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... Tuesdays. ⏎ How was the first episode? ⏎Theron Martin ⏎ Rating: 3.5 ⏎ This new series is based on a light novel series which ran from the late '90s through late 2000s and has previously been adapted into both manga and live-action forms. Stylistically, it is highly reminiscent of other series which have dealt with gangs and the underbelly of society in one part or another of Tokyo; the focus on events in Ikebukuro most closely associates it with Durarara!!, though without the supernatural elements. Hence it is less about grand events and more about the problems of ordinary people. ⏎ No familiarity with previous versions is needed to understand this one, and the first episode establishes the circumstances quite clearly and firmly. Makoto is a former (and perhaps current?) delinquent who nonetheless has something of a reputation for being able to get things done, enough so that even the suave, bishonen boss of a local street gang (whom he knows from their school days) trusts him and both a street-level detective and the ward's chief of police will work with him on matters that the police cannot handle officially. The end of the episode suggests that this could bring him trouble from the powerful individuals behind those he interferes with, but for now this is all a case about dealing with the source of why a 12-year-old girl was unthinkingly trying to cause even bigger problems to get back for her mother being hurt. ⏎ To say that the matter is resolved with a level of simplicity only to be found in TV shows is perhaps an understatement, but this was clearly an episodic case from the beginning so that's no surprise. The more important aspect is showing off the networking that Makoto has done. He may not be a formal gang member but he has a good working relationship with them and also knows police and hackers and has access to enough manpower to be able to get a guy tailed for multiple days. He's a likable character with an attitude more in line with “don't mess with my home turf” than being a do-gooder, and the little quirk about his favorite ramen type was amusing. Other characters straddle the line between being anime archetypes and more real-seeming people, but the series generally feels very ground. ⏎ The artistry conveys that impression as well. With a mostly-muted color scheme in play, nothing is especially flashy about the visuals, but the animation quality seems high, especially by taking fewer shortcuts than expected. Overall, the episode does not do anything particularly special, but it is a well-rounded starter for the series. ⏎ Nicholas Dupree ⏎ Rating: 2 ⏎ Ikebukuro West Gate...