Ep. 1: Mikado arrives in Ikebukuro and encounters dangerous figures while his friend warns him about local threats.

Mikado Ryuugamine travels from his rural home to attend high school in Ikebukuro alongside his childhood friend Masaomi Kida. While exploring the district, Mikado meets four of Masaomi's acquaintances: Kyohei Kadota, Walker Yumasaki, Erika Karisawa, and Saburo Togusa. During their time together, three kidnappers abduct a teenage girl after the leader disguises himself as a businessman. Masaomi urgently advises Mikado to avoid conflict with Simon Brezhnev and Shizuo Heiwazima. At the exchange location, a headless figure on a black motorcycle attacks the kidnappers, eventually slashing the driver with a scythe before fleeing. Masaomi further instructs Mikado to stay away from Izaya Orihara and the Dollars gang. Later, Mikado collides with a redheaded girl who has a scar on her neck; she screams and runs away. The two boys then witness the headless motorcyclist riding past them.

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