Baccano!

Summary: Baccano is an anime that could have been one of the best ever. Unfortunately, due to a series of missteps, the series is merely great, not perfect. Even so, it's a show well worth watching, and one that takes a lot of new and interesting steps.

Review:

Baccano is an anime with a lot of problems. During the first half of the show, it steadfastly refuses to give away any information, while simultaneously adding extra confusion by jumping all around the continuity. These jumps could be okay, but they're usually entirely without context. There is no connection between the scene ... in 1932 and the following scene in 1930. The only thing connecting them is the greater plot.

Combine this with the fact that there are about 12 main characters (fortunately, MOST of them are shown over and over again in the opening credits), and you get a great recipe for audience confusion. It certainly doesn't help any that at the same time you're trying to juggle these characters, you're also trying to remember which Mob they belong to, etc.

Unfortunately, that's not all. The show is also jam packed with absurdity. The comic relief is constantly getting in the way, and by a few minutes into the second episode you wish that they would just shut up for a moment. As well, the premise is muddled by the introduction of other supernatural-seeming characters in the middle of the series, after we feel like we have a grip on the way the universe works. Also, and this may not be a deterrent for everyone, but the show is packed with the most absurd shouneny-seinen content around.

Finally, there's the fact that the director forgot to do his research. Many times, when a reference to American culture would have been appropriate, a reference to Japanese culture is substituted instead. It makes the whole setting seem a bit fragile, knowing that someone didn't care enough to push the show that extra distance.

Normally, with all these problems, I would have given up on this show almost right away. Either that, or I would have watched the show and hated it for not living up to its potential. It's a testament to the power of Baccano that neither of these happened. The fact is that despite all its problems, Baccano came through when it counted.

First of all, the sheer style exuded by the settings helped bring the feeling that we really were in 1930s America. Once I got past the initial confusion, the flashbacks and flashforwards were actually kind of nice. They gave me the feeling that I was in on some secret that the cast of the show were missing. The characters all came out amazing by the end of the show. I don't think there's a single character in the show that I would be able to call a hero, or that I can really even say that I completely like, but it didn't end up bothering me because they were all so interesting. Admittedly, most of them were cliches, but they were cliches taken to such an absurd degree that they somehow weren't cliches anymore.

I was really worried about the story as I got closer to the end. It didn't seem to have the depth that the complexity of the presentation required. Honestly, the story was a little bit shallow, but the narrative came together so well that it didn't matter. Even though it lacked serious depth, it was explored to its full potential, and had a feeling of completeness that I wasn't expecting.

And, as I seem to have come to the subject of the ending, I would like to note that it was very well done. It erased many of the doubts I had about the series earlier on, and despite all the shouneny-seinen stuff, kept me watching straight through the ending to the OVA. I won't say much more for spoilers, but the split narrative definitely pays off in the end.

Story (9.6) - Its impressive how in 13 episodes there is so much story. I would say that it has more story than some anime with 26 episodes.
The story has everything a good story should have: mystery, suspense, action, some comedy,... Really impressive and i liked it, its an very good aspect of this anime

Art (9.0) - Art is very good, but there is something missing...something that makes it special. Design and graphics are very nice indeed, environment is good, but not the best ive seen in my opinion. Still enough for a 9.

Sound (9.0) - Sound fits very well. It was well ... choosen and it gives a lot of atmosphere to the whole anime, so i give it a 9.

Character (9.5) - This is a great aspect in baccano, as it doesnt only focus in 1 or 2 characters. All of them are very good, and the only thing i can point here is the fact that there is no character i can say " wow, this one is special" ...i mean, all of them have quality, but none would get in my favourite list, because theres something special missing on each one...
Still, it was amazing how the anime focus the characters, really original, different from usual, and thats good.

Enjoyment (9.3) - Lots of action, suspense, mistery, well i could ask for no more than this. I really likes it and i´m glad ive spend my time on baccano.
9 here.

Overall (9.5) - between a 9 and a 10...i dont know wich one to give...well 10 for the quality.. but the important is i recommend this anime to everyone. it worths the time indeed ;)

Baccano! A pleasing journey through 1930's America that doesn't fail in its quest to introduce an develop an array of characters and tell a compelling story.

The story takes place in America, in places like Chicago, during various years of the 1930's, and follows the proceedings of multiple characters who all meet through-out the storyline. Of course, this time period and setting was rife with organised crime and mafia families; the two play a sizeable part in the series. "The Flying Pussyfoot", a famous transcontinental train, is host to a number of Baccano's escapades and is the scene of a hostage situation, supernatural phenomena and grizzly ... deaths. The story is interesting, exciting and filled with many twists and turns.

The artwork is done justice and is appropriate for the time period; the characters are dressed accordingly. Nothing is so bright and vibrant as to detract away from the focus of the scene and the detailing on each of the characters and backdrops is done modestly. One of the scenes where the art really shone was when a character know as the "Rail Tracer" stood on top of the train, scenery rushing past in the background, with his face crimson with blood accompanied by a wicked smile.

