Based on the Japanese novel, “Durarara!” is an anime that blends reality, technology and fairy tale into an experience that is as much a comedy as it is a drama and mystery.

The first five episodes, which in addition to getting the series started, are enough to get you permanently hooked, are now available on DVD. Following the exploits of Mikado Ryūgamine, a high school student in the big city of Ikebukuro for the first time, after a life in rural Japan, “Durarara!” maintains a theme of adjustment, adaptation and acceptance throughout that is easy to feel a part of.

However, with super natural elements in it as well, such as human beings with immeasurable strength and a Dullahan [an Irish fairy, similar to the Grim Reaper] on the loose, the city is full of a wild cast of characters and occurrences. So easy to get lost in, the story is deep, polished and full of intrigue. Keeping you guessing by giving an inside look at every character and how they respond to various situations, the anime has a Quentin Tarantino-type of feel to it. Each character brings something different to the table and as a result, each of the episodes feels different from one enough, but similar enough to keep the mysterious theme of the show intact.

In spite of that, the relationship between Mikado and his best friend Masaomi Kida brings everything together and makes the show accessible to anyone who thinks the “Grim Reaper on a motorcycle, working as a courier” angle is a bit too far-fetched. A story of the human condition and how we survive in new and sometimes harsh situations, this anime is one of the best told in years.

Nevertheless, through the first five episodes, you won’t know where the story is going and by the end, you’ll be in the same situation. Hardly a bad thing however, you’ll be anxiously awaiting the next volume, wondering what happens to Mikado, his friends and Celty, the fairy looking for her head. Ultimately, slow and steady development is the way this show works and the first five episodes appear to be the tip of the iceberg, making you desperately want to know more.

If you’re into anime and haven’t checked out “Durarara!” yet, you’re missing out on a beautifully crafted, wild-looking tale that is sure to get even better as more episodes are released on DVD.

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