Durarara!! Saika Arc, Vol. 1
A mysterious slasher is terrorizing the Tokyo neighborhood of Ikebukuro, choosing victims seemingly at random: a reporter, a school girl, a gang member. But his posts in a local online chat room reveal a creepy fixation on Shizuo Heiwajimia, and the Black Rider and her doctor are starting to see a pattern linking the slasher to a demon blade that terrorized Shinjuku years before. As in the main Durarara story line, this two-volume spin-off intertwines stories about several different characters—many from the original series—to create one overarching plot. In addition to the expressive artwork and effortlessly flowing story, there is enough exposition introducing each character that readers new to the franchise should have no trouble following the story. Much of the nuance of the main story is lost, however, so new readers may feel they are missing something, and they are. This volume is a good start to a companion series, but the main story should be read first. Grades 10-12. --Eva Volin