For me, the sound was very apparent in the series and it did an excellent job of increasing the atmosphere of any given scene. Especially in scenes where horror and urgency was apparent, the harsh shrills of violins played to bring an airy sense of wariness. Light-hearted scenes were amplified with cheerful music and scenes host to establishing shots of the train were left with but only the sound of rushing wind.

The characters are varied and interesting. The two "comic relief" characters of Miria and Issac are especially well done and make me laugh with their every remark. Others include the various members of the crime families like the Gandors. All the roles are played well and all add their own little piece to the series.

With an incredible and also vast character line-up, coupled with an interesting story that presents it's self variedly, Baccano! makes for a good time.

March 30th 2009:
I have finally finished Baccano! It was quite a thrill ride, with a fun story, some great characters, and an amazing and fun soundtrack. I am without a doubt glad I watched this show.

March 24th, 2009:
WTF is this show? Baccano? I just finished the first episode, and I absolutely hate it. It was like someone with ADHD's wet dream. The first episode of the show cuts to a different scene every 2 minutes. They constantly reference characters who I haven't even met, and to top it all off, they constantly switch between the years 1930, 1931, and 1932. I have no god damn ... clue what is going on. I'm not sure if I even want to watch episode 2 if it continues on like this.

March 30th, 2009:
I gotta admit, I wasn't a huge fan at first. The first episode and even the 2nd are tough to understand. Lots of stuff is happening, and it flashes so quick, you don't even have too good of a chance to learn the characters. However, the show quickly becomes a lot more focused, and soon it's pretty easy to understand what is going on.

March 27th, 2009:
I am really starting to come around to this show. Despite the fact that there are over 10 main characters, and that Baccano is relatively short, I already absolutely love the characters. They do a great job of developing them and making them interesting in the short time they are around.

Things are really heating up too. While there are several stories, the main one involves a train that 3 different factions of immortals have boarded with different goals. Now, the immortals are fighting, and it's badass as hell. All the action scenes are pretty short in Baccano!, but they are masterfully done and exhilarating. I think I quite like this show.

March 30th, 2009:
There are only a few flaws with Baccano! Obviously, the first episodes are a bit confusing, but you quickly get into the show. Also, there is a bit of a slow stretch in the middle of the show, as you wait for the big stuff to happen in the last few episodes, but other than that, the show is nearly flawless. I imagine this is a show I will rewatch one day, which is something I don't generally say about anime. On a 2nd watch, this show probably gets even better, as you would be able to understand every little thing going on.

I would easily recommend Baccano! to anyone. It's short, only 13 episodes, the characters are great, there is action, romance, tension, it's a show I think that anyone can easily enjoy.

Baccano! is a genre-busting anime that began as a series of light novels. There are three interchanging plot lines which dominate Baccano!, taking place in 1930, 1931, and 1932.

The first episode contains scenes from the endings to each of the three stories. Later episodes jump back and forth, between, and even within the separate stories with little warning. All spiral together to create a surprising, original series that may leave many viewers confused as to what is happening. Even if you stay alert while watching Baccano!, this anime will likely require either a full or partial re-watching if you wish to clarify some story details/subtleties ... missed due to the skewed timeline.

On a positive note, despite the complex plot lines, the way the opening sequence puts names to the faces of all the characters is very helpful–considering the daunting cast list. The beginning cinematic is very reminiscent of Guy Ritchie’s Snatch. However, Baccano! takes the hard-boiled violence of the mafia film genre to new levels throughout this show. Gore alert: characters and scenery often get covered in blood due to the extreme violence that occurs. In one scene, a character “dances” in a flood of gore. Fortunately, the pacing between lighthearted and extreme moments in this anime prevent it from being utterly sickening. That, and knowing most characters are immortal and will recover later.

Aside from this, the strength of Baccano! is in its characters; original author Ryohgo Narita allowed them to run the show. For example, Isaac and Miria’s carefree enthusiasm and antics are a major contribution to the enjoyment of this series. Capturing them, and the rest of this unique, outlandish cast, was essential.

For a Japanese animation, the creators did their homework. Taking place in America, this production was impressively devoid of engrish. The Brooklyn accents of the English dub contribute well to the atmosphere of 1930’s mobster culture. Baccano! gushes with style–It’s powerful, but does not come off as heavy-handed. It was enjoyable to connect with a fresh gangster aesthetic.

Baccano! is recommended for those who have a penchant for mafia-centric films or like a lot of action and intrigue. Also, if you are sick of the “same old,” this show is a great boredom buster. Although this isn’t a horror, if you are squeamish with blood/gore, you may not enjoy this title.

BACCANO: Jumbled storytelling -- for the better

For some, Baccano may be a little hard to follow, because of the mere fact that the storytelling is not linear, and the events presented are not in chronological order. But the good news is, the anime has its ways on helping its viewers have an easier time subscribing to the stories.

The opening theme is the prime example of this. It gives the viewers an idea on which characters are important. Another example is how the anime shows the year a particular sequence has happened, so the viewers could stitch the sequences that have happened in a particular year ... in their minds. Also, the anime has the decency to repeat certain sequences, so as not to confuse the viewers on the chronological placement of the particular sequence in a particular story.

