Durarara!! watch order
In Tokyo's Ikebukuro district, a headless Irish fairy rides a black motorcycle, the city's strongest man throws vending machines, an information broker stirs up trouble for fun, and a newcomer finds himself tied to the online gang the Dollars. Ryohgo Narita's light novels were adapted as one 24-episode season and a 36-episode second season, x2, split into three parts.
First time? Watch Durarara!! (2010), then Durarara!!x2 Shou, Ten and Ketsu. The numbered specials (12.5, 25, 4.5, 13.5 and 19.5) are optional; fit them in by number if you like.
Story order
The TV episodes with each special slotted in by its number. The 19.5 special is the exception: it's a standalone comedy, best after Ketsu.
- Durarara!! (episodes 1–12)
Mikado Ryugamine moves to Ikebukuro and gets pulled into the city's rumours, the Dollars and the mystery of the Headless Rider, Celty.
- Durarara!! Episode 12.5 (optional)
Optional. A bonus episode from the Japanese DVDs, numbered to sit between episodes 12 and 13. A comedy side story about Shizuo, his brother Kasuka and Izaya.
- Durarara!! (episodes 13–24)
The slasher Saika spreads through the city and the Yellow Scarves gang returns, putting Mikado, Masaomi and Anri on opposite sides. Season 1 as a whole covers light novel volumes 1–3.
- Durarara!! Episode 25 (optional)
Optional. The second DVD bonus episode, a light epilogue to Season 1 with a little setup for later.
- Durarara!!x2 Shou (episodes 1–4)
Five years later, a new studio (Shuka) with the same director continues the story from light novel volume 4. New faces arrive in Ikebukuro, including Izaya's twin younger sisters.
- Durarara!!x2 Shou: My Heart Is in the Pattern of a Hot Pot (4.5) (optional)
Optional. Episode 4.5: a hot-pot party at Shinra's apartment with flashbacks to the cast's pasts, from a side-story book. First shown in Japanese cinemas.
- Durarara!!x2 Shou (episodes 5–12)
The rest of the first part, as the newcomers' stories tangle with the original cast's.
- Durarara!!x2 Ten (episode 13)
The second part of x2 starts at episode 13, carrying the numbering on from Shou. The 13.5 special goes straight after this episode.
- Durarara!!x2 Ten: Onoroke Chakapoko (13.5) (optional)
Optional. Episode 13.5: Shinra and Celty go on a trip together. Adapts part of light novel volume 7. First shown in Japanese cinemas.
- Durarara!!x2 Ten (episodes 14–24)
The middle part of x2, as Ikebukuro's factions start to collide and the newcomers' plans come out.
- Durarara!!x2 Ketsu
Episodes 25–36, the final part. Everything comes to a head for Mikado, Masaomi and Anri, and for Shizuo and Izaya. Ends the main light novel series (volume 13).
- Durarara!!x2 Ketsu: DuFuFuFu!! (19.5) (optional)
Optional. A standalone comedy about a fake Shizuo causing trouble, from a side-story book. It's numbered 19.5 but was released after Ketsu as its bonus episode, so watch it at the end.
Release order
Each special came out after its TV run: the Season 1 bonus episodes on DVD in 2010–11, and the x2 specials in Japanese cinemas and on home video. In release order the seasons themselves are never interrupted.
- Durarara!! (episodes 1–12)
Mikado Ryugamine moves to Ikebukuro and gets pulled into the city's rumours, the Dollars and the mystery of the Headless Rider, Celty.
- Durarara!! (episodes 13–24)
The slasher Saika spreads through the city and the Yellow Scarves gang returns, putting Mikado, Masaomi and Anri on opposite sides. Season 1 as a whole covers light novel volumes 1–3.
- Durarara!! Episode 12.5 (optional)
Optional. A bonus episode from the Japanese DVDs, numbered to sit between episodes 12 and 13. A comedy side story about Shizuo, his brother Kasuka and Izaya.
- Durarara!! Episode 25 (optional)
Optional. The second DVD bonus episode, a light epilogue to Season 1 with a little setup for later.
- Durarara!!x2 Shou (episodes 1–4)
Five years later, a new studio (Shuka) with the same director continues the story from light novel volume 4. New faces arrive in Ikebukuro, including Izaya's twin younger sisters.
- Durarara!!x2 Shou (episodes 5–12)
The rest of the first part, as the newcomers' stories tangle with the original cast's.
- Durarara!!x2 Shou: My Heart Is in the Pattern of a Hot Pot (4.5) (optional)
Optional. Episode 4.5: a hot-pot party at Shinra's apartment with flashbacks to the cast's pasts, from a side-story book. First shown in Japanese cinemas.
- Durarara!!x2 Ten (episode 13)
The second part of x2 starts at episode 13, carrying the numbering on from Shou. The 13.5 special goes straight after this episode.
- Durarara!!x2 Ten (episodes 14–24)
The middle part of x2, as Ikebukuro's factions start to collide and the newcomers' plans come out.
- Durarara!!x2 Ten: Onoroke Chakapoko (13.5) (optional)
Optional. Episode 13.5: Shinra and Celty go on a trip together. Adapts part of light novel volume 7. First shown in Japanese cinemas.
- Durarara!!x2 Ketsu
Episodes 25–36, the final part. Everything comes to a head for Mikado, Masaomi and Anri, and for Shizuo and Izaya. Ends the main light novel series (volume 13).
- Durarara!!x2 Ketsu: DuFuFuFu!! (19.5) (optional)
Optional. A standalone comedy about a fake Shizuo causing trouble, from a side-story book. It's numbered 19.5 but was released after Ketsu as its bonus episode, so watch it at the end.
Explained
What do Shou, Ten and Ketsu mean?
They're the three parts of one second season, Durarara!!x2, named after the middle three stages of the classic four-part story structure kishōtenketsu. It's 36 episodes long and the numbering runs straight through: Shou is 1–12, Ten 13–24 and Ketsu 25–36. Season 1 (2010) is the opening part.
Do I need the specials?
No. Each is a side story or comedy episode, and the main story never depends on them. They're fun if you like the cast. The .5 numbers show where each one fits, except 19.5, which is better saved until after Ketsu.
Does the anime cover the whole story?
The main story, yes. Season 1 adapts light novel volumes 1–3 and x2 covers volumes 4–13, which end the original series. The adaptation of x2 is compressed, so the novels have more detail. The sequel novels, Durarara!! SH, set two years later, have no anime as of October 2026.
Why does x2 look different?
Season 1 was made by Brain's Base. x2 moved to a new studio, Shuka, but kept the director (Takahiro Omori) and much of the staff, so the style is close.