Let's Watch: Durarara!!

[blkmage]

Guro is different from just plain gore in that guro is intended to be sexual or erotic. I don't believe the scene under discussion falls under that definition, considering the context.

As for content warnings in Durarara!!, I guess I'd assumed it, but generally, if you aren't okay with Baccano!, then you probably shouldn't be watching Durarara!! Conversely, if you were fine with Baccano!, then you probably won't have a problem with anything Durarara!! will throw at you.

My intent for this thread was not only to talk about the show but to create an environment where it'd feel like we're watching it together, hence why I want as little talk of alternate watching schedules as possible (whether you're ahead or behind and chunking up). It feels much more warm and communal that way.

There is an ulterior motive behind this. I'm doing this because I want to encourage more people to try watching things as they air, since I feel like it lends itself to more and better discussion. I'd also like for that to propagate to other shows and threads in this forum. I've tried it for Umineko and Haruhi with decent results, but this is the first show that I can get so many people excited about and on-board with.

[Reon]

I'm in - gonna catch up.

[LadyRushia]

My school's internet finally decided to stop being dumb and I watched episodes 2 and 3 today. I seriously like how I have no idea where the show is going and how the characters introduced so far are just fantastic.

Also, Shizuo vs. Captain Falcon. I wonder whose clothes would fall of first?

[Beau Soir]

Durarara!! is totally rocking my anime world right now, just like its big brother Baccano! did. I can't pinpoint exactly why I like it, actually, and maybe that's why I'm so intrigued. But I do agree with LadyRushia.
I'd only heard of Drrr once before but it kind of passed over my head since it was so new and hadn't started airing yet. But I'm glad this thread is here, because it got me to give Durarara!! a watch. And it's worth it so far. :3 Thanks, guys.

P.S. No, Firefox, I didn't mean "Duracell" instead of Durarara!!...

[Fish and Chips]

Episode 4.



So this was Celty's episode, who now has a voice for convenience; the same voice that narrated the second episode, apparently. No complaints from me, though I would have been interested if they'd done the whole thing with just text messaging.

Also, if this "Doctor" Shingen is the guy I think he is, get used to not seeing his face.

I also found it interesting that Celty is seemingly on good terms with Shizou, who doesn't really strike me as the kind of person who'd be easy to be on good terms with under any circumstances, though it's an interesting change of pace from his hair-trigger temper. Guess he's actually a pretty low-key guy when not on the job or hunting down Izaya.

[Wyntre Rose]

Episode 4:

Wow, that was intense. Shinra's dad...is a creepy guy. Poor Celty. Frankly, Shinra seems a few fries short of a happy meal himself, but he's pretty likeable for all that. "She doesn't need a head!!" Yeah. lol.

Loved the explanation of why Celty's bike neighs, too! Pretty imaginative. I was just wondering what exactly the Dullahan was supposed to be in Celtic Folklore, and was about to google it, but then they went and explained it for me! Fascinating stuff.

I'm going to have to watch the earlier episodes again. I can't figure out if Izaya knows what Celty is, and is helping her by telling her about the artist, or if to him she's a mystery, and what he's really doing is trying to get her to reveal what he suspects. Namely, that she is the Dullahan.

And wow, Shizuo is pretty nice! Maybe it's just the information broker that pushes all his buttons wrong? Or maybe he's just got a soft spot for headless Irish Fae?

[EricTheFred]

Guro is different from just plain gore in that guro is intended to be sexual or erotic. I don't believe the scene under discussion falls under that definition, considering the context.

I also prefer to think it wasn't intended as guro, but it was close enough (I did say 'borderline') to bring it up. Guro is in essence a two-for-one for those who want both porn and slasher-film level gore, after all.

Anyhow, my principal concern was the nudity itself. Please bear in mind that what most find not too bothersome is a real problem for those fighting hentai and internet porn addictions. One thing I have learned over the years here at CAA is that we do have several brothers and sisters here who need our support in this effort. For their sake, I felt a warning was in order.

Note that I suffer from Fibromyalgia and spend a lot of time on flat on my back, often unable to focus clearly enough to do anything constructive with the computer, and so I do a lot of web surfing while waiting for the pains to abate. Most of the time I leave the filters set more rigidly, but as a parent I prefer to turn them completely off from time to time to keep myself aware of what's out there (then when my stomach is threatening to revolt, I turn them back on. I only have so much tolerance.) Thus, thanks to my anime/manga interests, I often end up in advertently stumbling into images I would have very much preferred not to see.

