Baccano! The Complete Collection

Baccano is a complex and bloody saga set over several years, hopping from the prohibition era to various points in the past. It involves a group of alchemists who have acquired a serum which has given them immortality. All is not well in this group however and a lethal power struggle has led them and a group of strange and in some cases positively homicidal ancillary characters to a train, The Flying Pussyfoot. The plot unfolds slowly over the four disks. It's well made with a nice soundtrack and requires attentive viewing if you are to avoid getting lost in the myriad sub plots and convolutions. It's rated 18 due to the high kill rate and violence. I liked it but think it will be a bit of a culture shock for anybody unused to the more adult end of the animé spectrum. Only downside is the character naming protocols. I get the impression that the creators have a somewhat tenuous grasp of western names, how else can one explain Jacuzzi Splot?

Baccano! is in many ways a very unique anime. First we get the rare setting of the united states during the Prohibition-era between the first and second world war. A very interesting location, given that the most anime are placed in modern Japan. Second is the very interesting storytelling. Its more then non-linear. There are a few scattered stories in one timeline, told out of order like Pulp Fiction. Its absolutely necessary to see all episodes to understand the whole story. Therefore a Complete Collection is the best thing to buy (especially when it contain the three extra episodes). The third is the renounce of typical over the top anime emotions. No chibis, no strange deformations. Most similar to that is a strange, but funny couple. At least its limited. The humour is shallow and is fine with supporting the characters and they're stories. Last but not least we have the good balance of the events. Despite the realistic setting the story contain mystical stuff happens. Its a important plot point, but insert itself flawless. The anime is in itself very balanced. Baccano! is a cool complex, but not complicated anime work with nice characters, refreshing jazz music and a dirty gangster setting around 1930 in America, completed with mystic events happening. Its fun to watch and a recommendation for anime fans and friends of good stories.