Language Watched: Japanese with English subtitles
Licensed? (As of this entry): YES
Licensed? (As of this entry): YES
Genre(s): Gangster, Mystery, Action, Suspense, Dark Comedy
Overall Impression: Crazy, bloody, fun, and highly recommended!
SPOILER ALERT WARNING!!
This
review will contain some spoilers -- or rather, there will be a
"Spoilers" section at the end of the review to go into further detail
about certain things. There may still be slight spoilers throughout the
review, but I've tried my best to keep them at a minimum.
PERSONAL STANDING (Pre-exposures, thoughts, etc.)
My first exposure to this series was its opening theme song, Gun's & Roses. When I was helping out with the anime-themed game shows, one of the things I did was amass a huge collection of anime songs. I thought it was pretty neat, 'cuz it allowed me a chance to expose myself to songs I wouldn't normally be exposed to. And through that, I was exposed to Gun's & Roses. I enjoyed the tune and was curious how the song matched up with the actual anime (i.e. Baccano!), so I looked up the anime's opening video on Youtube.
I was intrigued by the stylish and flowy animated quality, but also a little hesitant about the probable plot -- it just looked like a high-energy mafia-type anime.
Fast forward to this year, when I bought the DVDs during a sale. Then just this week, I started watching it with my sister. We finished it in 3 days. Before, I thought it would just be a high-energy mafia-type anime. Boy was I wrong!
Opening theme to Baccano!
I was intrigued by the stylish and flowy animated quality, but also a little hesitant about the probable plot -- it just looked like a high-energy mafia-type anime.
Fast forward to this year, when I bought the DVDs during a sale. Then just this week, I started watching it with my sister. We finished it in 3 days. Before, I thought it would just be a high-energy mafia-type anime. Boy was I wrong!
STORY
Baccano! doesn't really have one main storyline. It's split over multiple storylines that come together -- not exactly to create one storyline with one main character -- but to create an overall understanding of events among a large cast of characters. Here's a few of the more focused storylines:
1. Eve Genoard is trying to find her missing brother, Dallas. The Runorata family is also trying to find Dallas, but want him dead.
2. A string of incidents happen on the train Flying Pussyfoot. Among the incidents is the monstrous "Rail Tracer", offing the passengers "at random".
3. Firo is on his way to be welcomed as the newest member of the Martillo family. Elsewhere, a miraculous concoction is created and the higher powers are scrambling to get their hands on it.
Now, these storylines all sound pretty normal -- maybe even like regular mafia-type stories -- but I've left out an important detail (and probably a few other details). And I'm not going to say what it is -- that would ruin the surprise (I'll mention it in the "Spoilers" section). It was this detail that piqued my overall interest once I gave the first episode a shot. Totally unexpected and mysterious!
1. Eve Genoard is trying to find her missing brother, Dallas. The Runorata family is also trying to find Dallas, but want him dead.
2. A string of incidents happen on the train Flying Pussyfoot. Among the incidents is the monstrous "Rail Tracer", offing the passengers "at random".
3. Firo is on his way to be welcomed as the newest member of the Martillo family. Elsewhere, a miraculous concoction is created and the higher powers are scrambling to get their hands on it.
Now, these storylines all sound pretty normal -- maybe even like regular mafia-type stories -- but I've left out an important detail (and probably a few other details). And I'm not going to say what it is -- that would ruin the surprise (I'll mention it in the "Spoilers" section). It was this detail that piqued my overall interest once I gave the first episode a shot. Totally unexpected and mysterious!
Ahhh, the mystery!
TIME JUMPING STORY STRUCTURE
Baccano! jumps back and forth in time, often surrounding the 1930s. In the beginning, this creates a lot of confusion as to what's actually going on in the series. By the end, not so much. By the end, it all makes sense. I think the time jumping story structure works as it adds mystery throughout the series, and also a lot of "aha!" moments that couldn't be achieved if the episodes went in chronological order.
BLOODINESS AND HORROR FACTOR
You wouldn't really imagine this from watching Baccano!'s opening theme (at least I didn't), but this is one bloody anime series! It holds no restraint when it comes to displaying guts, blood, and gore -- at least, from my perspective. It also succeeds in creating uneasy, horrific moments -- moments that play with your imagination instead of it being shown to you. Though there are moments where we see the gore in action. My main point here is, well, just a warning to those who are squeamish to animated blood!