Personally, Baccano is actually not hard to follow. Really, it doesn’t take much effort to pay extra attention to get the rhythm of the storytelling. In fact, when you get the vibe of it, you won’t be even needing the year when a particular sequence happened, or even the repetition of sequences to get the chronological order. They just stitch themselves in your mind automatically if you pay attention enough.

What I really like about the stories in Baccano is how they are interconnected really smoothly, even though they happen on different time periods and places. The plot points that connect them make sense, and they are actually quite surprising when they are revealed -- quite comedic in some instances too.

Speaking of comedy, Baccano is probably one of the anime titles with the most fun pool of characters. Isaac and Miria are just extremely good in lightening the mood every time they are on screen. Ladd Russo is unusually charismatic for a brute -- same goes with the Rail Tracer. To balance out the light characterization, we also have Jacuzzi Splot, Czeslaw Meyer, and many others. We also have the laid-back ones like Firo Prochainezo. The characters are very interesting in their own right. They also blend well together.

What I find most impressive in the characterization is that there still has been room for character development. Considering that the number of characters is too high for such a short anime, that is something worth noting.

Another thing worth noting is the music. Baccano has one of the most exhilarating soundtracks I’ve heard in all of anime. They are also very thematic, which suits the overall design of the anime. These soundtracks are embedded perfectly, particularly in the action scenes.

Overall, Baccano is a very impressive title. Its unique storytelling style, even though it is confusing in theory, is actually not confusing. This storytelling is accompanied by interesting characters and music that is way beyond ordinary. This is easily a must-watch.

In depth review #3 - Baccano!

You know that one show you were planning on watching for years now but never got to it yet. The same show that you heard amazing things about, and saw showing up on everyone’s “Best Animes Ever” lists? Well for me, Baccano! was that show. I knew I was missing out on something great, but I never had the drive to actually sit down and watch it. Maybe it was because the setting was based in the 1930’s or that I didn’t know much about it. Either way I started this anime yesterday from hearing about it 5 years ... ago, and after finishing it I feel like an idiot. I can’t believe I missed out on such an ambitious unique anime for so long. To put it simply Baccano! was amazing. It isn’t my favorite anime but by critiquing the story, animation, music, characters and my personal enjoyment of the show, I just can’t give it anything less than a brilliant score.

Story 9: (Outstanding)
Before I explain what this show is about, I just need to point out that Baccano has the best story development and writing I have ever seen in anime. This is due from how the writer perfected the art of storytelling through multiple perspectives. A writing style that displays a centralized event and shows us the point of views of everybody involved with it. This type of writing style in used in shows such as Lost or Heros. Moving on, the overarching story of Baccano revolves around the events that occurred on a transcontinental train called the flying pussyfoot in 1931. The events that transpired on this train is shown through the eyes of different significant people on this train. The story also gives us frequent time skips into the future and into the past. This is done to get a clear understanding of everyone’s motives for getting onto the train, everyone’s agendas while on the train, and everyone’s back stories. It is worth mentioning that the beginning will leave you with a lot of questions but i assure you all of your questions will be answer by episode 4.

Animation 7: (Good)
The animation was good considering how old this show is. However, compared to other anime such as Fate/Stay Night unlimited blade works, the animation isn't really anything special. Don’t worry though, I never had a single problem with the animation while watching this show. Even the darker scenes were nicely lit and visible. In addition, the animation of the setting was surprisingly realistic. I went to New York, and Chicago a couple of times in the past and some of the scenes included landmarks that i recognized. It actually looked like an older version of the real places. Even the characters looked like actual people. For Baccano being the show it is, the animation fit well.

Sound 10: (Outstanding)
There are only a couple of shows that I would give the sound in a 10/10. I only do this for shows that have literally the best OST in all of anime, or OST that makes me like an unfavorable genre. The last show that did this was Samurai Champloo. That OST was absolute perfection even though I hate rap music. Baccano did the exact same thing with jazz. Besides the jazz music in Fallout 3 I don’t usually listen to the genre but man, this OST had me replaying each song a thousand times. No one can tell me with a straight face that Baccano’s soundtrack isn’t good because they would be lying. Something that is also unorthodox is that I enjoyed several tracks more than the opening theme. Usually I like the opening theme song the most but a lot of effort and time went in to each song. Baccano deserves a perfect score for this feat alone.

As for the voice acting, I was in awe while these people talked. I can’t say anything about the Japanese cast but the English cast was ridiculously talented. The accents sounded genuine for a story based in the 1930's. It went to a whole another level when a character changed their accent to a french one in certain flashbacks in 1711. It was probably different voice actors but it did add to the realism dramatically. Also the voice actors for Ladd Russo, Jacuzzi and Isaac where the best I heard in a long time. Everyone else was also amazing but these three went over the threshold. Even the voice actor for the furor from Fullmetal alchemist brotherhood was in the cast. Probably the best dub i have ever heard.

