Baccano!
Summary: During the early 1930s in Chicago, the transcontinental train, Flying Pussyfoot, is starting its legendary journey that will leave a trail of blood all over the country. At the same time in New York, the ambitious scientist Szilard and his unwilling aide Ennis are looking for missing bottles of the immortality elixir. In addition, a war between the mafia groups is getting worse. On board the Advena Avis, in 1711, alchemists are about to learn the price of immortality.
Based on the award-winning light novels of the same name, Baccano! follows several events that initially seem unrelated, both in time and place, but are part of a much bigger story—one of alchemy, survival, and immortality. Merging these events together are the kindhearted would-be thieves, Isaac and Miria, connecting various people, all of them with their own hidden ambitions and agendas, and creating lifelong bonds and consequences for everyone involved.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
During the early 1930s in Chicago, the transcontinental train, Flying Pussyfoot, is starting its legendary journey that will leave a trail of blood all over the country. At the same time in New York, the ambitious scientist Szilard and his unwilling aide Ennis are looking for missing bottles of the immortality elixir. In addition, a war between the mafia groups is getting worse. On board the Advena Avis, in 1711, alchemists are about to learn the price of immortality.
Based on the award-winning light novels of the same name, Baccano! follows several events that initially seem unrelated, both in time and place, but are part of a much bigger story—one of alchemy, survival, and immortality. Merging these events together are the kindhearted would-be thieves, Isaac and Miria, connecting various people, all of them with their own hidden ambitions and agendas, and creating lifelong bonds and consequences for everyone involved.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Baccano! Trailers
Baccano! Pictures
Baccano! Review
Baccano! — During the early 1930s in Chicago, the transcontinental train, Flying Pussyfoot, is starting its legendary journey that will leave a trail of blood all over the country. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Action, Mystery, Supernatural conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.35). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Baccano! offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Action, Mystery, Supernatural, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Avaro, Maiza
Main
Miyamoto, Mitsuru
Japanese
Avaro, Maiza
Main
Hennigan, Sean
English
Avaro, Maiza
Main
Pasquier, Laurent
French
Dian, Isaac
Main
Onosaka, Masaya
Japanese
Dian, Isaac
Main
Tatum, J. Michael
English
Dian, Isaac
Main
Wilhelm, Marc
French
Dian, Isaac
Main
Bridges, Dave
English
Ennis
Main
Kobayashi, Sanae
Japanese
Ennis
Main
Palencia, Brina
English
Ennis
Main
Vandroux, Sandra
French
Gandor, Luck
Main
Koyasu, Takehito
Japanese
Gandor, Luck
Main
Liebrecht, Jason
English
Gandor, Luck
Main
Doumenc, Waléry
French
Harvent, Miria
Main
Aoki, Sayaka
Japanese
Harvent, Miria
Main
Glass, Caitlin
English
Harvent, Miria
Main
Vandroux, Sandra
French
Laforet, Chane
Main
Hirohashi, Ryou
Japanese
Laforet, Chane
Main
Rial, Monica
English
Meyer, Czesław
Main
Kanda, Akemi
Japanese
Meyer, Czesław
Main
Whitehead, Maxey
English
Staff
Cook, Justin
Producer
Harp, Clarine
Producer
Satou, Yumi
Producer
Yokoyama, Shuko
Producer
Kananiwa, Kozue
Assistant Producer
Oomori, Takahiro
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Iwanami, Yoshikazu
Sound Director
Hara, Hiroshi
Episode Director
Kanbe, Mamoru
Episode Director, Storyboard
Kawagoe, Jun
Episode Director
Kosaka, Harume
Episode Director
Matsuura, Johei
Episode Director
Nakano, Hideaki
Episode Director
Oohata, Kiyotaka
Episode Director, Storyboard
Satou, Yutaka
Episode Director
Tamura, Koutarou
Episode Director
Yoneda, Mitsuhiro
Episode Director, Key Animation, Animation Director
Decouzon, Mélanie
Script
Huber, Chuck
Script
Takagi, Noboru
Script, Series Composition