Baccano!

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Baccano!
200
Baccano! The Rolling Bootlegs, cover
バッカーノ！
Genre Adventure, Comedy
Light novel
Author Ryohgo Narita
Illustrator Katsumi Enami
Publisher Flag of Japan Dengeki Bunko
Demographic Male
Published 2002
Volumes 14
TV anime
Director Takahiro Omori
Studio Brains-Base, Aniplex
Network Flag of Japan WOWOW
Original run July 26, 2007 – November 01, 2007
Episodes 13 (+3 DVD only)
Manga: Baccano! 1931 The Grand Punk Railroad
Author Ryohgo Narita (story)
Ginyū Shijin (art)
Publisher MediaWorks
Demographic Shōnen
Serialized in Dengeki Comic Gao!
Original run February 2007
Volumes 1

Baccano! (バッカーノ！ Bakkāno!?) is a light novel series by Ryohgo Narita, with illustrations by Katsumi Enami. The first volume won Gold in the 9th Dengeki Novel Prize and the series has been made into a TV anime which started July 26, 2007 by Aniplex and Brains-Base.[1] The second storyline in the series has also been adapted into a manga.

Contents

[edit] Overview

"Baccano", which Narita translates as "stupid commotion", is Italian for "ruckus". Each of the stories in the series involves several unrelated plots intersecting and crossing each other as events spiral farther and farther out of control. Immortal alchemists, mafia operated speakeasies, and many other elements of pulp fiction mashed together for a world straight out of the movies.

[edit] Story

In 1711, a group of alchemists seeking eternal life gathered on a boat to summon the "demon" that held the secret. The demon agreed to give them what they wanted—an elixir of life, the method to create more, and the secret to ending their new-found existence. The following night, alchemists began disappearing, "eaten" by one of their own. Realizing the threat posed by being close together, they decided to scatter across the world.

Centuries later, in Prohibition-era America, the immortals have come together once again, and the "stupid commotion" starts.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Main characters (in credits order)

