Wondering where to start the Durarara!! light novel after finishing the anime? You’re not alone; many fans get confused about the correct reading order. You need a clear path to continue the story without missing any canon events.
The Durarara!! anime fully adapts the entire original light novel series, which consists of 13 volumes. The final season, Durarara!!x2 Ketsu, concludes the story by covering the events up to the end of Volume 13. Therefore, to continue the story, you must start with the sequel series, Durarara!! SH.
Based on a detailed analysis of the original source material, this guide provides the definitive reading order. You’ll discover exactly how the anime seasons map to the light novel volumes. This reveals the next canonical step in the story and what to expect from it.
Key Facts
- Complete Adaptation: The
Durarara!!anime, including allx2cours, completely adapts the entire original 13-volume light novel series by author Ryohgo Narita.- The Sequel is
Durarara!! SH: To continue the story after the anime’s conclusion, you must start reading the official sequel light novel series,Durarara!! SH.- Sequel is on Hiatus: The
Durarara!! SHseries is currently on an extended hiatus after four volumes, with no official return date announced as of 2026.- Manga is Behind: The
Durarara!!manga is also an adaptation of the light novels and is significantly behind the anime’s storyline, so it is not a continuation.- Shared Universe: The series exists in a shared universe with
Baccano!, another work by Ryohgo Narita, featuring subtle crossovers for observant fans.
Where Exactly Does the Durarara!! Anime End in the Light Novel?
The Durarara!! anime series, including all of its seasons (Durarara!!, Durarara!!x2 Shou, Ten, and Ketsu), completely adapts the entire original 13-volume light novel series written by Ryohgo Narita. The final episode of the anime corresponds directly to the ending of Volume 13 of the light novel. This means there is no direct continuation of the anime’s story left to read within the original light novel run because it was fully covered.
This complete adaptation is a key reason why fans looking for more content must look beyond the initial 13 books. The anime’s production was structured to bring all the major canon story events from the source material to the screen. The final cour, Durarara!!x2 Ketsu, was specifically produced to conclude the narrative arc that began in the very first volume, providing a definitive end to the original story. While this is great for anime-only viewers, it leaves readers seeking the next step at a clear crossroads.
Because the anime covers the entirety of the original run, your journey into the written world of Ikebukuro must transition from the original series to its official sequel. This is where many fans find confusion, often looking for a “Volume 14” that doesn’t exist. The actual continuation takes a new name and a new starting point.
How Do the Durarara!! Anime Seasons Map to the Light Novel Volumes?
For fans who want to see exactly how the anime adaptation breaks down, understanding the mapping between seasons and volumes is crucial. This detailed breakdown demonstrates the faithful and comprehensive nature of the anime’s structure. It confirms precisely which books were covered in each part of the show’s run.
Here is a clear, verified guide to which light novel volumes correspond to each season and cour of the Durarara!! anime:
| Anime Series / Cour | Episode Range | Corresponding Light Novel Volumes |
|---|---|---|
| Durarara!! (Season 1) | Episodes 1-24 (+2 OVAs) | Volumes 1-3 |
| Durarara!!x2 Shou | Episodes 1-12 (+1 OVA) | Volumes 4-6 |
| Durarara!!x2 Ten | Episodes 13-24 (+1 OVA) | Volumes 7-10 |
| Durarara!!x2 Ketsu | Episodes 25-36 (+1 OVA) | Volumes 11-13 |
This mapping shows that the production was methodical in its adaptation. The first season established the world by covering the first three novels. The ambitious Durarara!!x2 project was then split into three cours (Shou, Ten, and Ketsu) to adapt the remaining ten volumes, ensuring the entire original saga was animated.
What Should You Read After the Durarara!! Anime Concludes?
To continue the story after the Durarara!! anime, you must read the sequel light novel series, Durarara!! SH. This series is the direct, author-written continuation of the main story. It is set approximately one and a half years after the events of Volume 13, which concluded the original anime.
The Durarara!! SH series shifts the focus to a new trio of high school students who get entangled in the bizarre and dangerous underworld of Ikebukuro. While the protagonists are new, many beloved characters from the original cast make appearances, showing what they’ve been up to since the original series’ finale.
Durarara!! SHfollows Yahiro Mizuchi, Kuon Kotonami, and Himeka Tatsugami, a trio of first-year students at Raira Academy. Their lives are turned upside down when they find themselves searching for the legendary “Headless Rider,” leading them into the crosshairs of Ikebukuro’s most notorious residents, both old and new.
This sequel is the only canonical way to experience what happens next in the world of Durarara!!. It is officially licensed and published in English by Yen Press, making it accessible for international fans to purchase and dive into the next chapter of the story.
What is the Current Status of the Durarara!! SH Sequel Series?
It is crucial for new readers to know that the Durarara!! SH light novel series is currently on an extended hiatus. Four volumes have been released in Japan, and all four have been officially translated into English. However, the author, Ryohgo Narita, has not released a new installment for the series in several years.
This hiatus began around 2016, and while the author has worked on other projects, there has been no official word on when or if Durarara!! SH will resume. This is a significant factor to consider before you decide to start reading the sequel. While the four available volumes tell a compelling story, it is currently an incomplete one.
How Faithful Is the Anime to the Light Novel Source Material?
The Durarara!! anime faithfully adapts the main story, but the light novels offer much more detail. While all the major plot points and canon story events are present in the anime, the adaptation had to condense or cut content due to time constraints. The most significant difference lies in the depth of characterization.
If you enjoyed the anime but want a richer understanding of the characters and the world, reading the novels from Volume 1 is highly recommended. The books provide a level of nuance that the anime simply could not include.
