T5W#22-Top 5 Durarara Characters

One of the biggest, and probably most underrated, Anime series to come out in recent years is Durarara.  The story isn’t so simple as you think.  But to best sum it up: it takes place in Ikebukero where the ordinary occasionally crosses paths with the extraordinary.  It’s a place populated by a cast of colorful, complex and really fun characters from simple high school students, to headless horsewomen, to bartenders with superhuman strength.  The series began it’s second season early last year, Durarara X2!!  The airings of this season have been a little spread out, about 12 episodes or so every few months.  With the third and final arc finally beginning, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to some of my favorite people populating this fun little town.

 

#5-Kodota and Crew (Saburo, Walker and Erika)

It was hard to choose a favorite amongst this merry little band.  They actually work best as a team.  Kodota, the leader, is the older brother leader who knows when to throw down but also seek the route of peace.  Walker and Erika are a charming, if a little insane, Anime and Manga loving couple who are usually cheerful.  But they’ve got their darker moments when it comes to people who hurt their friends.  Saburo…kind of just drives the van.  But it wouldn’t be this group without him.  All they do is ride around, talk and occasionally help a person in need.  Did I mention the cute Anime and Manga loving couple?  This is the crew id love to roll with.

 

#4- Shinra Kishitani

He’s the nicest back alley doctor you’ll ever meet.  Shinra’s cheerfulness masks the fact that he doesn’t need brute strength to mess you up.  He could name every bone and artery in your body as he tears you up.  But that’s the worst case.  Shinra’s also roommates with a beautiful Dulahan with no head.  And he still loves her for it.  Shinra’s on this list mostly because his romance with Celty is one of the strongest relationships in all of Anime, one that transcends the norm, which is kind of what Durarara is all about.  Lucky bastard.  Also he’s an old school gamer with an SNES, bonus points.

 

#3-Shizuo Heiwajima

The Incredible Hulk without the Hulk form.  Shizuo is a chill dude, giving rarely a care.  And then you piss him off, no matter how small an infringement.  Suddenly there’s a vending machine or street light flying through the air.  Shizuo’s temper is a tiny one but man is he a lot of fun to watch.  It helps me that I met his American voice actor, Crispin Freeman, at Otakon 2013 and got him to share his thoughts on a fan fic scenario: What if Shizuo roomed with Kyon from Haruhi Suzumiya and Alucard from Hellsing (two characters he’s also voiced)?  Let’s just say it wouldn’t end well for Kyon and probably result in a pretty hilarious outcome for Shizuo and Alucard.

 

#2-Izaya Orihara

One of my favorite ways to describe a villain comes from The Dark Knight: “Some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money.  They cant be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with.  Some men, just want to watch the world burn.”  And that’s Izaya right there.  He’s an information broker who gets off to the tune of people suffering through his behind the scenes meddeling.  The fact that he feels so untouchable, both in his mind and to the audience, makes him all the more of a scary individual.  What doesn’t he know that could land a person in deep water?  I long for any moment when Izaya gets knocked on his ass.  He more than deserves it and is one of the best villains in all of Anime.

 

#1-Celty Sturlson

You may have seen this girl on my list of Top 5 Anime Heroines.  Celty is a Dullahan, an Irish Grim Reaper, who has lost her head.  She now resides in Ikebukero, looking for said head, with a cute yellow cat eared biker helmet as her main substitute and her horse as her motorcycle.  Celty may lack a head.  But her personality, fierce, flirty and timid more than make up for it.  Plus she kind of rocks the biker girl look.  Celty is the friend you’d want watching your back in a fight.  Her powers seem to know no limits.  She may look scary at first, especially when you hear that bike scream like a horse coming around the corner, but Celty feels like the friend you’d love to hang out with and have a fun conversation with everyday.  She’s the most welcome attraction in all of Ikebukero.

 

If you haven’t heard of Durarara, give it a shot.  It’s complex as hell but well worth it when it all starts connecting.  Look for a possible full series review somewhere down the line.