If you’ve finished the first season of Durarara!! and are ready to dive into the second, you’ve likely hit a wall of confusion.
You’re looking for Durarara Season 2 Blu-ray, but all you see are titles like Shou, Ten, and Ketsu.
Don't worry, you haven't missed anything!
The second season of Durarara!! was released in three distinct parts, which is why it’s often referred to as Durarara!!x2.
This naming convention, while confusing for buyers, is actually a nod to the traditional Japanese narrative structure, Kishōtenketsu.
I’m here to guide you through the maze, explain the differences, and ensure you buy the correct durarara x2 blu ray set in the right order.
What Is Durarara!!x2? (Season 2 Overview)
Durarara!!x2 is the direct continuation and conclusion of the main story, picking up right where Season 1 left off.
Studio Change
While the original staff returned, the production studio changed from Brain's Base to Shuka.
This change is subtle but noticeable to long-time fans.
Total Episode Count
The entire Durarara!!x2 series consists of 36 episodes in total, plus several OVA episodes.
This is a massive undertaking that brings the entire Ikebukuro saga to a close.
Broadcast Years
The series was broadcast over the course of a year, split into three 12-episode cours:
- Shou (承): January – March 2015
- Ten (転): July – September 2015
- Ketsu (結): January – March 2016
Why It Was Split Into Parts
The split was a creative decision to follow the source material (the light novels) more closely and to maintain the high production quality over a long period.
It also mirrors the narrative structure of the story itself.
Understanding the Shou, Ten, Ketsu Structure
This is the key to understanding the durarara x2 parts explained and the watch order.
The names come from the Kishōtenketsu narrative structure:
| Part | Japanese Meaning | Narrative Role | Episode Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shou (承) | Development | Builds upon the foundation of Season 1, introducing new characters and conflicts. | Episodes 1-12 |
| Ten (転) | Twist / Change | The central conflict escalates, with major twists and the story turning in an unexpected direction. | Episodes 13-24 |
| Ketsu (結) | Conclusion | The final resolution, where all the complex plot threads are tied together. | Episodes 25-36 |
The watch order is strictly Shou → Ten → Ketsu.
Do not watch them out of order, or you will be hopelessly lost!
Durarara!!x2 Shou Blu-ray Explained
Shou is the first part of the second season and is essential for any durarara x2 blu ray collection.
Episodes Included
Shou contains the first 12 episodes of Durarara!!x2.
Disc Count
The standard Aniplex of America release comes on 2 Blu-ray discs.
Video/Audio Quality
The video is a pristine 1080p transfer.
Crucially, the audio for both the Japanese and English tracks is LPCM 2.0 (Linear PCM), which is uncompressed and offers the highest quality.
Extras
Collector’s editions typically include a deluxe booklet, art cards, and textless opening/ending sequences.
Packaging Notes
The Aniplex release was sold in a premium collector’s box, while the UK Anime Limited release often features a rigid box with a digipack.
→ [Also read: Durarara!!x2 Shou Blu-ray Review]
Durarara!!x2 Ten Blu-ray Explained
Ten is the central, most chaotic part of the second season, and its Blu-ray release has a major technical caveat you must know about.
Episodes Included
Ten contains 12 episodes (Episodes 13-24).
Story Significance
This arc is where the gang war between the Dollars and the Yellow Scarves comes to a head, and Izaya’s manipulations reach their peak.
It is the "twist" in the narrative structure.
Disc & Packaging Details
Like Shou, the Aniplex release is typically a 2-disc set in a collector’s box.
Differences vs Shou: The Audio Warning
⚠️ CRITICAL BUYER WARNING: This is the most important difference for the durarara x2 blu ray set. Unlike Shou and Ketsu, the Aniplex of America release of Ten dropped the uncompressed LPCM audio in favor of a lower-bitrate Dolby Digital 2.0 track. This is a noticeable downgrade for audiophiles and a common complaint among collectors. If audio quality is paramount, you must be aware of this flaw in the US release.
→ [Also read: Durarara!!x2 Ten Blu-ray Review]
Durarara!!x2 Ketsu Blu-ray Explained
Ketsu is the final, climactic part of the series, providing the conclusion to the entire saga.
