Durara is an action and suspense Japanese light novel series written by Ryohgo Narita, surprisingly is the same man behind Baccano!.
ASCII Media Works published the light novel series in the Dengeki Bunko which ran from April 2004 until January 2014 with 13 sensationally epic volumes.
The manga adaptation of Durara was published by Square Enix, one of the biggest Japanese video game developers known for its role-playing video games, in the Monthly G Fantasy. So far, 7 tankobon volumes have been released since April 2009 and it still continues today. Yen Press was quick to act and licensed the manga of Durara.
Takahiro Omori, with the blessing of Brain’s Base Studios, directed the anime adaptation of Durara which made its debut on the big screens last January 2010 on MBS, TBS and CBC TV networks. The anime shortly ended after the 26th episode on June 2010 of the same year.
Plot:
"Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo’s downtown districts, is home to many rumors and legends ranging from anonymous gangs and dangerous organizations but the one urban legend that stood out the most is the existence of a headless “Black Rider” who is said to be seen riding the dark alleyways driving a jet-black motorcycle in the middle of the night.
Mikado Ryugamine has always dreamed for the excitement of a city life. When a good friend of his invited him to come over, he hopped onto it quickly and moves into Ikebukuro. He attends Raira Academy together with his friend, Masaomi Kida.
Masaomi warns Mikado about how the city runs and who he doesn’t want to cross in the city: whether it’s the champion fighter, a suspicious informant or the mysterious gang calling themselves as “Dollars”.
On his first day in the city, Mikado runs into the headless Black Rider, a living legend right before his very eyes. Despite the weird encounter, Mikado feels extremely fulfilled as his wishes already seem to be granted.
As things seem to be going as Mikado expects it to, mysterious supernatural events begin to occur and ordinary citizens like himself find themselves caught between the crossfire as the commotion pushes Ikebukuro to the breaking point."
UPDATE:
Durara has received mix reviews both positive and negative, although in its defense, the negative remarks are mostly technicalities and not based on the entirety of the show itself.
In fact, Studio Shuka has announced early this year that a sequel to the original series has been in the works and is scheduled to premiere early January of 2015.
The second season will be entitled “Durara!! SH” and will continue the story 2 years after the events of the original series.