Characters 10: (Outstanding)
If I had to pick one thing that I liked the most about this anime, it would be the characters. The characters in my opinion is what made Baccano, Baccano! It was very ambitious to have so many characters in the cast but I enjoyed everyone’s time on the screen. There were 2 to 3 characters I really didn’t care for like the little girl looking for her brother but this didn’t matter since I really liked the 12 other main characters in this anime. I can talk about each character for days but this section would be 18 paragraphs long. The ones that are worth mentioning though is Issac and Miria. This couple had to be the best interpretation of comedic relief I have ever seen. Their clueless attitudes and hijinks brought a new light to this anime and made me grin and laugh whenever they came onto the screen. Even the characters in the show loved them. They did what Mako from kill la kill couldn’t, becoming an appropriate tool of comic relief, and is why they are one of my favorite characters of all time. Also Ladd Russo and Vino have to be some of the coolest characters in anime. The personalities, and philosophies are expressed through their crazy actions which made me like them both a lot. After you watch this anime, I guarantee that a least one character from this cast will become one of your favorite characters of all time.

Enjoyment 9: (Great)
Baccano! was a roller coaster ride in the form of an anime; one that I honestly never wanted it to end. I would of had loved to see this anime continue but that would have been selfish. This show ended the series perfectly. Even though I had a couple a questions I needed answered after it ended, everything was covered in the show at some point. I even willingly watch the entire thing again because it was just that good. Seeing the story start the way it did after watching the whole thing was actually kind of fun. This was the case probably because the beginning was a bit crazy. The creator just kind of throws its viewers in the middle of a storm, and makes us wait it out to understand what is going on. After episode 4 however most of your question will be answered. Besides this small instance, I enjoyed Baccano! a lot more than I initially thought I would. The story, the characters, and the OST was absolute perfection and if you have working eyes, you HAVE TO WATCH Baccano!

9.0/10 (Great) - Must Watch Now

Okay, I am not gonna try to write a whole lot essay here. I just want to say my opinion about Baccano!

To say Baccano! is an anime that stands out as one of greatest plot ever is not exaggerating. The plots generally divided into three time settings, 1930, 1931, 1932. At first episodes things didn't seem to connect well. The bunch of characters were confusing me and the gang factions thingy didn't help at all. If you happen to feel the same way I did, just stay watching, because it gets better each episodes. The way they execute it is just so good. It is ... probably one of reasons why people like it. I guess Baccano! wouldn't get receptions this good if not because the great plots execution.

About the character.. Hmm, what do I say? They all are unique in some ways. We have Isaac and Miria, a cheerful ignorant duo that doesn't seem to know what's going on around them. There are some your typical joker-psychopathic guy, a coward, and whole lot more. I regret how some characters don't give good progression, for example Czeslaw Meyer, and some are out of place (Lua Klein), but never everything goes perfect.

The art is incredibly consistent. We get to see the real depictions of dawn 20th century of US and I could say Aniplex did a good job at this. And for the BGM, nothing special. Although I jam the OP every time, but besides that, I think it's okay.

To conclude all, Baccano! is a fun ride filled with convoluted plots that has its charms. It's not a perfect one, mostly because the glorification of violence yet tame story, but I can assure you it's one of the greatest anime there is.

Is fun, pure entertainment.

It is a difficult show at first, there is a lot happening, with a lot of time leaping and a ton of characters, but how after a few episodes everything starts to get clearer demonstrates that Baccano! have one of the greatest writing in anime.
The setting is the prohibition era, the music of the show creates the perfect mood for this period, and some themes fit perfectly with the violent and intense scenes. These violent moments also go in hand with a lot of funny moments, ... making this the goriest comedy ever. There is not a “plot” in the show, there are different plots that involve different characters, and the characters are the strong point of the show.
They are not flesh out, that would be impossible for a 13 episodes show with over 15 characters, but they all feel unique, with their own personality. For some of then you are given enough information from the beginning to know their intentions, for others is let ambiguous for great part of the show, but every one of then have a closure. The awesomeness comes with seeing these characters interact with each others and the situations they are put into. There are psychotic gangsters, whining bootleggers, a silent femme fatale, a girl addicted with explosives, and a duo of idiotic robbers that are constantly vomiting comedic gold. By the way, a lot of the characters are immortals.
If this show have a flaw is that there is zero feeling to it or some kind of moral reflexion, but the stunning action scenes, the dialogs,the character designs, the intrigue combined with paranormal elements and the general enjoyment to it, make up for that.

[general]
Adapted from the light novel series with the same name by Ryohgo Narita.

[storyline]
The main highlight of this series. The story is good, not excellent. But the way it is shown is way better than excellent. If you think Haruhi's sequence is messed up, this would be the ultimate mess-up. You'll get different snipets of different characters in different times doing different things. But, they are all related. In the most intricate and exciting way possible, every one of the snipets shown adds to a missing piece in the puzzle. And of course, it's your job as the audience to figure out which piece goes where. ... The second time you watch the show, you'll really start to appreciate how much effort went into putting all those small little details that now makes so much sense. And by the way, it's one of those shows which OVA is as good as the original series.