Isaac Dian (アイザック・ディアン Aizakku Dian?)
Isaac is an idiot thief who owes his success to the insanity of his crimes (i.e. stealing non-valuable items such as chocolate, or breaking into a watch shop to "steal time") and the garish costumes he habitually wears, leading witnesses to assume that he is a performer of sorts rather than a thief. He is in love with his partner-in-crime, Miria. He becomes immortal in 1930, after drinking the immortality liquor.
Miria Harvent (ミリア・ハーヴェント Miria Hāvento?)
Another idiot thief, she is the partner and lover of Isaac Dian. Miria wholeheartedly believes and supports everything Isaac says, often even going so far as to mimic his body language. She also unintentionally becomes an immortal in 1930. Together they appear extremely stupid, whimsical and oblivious, but they have great affection for the people they meet--whom they always make a big impression on--and always believe the best of them.
Firo Prochainezo (フィーロ・プロシェンツォ Fīro Puroshentso?)
Firo is a Camorra member that is an exceptionally skilled fighter. He falls in love with Ennis, later "eating" Szilard to save her from death. He is a good friend of the Gandors and Claire. Like a number of cast members, he becomes immortal in 1930, by drinking the liquor of immortality brewed by Barnes when the elixir is mistaken for a celebratory bottle of alcohol.
Maiza Avaro (マイザー・アヴァーロ Maizā Avāro?)
A Camorra member and one of the original immortals. He was the alchemist who summoned the demon aboard the Advena Avis, and in turn the only one given knowledge of the immortality elixir's recipe. His younger brother, Gerd, was one of the first to be "eaten" for knowledge of the elixir's recipe. Despite being a mafia member, he does not advocate violence, and is rather tenderhearted. Maiza perenially wears a kind expression.
Keith Gandor (キース・ガンドール Kīsu Gandōru?)
Keith is a mafia boss that perpetually scowls and remains silent throughout the series. He and his brothers all become immortal in 1930.
Berga Gandor (ベルガ・ガンドール Beruga Gandōru?)
Berga is a very large and violent Mafia boss who enjoys softening up other thugs for Mr. Tic.
Luck Gandor (ラック・ガンドール Rakku Gandōru?)
Luck Gandor and his two brothers lead the Gandor Family; he is almost always seen with a quaint smile. He is a good friend of Firo's, thus his family has a close relationship with the Martillo's because of this. Luck is professional, but in accordance with his profession, is merciless against those that do his "family" harm.
Szilard Quates (セラード・クェーツ Serādo Kuētsu?)
An immortal alchemist who is seeking the recipe of the immortality elixir. The first among the alchemists on the Advena Avis to gain immortality, he went on a killing spree soon after, "eating" many fellow alchemists, including Maiza's brother, thereby obtaining part of the elixir's recipe. Using this incomplete formula, Szilard developed a potion that created "quasi-immortals" capable of healing from any wound, but still susceptible to aging and being "eaten" by full Immortals. He created Ennis as a homunculus. Despite having the body of an old man, Szilard is exceptionally fast and strong, capable of defeating most opponents in physical combat. By the 1930s, Szilard has tracked down and "eaten"' eighteen of the original Advena Avis immortals.
Ennis (エニス Enisu?)
Szilard's homunculus, although not his first creation. She was created as his subordinate, and is supposed to have no thoughts or emotion when executing his commands; recently, however, she has been gaining more human emotions, as well as independent thought. Eventually, she helps Firo by giving him the necessary knowledge to destroy Szilard.
Claire Stanfield a.k.a. Vino (クレア・スタンフィールド Kurea Sutanfīrudo?)
Claire was raised with the Gandor brothers, and as such, is a part of the family. Claire is now an assassin named Vino--Italian for "wine"--earning the name because of his predilection for mutilating the bodies of his victims beyond recognition, which usually leaves him covered in a thick layer of blood. He works undercover as a conductor on the Flying Pussyfoot, and later happily takes on the persona of the vengeful "Rail Tracer" monster. Claire believes that the world is a show put on for him, and that he has complete control over it. He proposes to Chane at their first meeting, and is now searching for her in Manhattan.
Lua Klein (ルーア・クライン Rūa Kurain?)
Ladd's lover and fiancée. She is fair-haired and beautiful, although she tends to wear a somewhat vacant (albeit serene) expression. She is completely devoted to Ladd and is likely a masochist, as she seems to take pleasure in his promise that he will be the one to kill her.
Ladd Russo (ラッド・ルッソ Raddo Russo?)
Ladd is a sadistic hitman for the Russo family. His love for acts of violence truly shows in the maniacal glee he exhibits while fighting or killing. He is exceptionally skilled in hand-to-hand combat--particularly boxing--and the use of firearms. Ladd is deeply in love with his fiancée, Lua, although he expresses it through a passionate promise to kill her someday.
Chane Laforet (シャーネ・ラフォレット Shāne Raforetto?)
Mute daughter of Huey Laforet and an excellent knife fighter. She joins her father's followers in holding the passengers of the Flying Pussyfoot hostage, despite claiming to disapprove of such acts. She can communicate telepathically with Huey, though it is unknown whether the ability is hers, his, or mutual. Chane is devoted to her father, believing him to be the only person to ever love her. She later tells Claire to find her in Manhattan, saying she would always be waiting. It is revealed that, when offered anything for keeping Huey's secrets, she asked him to take her voice so that she would never betray him, something Huey finds highly interesting. After the kindness of Jacuzzi and his gang, and Claire's continued professions of love, her world begins to open up past the one that just included herself and Huey.
Nice Holystone (ニース・ホーリーストーン Nīsu Hōrīsutōn?)
Explosive expert with a mellow disposition. Nice makes top-notch explosives, but lost her right eye and has extensive scarring on her body from an accident with her homemade explosives when she was a child. She and Jacuzzi are childhood friends, she explains that they've been "together" for 10 years.
Jacuzzi Splot (ジャグジー・スプロット Jagujī Supurotto?)
A crybaby who is nonetheless capable of exceptional courage and leadership ability when the situation calls for it. At first, Jacuzzi seems almost cripplingly shy, even with a tendency to stutter in front of strangers. However, when his loved ones are in danger, he will summon the strength to face his problems directly, even though he'll continue to cry. After a member of his gang was killed, Jacuzzi robbed a record number of neighborhood stores, clutching a machine gun as tears stream down his face. Jacuzzi went out and received his "sword tattoo" on his face when Nice was injured in an explosives accident,so that they would both be similarly marked.
Eve Genoard (イブ・ジェノアード Ebu Jenoādo?)
Eve is the little sister of Dallas Genoard. Despite her quiet personality and aristocratic upbringing, Eve has very little fear of the New York streets, going directly against the mafia as she searches for her brother. Eve truly believes that Dallas has a kind heart. She also allows Isaac and Miria to steal the family fortune when others are fighting over it.
Dallas Genoard (ダラス・ジェノアード Darasu Jenoādo?)
Dallas is a small-time thug and brother of Eve Genoard. After Isaac and Miria steal his family's fortune, Dallas goes on a string of robberies with his friends, and getting mixed up with Szilard's plans. He and his group are later captured by Szilard, and made into quasi-immortals (they can't be killed, but they do age). Dallas goes looking for revenge with his newfound powers, but eventually gets captured by the Gandors, cemented in a steel barrel, and dropped to the bottom of the Hudson river. Eve later agrees to allow him to be dredged up and experimented on, believing it preferable to his spending the rest of his life drowning and reviving.
Czeslaw Meyer (チェスワフ・メイエル Chesuwafu Meieru?)
A young boy who gained immortality aboard the Advena Avis. Because of the way his guardian treated him, he is extremely afraid of the other immortals and wants to "eat" them all before they can "eat" him.

