Baccano!

Baccano! was produced by Brain's Base and released in 2007, adapted from the light novel series written by Ryohgo Narita. Set primarily during the American Prohibition era, the story weaves together a non-linear narrative involving alchemists, mobsters, and immortals aboard a transcontinental train. The project was conceived as a stylistic departure from standard anime tropes, emphasizing a cinematic structure that intentionally fragmented the timeline to mimic the chaotic energy of its jazz-inspired setting.

The series is noted for its distinct visual direction under Takahiro Omori, who aimed to evoke the gritty, atmospheric quality of classic pulp fiction. The character designs, originally by Katsumi Enami, were translated into animation with a focus on period-accurate attire and expressive, frenetic movement. Upon its release, the series earned critical acclaim for its ambitious storytelling and complex ensemble cast, eventually becoming a cult classic that defined the aesthetic of late-2000s psychological and action-oriented anime.