Baccano!

When I jumped into Baccano!, I really wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't really do any research on the anime, and none of my friends really knew what the series was. The only thing I really knew was that the art looked interesting, and everywhere I looked in the forums, I could see people that said, "Watch this series!". So, I decided to give Baccano! a look.

In the first few minutes, I didn't think that the anime was going to be much. For a while, you saw a little girl and an older man talking to each other about some story that happened earlier. ... I was a bit worried that all Baccano! was going to be was these two characters talking back and forth about the series. Pretty soon, I realized that I was mistaken and there was more that was offered than just these two characters. Soon, names, places, and years because to pass and I started watching with a great intent.

Story wise, Baccano! spares no expense giving a gory, yet interesting story with enough drama, action, and comedy to keep most fans occupied. I was very impressed with how balanced the series really was. The way the story was presented was unique as well, but it does take a while to get use to. By the end, it's easy to get a hang of the presentation, and the story really makes sense. Most of the questions are answered by the end of the series.

Along with the story was the large library of characters, who were all as unique as the presentation. Normally, I would avoid an anime with a lot of characters. They're often hard to keep track of. With Baccano!, keeping track of the characters was rather easy (much easier than I thought it would be), and the characters were actually interesting to keep up with. With such a large selection, choosing a favorite character can either be simple or very difficult. From Isaac and Miria, a pair of idiotic robbers that stole to help everyone else, to Ladd Russo, a serial killer with a passion for murdering people in a bloody matter (especially if those people thought they were safe), to Firo, a gangster with a longing to help and save the people that mean the most to him, there's unlimited characters, drama, and suspense to keep a fan entertained for hours. It's easy to tell that the creators spared no expense making the characters exactly as they wanted them.

Another thing that helped the series is the wonderful art. Unlike most brightly colored, distorted anime, Baccano! holds its head high for having original, darker art that really works well for the series. Since the story takes place during the 1930's, the costumes, colors, and setting really help make the world. The selection of art created a very realistic setting for all of the characters and situations and helped build the 1930's world the creators were looking for. Almost every detail was spot on for the art. Plus, the art was very appealing to the eyes. There was nothing too flashy or out of place within the series.

One of the best things, I think, about Baccano! is the music. Never have I heard a soundtrack for an anime that I wanted so badly. Even the opening and closing themes are great, and the music really does help bring certain situations alive. What is a good fight scene without dramatic music? Baccano! not only brings that music, the music is also places perfectly in the scenes, and it fits the time of the anime. The swing type music brings the era alive and helps the 1930's feel of the show better than any entertainment about the 1930's I've seen.

To say that I enjoyed Baccano! would be an understatement. I adored Baccano! with every fiber of my body and I would recommend the series to anyone that's looking for something different, unique, and loves a little blood with their characters, story, and entertainment.

Some anime needs a special rate otherwise we have no way to judge them correctly. One of those anime is Baccano.

The most impressive thing is that only in 13 eps, they managed to tell 3 stories that took place in different times and spaces. 13 eps guys .. and the stories are not small at all ..

Another thing is that those stories have always something in common besides the main plot line, i mean, the characters. There are characters that only participated in one story while some characters joined in the 3 stories.


Story: 9/10. As i said, Baccano has 3 different stories ... but .. there is more. This anime not only had time to explore 3 different things, but also to connect them in a proper way. Yeah connecting 3 stories is easy .. now connecting 3 stories like Baccano does, is another thing.

The pace is fast as the Pussyfoot (the name of the train were one of the stories take place), which is at the same time good and bad. In one hand, being fast doesn´t make the anime boring because is always one thing happening, but the pace is so high that it can have the opposite effect. There is just so many characters, so many information, so many things being throwed at you at the same time can be painfull. I mean you may get confuse with it and you will unless you have a perfect memory.

There is so many things to record that some may be forgoten. Anyways that is a minor a problem so don´t get worried. In the end the pace slows down a little bit so you are able to understand everything from the stories.

