Baccano was described to me as “The Magical Murder Train” by my brother (the nickname created in his anime club).
I honestly can’t think of a better description. Well, aside from “Incredibly convoluded and intertwined plot with a giant cast” – but it’s all good. In fact, it makes giving a review of the series rather difficult. When the plot of a series is piecing together a series of scenes told from about 20 different points of view in order to put together a complete event, pretty much telling you anything about the plot could ruin it.
Baccano is interesting in that it is told in a very complex fashion. I can’t even begin to imagine watching this series one episode at a time. But as stated earlier, you basically have 3-4 interconnected storylines told over the course of 16 episodes from the points of view of about 15-20 characters. It’s intense, but worth it.
Besides, it involves a train, a whole bunch of senseless violence, idiots, crazy people, at least three-four mafia families, alchemists, cultists, chicks with knifes, fights on moving trains, immortals, regular joes who scare the crap out of immortals, guys in oil drums with cement, and more couples that are matches made in heaven than you can shake a stick at. Oh, and did I mention the mysterious Rail Tracer?
Though, one of the characters put it best – Baccano has no main character. Which means the point is – words just won’t do Baccano justice. Just watch it; it’s worth it. (Unless graphic violence is disturbing to you; then you might want to skip this one – it’s well, let’s just say seeing faces shoved into a railway from a moving train and bones sticking out from a hand that was ripped off isn’t that uncommon…).
And well, I think I’ll spend the rest of this entry sharing witty commentary over some screencaps. Ready? Let’s go! Follow the cut!
Graham Specter can disassemble a car in mid air with a giant wrench. Holy cow do I love that psycho.
Graham is the lovable psychopath of the series. He's absolutely out of his mind but you just can't hate him.
Baccano also has the required Shota element. Czes is adorable.
Adorable. LOVE CZES.
This is the Rail Tracer. He's responsible for about 50% of the violent deaths on the train.
Issac and Miria prove that idiots exist to make other people happy.
Don't let his confused face fool you. Ladd is absolutely nuts. And we like him like that.
This guy spends well, 90% of his screen time covered in blood.
There's nothing better than one crazy murderous psycho meeting another crazy murderous psycho.
This is Nice. She loves explosives and Jacuzzi (that's a guy's name.)
...I shouldn't find a guy who spends the series covered in blood and refers to himself as "God" so sexy.
This is Lua. She's probably the craziest person in the entire series. Don't let her quiet demeanor fool you.
Nice just blew something up. She has it bad for explosives. Jacuzzi is jealous I'm sure.
Yes. Every character in this series is basically bad ass. Even the kid Firo.
You've met Nice, the guy she's carrying is Jacuzzi. Her true love. They're so freaking adorable together.
Did I mention Czes is also nuts? He's adorable AND a tough guy. At least he's not quite as murderous as the rest.
This story arc is the most frustrating. A sibling complex and well...it doesn't exactly resolve. Which ironically...is what made me care about it in the first place.
This guy's name is "Luck" - enough said.
See? She's in love with Ladd. That has to define her as a lunatic. But I'll be darned if they're not one of the cutest couples in the series.
Did I mention that these two idiots have the inexplicable ability to make everyone around them happy and smile? I love them so much.
And that should give you a decent taste of Baccano and all it’s insanity. Go watch it and have fun – get ready for one heck of a train ride!
