Greetings all.
It has certainly been a long time since I did a review on an anime.
Well until recently I was kinda despondent with some of the newer anime coming out. That was until I stumbled across a rather erratic, but beautifully put together series called Baccano.
Firstly let me just say that this anime is actually from 2007. SO perhaps it’s incorrect to call it “new”, but rather, recent!
Anime News Network says that there are 16 episodes, however from what I have heard there are only 12…so a single season series in other words. Each of the episodes runs for about 25 minutes…give or take.
As soon as you start an episode you get a feeling for the time period the anime is set in as well as the overall “groove” of the series. The opening track called Gun’s & Roses (no Axl Rose I can assure you) sets the scene for 1930’s America. The music is really nostalgic and makes me back to the days of Cowboy Bebop…which is perhaps the best anime soundtrack I have ever heard…well, besides The Pillows job on FLCL.
In a nut shell Baccano is about a several seemingly unconnected storylines that all end up intertwining and becoming one big insane plot. The story is set in 1930’s America. Think The Untouchables, with speakeasies, mafia and steam trains. This is basically just the surface of a much greater and involved past. Strange things start to happen as the series progresses. People with strange regenerative powers, manmade humanoids called homunculi and whispers of people with true immortality. Its tommy-gun meets alchemy madness as the multitude of unique and funny characters collide in what must be the most original 1930’s anime I have ever seen.
There are no real “main characters”! Indeed there are many!
While at first Baccano is very confusing, jumping around in an almost Tarantino, Guy Ritchie style…you always have to keep track of who is doing what. While this may frustrate some, I think it’s a rather novel way of telling a story….I mean who wants a boring linear storyline…blah blah fishpaste!
My two favourite characters are undoubtedly Isaac and Miria who are two absolutely idiotic thieves. They act more like children playing games when they are trying to steal than actual criminals. The police have as yet not been able to arrest them because onlookers always see them in their bizarre dress-up style robbery outfits and think they are just performers. Nobody ever suspects them as thieves LOL! Half of their power is their own stupidity….gotta love it!
Seriously I don’t even know where to start with the other characters, here is the Wiki Link, which will give you the low down on all the various personalities…please beware of spoiler info though. SPOILER ALERT!!!!
This is definitely an anime to keep your eyes open for, very funny and rather vicious at times….a good mix of Shonen bordering on Seinen anime.
D.
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