Art: 7/10. When it comes to cut fingers, well Baccano excels at it xD. The rest is "meh". The background is weak, there is no much detail on it. The character design is pretty simple. However, unlike some animes i've seen, they don´t look similiar to each other and that is a important thing when you have so many characters. If they looked similiar, we would get them mixed.

The animations are fluid enough, especially when they are cutting fingers off, because well when it comes to cut fingers off, Baccano excels on it. I'm not kidding, it just looks amazing when someone is cutting someone else's fingers.

The pallet used is not that great for me at least. It uses to much black and brown, so the background looks like the same thing even when we have different places. And i think, the stories are not that dark to be painted with only dark colours. The characters are not bright and they don´t have anything to emphasize them from the background.

The character are pretty much flat when it comes to coloration. They only have 2-3 colours on their design which make them look bad. But they are well drawn, with a nice facial detail.

Sound: 7/10. Well the tracks used are not that great. I found some of them boring. Moreover, they get repetitive because the anime doesn´t have a lot of tracks so they always use the same tracks. However, the opening .. what a opening ! I heard it until the end every time. The jazz being one of the main music styles in 1930, is just perfect to use with this anime. Makes up the mood for each episode. The ending is nothing special though.

Character: 8/10. Well, we have a huge cast for only 13 episodes. While in one hand, we need a huge cast for so many plot develop. On the other hand, having such a huge cast means that only a few of them will get develop. Fortunately, they only developed the most interesting characters.

Here on Baccano you can find everything. Since psychopaths to a guy that cries because of everything. But if there is one character that i would live to talk about, it would be the best couple ever. Acting like only one character, Miria and Isaac just made the comedy of this show without ruining the mood of it !

Because every time, when we have comedy, will definately ruin the mood of the show. Here, i actually enjoyed a lot the comedy, which is something rare because i don´t like comedy.

These two characters are just awesome ! They bring hapiness to this anime without making it look bad. Even though they are there only to make comedy, i found them the best characters on this show.

The other ones are great as well but not even close to Miria and Isaac.

Enjoyment: 8/10. Personally, this anime was really funny to watch. Every episode they build up a mistery around the characters and the plot which make the anime much more interesting to watch.

When i finished this anime, i felt tired. What a ride actually. When i stopped to think about how many things happened at the same time i got supressed. I realized how big the plot actually was for 13 eps, and that feeling worth the time spent on this anime.

Overall: 8/10. I think that this anime deserves a shot. It is funny, interesting and mind blowing when it comes to it's plot. I reccomend it !

The year is 1931. The grand transcontinental train, the Flying Pussyfoot (If you feel the need to laugh, do so now) is leaving for New York City. Passengers include Mrs. Mary Beriam, wife of an Important Senator, her daughter, Mary, and some kid they know named Czeslaw. The problem is that almost everyone on the Train seems to want to kill someone. The Lemure cult, led by the currently incarcerated Huey Laforet, who seems to be Immortal, want to take the passengers, namely the Beriams, hostage, in order for their leader to be released. Meanwhile, Ladd Russo, an absolutely insane hitman, wants to kill everyone ... because, well, he can. There's also the Kooky duo of Thieves, Isaac Dian, and Miria Harvent, performing a train robbery ("Wait, isn't a train robbery the one where you take the train to your destination, rob it, and then get out on a train?" "That's the way they've been done for years!") and the Gang of Delinquents led by Jacuzzi Splot, who cries more than it's healthy to. Wait, scratch that, the year is 1930, and an EXTREMELY old man by the name of Szilard Quates is obsessed with recreating an Immortality Elixir. This he (or some random old guy who I don't think is ever actually named) does. At least, it would have been considered done if it weren't stolen by a punk called Dallas Genoard. Because of him, the Elixr moves around the city, eventually ending up with the Mafia, as many things in this anime do. But in this anime, they only end up with the Nice Mafia families, namely the Gandor family, and the Martillo family. Enter Firo Prochainezo, the youngest of the Martillos. He's an all around good guy, but when he finds out that Immortality is involved heavily in his life, some pretty weird things start happening. Um, actually, no, that's not really what happens. The year is 1932, and the young Miss Eve Genoard searches for her brother Dallas. Unfortunately, in order to do this, she has to become involved with the Mafia. As well as, to a lesser Extent, the Daily Days newspaper, which knows EVERYTHING. No, actually, wait. Those are all the storylines.

