Durarara!! x2 Ketsu Review (Anime)
Durarara!! is a complex anime that has jumped from strength to strength with its only real lull being in Shou, the second season’s first arc, but it quickly improved and culminated in Ketsu which is the best that the series has to offer, leaving it to end on a high note.
Following from the finale of Ten, things are at their most tense. Mikado’s behaviour has changed as he dives deeper into the Dollars gang, and he and old-friend Masaomi are barreling towards a showdown between the Dollars and the Yellow Scarves. Many character arcs are explored and things come together very nicely by the end, which is no small feat considering that Durarara!! is known for its incredibly large and involved cast. So many moments had me on the edge of my seat and, by the end, I was left wholly satisfied.
I was left wholly satisfied.
Unlike Shou, Ketsu’s animation is consistently great. Vibrant character designs by one of my favourite artists, Suzuhito Yasuda, stand out, and intense action scenes between groups and civilians are thrilling. The emotional beats are captured perfectly and I found myself holding my breath as I couldn’t predict what Mikado would do next. Mikado’s character changes plenty over the course of the series, and it’s reflected both in narrative and his facial expressions. Ketsu is a delight to watch and it couldn’t have been easy for studio Shuka – who were put together by ex-Brain’s Base staff primarily to continue the series.
An abundance of characters means that there needs to be equally as impressive numbers of voice talent, and Ketsu delivers. So many of the industries greatest voice-actors and actresses including Johnny Yong Bosch, Kari Wahlgren, Michelle Ruff, Bryce Papenbrook, Yuri Lowenthal, Crispin Freeman and Darrel Guilbeau, and so many more, and they each do a phenomenal job. The series’ OP’s and ED’s are as engaging as always, and they had a lot to live up to with how catchy the previous ones have been, and the audio is the final aspect of Ketsu to help really bring it all together.
You owe it to yourself to at least give Durarara!! a chance.
Durarara!! is a lot to get into now as it spans several dozen episodes, but it’s worth it. As opposed to long-running shounen where you can safely expect a lot of filler, Durarara!! is a lengthy anime where the plot is always important and at the forefront along with character development. You owe it to yourself to at least give Durarara!! a chance and whilst there is a lot to take in, if you give it the time it’ll be sure to impress.
- Super Mario Odyssey Celebrates its One Year Anniversary - October 28, 2018
- Dragon Ball Z KAI Final Chapters Review (Anime) - October 28, 2018
- Resident Evil 2 Remake Gets a Steelbook Edition in Europe - October 24, 2018