[music]
Not the highlight, but the style is pretty amazing. The jazzy opening credits fits the show very well, though the ending didn't really leave much of an impression on me.

[characters]
If this show only had the characters and nothing else, I would still watch it. That's how awesome the characters are, though having a good plot that ties in all these amazing characters just made it to the top for me. The most daring part of this show does not come from it's totally fragmented stories requiring you to piece them together, but rather from the overwhelmingly HUGE cast of characters, all of whom can be the main character. This must be the only show that did this, and did it this successfully.

[animation]
One word for it, excellent. The details, lighting, motion, and almost anything you can think of is handled excellently.

[in the end]
If you think you're up to the challenge, go fot it. I'm sure you won't regret. But a word of caution..this show is not for the faint-hearted. There will be blood. Lots of it!

What are you looking for in anime? Action? Fighting? Blood? Surprising characters? Interesting plot? Maybe humour? If you answer „yes” more than once - that's a perfect anime for you!

Story - twisted! This anime starts with the end. Strange? Maybe a bit - you won't be able to understand a single thing at the beginning. Don't worry - it only makes this series more surprising. You'll soon find „time jumping” and changes in scenes very enjoyable. Baccano! is a great mystery which can be solved by observant watching and having fun with characters. 30s, mafia, killers and alchemist - those can easily be mix into ... an brilliant anime.

Animation - outstanding! It's a rare thing - smooth fighting scene. I assure you - movements in this anime are simply perfect. Details were made with such care that a viewer can feel the atmosphere of a time and space in which anime take place.

Sound - catching! Even if you don't like music from prohibition era in America, this soundtrack will definitely appeal to you. Music suite action extremely well - especially during fights and „quick” scenes. It's lively and optimistic, but be careful - it's also addictive. Don't be surprise if you decide to buy a CD with it.

Characters - varied! It's pretty unusual to put so many characters into 13-episode anime. At the beginning it's impossible to remember all of them, but after few episodes you'll definitely love or hate some of them. The variety of characters is pretty impressive - from humorous couple (you'll die laughing because of them) to psychopathic killers.

Overall - Baccano! is one of a few anime, which are on my „must watch” list. The story itself is enough to say this anime is great - but brilliant animation, well-chosen music and dozens of extraordinary characters make this series perfect.

1st impression:
The opening says it all and it was well done. Great

Best selling point(s):
Characters, story telling style, gores

Reason of liking this anime:
Again, i have to say the characters. Even though at 1st you're fed with images of characters at opening, you will soon become liking each of everyone of them as the story developes. And yes, each and every episodes is fun, i repeat : FUN! Certainly my list of best anime of 2007

Advice:
... 1) Dont be deceived by reading the description of the anime.
2) Rush for 2 or 3 episodes, dont go too fast for short series cuz the fun will end too fast ;)

Story: 9
This exciting bloodfest set in the 30s is somewhat hard to follow mainly because of massive time jumps both forward and backwards. But you will get used to it about halfway through. This is NOT episodic you must not miss or skip any episodes. It is very fast paced and you'll not get bored.

Art: 10
The art is frankly amazing. Everything from the realistic character models to the setting and blood and guts (well actually there isn't really guts, thankfully). There is some CG but it fits smoothly in.

Sound: 10
Most of the music is smooth and jazzy. It fits ... the story and mood perfectly, and the intro will be stuck in your head forever. The voice acting is perfect. No one is miss cast in the dub.

Character: 9
The cast of characters is frankly amazing, however there are some bad characters that take this down to a 9. And I don't mean you'll hate them because they're meant to be hated, you hate them because they are simply bad. However you will have many favourites among the cast. Isaac and Miria are the true main characters and seem almost like they don't fit in the show, but they are probably one of the best characters of the show and they lighten an otherwise dark storyline. The OVA characters are better though the OVA is overall worse than the main series.

Overall: 9
One of the best bloody series in existence and yet it has a fun atmosphere, a rare combination. There are OVAs that complete the story nicely though they are not as good quality in story but are better in characters and I would give the OVAs an 8.

Parental caution
This show does contain violence, so it's not for young children. At least they'll learn how to use an automatic rifle *cough* Jacuzzi *cough*. ^_^ It does surprisingly contain a lot of humour, but it's all clean. Basically if you let your kids watch 24 or Prison Break this show is basically on the same level, just no sex and a little more blood.

Well, they did it for me. Baccano is a Japanese anime set in 1930's America and it was beyond a successful watch. It's a show that will always be proof that anime in fact CAN be set outside of Japan. Not only is this a perfectly Americanized anime, but it successfully portrays three timelines that never failed to drop my jaw.

At first, I was aware that this show was supposed to be a blast of fun and chaos. And as a result, it was. I tried hard to find a single boring moment, and I failed. It's just that intriguing of an anime.