One uneasy, horrific moment.
Another uneasy, horrific moment.
If you can't see what's going on, a character is being threatened
to have his face scraped against some railroad tracks... while on a moving train.
If you can't see what's going on, a character is being threatened
to have his face scraped against some railroad tracks... while on a moving train.
DARK COMEDY
Now there's a ton of dark comedy in Baccano! and it works well. A lot of the comedy comes from character interactions, but also from the situations specific to each character. I'll mention some of my favourite dark comedy moments in the "Spoilers" section. 
A very funny scene. I'll describe it
in the "Spoilers" section.
CHARACTERS
This is the true meat of Baccano! When I read up on Baccano! on Wikipedia (I generally try to do a bit of research on whatever I review / blog about), it mentions that the creator mostly allows the characters' interactions to create the plots -- and it really shows. Baccano! features a large cast of characters -- many of them unique by either over-the-top personality quirks, or memories -- but still genuine and sincere. Backstories are rarely mentioned and that's okay. I mean, there's, like, at least 15 main characters. There's 16 episodes in the series. You can't tell them all and still have a moving plot...
That aside, many of the characters are likeable or at least entertaining. Despite the over-the-top personalities, many are still very relatable. Some characters creep me out, like Ladd Russo or Graham Specter. Seeing Ladd in action actually makes my hair stand on end sometimes, haha...
My favourite characters include Firo Prochainezo, Ennis, Vino, Chane Laforet, Czeslaw Meyer, Jacuzzi Splot, and of course, these two characters below:
I'll talk a bit more about each of my favourite characters in the "Spoilers" section (with a screenshot for each character so don't check it unless you've watched the series!).
That aside, many of the characters are likeable or at least entertaining. Despite the over-the-top personalities, many are still very relatable. Some characters creep me out, like Ladd Russo or Graham Specter. Seeing Ladd in action actually makes my hair stand on end sometimes, haha...
My favourite characters include Firo Prochainezo, Ennis, Vino, Chane Laforet, Czeslaw Meyer, Jacuzzi Splot, and of course, these two characters below:
Say hello to Isaac Dian and Miria Harvent.
Chances are they would say hello to you.
MUSIC
The music is varied and great. The most prominent are Swing-type pieces with lots of brass. Also prominent are the intense violin pieces, and Western-sounding pieces that feature a harmonica. Some of the music has a gangster feel, but also something that feels like it came from the 1930s. Some pieces are also uplifting with a hopeful tone. Almost everything is atmospheric -- capable of standing alone, but adds a lot to the mood / tone of the scene. As I said before, it's varied.
Besides the awesome opening theme song, here's a few other cool, memorable pieces:
The Japanese dubbing nailed each character, especially Isaac and Miria. The English dubbing also achieves this with their gangster slang and '30s lingo. But the English voicing sounds a bit heavier and lower throughout -- it would be a contrast if you just watched Baccano! in Japanese dubbing (and vice-versa if you started with the English dub and then switched to Japanese dub).
I just wanted to commend Baccano! on its great dub work.
Baccano! Propaganda Program (10 mins) -- This briefly looks at some of the characters and how the team went about achieving the '30s look and architecture for Baccano! It was interesting hearing some of the Japanese voice-actors' takes on voicing their character.
Promotional Video (3 mins) -- This is a Japanese promotional video for Baccano! Seeing this makes me want to read the light novels (but they're not translated, bahhhh).
Textless Opening Theme -- I'm glad this is included. The high-energy opening deserves a textless version :)
Textless Ending Theme -- The ending theme song is really nice. Don't really know if we need a textless version, but it's nice to have anyway.
Besides the awesome opening theme song, here's a few other cool, memorable pieces:
Nagai Nagai Yume no Naka no Utage - Baccano! no Theme
Main theme to Baccano! It makes me want to dance.
Abikyoukan no Kurutta Butai
Start listening to this around 0:13.
I love the intense buildup.
Hikari to Kage Futatsu no Cannon
An uplifting, hopeful strings piece.
Just wait till you get to around 2:10... heheh...