Episodes Included
Ketsu contains the final 12 episodes (Episodes 25-36).
Finale Importance
This arc resolves the major plotlines, including the mystery of Celty's head, the final confrontation with Izaya, and the ultimate fate of the Dollars.
Disc Quality
The video quality remains a sharp 1080p transfer.
Audio
Thankfully, the audio quality was restored to LPCM 2.0 for the Ketsu arc, making it a high-quality release like Shou.
Extras
This arc often includes the most substantial extras, given its status as the finale.
→ [Also read: Durarara!!x2 Ketsu Blu-ray Review]
Video & Audio Quality Across All x2 Releases
The durarara season 2 blu ray review is largely positive, but the audio inconsistency is the biggest flaw.
Consistency Across Shou/Ten/Ketsu
The video quality is consistently excellent across all three parts, with a sharp 1080p transfer.
The inconsistency lies solely in the audio format of the Ten arc (Dolby Digital) compared to Shou and Ketsu (LPCM).
Blu-ray vs Streaming
The Blu-ray versions, even with the Ten audio flaw, are still superior to streaming.
The high bitrate of the Blu-ray discs ensures a cleaner image with far fewer compression artifacts than you will find on Crunchyroll or other streaming platforms.
Subtitle Quality
The subtitles are generally consistent and high-quality across all three parts, including a "signs and songs" track.
Encoding Differences
The Ten arc's audio encoding is the primary difference.
If you are a collector, this is the one technical detail you must be aware of when purchasing the durarara x2 blu ray set.
Should You Buy All Parts or Only Certain Ones?
The short answer is: you must buy all three parts. Durarara!!x2 is one continuous story.
First-Time Watchers
Buy all three parts (Shou, Ten, Ketsu) in order.
You cannot skip any part without losing the entire narrative thread.
Look for a complete durarara x2 blu ray set from a reputable distributor like Anime Limited (UK) or a bundle of the three Aniplex parts.
Collectors
Buy the three individual collector’s boxes (Shou, Ten, Ketsu).
These are the most valuable and display-worthy.
Be prepared for the high cost and the audio downgrade in the Ten arc.
Budget Buyers
Look for the complete durarara x2 blu ray set from a budget distributor if one becomes available, or purchase the three parts individually from the cheapest source.
The Sentai Filmworks re-release of Season 1 gives hope for a future budget re-release of x2.
Replacement Buyers
If you are replacing a lower-quality release, you are primarily buying for the superior 1080p video and the LPCM audio in Shou and Ketsu.
Common Buyer Mistakes & Warnings
When purchasing the durarara x2 blu ray, be vigilant.
Buying Wrong Part Order
The most common mistake is buying Ten before Shou, or Ketsu before Ten.
Always remember the order: Shou → Ten → Ketsu.
Bootlegs
The Aniplex collector’s editions are highly sought after and expensive, making them a target for bootleggers.
If the price seems too good to be true, it is a bootleg.
Incomplete Sets
Some sellers may try to sell only one part (e.g., just Shou) as a "complete season."
Always verify that the set includes all three arcs: Shou, Ten, and Ketsu.
Marketplace Confusion
The sheer number of releases (US, UK, JP, Aniplex, Anime Limited) makes the marketplace confusing.
Stick to reputable sellers and verify the region code before buying.
How Durarara!!x2 Fits Into the Full Blu-ray Collection
Durarara!!x2 is the final piece of the puzzle.
Once you have Season 1 and all three parts of x2, you have the complete main story.
The technical inconsistency of the Ten arc is a minor blemish on an otherwise stellar collection.
Having the full set on your shelf is the ultimate way to honor the interconnected chaos of Ikebukuro.
→ [Also read: Durarara!! Blu-ray Complete Buyer’s Guide]
Conclusion
The durarara x2 blu ray collection is essential for any fan.
While the three-part structure and the audio issue in the Ten arc can be confusing, the overall quality of the release is superb.
For the vast majority of buyers, the best recommendation is to purchase all three parts in a single bundle or complete set from a trusted retailer.
This ensures you get the full story in the correct order.
The durarara x2 blu ray set is a worthwhile investment that secures your access to the final, thrilling chapters of this incredible series.
Happy collecting!
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