Preview

In 1931, strange events and murders filled the Chicago-New York express. Trying to figure out those events lead storytellers to relate several events one year earlier and also one year later. Baccano! shows the events in 1930 and 1932 at the same time it shows the events in the Express, in 1931. Even some events in the 18th century come into place to fill the gaps to understanding that weird Train trip: Immortals, Mafia wars and thievery join into a action packed thriller.

Pacing

Some reviews list Baccano! as "a series of unrelated plots intersecting each other", but it's not, and it would be the same as telling each "The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi" episode is unrelated just because they are out of order. In fact, Baccano! has one single plotline, except it divides it into 4 time lines and tells them simultaneously (18th century events, 1930, 1931 and 1932). This adds a lot of spice as in contrast as if you watched the story chronologically, as lot of tensions and mysteries would not be really as interesting as they are here.

One interesting aspect is that, because there are very few intersecting characters on the time lines, picking a main characters is not only difficult, but in fact the first episode of Baccano!, seen from the Storytellers point of view, is all about selecting the main characters. However, in the end there is no main character, since all characters are important - but if one where to pick them, would certainly be the funny couple Isaac Dian and Miria Harvent, which manages to bring you to laugher even during the most tense moments.

Conclusion

With a unique story line, and very captivating and memorable characters, Baccano manages to deliver an interesting plot focusing each individual time line, and it's up to the viewer to sew them together by the time you finish the title - though much of it is pretty obvious.

Baccano! is certainly a welcome change to beaten thrillers with supernatural powers: as much as most of the plot components are not new and some are quite overused, the way the directors and storywriters bring them together prove that what matters is how you build and tell the story, not the story itself.

Aside from the excellent plot and characters, Baccano! boasts a catching sound track and visual art. Beware some serious graphic violence and gore (some of the most violent scenes ever produced in anime, perhaps, fill up Baccano!), but don't let this turn you down, although violent, it's still very well fit into the plot, and the story and characters makes up for the violence in case you are not comfortable with it.

One of 2007 best titles, with a solid plot, Baccano! is guaranteed to entertain both critic minds and action-seeking fans. Watch the OP and try and resist the temptation of watching the Anime!