When comes to ... characters, they are all likeable in their own unique way, and that definitely shines throughout all 13 episodes of the series. Some mobsters, killers, immortals, and eccentric and idiotic mafia robbers (Isaac and Miria, who may be the most likeable and funny characters ever in anime). Having said all this, there is no “main protagonist.” But nevertheless, there is no need for one as there are three timelines told spontaneously throughout the show.

Story is tough to review, but I digress; I personally thought the three timelines were perfect in pace, focus, and just pure entertainment. Whenever the job was done in one timeline, the show seamlessly transferred to another timeline. Also, as the show progressed it became much easier to tell what timeline was being portrayed.

The part that most people critique about this show is the confusion. The first episode is the epilogue. A fair amount of characters are immortal, but not all. Time makes sudden backflips on the viewer. But isn’t it true that it is normal and acceptable to be slightly confused at the beginning of any story, whether it be one timeline or more than one timeline? Regardless, the show must be watched as a whole to wipe away all of that confusion. Even when confused watching the anime, it never fails to grab interest.

Amazingly, this show never left out a genre. It had action, lots of comedy, gory horror (WARNING: not for everyone), a wee bit of romance, and countless elements of mystery. And to think, this show is an anime and is better suited in English due to it’s American setting, even for you dub-haters out there.

Overall, as long as someone can handle a bit a blood shed here and there, he/she must watch it for it is a true work of art. However strange it can get, it still grasps every single emotion you could imagine due to its polygenreness. I don’t even know if that’s a real word, but you get my point.

A drastic and welcome departure from your typical anime formula, Baccano is a fun, confounding mess of pandemonium, sinister absurdity, and delight. And what else would you expect from a series whose title literally means “ruckus”?
Story: The jumbled storytelling of Baccano! makes the series a joy to watch yet incredibly difficult to express. Baccano! is told through a series of non-sequential flashbacks taking place primarily between 1930 and 1932 in the fictionalized Prohibition-era America represented in films like The Untouchables or Miller’s Crossing (though the constant smattering of dark irony and grisly humor makes it more of a cinematic counterpart to the stylized gangster movies ... of Tarantino and Guy Ritchie). Most of the story revolves around an incident that takes place in 1931 aboard a transcontinental train bound for New York named the Flying Pussyfoot. Three separate groups simultaneously attempt to hijack the train for various purposes and thus, the unstoppable engine of death, destruction, and black laughs commences. Interwoven into this already complicated scenario are separate storylines involving a mafia turf war, immortal alchemists, and a young girl searching for her ne’er-do-well brother.
Characters:
For a thirteen-episode anime, the cast of characters is comparatively immense; between the twelve main characters and countless supporting characters, this anime gives you a lot to keep track of. However, from the brilliant comedic duo Isaac and Miria, to the zany and completely psychopathic Ladd Russo, there isn’t a single character that isn’t somehow likeable. Additionally, the large cast serves to add to the constant sense of tension because, without a “main” protagonist, there exist no guarantees that any of the characters will make it safely through the entire series. The downside regarding the characters and (generally the series as a whole) is, given the limited time-span, you aren’t given nearly enough time to really get to know such a broad ensemble cast (a problem that the subsequent specials did little to fix).
Sound:
Fast-paced jazz tracks make up the majority of the Baccano soundtrack and generally fit the show flawlessly. While adding even more vitality and polished style to a show already bursting with energy, the use of jazz and swing pieces reinforce the shows authenticity and place it more firmly in the time period. The dubbed voice acting is generally solid, with characters possessing different accents corresponding to their various origins and the voice actors pulling off said accents to different degrees. However, each character does sound completely unique, with each voice actor bringing in something new to the table.
Animation:
The animation is of high quality throughout, with consistent fluidity, well-shaped characters, and distinctive style. The opening animation is absolutely brilliant (so much so that I never skipped it even once while watching the show). The way violence is handled also deserves to be underscored; every fight scene is animated with a fluidity and artistic flair that is at once enthralling, horrifying, and oftentimes even a bit humorous.
Overall:
Baccano! is pure, unadulterated chaos; anarchy dispensed with a furtive underlying structure that eventually manages to jam all of its various fragments together to form a thrilling, morbidly humorous whole that is ultimately incredibly satisfying. The complex plot and enormous cast, combined with relatively strong dubbing, clean animation, and impeccable musical score makes this a must-see series for fans of the American gangster genre or anyone simply looking to have a bloody good time.

This is the first review I have wrote for this site and I have not wrote many reviews in my time. I'm going to experiment with my format a little as I go through my list and tick off shows that I'm interested in reviewing; so then, without further ado. I'll begin my Baccano! review.

Story -

I think the story is well written, spontaneous and original in its' presentation. It has an incredibly fast paced plot but at the same it's not difficult to follow if you're paying attention. You might not understand it right away but I guarantee that you'll understand what's going ... on as you make your way through it. Baccano! is a series of stories within a story, but it takes it to an entirely new level, allowing them to all come together in the end to round things off. At the same time, it's rather fast paced and can be hard to swallow all at once.

