Baccano!

Title:Baccano!
バッカーノ!
Overall:Buy
Keywords: , , , , , ,
Notables: Animation - Brains Base
Music - KAJIURA Yuki
R1 License - FUNimation
Baccano is Italian for noise, but light novelest Narita translates it as "stupid commotion" in the literary source of this series. Each of the stories in the series involves several unrelated plots intersecting and crossing each other as events spiral farther and farther out of control. Immortal alchemists, mafia operated speakeasies, and many other elements of pulp fiction are mashed together for a world straight out of the movies.

(Synopsis adapted from ANN)

13 TV Episodes.
Animation production by Brains Base.
Series first aired on July 27 '07.
R1 licensed by FUNimation.

FUNimation has decided to web-stream the first episode - Click Here - as a promotional offering. (July 21st '08)
OverallArtAnimationCharacter Design MusicSeries StoryEpisode StoryReviewer
Buy 9 10 8 9 8 9 Ggultra2764 [series:1653#1552]
For a series having enough over-the-top violence, Baccano has a unique storyline narrative and enough characters to focus and get hooked on. Having a non-linear storyline where three different scenarios are explored and nearly a dozen and a half characters to focus on, Baccano has enough for viewers to keep their eyes on. The story of the series is divided up into three periods of time with the only connections between them being they take place in Prohibition-era America, their plots center around an immortality elixir and the presence of comic relief characters Miria and Issac. All three subplots set up a mystery focused around unveiling aspects and motives to other groups found within each one. With the series switching between these subplots, it kept me hooked into seeing what developments would be unveiled next with the show's cast.

Then there's the large main cast. Consisting mostly of murderers, thieves and bootleggers, Baccano has a cast of diverse range of colorful personalities that one can laugh and admire. However with such a large cast and the focus on developing each of the show's subplots, Baccano doesn't have enough time to provide more depth or diversity with the characters meaning whatever kind of personality you see that character with, they will stay that way throughout the show's entire run.

On the visual end, expect plenty of detailed settings with smooth and fluid animation during battle scenes and the bloody deaths and regeneration sequences. The classic jazz OP and insert musical choices went well with the manic pace of the show's over-the-top events and the time in which the show is set in. As a matter of fact, this show gets big kudos for being ridiculously accurate to the early 1930s time period with the fashions, Prohibition, trends of the period and so forth.

If you can get past the over-the-top bloody and gory violence, Baccano's an entertaining title full of lively characters and a trio of plots that take their time to unveil themselves.

Last updated Thursday, May 13 2010. Created Sunday, March 21 2010.
Unevaluated Stretch [series:1653#628]
(Half of one episode watched):

I'd heard the guys at ANN Podcast discussing this show, and more-or-less agreeing that after around three tiresome episodes it would take off and be truly spectacular. The notion of trying to convert prohibition era gangster stories into something supernatural didn't exactly appeal to me, but their strong recommendations convinced me to give the series a try. So far, episode one seems to be giving me tiny bits and pieces of countless subplots, but not enough to really grab my attention. I fear I won't be able to remember so many different plot strands, because so far they make little sense and don't seem particularly interesting. But I must soldier on until at least episode four, just to make sure that I'm not missing something great.

Last updated Sunday, December 06 2009. Created Sunday, December 06 2009.
Buy 9 10 9 10 8 10 Silence [series:1653#2939]
When was it last that I had seen such a masterful presentation? Never.

First off, let's start with the non-linear storyline. We start off in the office of a information seller, and the little girl and the vice-director discuss from where should they start the story. From then on, we skip through time and space and start piecing together exactly what happened from the 1700s on board a ship to the mafia families of 1932. Chronology means nothing to Baccano!, as we revisit the same event from the viewpoints of the different characters involved. This method of storytelling is very original in anime, yet it does not leave me confused, only eager for more. It turns what was simply an action-fantasy genre into a mystery as well. This earns the highest possible episode story.

The series story as a whole is not as outstanding as the rest of this series. It has a simple concept actually, and if presented otherwise, would be a mundane show. I did not particularly like the final reaction by Firo and the bunch. But the style of storytelling really puts a mighty hook that overcomes this deficit.

The cast is huge. The main characters alone take up at least 16 spots. Each has a rich personality, and we get to empathize with each one of them by the end. The only complaint is that since each character does not get a lot of screen time, we are unable to see a different side to all of them. Over everyone else, I loved the comedic couple of Isaac and Miria, who "bring joy to the lives of everyone around them without noticing it". They are the least tainted of all the characters, and bring a light and enjoyable mood to the otherwise dark world full of bloodshed (and blood in general). I often find myself laughing at, or with them, and whenever they appear, I enjoy myself to the fullest. Vino is yet another outstanding character, emerging from a killing machine into a badass assassin with plenty of character. The list goes on, but I cannot find space to write on all of them.

The music is most commendable, with the opening theme "Gun's & Roses" by Paradise Lunch. I mean, classic jazz ftw! The bgm is very appropriate for the mood as well, heightening my enjoyment.

The animation is smooth and flawless, showing no lack of effort on the part of the animators. The frequent gun fights and meelee are presented well and realistically. This should be the standard that all action genres should seek to achieve. The abundance of blood and gore outshines (perhaps this is not the most appropriate word) even Elfen Lied. So this is one aspect that the faint-hearted must overcome. Because, hell yeah, this is probably the most enjoyable rides I've ever been on.

Last updated Friday, January 22 2010. Created Monday, November 09 2009.
Rent 9 9 9 6 8 8 Dreamer [series:1653#2279]
Wow, such violence! Wow, such violence.... oh wait, i already said that. I thought Black Lagoon was violent with tons of senseless gore, but this tops it off by buckets! If you can get past the violence, then you're in for a great anime. The thing is, this is one of those stories where if you DO NOT pay attention to every detail of the plot, through every episode, you will get lost instantly. From beginning to end, there's one story arc after another, jumping from 1700's to 1932. Ya, that's right, between years too. Not only that, there are so many characters, each playing a role that somehow, eventually all ties together and ends up being a spectacular story.

The animation is great. The characters are well layed out with smooth animation and each character has a unique look and feel... unlike many anime where a difference between the appearance of couple of characters is simply different hair color.

This is simply one of those anime you just can't miss.

Last updated Friday, February 22 2008. Created Friday, February 22 2008.
Buy 10 10 10 10 10 10 dirtyd12 [series:1653#1785]
This anime is spectacular! It doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. It might even be on par with Gungrave. (Dare I say it!?!) Expect an awesome plot, great action, thrills, comedy, and some beautiful violence. There's only one reason I can think of why some action fans might not like this anime. You have to get into it without expecting to understand everything in the beginning. This is one thing many anime fans must hate. Don't get me wrong, I love Naruto and Bleach, but let's face it, like many animes, their story lines are needlessly explained to death. I find a little mystery refreshing. Don't expect the plot to be spoon-fed to you. You might need to pay attention or actually THINK a little to understand everything that's going on. But don't worry, you won't have to think too much. Also, the plot progresses like a novel and isn't always in chronological order, but this just make Baccano! much more interesting.

If you love Quentin Tarantino's works as much as I do, you'll LOVE this! Give it a try.

Last updated Monday, December 03 2007. Created Sunday, November 11 2007.

Other Sites
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Japanese Language Series Web Site http://www.baccano.jp/

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