[edit] Secondary characters

Rachel (レイチェル Reicheru?)
A woman working for Daily Days information center. She sneaks on board the Flying Pussyfoot to collect information. She survives the train incident and reveals some important aspects of the incident on the train. She is later approached by Czeslaw, who offers to tell her everything about immortality.
Chic Jefferson (チック Chikku?)
A young man always seen smiling with a pair of scissors. Helps out in the Gandor family by 'taking care' of their enemies.
Huey Laforet (ヒューイ・ラフォレット Hyūi Raforetto?)
The father of Chane Laforet and one of the first to gain immortality on the Advena Avis, he is currently imprisoned by a government organization in Newfoundland. He has an avid following who go to great lengths to free him, including taking an entire train hostage in exchange for their leader's freedom. Huey does not agree with their methods and is aware that some of his followers only wish for the secret of his immortality.
Elmer C. Albatross (エルマー Erumā?)
One of the original members of the Advena Avis. He is unnaturally optimistic about everything. During his time on the ship, he falls overboard and, while sinking to the bottom of the ocean, is granted a single wish from the demon. It is later revealed that his wish was for the demon to remain by Maiza's side as a human until Maiza can laugh out-loud and jokingly comments it may help the demon to be able to laugh too.
Sylvie Lumiere (シルヴィ Shiruvi?)
One of the original members of the Advena Avis. She is the only one who does not drink the immortality elixir immediately and instead saves her portion in a bottle. She was the lover of Maiza's brother, Gerd. In the 1930's, she has become a lounge singer.
Demon/Ronnie
Summoned aboard the Advena Avis by Maiza. He bestows the entire crew of alchemists with the elixir of immortality and explains the rules of their immortality. He explains how to make more of the elixir, but only tells the secret to Maiza. He is currently disguised as a human and working as a member of the Martiggio Family. When he is summoned he appears as faint shadow of a man, accompanied by a booming voice.
Graham Spector
A young man who was not directly involved with any of the main events in the anime. He harbours deep admiration for Ladd, whom he refers to as an "older brother", and can be compared to him insofar as his psychotic, murderous attitude. Graham is obsessed with breaking things, a complex that generally manifests in dismantling cars, but sometimes results in his wanting to "break" other humans as well. He dresses in a blue mechanic's outfit and carries an oversized monkey wrench. Graham also has a peculiar tendency to speak frantically, repetitively, and often philosophizes violently and contradictorily--he will lament about his current state of affairs in the most negative way possible, before changing his mood and suddenly view the same issue in the most positive way possible.