Story - 10/10

Brilliant, and filled with life. I don't really think anyone could not be interested in the multiple storylines the anime so beautifully weaves together. Just to warn you though, at times, this can get quite confusing.

Art - 9/10

Ito Satoshi is the art director for Baccano, and he did a really great job. All of the settings are actually very realistic, probably because they are all based on real places. Satoshi and other staff members scouted through Manhattan so they could accurately portray the area.

Sound - 10/10

The voices in the japanese are all by rather notable voice actors, and the English dub, usually terrible as far as I'm concerned, is actually very good. The Music, though, is so brilliant it almost glows. The Theme song, Gun's and Roses is so fitting, and yet so cheerful. It's was stuck in my head the first time I saw it, and yet that wasn't bad at all. The Final closing theme, while somewhat mediocre at first, grows on you, and soon becomes the most fitting thing to end the show.

Characters - 10/10

I shouldn't be defining this. I'll just say that you learn to love even the most Insane characters, from Isaac and Miria, the two lovable thieves, to Ladd Russo, insane hitman, his sweetheart, Lua Klein, to Graham Specter, a mechanic who NEVER shuts up, even to the Daily Days staff, namely Gustav St. Germain, and his assistant Carol (KYAARRROOOOLLL In the original japanese) who, while quite clever, are some what more enjoyable in the two abridged series ("OW! What did i do to deserve this?!" "Everything Carol, Everything!")

Enjoyment - 10/10

The thing about Baccano is that it is not a normal anime. It is so brilliant that is shines out among many others. Stop reading this Review already, and see it for yourself.

Every so often in most industries, there comes an item or idea that completely revolutionizes said industry. The IPhone, Star Wars, the first airplane or car are all living testimonies of how revolutionary ideas can impact our lives today. By challenging society, the norm, the standards of the present, these ideas go against everything we know. But many times, this risk doesn't pay off, and things fall off the charts. Baccano, I'm happy to say, is not a failure, but similar to the IPhone in revolutionary storytelling, idea-forming, character development and overall quality.

Baccano teaches the viewer that one does not necessarily have to view things ... in the order that happens. By forcing the viewer to piece together the events and happenings of the story, the viewer becomes part of the story, an investigator of sorts, making connections and using context clues and events to put the story together. Not to mention the plot twists, various scenes of action, and brief pauses that make one yearn for more, Baccano leaves the viewer always on his or her tip-toes, completely unsure and uncertain about what the future may bring.

The storytelling is excellent. I cannot stress this enough, the events, though seemingly random at first, slowly develop into this bigger picture sort of scenario; and every scene matters. I know many will probably give up on the first episodes because, trust me, it's really confusing and makes you want to give up easily. But I stuck through it, and I don't regret it. The story itself is interesting, because you have the least possible amount of information to understand what's going on. It's up to YOU to understand it. That's what made this anime so interesting, and really hard not to watch in one sitting, because you always want to know what happens next. Every detail, every little scruple and piece of information must be disseminated and unencrypted, for future use.

The art is stunning; the attention to detail exquisite. The scenes are smooth and flawless, the ominous colors foreshadowing future events, the eyes widening, etc etc. The faces and bodies are also drawn more accurately than most other anime I've watched - the proportions look right, the face detail is perfect, and, of course, the clothing reflects early 1900s America. Most of the characters wore suits, making the anime have an aura of sophistication and seriousness.

