Ep 23. Complicated and Confused

Complicated and Confused is the twenty-third episode of the first season of the Japanese anime series, Durarara. The episode explores the complex and intricate relationships between the characters in the city of Ikebukuro, who become increasingly intertwined as the series progresses.

The episode opens with Shizuo, who is still reeling from the revelation that he has a younger brother. Shizuo's brother, Kasuka, is a successful actor who goes by the stage name "Yuhei Hanejima". Shizuo decides to pay a visit to Kasuka's studio to try and understand more about his brother's life. However, his attempt at reconciliation is cut short when he is ambushed by a gang of thugs who bear a grudge against him.

Meanwhile, Mikado and Anri are out walking when they run into Izaya. Izaya reveals that he has orchestrated recent events in Ikebukuro, including the battle between the Yellow Scarves and the Dollars, in order to create chaos and prove his own theory of human nature. However, Izaya's plan backfires when Mikado reveals that he is the leader of the Dollars, making Izaya's actions largely irrelevant.

Elsewhere, Celty has discovered that the head of her motorcycle, which was stolen from her earlier in the series, is being held by Awakusu-kai, Ikebukuro's powerful underworld organization. She decides to approach the Awakusu-kai and negotiate for its return, while also trying to uncover the organization's true motives.

Finally, the episode concludes with a tense confrontation between Shizuo and Izaya. Shizuo blames Izaya for the chaos in Ikebukuro and reveals that he's determined to put an end to it. However, Izaya remains confident and believes that he will come out on top, despite the odds against him.

Complicated and Confused is a pivotal episode in the first season of Durarara, as it sets the stage for the series' explosive finale. The episode highlights the complex relationships between the characters and their conflicting motivations, as well as showcasing some of the series' trademark action sequences. With so much drama and intrigue, it's no wonder that Durarara has become a beloved anime series for fans around the world.