Aired: 26/7/07 - 1/11/07
Produced By: Brains-Base, Aniplex, MOVIC
Episodes: 13

Baccano! I'm not sure why the exclamation mark is in the title, but this anime (whose name means ruckus in Italian) sure deserves it. In a relatively-short run of 13 episodes, it nonetheless manages to weave a solid, colourful tale filled with old-school mafia intrigue, psycho killers that are somehow sympathised with, romance and tomfoolery, torture, revivals (lots of revivals XD), and even a philosophical ramble here and there.

Often VERY confusing at times because of the way the time span jumps here and there -- when 1930 pops up seemingly-randomly on the screen I never fail to go, 'Huh?' -- Baccano's (I'll drop the ! so the title's easier to write now XD) introduction sets in motion this story, as Carole (who -seems- to be a little girl..or is she?) tries to decide which 'part' of the story to 'start' from. Of course, this has already been decided -- that the anime embark on all of the parts at the same time, resulting in this unique blend of eight points-of-view. (Don't ask me, I wasn't counting, wiki says so. XD)

The draw of this, is, of course, unfolding the mystery of what on earth is going on, as well as hoping the bloodshed on the Flying Pussyfoot, a train touted a little like the Titanic probably was, didn't get too out of hand. Though I'm sure there were some viewers who were hoping the opposite. -wry- Personally, I got a bit too used to the killing, after a while. I don't know whether to be disturbed or delighted, but I actually began sympathising with some of those violent people. XD Case in point: Ladd Russo. The man is just too joyous while killing. And even Vino (what a horrid alias he used then XD) has his own twisted judgement when deciding 'who to kill'. Would this be Stockholm Syndrome from the captive viewer?!

While taking breaks from the stuff going on in the Frying Pushyfooto, we gain interesting glimpses into the mafia underworld -- which probably are untrue at times. There're the separate families - Gandor, Camorra, Runorata, to name a few -- as well as 'independent' groups like Szilard's cult, or the delinquent small-fry Genoards. And also many guns.

Through it all, the only constant is probably the constantly-random Dynamic Desperado Dodging Duo of Isaac and Miria. These two never fail to bring a smile to my face! As the anime progresses, one gets more and more endeared towards them. I started chuckling at the slightest thing they did, much to the confusion of my dad, who joined me to watch episodes 11 to 13. (I think he was bored. XD) Despite their exaggerated and synchronised ways, they proved to actually be pretty insightful instead of shallow, with events involving Eve and Czeslaw.

There are too many other characters that I enjoyed, and because there were so many it truly isn't easy to squeeze them all into 13 eps. But Baccano managed to do this. I would have appreciated it if more screentime could have been given to some characters, or to fleshing out some events, but we see growth in almost every single one of them, most markedly in Jacuzzi Splot (oh my, Jacuzzi, finally a man! -wipes tear-) and Czes-kun, and that is enough, I do think.

The ending was rather predictable, but hey, I like fluffy endings. Nothing wrong with that. And like Danny said, Isaac and Miria do get the parting word, the silly both of them. ^^ I would, however, have liked to see how Vino chases that lady down! With her unspeaking ways...and Manhattan (was it?) IS a huge place..XD

For me, Baccano was an interesting watch. I'd overseen it once or twice, and didn't think to pick it up until our dear screenings director (<3, niisama) strongly recommended it. I do not regret it, but I do find it odd that it wasn't very...addictive. Perhaps it's just me. I loved the OP (great film-style introducing the characters), but the ED was VERY sleep-inducing...which was a big pity because Miria and Isaac would be there at the end introducing the next preview! This was often very interesting. (If you've watched it, you know how that duo is. )

I think this is too long already, so I'll let my keyboard have a rest and post this. (I didn't even get to go into the immortality. )A must-watch! Probably need to watch it again to understand more stuff, now that I've finished seeing it, too...darn...do I have to break my usual policy? XD