Here are the key benefits of reading the light novels from the beginning:
* Deeper Character Insight: The novels are rich with inner monologues, allowing you to understand the thoughts and true motivations of the characters. This is especially true for complex characters like Izaya Orihara, whose portrayal is far more intricate in the novels.
* Unadapted Side Stories: While the main plot is covered, some side stories and smaller character interactions were omitted from the anime. These add flavor and depth to the world of Ikebukuro.
* Original Pacing: The second season, Durarara!!x2, had to adapt ten novels across 36 episodes, resulting in a much faster pace. The light novels allow the story to breathe, giving more weight to certain events and developments.
In short, while you can absolutely understand the story from the anime alone, you only get the full, detailed experience from the light novel source material.
FAQs About where does the durarara anime end in the light novel
Does the Durarara!! manga continue the story after the anime?
No, the manga does not continue the story after the anime; in fact, it is behind the anime’s conclusion. The manga is also an adaptation of the light novels, but it is released at a much slower pace. The most recent manga arc, Durarara!! Re;Dollars Arc, is still adapting events that were covered in the Durarara!!x2 seasons of the anime.
Will there be a Durarara!! Season 3 or an anime adaptation of SH?
There has been no official announcement for a new Durarara!! anime season or an adaptation of the Durarara!! SH sequel. While fans remain hopeful, the extended hiatus of the SH light novels makes an anime adaptation unlikely in the near future. Any news would likely come from official sources like the publisher Dengeki Bunko or the author.
What is the correct watch order for the Durarara!! anime?
The correct watch order is by release date, following the story chronologically. You should watch: 1. Durarara!! (Season 1), 2. Durarara!!x2 Shou, 3. Durarara!!x2 Ten, and finally 4. Durarara!!x2 Ketsu. The OVAs for each season can be watched after their respective cours as they are side stories.
Are the Durarara!! light novels available in English?
Yes, both the original 13-volume Durarara!! series and the sequel Durarara!! SH are officially licensed and published in English by Yen Press. This makes it easy for fans who have finished the anime to purchase and start reading the official continuation of the story.
How many volumes of Durarara!! are there in total?
The original, completed Durarara!! light novel series has 13 volumes. The sequel series, Durarara!! SH, currently has 4 volumes and is on hiatus. There are also several spin-off novels, such as the Izaya Orihara series, but the core story is contained within the original 13 volumes and the SH sequel.
Is Durarara!! related to Baccano!?
Durarara!! and Baccano! are not directly related in terms of plot, but they are written by the same author, Ryohgo Narita, and exist within a shared universe. There are subtle crossovers and references between the two series that sharp-eyed fans can spot, but you do not need to have read or watched one to understand the other.
What does the “SH” in Durarara!! SH stand for?
The “SH” stands for “Snake Hands,” an idiom referring to adding something unnecessary to a story that is already complete. Author Ryohgo Narita considers the original 13-volume story to be finished, and SH is like the “unnecessary” legs on a drawing of a snake. However, he also notes that if those legs become arms and hands, the snake could become a dragon, implying the story could become something greater.
What’s the difference between the three parts of Durarara!!x2 (Shou, Ten, Ketsu)?
Shou, Ten, and Ketsu are the names of the three separate “cours” (three-month anime broadcast blocks) that make up the second season, Durarara!!x2. “Shou” (承) means “Understanding,” “Ten” (転) means “Motion,” and “Ketsu” (結) means “Conclusion.” Together, they form a narrative structure that adapts the remaining light novels (Volumes 4-13) after Season 1.
Is it worth reading the Durarara!! light novels from the beginning?
Yes, for dedicated fans, it is highly recommended to read the light novels from Volume 1. While the anime is a good adaptation of the plot, the novels provide significantly more detail, inner monologues, and character nuance that had to be cut for the screen. This provides a much deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations and the world of Ikebukuro.
How does the original Durarara!! light novel end?
The original light novel ends with the conclusion of the major conflict between the Dollars, Yellow Scarves, and Saika’s army, culminating in the events adapted in Durarara!!x2 Ketsu. It resolves the central storylines involving Mikado, Masaomi, and Anri, the mystery of Celty’s head, and the final confrontation with Izaya Orihara, providing a definitive ending to that chapter of Ikebukuro’s history.
Key Takeaways: Durarara!! Anime & Light Novel Guide
- The Anime is a Complete Adaptation of the Original Series – The
Durarara!!anime, includingDurarara!!x2 Ketsu, covers all 13 volumes of the original light novel series, so there is no more story to read in that specific run. - The Story Continues in
Durarara!! SH– To continue the story, you must read the official sequel light novel series titledDurarara!! SH, which is set 1.5 years after the anime’s ending. - The
SHSequel is on Hiatus – Be aware thatDurarara!! SHis on an extended hiatus after its fourth volume, with no confirmed date for its continuation. - Light Novels Offer More Depth – While the anime’s plot is faithful, the light novels provide significantly more character depth, inner monologues, and world-building that was cut for time.
- The Manga is Not a Continuation – The manga is a separate adaptation of the light novels and is actually behind the anime in terms of story progression; it is not a way to continue after the anime.
- All Novels Are Officially in English – Both the original 13 volumes and the
Durarara!! SHsequel novels have been officially translated and released in English by Yen Press, making them accessible.
Final Thoughts on Where to Start the Durarara!! Light Novel
Navigating the world of Durarara!! media can be confusing, but the path forward is clear. The anime provides a fantastic and complete adaptation of the original 13-volume story. For anime-only fans, you can rest assured that you have seen the full, intended narrative from start to finish.
For those eager for more, the journey continues with Durarara!! SH. This is your one and only canonical next step. However, you must go into it with the knowledge that the series is currently on hold. For the ultimate experience and to gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate web of characters Ryohgo Narita created, starting from Volume 1 of the original light novel series is an investment that truly pays off.
Last update on 2026-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
