Some anime vanish from the mainstream conversation but never truly disappear.Baccano!is one of those rare titles that quietly built a reputation through word of mouth and rewatch value. It aired in 2007, duringa peak for bold anime storytelling, yet it remains underrated. Over time, its brilliance has become more apparent with each rediscovery.
Set in a stylized version of 1930s America,Baccano!begins as a story about a stolen immortality elixir. It quickly spirals into overlapping tales of gang wars, train hijackings, and supernatural conspiracies. The narrative loops in on itself, moving between years and characters. This isn’t confusion for confusion’s sake. The structure is purposeful, adding dramatic weight to every twist.
Baccano!’s Name Says It All
From Page to Screen With Style
“Baccano” means ruckus in Italian, and the anime lives up to its name. What sounds like chaos at first becomes a carefully orchestrated storm of ideas. The story unfolds through dozens of voices, each with their own stakes. The result is part crime caper, part gothic fantasy, part character study. It is anime storytelling pushed to the limit.
Ryogo Narita’s originalBaccano!light novels debuted in 2003 under the Dengeki Bunko line. Known for their sharp wit and interconnected plots, they blended pulp crime and the supernatural with surprising heart.
The anime, directed by Takahiro Omori and produced by Brain’s Base (who have animated many great series, includingseason 4 ofGolden Kamuy), condensed several arcs into a single season. Despite that,it remains one of the most structurally ambitious series of its era.
A True Diverse Ensemble Cast
A Runaway Train of Mismatched Motivations
There is no single protagonist inBaccano!. The story jumps between more than twenty central characters. Thieves, mafiosi, alchemists, and immortals all take the stage. The eccentric duo Isaac and Miria often provide comic relief, while Firo and Ennis anchor the emotional heart of the story. Their paths cross and collide in ways that reward close attention.
Much of the show’s tension centers around a train known as the Flying Pussyfoot. In 1931, multiple groups with conflicting goals ended up on board. What follows is a violent, tragic, and darkly funny showdown.These episodes are considered a high point of modern anime direction, mixing suspense and absurdity in perfect balance. Every rewatch reveals something new.
When Style Meets Substance
Rediscover and Ride the Chaos of Baccano!
The jazz-infused soundtrack by Makoto Yoshimori (who also wrotethe music forDurarara!!) captures the pulse of the era. The visuals embrace expressive character designs and rapid editing to reflect the show’s chaotic energy.
Sound director Miwa Iwanami (who later worked onJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) saidthe goal was to makeBaccano!feel like live action. That sensibility comes through, especially in how scenes cut between timelines and perspectives with confidence.
The anime consists of sixteen televised episodes and three additional OVAs. Together they form a compact, richly woven narrative. Unlike many series that overstay their welcome,Baccano!respects the viewer’s time. It gets in, tells its story, and exits at the perfect moment. Its legacy has only grown in the years since.
Baccano!is not just a series to watch. It’s one to experience.It blends genres, shifts tones, and redefines what anime can do when freed from convention. If you missed it the first time, now is the perfect moment to jump aboard. Let the music swell, the bullets fly, and the story unfold.