So, unfortunately, I have become aware of how 'sexual or erotic' can deviate from my own perception of such, and I'm afraid guro is probably the best example of this. Based on what I have seen, whether or not the ep 4 scene was intentional guro, I suspect those who enjoy such things would find it erotic anyway.

[blkmage]

No surprise people
Think she’s unapproachable:
She’s always fuming.

I didn't expect them to do go through Celty's backstory this quickly. I was a little puzzled when it seemed like she suddenly started talking, but it turns out it was just so that they wouldn't need to flash her phone to the screen every few seconds. And as if the show didn't already have an awesome enough voice cast, they get Miyuki Sawashiro to voice Celty.

This show continues to deliver.

I also found it interesting that Celty is seemingly on good terms with Shizou, who doesn't really strike me as the kind of person who'd be easy to be on good terms with under any circumstances, though it's an interesting change of pace from his hair-trigger temper. Guess he's actually a pretty low-key guy when not on the job or hunting down Izaya.

Other than being violence incarnate, Shizuo's always seemed to me like he's a fairly classy guy. It must be the way he dresses.

I'm going to have to watch the earlier episodes again. I can't figure out if Izaya knows what Celty is, and is helping her by telling her about the artist, or if to him she's a mystery, and what he's really doing is trying to get her to reveal what he suspects. Namely, that she is the Dullahan.

I'm going to guess that he has a pretty good idea. His whole jig is gathering information, so it seems like if there's anyone that'd know, it'd be him.

I also prefer to think it wasn't intended as guro, but it was close enough (I did say 'borderline') to bring it up. Guro is in essence a two-for-one for those who want both porn and slasher-film level gore, after all.

I guess. I just meant that given that it's a fairly important event and that given the whole nature of what's happening, I can't really see a better way to portray what happened.

[MasterDias]

Notice that Shinra's father was twirling a similar pen as the guy that the artist was talking to in the inn. And the plot thickens...

Anyway, I find it interesting that Celty has nowhere near the personality one would expect from a mythical creature associated with death. This was a pretty fascinating episode, even if it was mostly infodump.

[Cognitive Gear]

Hurm.

I'm not sure how I feel about this episode. Generally I prefer information to be seeded around over the course of several episodes, as opposed to large info dumps. I remain optimistic about the show, and hope that this info dump enables the rest of the story to be told more deftly.

[mechana2015]

I really enjoyed this episode and didn't find it to be info dump at all, due to the single narrator format they've been using. It did tie some things together nicely as well.

[Reon]

[font="Book Antiqua"]Episode 4[/font] - [font="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="4"]"Utterly Alone"[/SIZE][/font] was quite different from the first three episodes making me really think we have a lot to look forward to. The plot thickens as we ponder what has caused the hatred Shizuo has for Izaya. Izaya Orihara seems like a complex creeper who is insane and yet has an oddly caring characteristic about him. This episode focused on Selty and that definitely was a good thing. I'm semi-creeped about Shinra somewhat showing affection for her, though they have been together for twenty years.

Can't wait to see more about Selty's character and what kind of missions Izaya will give her in the future. Any one have any thoughts about the boy dissecting her or about her grim reaper like characteristics, or thoughts on how her head disappeared / possibly left her?

And now the waiting game till Episode 5 comes live for the freebies... (6 days)

[EricTheFred]

I was vaguely forming a theory that her head 'left' her when the Japanese artist visiting Ireland was unable to draw it, and he somehow spiritually carried it away, back to Japan. It's intriguing that he makes his living now specifically as a portrait artist (which centers on the head of the people he draws).

Just random speculation, though. I couldn't really come up with anything else to support it, or fill in the supporting arguments. BTW this theory is not based on any knowledge of the next ep or other spoiler material, as I haven't watched past Ep 4 yet.

[goldenspines]

Bit late to the episode four discussion, but I'll throw my two cents in anyway.

I was rather surprised that they gave away Celty's identity so early in the series. But the more I thought about it a;;, the more I could see some benefits to this true nature revealed; and it won't be just "mystery solved guys, let's go home."

Like Cogi mentioned, this episode was a bit of an info dump though (or rather, a back story of a character which is interesting and cool but the story isn't moving forward too much, amirite?)

Also, what's up with Shinra? Does he just have a fetish with headless women or is there some deeper mystery in this?

Also, concerning Shizuo's easy going side, I'm thankful for this. One of the most violent characters isn't violent all the time. This balances things out and makes the character more likable and interesting.

[Cognitive Gear]

Also, what's up with Shinra? Does he just have a fetish with headless women or is there some deeper mystery in this?