The sound is similarly impressive and enjoyable. I hummed the tune whenever it played in the background. It's jazzy and bouncy, once again reflecting the culture of Great Depression America. I loved the way the music crescendoed up and up during suspenseful parts, just like a movie, or during certain ominous parts the music became slow and intense. The music fit the mood and tone just right every single time.

Lastly, the characters. There were so many different kinds of personalities and characters with different traits that made the story seem more real. The characters' interactions were interesting, considering their differing backgrounds and dispositions. There was one particular couple of paradoxical nature that made me chortle incessantly throughout the whole anime. They made the mood lighter than it should have been, and added a touch of humor when it was desperately needed. There were no main characters, really; and the anime does a great job telling why there shouldn't be. The story does revolve around a train, the Flying Pussyfoot, that seems more of a joke than anything else. But the events that lead up to such a train ride make the Flying Pussyfoot seem more real and terrible than first understood.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this anime. There were no fillers at all, and each of the 13 episodes were essential to understanding the plot. The characters were far beyond normal - then again, these were far more abnormal circumstances. The suspense was almost tangible, and it left you on the edge of your seat, gripping the cushion harder and harder. After all, everyone must die.

Baccano joins a long growing list of highly overrated and extremely annoying anime that includes but is not limited to Neon Genesis Evangelion, Fate/Zero (and most of Gen Urobuchi’s other work), Mawaru Penguindrum, Puella Magi Magika Madoka (another Urobuchi work), Bakemonogatari and Shinsekai Yori.

Most of these anime have two things in common: first they are a jumbled mess of ideas that are jarringly out of place when viewed all together as a whole and secondly it becomes clear after you have watched long enough that the writer(s) got carried away/bored/wrote themselves into corners and lost the plot (Neon Genesis especially).

This anime was produced by ... Brains Base who also animated Durarara!! What Bacanno and Drrrr (alternate name for the other afore mentioned Brains Base anime) have in common are a large cast of characters and non-linear story-telling.

People rate this over Drrr, but in my opinion Drrr was a lot better. For one thing Drrr had likeable interesting characters. For another, Drrr was about the inhabitants of a city and the city itself (Ikebukoro). Also Drrr had Celty, a headless Dullahan whose voice actress was Inaban from Kokoro Connect (lovely soothing voice that).

The non-linear style of storytelling got out of hand. A good story is supposed to be constantly progressing and changing not hopping back and forth between a scene on a train at night time in 1931 and a street or house in 1930 during the day.

Ugh, it was a horrid viewing experience. Watch Durarara instead. That was funny as well as touching and deep in places (how is it possible for a viewer to identify with a character that is headless???)

P.S if after six episodes you don’t care about a single character or event that’s taking place on the screen before you an anime deserves to be dropped, right? I mean Steins;Gate got good at episode 2!!! Episdoe six is nearly halfway through!!!

Instead of following the standard linear storytelling form, Baccano! decides to throw away "logical" plot progression. It reveals the end result from the first episode and rewinds itself to explain exactly what happened aboard the transcontinental train the Flying Pussyfoot. Yes, the Flying Pussyfoot.

From the very first episode, Bacanno! will leave you with the impression of "What the hell did I just watch?"

As it should. What makes this show seperate itself from everything else is the way it presents its story. As the episodes progress,you'll see the strange events that revolve on and off the Pussyfoot unfold before your very eyes. Most of ... the events occur between the years of 1930-1932. The show follows around fifteen characters' own storylines between those three years that intertwine brilliantly to reveal the whole picture and [mostly] explain what happened in the first episode.

Despite having such a large cast, all the characters are unique and eccentric in their own way. You've got the silly thief couple Isaac and Miria; the blood-stained, psychopathic Lad Russo; the 400-year-old-10-year-old; the boy with the dragon tattoo; THE MAFIA; my boy OG Fedora Tipper Firo Prochainezo; and much more. You've got all the colors of the rainbow. One of them will be sure to entertain you. If not, go see a doctor. Seriously, this is one colorful mess of weirdos. How could you NOT like them?

