What are some good anime about urban life in Japan - preferably with no fantastic/supernatural elements?
you said "preferably"
...
so I'll recommend Durarara!!
to me, there's just something about cities and how they bring people together, over and over and over again, making paths cross and recross, that make me feel like anytime I go out, fate will play me a melody
well, that's just the "it's a small world" aspect of the urban life, if you're looking for hip-hoppy, or work environment types, I don't know any
well, Durarara!! sort of has most urban life staples...
color gangs, geek culture, news reporters, web chat rooms, gossip, debtors, mafia, city schools, city stores and public places, crime, stalkers, companies, drug rings...
and its charming aesthetic comes from the abnormal side...
a dullahan, urban legends, Russian assasins, demonic swords, the underground, superhuman strength, psychopaths...
Durarara honestly doesn't rely that heavily on the supernatural. Yeah, sure, you've got a dullahan. Everything else? Russians, gangsters, strong people, swords, murderers? They all exist in real life.
>>34592
Wait, are you OP?
If yes, then well, yeah, I had a hard time drawing up supernatural elements once I started listing them down.
If you're not OP, then you have a point, anon. So OP, please try Durarara!!
Kuuchuu Buranko.
Steins;Gate to a certain extent, at least that one arc.
>>34592
>Swords
Not the ones in Durarara
>>34682
This is the only good answer in the thread.
>>34297
Check out Tokyo Godfathers if you haven't already.