JAPANESE / ENGLISH DUBBING
The Japanese dubbing and English dubbing are both great. Just don't switch between them right after each other. After watching the last episode in Japanese dubbing, I decided to re-watch it in English dubbing and it sounded horrible. The Japanese and English dubbing are different, but they both work with this series.The Japanese dubbing nailed each character, especially Isaac and Miria. The English dubbing also achieves this with their gangster slang and '30s lingo. But the English voicing sounds a bit heavier and lower throughout -- it would be a contrast if you just watched Baccano! in Japanese dubbing (and vice-versa if you started with the English dub and then switched to Japanese dub).
I just wanted to commend Baccano! on its great dub work.
DVD EXTRA CONTENT
Since I bought the DVDs, there were some extra content. Not much, but some. There were English dub commentaries for episodes 4, 7, 9, and 15. I haven't listened to them, so I have no comment on those. Here are the rest:Baccano! Propaganda Program (10 mins) -- This briefly looks at some of the characters and how the team went about achieving the '30s look and architecture for Baccano! It was interesting hearing some of the Japanese voice-actors' takes on voicing their character.
Promotional Video (3 mins) -- This is a Japanese promotional video for Baccano! Seeing this makes me want to read the light novels (but they're not translated, bahhhh).
Textless Opening Theme -- I'm glad this is included. The high-energy opening deserves a textless version :)
Textless Ending Theme -- The ending theme song is really nice. Don't really know if we need a textless version, but it's nice to have anyway.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Baccano! is high-energy and crazy fun with a ton of blood and gore. If you can stomach animated blood / gore, I highly recommend this series. It won't necessarily make you go 'Now that's something to think about' all the time, but it will provide lots of entertainment.
If you're unsure about buying yourself a copy, you can legitimately watch it on Youtube! Funimation was really nice to upload the whole series (Japanese dub with English subtitles): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dCqwmto7X0&list=TLhTxy6lxa47M
I'm getting this itch to re-watch the whole series -- to get a better grasp of what was happening in the earlier episodes (since I now know what's going on).
Thanks for reading! If you want some more input about something I didn't cover, feel free to ask. :)
So I'll do the scrolly thing and the "Spoilers" section will appear after that. Then I'll add some more scrolly things after the "Spoilers" section in case anybody wants to comment, but not see the spoilers.
I've left out an important detail (and probably a few other details).
I guess let's start with this one:
-This was happening on the Flying Pussyfoot. 3 groups decided to hijack a passenger car at the same time. One groups bursts through one end yelling, "Hands up in the air!" Then the second group (which is one guy already in the car) brings out his guns and yells, "Everybody down on the floor!" Then the third group (also one guy) bursts through the other end, brandishing a knife, yelling, "Don't move!" Seconds later, a passenger says, "What should we do?" Then we cut to Isaac and Miria, following the instructions from all three parties. It'd be freaky if this was in real life, but since it's not... it's so funny and ridiculous.
-Also on the Flying Pussyfoot, when the Rail Tracer asked Rachel for train tickets, Rachel's reaction towards his asking was so funny. It just seems like such a trivial matter, when compared to the overall horror that's taking place there. So... she wasn't freaked out that the Rail Tracer was pretty much covered in blood?
-Almost any scene with Vino has some kind of dark humour in it.
-Almost every scene with Isaac and Miria has humour in it, dark and light.
Well, let's start with my favourite couple (yes, they get the spotlight again).
Isaac and Miria are like the beacons of light in this series. They are just -- so -- cheerful! I can't imagine anybody not cracking at least one smile towards their bubbly brightness and crazy antics. Being robbers, of course they cause trouble for some people, but in general, they spread happiness wherever they go.
Firo is just cool. He's like a punk with a good heart (ahhh... what I'd want for my dream guy). He's quick on his feet and good at beating up jerks. :)
I almost always sympathize with non-human characters. I always find it wondrous to see their path to developing human emotions through others' acts of kindness. Ennis is no exception.
This guy is crazy and twisted... but he's super cool. Being a former acrobat, he is like the perfect assassin character. I'd love to have such heightened reflexes... and confidence. It was pretty horrible that he tortured Czeslaw, but understandable from Vino's perspective and his sense of justice.
I love Chane's sense of loyalty, and her intense desire to protect those she loves. I can totally relate. I also like her black dress.
Czeslaw is relatable to me. Not the desire to find and kill immortals, but the difficulty in trusting others. And like Czeslaw, that distrust stems from past events.