Oh yeah, there is no main character. As stated earlier, Baccano! jumps from perspective to perspective of each character/group of characters. Each has their own significant storyline that contributes to the overall picture. There may not be one true MC for Baccano!, but each character is the hero of his or her own story.

The only negative point is a fairly minor one that may take some Wikipedia action or rewinds. That is, how the show jumps from year to year, sometimes not even including what year they cut to. However, with some concentration, it gets easier to track what's going on.

Overall, Baccano! is pure madness and fun packed into a nice 13 episode package.

What I learned from watching Baccano!: Don't fuck with the mafia.

Baccano is a 13-episode anime series based off a series of light novels. It's set in 1930s America. For a Japanese production, it feels very, well, American. I just finished watching the English dub and I found it to be very entertaining.

Story: There's actually 3 storylines going on at once: a 1930 arc, a 1931 arc, and a 1932 arc. They're basically all about various gangs trying to gain control of an elixir that can grant immortality. The show frequently jumps back an forth between the three stories, and the series starts in medias res. Because of this, it's rather hard to follow on your ... first viewing, but by episode 4 or 5, you should figure out what's going on by then. The 1930 arc is the best in my opinion. 8/10.

Art: The overall quality of the art and animation is pretty good. I couldn't find any off-model shots in the series. The character designs aren't some of the best I've seen, but they're not terrible, either. The backgrounds look pretty good. In short, good enough for me. 8/10.

Sound: Most of the background music sounds like American music from the 1920s; it all sounds good. I like the opening theme song, too.

Once again, I only saw this in English, but my word, the Funimation version of Baccano has some of the best voice-acting I've ever heard in my life. Unlike most dubs, most of the characters don't speak in neutral Midwestern American accents. It's set in New York, so most characters have New Yorker accents. Some of the accents are exaggerated, but they all fit their characters, and there is not a single weak link in the entire cast. It's a delight just to hear the characters speak. If the music was better, this would easily get a ten. 9/10.

Characterization: Really good, actually. There's quite a few named characters, but by the end, you'll know who's who. Some of the characters are absolutely brutal, while others are tough but kind at the same time. My personal favorite characters are Firo (for being way cool and having the best performance I've heard from Todd Haberkorn yet) and Ladd Russo (for being a violent sociopath who sounds like Bender from Futurama). Most people seem to like Isaac and Miria the most; they are hilarious. This is really the best thing about Bacanno; everyone comes to like at least a few characters. 9/10.

Enjoyment: Don't expect anything deep from this show. It's really just about gangland conflicts and an elixir of immortality, with a silly Bonnie-and-Clyde couple thrown in for good measure. It's a throwback to the gangster films of old, and a time when everyone wore hats, smoked cigarettes, and did drive-by shootings with Tommy guns. But if you don't mind seeing a tribute to the age of Prohibition-era criminals, (albeit one with intense graphic violence and a drink that can make people invincible) go for it. You won't be disappointed. 8/10.

There is also a 3-episode OVA, which is just as good as the 13-episode series, and I know that the anime version of Baccano has just scratched the surface of the content from the light novels. I wouldn't mind seeing more animated adaptations of this series.

A compilation review from the HTWA!

"With the anime of Baccano! i really liked it because of the characters like issac for stealing really random items which i wont say incase if someone has'nt watched it yet also he is a good character for his randomness same as his partner miria. I'd probly say this anime is for people that have started allready with anime like for moderate watchers cuse its a lil short which is sad because it holds alot of interest by the storyline and another good anime that you could follow this up after watching could be durarara!! which has started a while ... ago and is only up to like the 9th ep" - Redhydoken7

"Why is this anime so popular and what about it do you think makes it a great anime? Or do you not even think it is a great anime? What about the characters do you like or not like? Do you think this anime should be for beginners or should they avoid it? Should it be for more experienced anime watchers instead? Is it one of those "essential" anime that everyone needs to see? Was it confusing for you? Is it one of those overrated anime? Or is it one of few the recent anime that have potential to become a classic?

