thing that I also love about these flashbacks is that they show not just one part of a character’s background, they show all of it through all kinds of ages. It gives such a better feeling of the characters, rather than just another “flashback arc”.
Also, the references to other anime. In such a series, it’s actually pretty nice to see ads for series that are this recent: it shows that series take place right now, rather than in some ambiguous time period that could just as well be 1990 or 2000. I was surprised to see Cencoroll pop up among them, though. It’s obvious why Jigoku Shoujo and Baccano are often referenced in this series, but I like the little wink of the creators of such an independent movie. It’s not really a parody either, and instead it feels a part of the setting.
Rating: * (Good)
This isn’t the first time Cencoroll has been referenced. I can recall it being in at least 2 or 3 other eps before this one.
i really liked how they tried to explain shizuo’s strength, it didnt feel forced.
Plus is it me or does shizuo have a thing for celty???
Shizuo x Celty I noticed that too. I just dont trust shinra
I think Izaya is preparing Shizuo for some purpose. He seems willing to go through elaborate means to manipulate people. In this instance he makes Shizuo stronger by manipulating thugs into fighting him, and then he repositions him into the underworld when it looks like he might get stuck as a bartender. This has the immediate effect of channeling Shizuo’s destructive anger into a more ‘appropriate’ area, but also probably plays into Shizuo’s plans.
Shinra is probably how Izaya learned of Shizuo’s quirks, and I wonder if Celty’s jobs in general, rather than just the one in the first episode, are Izaya’s machinations. Some of them seem to be about keeping the goons used by the researchers doing human experiments in line. If Izaya is pulling all of those strings, why isn’t Shinra involved in the research instead of just acting as the intermediary for Celty?
How funny is it that Shizuo was arrested for something he didn’t do, instead of all of the things he did? He’s a slow-moving natural disaster, destroying property everywhere he goes.
They also did a pretty good job of matching the music to Shizuo’s moods in this episode.
I like how Shizou doesn’t have any psychological issues behind his rage – he said it himself, no trauma or angsty past. He just gets really angry. Sometimes the simpliest explanation works the best.
Also for Izaya motivation, it could be he just enjoys playing with other people. He was called a Jerkass as a compliment. It appears to be his way of life.
I fully agree with m, I didn’t see Izaya as a threatening person. Izaya is really manipulative. But I just love Shizuo’s reason for hating Izaya–so simple yet hilarious. I hope to see more of Izaya’s background soon.
I saw the Shizuo x Celty but I’m not exactly fond to it. I’m probably in denial and think it’s not mutual love; Celty only cares about him because he’s Shinra’s friend. Reading the manga, it seems that Celty is more attached to Shinra but I could be wrong. And they still have to explain the person in the hospital who knows both Kida and Izaya and not to mention more of Kida’s past. It’s still a little shaddy.
Izaya is obsessed with humans thats why he does things like kidnap girls hes willing to go to any lengths to observe humans at there “highest state”
Izaya is continuing to be the most intriguing character in this show, not only because of his shady intentions, but because of his charisma and let’s say…malicious actions? I don’t think he’s considerably ‘evil’ and definitely not an antagonist, but I do have a feeling he’s going to stir up some events that will eventually lead to big chaos. Shizuo’s and Izaya’s relationship is too simple to be incidental, however, especially in a show where nothing is incidental. Maybe their relationship is meant for something? I don;t know. But the fact that they tried to kill each other at the first moment they met each other seems kind of iffy to me.
I really liked the relationship of Shizuo’ and his brother though. That was sweet. 😀
oh lol ,did anyone see the poster reference to Darker than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini? XDDD
Izaya is a mystery. As Snowwolf stated he is not a classical antagonist. He seems more like the man behind the curtain. He likes pulling strings (whether this be for good or evil) and is happier watching the “humans” play.
This show is by far the most strange and intriguing show out there. It appears to borders on random, but then by the end of the episodes all these seemingly unrelated events tie together. It kinda reminds me of Tokyo Godfathers (not the plot lol).
I have to be very awake to watch this show. haha. I feel that if I blink I’ll miss something that will end up being important later. Plus, it takes some actual thinking to put some of the pieces together.
I can’t wait for more…