It covers a diverse set of characters each with different backgrounds and emotional attachments, they're so different when compared to each other that you might get a little lost from time to time. At the same time though, a lot of these characters are enjoyable and dynamic, that'd make for an excellent stand alone story. Once combined, they create Baccano!

I would have rated it higher but I'm not fond of the conclusion for this series. It's a good ending with a very strong message that will interest anyone who's keen on writing or reading stories, but that message has never really applied to my understanding of the animé format. It's supposed to be an inconclusive ending, but I never liked inconclusive endings, so sorry Baccano! You're good, but not good enough for me.

Art -

I give the art a good score of eight because once again, it's not the best I have ever seen but it's not the worst either. I think Baccano! definitely has an art team that complements the story and characters. They come off as realistic but at the same time, they have that bright and colorful appeal that makes them interesting to watch, even as they're being covered in copious amounts of their own blood! (I'm really not kidding here) Don't check out this show if you don't like blood or gore. I'll warn you, there's a fair bit of mature content matter. If you're not into that sort of thing, then I'd give this a miss.

Sound -

I don't really think the sound track is memorable but it does suit the rest of the show and the characters. It's well chosen and I have no complaints about it in the slightest. I'm sure that there's quite a few people that would enjoy it. I think at times it comes across as a little too upbeat and cheerful but that's a part of the enjoyment of this series. It's like watching multiple musicals at times!

Character -

All of the characters in this show are different and diverse as I pointed out earlier while covering the story; and I find the story for this show isn't the memorable aspect but rather the character's that it's based around, because these are pretty much the show. All of them are unique and even if they're not all interesting, there are certainly some that will make you giggle. I watched this show in subbed and dubbed, often alternating between the two. The dub is done rather well for quite a few of the characters, the voices just complement the characters well.

You'll find a good mix of characters; from a mob sociopath to a young immortal boy and then there's the cry baby who has an explosives expert for a girlfriend and these aren't even the cream of the crop! Just throw the mob, immortals and a couple of serial killers onto a train to see what happens!

Enjoyment -

In all honesty, I enjoyed this show from start to finish just because of how dynamic and refreshing it is, mainly because of how well paced everything is. It's fast, upbeat and despite what's happening at any given moment, a comedic spin or satisfying ending will be put on things to retain your sense of enjoyment. It's like watching a serious broad-way musical with a few comedic twists here and there.

Overall -

I can't find much to dislike about Baccano! - It's really well done and it's an original concept in comparison to other things I have seen. I walked out of this with no strong attachment to it or its' characters, but it was one of those things that you can sit back, enjoy and then forget about within a week. It doesn't have a lot of staying power but it's entertaining to watch within the moment. I think the message is strong and positive, and I think that if you haven't seen this, you should check it out.

If you prefer stories that focus around less characters, and give those characters more time for you to bond with them, then this probably won't be for you. It's a train with a stop and all of the passengers are your main characters. There's no protagonist for this story, because everyone's the protagonist of their own story within the story.

Enjoy!

Fancy a trip on the flying pussyfoot?
don't let that name raise an eye brow, this anime is clichéd with lots of black magic associated theme but the characters is what you will be staying to watch out for ... the English dub is one of the best I have ever heard (except for one of the whiney characters, you'll know who).
in short requesting immortality through summoning a Jinn (genie for the westerners) will leave to a lot of painful experiences through ones life which I am sure I can leave you to your imagination(s) ...
I wasn't blown away the story much rather the ... characters where awesome ... by awesome I mean over the tops .... you got the loony couple, the blood lusts, the crazy acrobat and so on in short I shall summarise what mike toole said "described the cast as motley, weird and quirky as well as inept, either comically, horrifically or both at the same time. They also felt that despite the large cast, it is easy to learn about the characters because they all acted and looked different. They commented that every character is insane and has their own kind of psychosis"
go watch it ... p.s. opening is awsome

First, let's look over something which you may find weird. Why exactly are all of the scores 10 but overall it's a 9? Well, because of the golden rule: if something starts off crap, then it's fine to write it off as crap. If something can't capture your attention enough, then of course you're not going to continue it.

To clarify, Baccano does not start off crap. It wouldn't have all 10s if it did. However, it is really confusing. It jumps around everywhere, across multiple times, multiple stories and multiple characters. That's also part of its strength, as everything is tied up amazingly by the ... end. Almost every single character feels like they get their time to shine. Still, because of the difficulty to get into it, I can't go giving the series a 10.

So, everything about this series was still amazing. Baccano has possibly the best comic relief characters ever made, and some of the most badass characters ever made as well. Each storyline is captivating (except maybe Eve's, but even that was still good) the art was very nice to look at and characters all looked unique, and its opening theme is one of the best in all anime.

Finally, Baccano gets better each time you re-watch it. I'm not even kidding. Each time you re-watch, you get a better idea of how earlier events in the anime line up, and you enjoy all the more.

Hello there Heralder here with a review of one of my all time favorite anime Baccano, 13(+3 specials) episode show created by aniplex and brain base aired in 2007.