I'm not all too sure why it is popular but I think it's because it's different and breaks a lot of the cliche of anime in all types of ways, in particular characters and the way it is told. I remember reading a review and someone saying that Baccano! was one of the animes which reformed all your prejudices about types of story telling. I pretty much liked all the characters, they all had their merits. I don't know why beginners shouldn't watch it, it'll give them a good idea of what potential anime can have (something that nearly got to me when I first started watching anime, as a lot of it was so cliched). I think in one way it's an essential anime to see since it's on so many people's top 5. I think personally it will become classic especially since the series Durarara!! has been a potential watch for so many after seeing Baccano! Admittedly, I have yet to meet someone who didn't like this anime. So if anyone is willing to prove me wrong I'd be interested to hear why..." - Toast-Junkie

"A large cast of characters packed full of personality
Each with their own backstory (albeit some weren't delved into deeply)
A piecing together of the story which leaves you with a brain orgasm upon the conclusion
Highly original in style and atmosphere
Fine blending of Comedy and Gore in to the story

All formulae for win

I think it's a great anime, but it's not "for beginners" and hence, it's not essential. To be enjoyed, this anime requires people to persist in watching it until the end." - dxthegreat

"I watched Baccano a few months ago and I really enjoyed it, the epic plot, the unique mixture of characters, the way the storyline mixes together from different perspectives...
Top anime, a must watch for all" - finis

"As others have mentioned, the story is amazing. The way it's assembled piece by piece is just spectacular. The characters are likeable on the whole as well. An excellent anime." - CriticalEye

"To be honest, Baccano was an anime I had left on my to-watch list for a very long time. Why? I watched th first episode and simply couldn't make any sense of what the was going on in there. But yes, it got me hooked immediately after i started, and i marathoned it in one night.

As many have said, Baccano isn't your typical anime. Its a masterpiece in how it manages to mesh together various aspects you wouldn't aspect to go together into a simple yet engaging storyline. Yet, the way its assembled piece by piece turns it into a mystery thriller of sorts, leaving you guessing till the very end. Of course, it manages to break many of the cliches in anime, with unique and fun characters than all pull you along in their own right. All this, achieved in the short span of 13 episodes. I gave it a 10, and i can count the number of animes i gave 9 on one hand. A funny little anime, yet a definite must-watch." - Pressit

"The good: Interesting story-telling, great range of characters, mind-boggling monolouges, great comedical and action

The bad: fail attempts to create suspense (esp in Eve Genoard scenes), plot holes (in the Firo scenes) that are buried within the 'time jumps'" - Vin-nii

"I think Baccano is so great because it's idea is original and humor is awesome. It's a bit disturbing at times and plainly impossible to understand until the end what makes it a surprise" - sintra

"For me Baccano! is great anime. Story are very interesting, and was told in unusual way, characters are unique, and music is just awesome ^^

And even if I though a lot during watching it how it can end, ending was still big suprise for me :)" - InezMaria

"I love the wide range of characters. The plot's meh, but the way the anime told it is was awesome XD The first episode was much more than a mayhem, and kinda discouraged me to continue it, but I was glad I did. All the blood and them immortals and Isaac and Miria, and not to mention the Rail Tracer too XD they're a bunch of badasses. It's definitely one unique--no, more than unique--animu." - Wetpantsu

"a quentin tarantino style storytelling,which made a good story even more suspenseful.great mixture of horror and comedy.many totally different characters,yet each with a developed backstory(some with more of a backstory,some with less,but it's always present).and all that in just 13 eps?i think that's enough said.it will stay on my top 5 for a long,long time..." - TTst

We hope you have found this review useful!

