This episode did exactly what the past arc should have been doing for bloody ages now: having people actually talk to each other. So yeah, I liked this ending quite a bit.
I expected something epic or over the top, but this works too. The conflict between the yellow scarves was actually solved quite quickly. There were a couple of bugs here and there, like how Shizuo knew where those punks would flee to, but overall I liked how the Dollars were indeed still acting on their own even though the website had shut down, and that under the lead of Kyohei they organized a mob to get back at the yellow scarves. It’s interesting to see that in the end, they did go to the path of violence.
But I liked what happened afterwards best. It allowed everything to wrap up for the series’ conclusion, so that it could leave an as good impression behind as possible. That particular background tune with the flutes also finally returned, as if to suggest: everything is back and peaceful like it used to be, yet characters have visibly matured and moved on. The past arc would have been perfect as a middle arc to flesh out characters, though not so much as a conclusion. It just lacked the energy and variety of the first half for that for me. I really appreciate that Brains Base is finally getting to work on 24 episoded series instead of just single season series, but it still isn’t enough I’m afraid. I’ve said this plenty of times by now, but there really need to be more series that go beyond 26 episodes.
Overall, Durarara certainly isn’t my favourite series from the director Takahiro Omori, but nevertheless it was pretty good. My main problem was that it just failed to live up to my own expectations, for which I only have myself to blame. Oh, reviewing the entire series is going to be quite difficult.
Rating: * (Good)
That’s one shortass review.
I’m still working on it. 😉
Actually, there are two more episodes. They will be dvd exclusives. One is episode 12,5 which I guess will be an epilogue to first arc, and episode 25 which will be an epilogue in general. While they will not be direct from the light novels, they are written by Durarara’s author.
Also, since durarara seems to be pretty successful and there is a lot more novel material, there *is* a chance we will see another season.
I’m saying all this to help you write the review. As you said, if this was a mid season arc, it would be good, but as a finale it’s a bit lackluster. But don’t rule out another season coming out. Also while expectations were high and durarara sort of failed to meet them, it *is* a unique and fresh series you don’t see very often.
First thing after I finished the anime was searched for episode 24 blog….to see what others had to say.
I didn’t enjoy the ending. The build up to the end was a let down. I was expecting what you didn’t want, which was something over the top.
I don’t feel like it was complete. Still some unanswered questions. Honestly I hope there is a 3rd season. Anime’s like this need another one.
regarding shizuo knowing which road harada was going to take, it’s as simple as knowing the fact that information travels fast. add that to his knowledge of the layout of the town.
With its popularity, DRR!! should have another season, highlighting the new developments and characters in the later volumes of the light novel.
The plot just gets better in the light novel. The anime is just a teaser.
I did a look at chat room psychology using Durarara!!. You can read it at: http://www.mangatherapy.com/post/932185689/chatrooms-durarara
well though it looks illogical that they do not to talk to each other to clear the misunderstanding, i think it’s more realistic this way…in real life this occurs often..many ppl wouldnt want to or are scared etc. to actually talk to someone face to face about their deep dark secret that might ruin their relationship