Jacuzzi cries a lot, but he cares a lot. I kinda relate to him, too, wanting to help others before helping oneself. These days, I'm trying to focus more on myself, but it's still nice to see selflessness in a character every now and then. It just makes him cool.
If you read my spoilers, thanks for reading them! Now to finish with more scrolly things. Feel free to comment :D
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If you're unsure about buying yourself a copy, you can legitimately watch it on Youtube! Funimation was really nice to upload the whole series (Japanese dub with English subtitles): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dCqwmto7X0&list=TLhTxy6lxa47M
I'm getting this itch to re-watch the whole series -- to get a better grasp of what was happening in the earlier episodes (since I now know what's going on).
Left to right: Maiza, Firo
Firo looks so cool, lol.
Firo looks so cool, lol.
Thanks for reading! If you want some more input about something I didn't cover, feel free to ask. :)
So I'll do the scrolly thing and the "Spoilers" section will appear after that. Then I'll add some more scrolly things after the "Spoilers" section in case anybody wants to comment, but not see the spoilers.
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SPOILERS
I've left out an important detail (and probably a few other details).
The major detail here is the immortality -- some characters are immortal (and unaging)! Watching the opening theme, you wouldn't expect that at all. But the immortality makes for some interesting reactions and character dealings. For example, how the Gandor family dealt with Dallas Genoard was simply brilliant (dumping cement on him and throwing him in the river to drown indefinitely).
Seeing the characters all cheerful about being immortal makes me think that being immortal (and unaging) wouldn't be such a bad thing.
I'll mention some of my favourite dark comedy moments in the "Spoilers" section.
I guess let's start with this one:
-This was happening on the Flying Pussyfoot. 3 groups decided to hijack a passenger car at the same time. One groups bursts through one end yelling, "Hands up in the air!" Then the second group (which is one guy already in the car) brings out his guns and yells, "Everybody down on the floor!" Then the third group (also one guy) bursts through the other end, brandishing a knife, yelling, "Don't move!" Seconds later, a passenger says, "What should we do?" Then we cut to Isaac and Miria, following the instructions from all three parties. It'd be freaky if this was in real life, but since it's not... it's so funny and ridiculous.
-Also on the Flying Pussyfoot, when the Rail Tracer asked Rachel for train tickets, Rachel's reaction towards his asking was so funny. It just seems like such a trivial matter, when compared to the overall horror that's taking place there. So... she wasn't freaked out that the Rail Tracer was pretty much covered in blood?
-Almost any scene with Vino has some kind of dark humour in it.
-Almost every scene with Isaac and Miria has humour in it, dark and light.
I'll talk a bit more about each of my favourite characters in the "Spoilers" section.
Well, let's start with my favourite couple (yes, they get the spotlight again).
ISAAC DIAN AND MIRIA HARVENT
Isaac and Miria are like the beacons of light in this series. They are just -- so -- cheerful! I can't imagine anybody not cracking at least one smile towards their bubbly brightness and crazy antics. Being robbers, of course they cause trouble for some people, but in general, they spread happiness wherever they go.
FIRO PROCHAINEZO
Firo is just cool. He's like a punk with a good heart (ahhh... what I'd want for my dream guy). He's quick on his feet and good at beating up jerks. :)
ENNIS
I almost always sympathize with non-human characters. I always find it wondrous to see their path to developing human emotions through others' acts of kindness. Ennis is no exception.
VINO
This guy is crazy and twisted... but he's super cool. Being a former acrobat, he is like the perfect assassin character. I'd love to have such heightened reflexes... and confidence. It was pretty horrible that he tortured Czeslaw, but understandable from Vino's perspective and his sense of justice.
CHANE LAFORET
I love Chane's sense of loyalty, and her intense desire to protect those she loves. I can totally relate. I also like her black dress.
CZESLAW MEYER
Czeslaw is relatable to me. Not the desire to find and kill immortals, but the difficulty in trusting others. And like Czeslaw, that distrust stems from past events.
JACUZZI SPLOT
Jacuzzi cries a lot, but he cares a lot. I kinda relate to him, too, wanting to help others before helping oneself. These days, I'm trying to focus more on myself, but it's still nice to see selflessness in a character every now and then. It just makes him cool.
If you read my spoilers, thanks for reading them! Now to finish with more scrolly things. Feel free to comment :D
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