It will frequently be said that Baccano! (emphasis on the second 'a', I believe, if you care about that kind of thing) is a hardcore anime, containing rather heady themes, vulgar language, and some of the most deliciously graphic violence to grace our shores. In this light, the series on the whole should be considered as a reward to all those who are or aspire to be "hardcore ". Simply put, I have not enjoyed an anime as much as I've enjoyed Baccano! for some time.

"The more things change, the more they stay the same." Likewise, as much as Baccano! is a ferociously original show, ... it still succeeds in all the conventional ways: the story is simple yet engaging, the characters are larger than life yet completely relatable, and the technical aspects have all been polished to a mirror shine.

Not to say that there isn't anything wrong with Baccano! (and considering how much I have to say in favor for it, it would probably be much easier to start with my critiques anyway). Now, as should be obvious from anyone who has seen a clip or screen shot of the series, Baccano! is very well drawn with a wide range of character designs and some lovingly created locations. However, there is often a trade-off to be made in exchange for this degree of artwork, and that's where animation comes into play. The action scenes are highly fluid and beautifully choreographed, but the fact remains that the majority of the show requires characters to talk and interact in comparatively subtle ways. And whenever you find yourself watching an extended conversation scene, especially after multiple viewings, it becomes almost distractingly obvious just how little these characters move. Characters express themselves to an audience of cardboard cutouts, all listening with rapt, unblinking attention. Talking heads move smoothly past painted backdrops. Worst of all are those moments when a character enters a room or finishes a sentence, then freezes just a second too long, their mouths hanging open as testament to some animator cutting corners. To be fair, these problems seem to affect some episodes more than others, but when they're there and when you're looking for them, they can really take you out of the experience.

At least, they do the second and third time around. Speaking as someone whose watched the entire 13 episode arc three or four times now, I can say that those willing to persevere through the aforementioned stiffness will be rewarded with an immensely entertaining and rewatchable show. As if the 10s across the board didn't tip you off, this show has got it all, from a thoroughly engaging story fleshed out with tons of great characters (Bryan Massey's take on Ladd is absolutely fearless, and Issac and Miria are 24 carat comedy gold) to one of the best anime soundtracks around. Though before I get away from the characters, I will say this: only two black characters in the whole show, and you make them a kidnapped maid and a secretary who talks like a cross between Chris Tucker and Double D from Ed, Edd 'n Eddy?

"No matter."

PS: Before I go, there's one more thing I want to touch on. Personally, I believe that Baccano! will go down in anime history as having one of the best ever American dubs. What bothers me is that it seems as though there's a fairly decent portion of the population out there who will let such trivial things as New York accents (or rather," Noo Yok" accents) ruin the whole experience for them. Personally, I've never been that distracted by accents of any kind, save the ridiculously racial ones (and Baccano! might have its fair share of those too, now that I mention it), and what's more, I've never understood how something as harmless as a cartoonish Brooklyn drawl could be considered offensive, let alone a deal breaker. In short, I feel that I must say that if you are the kind of person who wants, nay, demands their cartoon 1930s mobsters talk like "real" people, then perhaps you simply lack the capacity for suspended disbelief that is necessary to enjoy any kind of cartoon, let alone one of the greatest in recent memory.

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 ;)

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.

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! 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.

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

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.

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.