Story:9
Story of Baccano is set on the train known as "Flying Pussyfoot" and it spans in several different years and has retrospective type of story telling(backwards).Story is really unique and diving inti more of the points would be quite "spoilery" so it's something that you should experience for yourself.

Art and animation:9
I'm not huge into art or animation but i thought since it was 2007 show that it looked and moved really well also i like its backgrounds ... and character designs as well.

Sound:10
Everything from OP to ED and everything in between was amazing so groovy and catchy i still find myself listening to some tracks on daily bases.


Characters:10
Now this is where Baccano really shines having no set led characters Baccano has one of the best cast of characters i ever seen in anime i liked every character in the show even the less important ones,btw my profile picture can tell you who were my favorite characters.

Enjoyment:10
As i stated i consider Baccano to be in my top 10 anime of all time heck i enjoyed every second of it and cant recommend it enough.

Overall:10
If you are looking for a show that will take you on a rolercoster ride look no further and watch this masterpiece as soon as possible!!!

Thanks for reading this also feel free to check my list for related animes and except more reviews in future,Heralder out

How do I even begin to describe a show like this? This is a show that defies all practical ways of storytelling. No main protagonist, a nonlinear story, and a huge cast of unconventional characters. You’d think that all these risks would harm the show, but not only does Baccano! stand as an enjoyable anime, but even possibly one of the greatest gangster stories ever told! It’s an entertaining show straight from the first few minutes of it’s beginning, and it stays enjoyable till the very end.

This is a tale about gangsters, immortals, psychopaths, and “The Flying Pussyfoot”. Welcome to 1930’s America! Our story begins, ... oddly enough, at the very end, with everything already been said and done. By the end of the first episode we already know how everything ends, we know who lives, and who doesn't. It seems weird at first, and it does kill off some suspense during parts of the show since, well, we already saw what happened to these characters, but luckily, that isn't Baccano!’s goal. Instead, we get to see just how all this happened to our character, and that’s probably one of the show’s greatest strengths.

As we watch, the mystery unfolds, and we get a better idea of just what really happened here. The show does an absolutely great job connecting it’s multiple stories together, showing us the big picture. Events which seem completely unrelated are woven together, leaving no questions unanswered. At first, this does seem rather confusing, and honestly, it can be at times. This isn't helped with the fact that the story takes place in the span of several different years, with characters appearing in multiple parts. As the show progresses, you will get a better grasp of this unique way of storytelling, but it does take a while, which does lead to some problems.

Another great thing about this show is it’s cast of insane characters. Like I said before, there is no main character, instead the story is presented through the eyes of several different characters. The best part is that all these characters are incredibly distinct, each of them genuinely feeling like fully realized characters, rather than just cardboard cutouts. There’s the hilarious duo Miria and Isaac, the crybaby Jacuzzi, the violent hit man Ladd Russo, and so much more. And somehow, in only 13 episodes, a lot these characters manage to get enough screentime to feel developed and unique in their own right. I do wish that some of these characters did get more time for themselves to feel more thought out, like Rachel, who doesn't even get that much screentime until the last few episodes. There are several other characters that I don’t think got enough development either, leaving them to stay more or less the same through the whole course, and that does hurt the show at some points. Still, I found every character enjoyable to watch, and it’s a cast of characters I don’t think I’ll be forgetting anytime soon.

What can I say about the animation and art style that hasn't been said before? It was produced by studio Brain Base, and it’s beautiful. Baccano! captures the jazz setting perfectly. The characters all look like they were ripped off of old gangster movies, and they have a more distinct look compared to other anime. The scenery also helps to put you in into America’s Chicago, you could tell a lot of work went into make this art style blend in with the setting, and the animation itself is very fluid. The action scenes in particular are impressive,and their are tons of them. Characters movements feel real, and only rarely did I feel as though the animation fell at some parts.

Now, for the the sound of Baccano!, which I can easily say does an incredible job putting the viewers engrossed with this world. The musical score, which was done by Makoto Yoshimori, is comprised of mostly jazz like songs and orchestrated tracks, really just further pushing the setting of America’s 1930's. Saxophones, pianos, violins, trumpets, and brass instruments, this show uses all of them to it’s advantage. A particular favorite track of mine is Baccano!’s OP, Guns and Roses, an amazing song that I look forward to every time an episode begins, and I’m sure you will too.

As for the voice acting, this is an amazing dub. The English voices feel so perfect with these characters, especially give the fact that the setting is America after all, but that’s not what just make the voices feel perfect. The acting gives all of the already fantastic characters a breath of life, helping them all feel more distinct and identifiable. You could tell which character is which just by hearing their voices for a few seconds, and that’s amazing considered the large amounts of characters this show has.

I enjoyed the hell out of Baccano!, it’s a great blend of mystery, action, comedy, and even a bit of horror. The jazzy setting is fantastic, the premise is unconventional, and it’s far more unique than other shows because of that. The story may be hard to follow at first, and the huge cast of characters may intimidate you, but once you can get through those problems, you get a show that is truly remarkable in almost every sense, and it’s a show I can’t help but to recommend to anyone interested.