This. Maybe I'm missing something, but typically, no matter how much you love someone, them having a head would typically be a good thing. (not to mention wanting to see them succeed in their endeavors)

[Kung_Fu_Master]

I think the girl with the scar on her neck( don't remember name, can't read Japanese to find out) may have something to do with celty's head. Of all the crackpot ideas this one may be the most brittle but I think she is celty's head given a full human body. Of course I am most likely wrong (to the point of losing my head even) but it's a theory.

[Fantasy Dreamer]

Episode 4.

XD; I love that there is a cat on Celty's laptop background.

Also, I found this episode really interesting. I liked seeing Celty's background and her interaction with Shinra (I think that's his name... I can't recall exactly XD). There were some interesting things revealed in this episode and I look forward to the next episode all the more.

I liked seeing Shizuo's mellow side. It made me happy and I like seeing he has a deeper personality then just all that pent up rage.

[NothingClever]

This. Maybe I'm missing something, but typically, no matter how much you love someone, them having a head would typically be a good thing. (not to mention wanting to see them succeed in their endeavors)

True, but if he's scared of her changing when she finds her head (i can't remember if either of them mentioned that or i just inferred it) that gives him a powerful disincentive to wanting her to succeed. After all, she has been with him for twenty years and he is a doctor for the mob, how many close friends can he have?

[Reon]

Kung_Fu_Master I had the exact same thought about the body, because you'll notice even Celty talks about how her head might have just gotten a personality of its own and left her. I'm still curious as to why she'd throw buckets of blood on people and I really don't feel like googling it and seeing if its actually real folklore.

Favorite part was pry the phone stomp in Episode 3 so far.

[Wyntre Rose]

True, but if he's scared of her changing when she finds her head (i can't remember if either of them mentioned that or i just inferred it) that gives him a powerful disincentive to wanting her to succeed. After all, she has been with him for twenty years and he is a doctor for the mob, how many close friends can he have?

Yeah, I kind of took it as "you don't need to change, I like you just the way you are" in a really bizarre context. So, to me it was both touching...and disturbing all at once.

[Mr. Hat'n'Clogs]

Oh my! I love this show more and more the more I watch it.

Well, this episode was slightly less epic than the last, but still left me going "I WANT MOAR".

I find myself oddly attracted to Celty for some reason. But, as I watch I notice myself attracted to every female character. Maybe I'm just some creepy nerd.

[Reon]

I find myself oddly attracted to Celty for some reason. But, as I watch I notice myself attracted to every female character. Maybe I'm just some creepy nerd.

Or just a fifteen year old boy. If it becomes lust and you can't think about anything else... both might be problems ^^ Doesn't sound that way.

Dude, females rule.

[Fish and Chips]

Episode 4 is probably not the best episode to say you find Celty attractive.

All things considered.

[blkmage]

This is the sign that an anime is popular in Japan.

[Fantasy Dreamer]

Episode 4 is probably not the best episode to say you find Celty attractive.

All things considered.

This. XD I was thinking something along those lines... but that doesn't mean that scene was the reason he was attracted to her. But still...

This is the sign that an anime is popular in Japan.

LOL! Oh, that made me laugh. Perhaps a little more than I should have. XD Practically all the best moments from that episode are in that video... actually, its possible that all the best moments are in that video...

[blkmage]

Episode 4 is probably not the best episode to say you find Celty attractive.

All things considered.

On a more serious note, there are a number of things that are revealed about Celty in this episode. She's given a voice and it's the first time she's portrayed as something other than an urban legend. She's really a relatively normal, slipper-wearing, sassy lady with pictures of cats on her computer. After this episode, she has much more personality than the awesome motorcycle-riding phantom from the first three episodes. There's plenty of reason to like her more (in general) after this episode.

[goldenspines]

This is the sign that an anime is popular in Japan.

This is the best thing I've seen all month.

[Mr. Hat'n'Clogs]

Episode 4 is probably not the best episode to say you find Celty attractive.

All things considered.

It wasn't meant that in that way, but I thought of that about an hour after I posted that. The table scene rather squicky, actually.

Grr, I wanna go watch the video, but it's Youtube is blocked by the school.

[EricTheFred]

It wasn't meant that in that way, but I thought of that about an hour after I posted that.

Grr, I wanna go watch the video, but it's Youtube is blocked by the school.

It's on Crunchyroll (1 week delay for free members, simulcast with Tokyo for paying members). Can you get at that?

[Mr. Hat'n'Clogs]

It's on Crunchyroll (1 week delay for free members, simulcast with Tokyo for paying members). Can you get at that?

I can't get on Crunchyroll, but I was referring to the video blkmage posted, so I don't know if that was a miscommunication or if that video is also on Cruncyroll.