Where's the trashman to eat up this garbage!? This anime is clearly only for people who like crap like Pulp Fiction. Stuff that has no purpose for existing, has no substance and only serves to waste your time.
Anyone with a BASIC understanding of good storytelling can tell why this is bad. But while the animation and music for it is perfectly fine, nothing else works. From the start of the show you're just left confused and annoyed. Confused about the story, what's actually going on and about why the hell the story's timeline is all jumbled up(there IS no reason). Annoyed at the ... character's stupidity that has no charm to it, at it's inability to tell a coherent story and plot and at the voice acting. I made the mistake of watching this dubbed under pretense that it was the correct way to watch it because of the setting. But since I hate the old timey-New York/American accent, the dub simply added to the torture. Looking back on it now, I probably should've switched to the sub. Oops.
Biggest reasons for this anime not working at all is this:There is no reason to care about these characters or about what happens to them because the vast majority of them are all immortal. How am I supposed to care about these people and what's happening to them if nothing bad can happen to them and there's no consequences? They can't die. The immortal characters are LITERALLY indestructible. Save for the plot point of this old dude (they're all old but whatever) who starts "Devouring" immortals. Which is just a lazy way of trying to remedy the lack of tension coming from the plot point of immortality that YOU (the writer) CREATED! This problem is not hard to understand at all, this is called using your brain.
I didn't care about any of the characters or the events of the story. Literally nothing interested me. It. was. BORING!
The one thing I like though was one character who was mute, and I enjoyed watching how she interacted with other people. It's something that belongs in a much better anime.
Another thing that bothered me is it's unbelievably poor control of tone. There so many unpleasant scenes in this that even I had trouble watching them. There's a scene where one character beats up another dude repeatedly while spouting asinine lines. And it JUST. KEEPS. GOING. The whole time I was saying " I get it, he's insane, I get it, I get it." And it's not a "good" insane either like the Joker. It's just unpleasant. Unpleasant scenes with unpleasant violence. I don't get it, is this anime supposed to be fun?
Finally is the ending, or lack thereof. The fact that this has the balls to talk down to me and have an ending discussion on what makes good stories is insulting. Especially when the writer CAN'T MAKE ONE HIMSELF. It's pretentious, pseudo and it's crap, and all the rating out there for this anime are full of it too.

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

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.

Baccano is a curious show. It's a tale of mobsters and macabre. A tale of life and death.

The story starts off fairly interesting, painting an intriguing picture for the backstories for each of the show's characters. I thought all of the characters (and there are quite a few of them) were introduced really well, giving us a nice glimpse at their personalities, and their relation to each other. However, the characters don't really go much of anywhere from there. They all end up being very basic one-track characters without much depth to them, and none of them grow alongside the story, either. Some of the ... characters are written in a really enjoyable manner, such as Isaac and Miria, who provide the comic relief, and some of them are fun to watch on screen, such as the joyfully psychotic killing machine, Ladd Russo. However, the characters (even the ones that I liked), while interesting at first, didn't hold my interest for very long, and about halfway through the series, I had grown tired of most of them.

That's a problem, because the story spends a lot of time focusing on the interactions between the characters. There is a larger plotline, which I won't spoil, however... it's focused on the characters as well.
That's not the real problem with the story for me, though. The problem isn't in the content of the tale (mediocre and anticlimactic as it may be) , but how it's all presented to the viewer. Each episode flips between different timelines of events, many times featuring the same characters, but obviously in different places at different time. They almost never show the time or date of these scenes, so it's completely up to the viewer to figure out which parts took place when and piece it all together. This style of storytelling isn't inherently bad, but in this case it's done for seemingly no benefit whatsoever, as it adds absolutely nothing to the story, just making it needlessly complicated, disjointed, and difficult to follow. Why they chose to present the story in this way is just utterly baffling, and it ruins what would otherwise be a decent tale.

The art is somewhat decent. I liked the art style, and the character designs are pretty decent. There's a lot of moments where it looked really nice, but there's also a lot of limited animation being used, making it feel like it was produced on a somewhat middling budget.

The soundtrack is pretty forgettable, even though I do think the opening is really catchy. I watched it in English, and the voice actors all did a pretty solid job, but it also wasn't anything that blew me away. The overall audio mix and sound effects used were also effective, but wasn't anything super impressive.

Baccano is an ambitious experience, but one that ultimately fails when it comes to it's story, which is poorly told, but ends up being propped up by it's halfway decent cast of characters. Still, those characters eventually lose their appeal, making the second half of the show feel like much more of a slog. Everything else is somewhat above average, but the way the show presents the story just becomes pretty difficult to enjoy after only a few episodes in, and that's a big problem.

Overall, I give Baccano! a 6/10.