[edit] Light novels

# Title ISBN Release date
1 Baccano! The Rolling Bootlegs ISBN 4840222789 Feb 2003
A young man named Firo is promoted within his Camorra; two idiot thieves, Isaac and Miria, arrive in New York in disguise; and a three hundred year old alchemist, Szilard, has almost succeeded in recreating the liquor of immortality. When a young thug, Dallas, clashes with Firo, and Firo falls in love with Szilard's homunculus, Ennis, the liquor of immortality begins changing hands rapidly. And then the Gandor family gets involved...
2 Baccano! 1931 Donkōhen (鈍行編? Local Chapter) The Grand Punk Railroad ISBN 4840224366 Aug 2003
3 Baccano! 1931 Tokkyūhen (特急編? Express Chapter) The Grand Punk Railroad ISBN 4840224595 Sep 2003
Terrorists, serial killers, working class gang members, and idiot thieves battle for control of a train while the Rail Tracer, a legendary monster, hunts them down. The two books cover the same timeline but focus on different characters.
4 Baccano! 1932 Drug & The Dominos ISBN 4840224943 Oct 2003
An alchemist creates a dangerous new drug, the information merchants find themselves caught in a mafia power struggle, and the professional killer known as Vino arrives in town.
5 Baccano! 2001 The Children Of Bottle ISBN 4840226091 Feb 2004
Four of the surviving immortals visit a small town in Europe, looking for one of their own. But the town is very strange, and the secrets it holds will haunt them.
6 Baccano! 1933 (Part 1) The Slash ~Kumori nochi ame~ (クモリノチアメ? Cloudy to Rainy) ISBN 484022787X Sep 2004
7 Baccano! 1933 (Part 2) The Slash ~Chi no ame wa, hare~ (チノアメハ、ハレ? Bloody to Fair) ISBN 4840228507 Nov 2004
Tick and the Mexican samurai Maria are sent to talk to Jacuzzi Splot's gang about their activities in the Gandor's territory; they arrive at the same time as Ronnie and Ennis, and discover a group of Huey's minions trying to recruit Jacuzzi by offering them immortality - and they have kidnapped Dallas to demonstrate.
8 Baccano! 1934 Gokuchūhen (獄中編? Imprisoned Chapter) Alice in jails ISBN 4840235856 Oct 2006
9 Baccano! 1934 Shabahen (娑婆編? Corruption Chapter) Alice in jails ISBN 4840236364 Dec 2006
10 Baccano! 1934 Finale Peter Pan in Chains ISBN 9784840238052 Apr 2007
11 Baccano! 1705 The Ironic Light Orchestra ISBN 9784840239103 Jul 2007
12 Baccano! 2002 (A Side) Bullet Garden ISBN 9784840240277 Oct 2007
13 Baccano! 2002 (B Side) Blood Sabbath ISBN 9784840240697 Nov 2007

[edit] Anime

The anime version, directed by Takahiro Omori and produced by Brains-Base and Aniplex, began on July 26, 2007. Scheduled for a single season, the trailer released on the official site shows scenes from the first four novels, with the main emphasis on the Grand Punk Railroad storyline. The entire season covers the events from 1930–1932, with one episode dedicated to the roots of the story in 1711. It mostly revolves around the hostage crisis aboard the Flying Pussyfoot in 1931, seen from eight points-of-view, (Isaac and Miria's, Czes's, Jacuzzi's, Rachel's, Claire's, the Lemures', Chane's, and the Russo family's), with character backgrounds included as well as the events in New York which occurred in 1930 and detailing Eve's journey to find her older brother Dallas in 1932.

# Title Original air date
1 "The Assistant Editor Refuses to Discuss the Possibility that he is the Main Character"
"Fukushachō wa Jishin ga Shuyaku de aru Kanōsei ni tsuite Kataranai" (副社長は自身が主役である可能性について語らない[2]) 		 July 26, 2007
The year is 1931, and Carol, assistant to the vice-director of the Daily Days, Gustav St-Germain, is researching on the extraordinary events that had been occurring in the past few years. She and St-Germain try and determine the lead character of Baccano, candidates of which include Isaac and Miria, Czes, and the Gandors, before Firo is thrown into the mix. The Runorata family is then revealed to have been trampling the Gandors' turf and having "killed" Firo and Luck, before Don tells his worthless second-in-command Gustavo to search for Dallas. Maiza, Ennis, Firo, and the Gandors are then seen to be awaiting Isaac and Miria, an old friend of Maiza's, and Claire, whom Firo and the Gandors seem to know well. Ladd and Lua are found as survivors of the Flying Pussyfoot incident, with Ladd missing a hand and threatening to kill Lua as usual. Nick and his colleagues are fishing out their treasure from the river, and Chane is found clinging to a piece of luggage. The Flying Pussyfoot arrives, and Rachel limps off. Behind her are Jacuzzi and co., with a wounded Jacuzzi crying as usual. Isaac and Miria meet up with Ennis and the rest. 
2 "Despite the Old Woman's Anxieties the Flying Pussyfoot Pulls Out"
"Rōfujin no Fuan o Yoso ni Furaingu Pusshīfutto Go wa Shuppatsu Suru" (老婦人の不安をよそに大陸横断鉄道は出発する) 		 August 2, 2007
The episode begins like the title says. Then in late 1930, Isaac and Miria are in California, trying to cash in on the gold rush with no success. A letter from Ennis in New York prompts them to return, but when they realize they have no money, they decide to do a "train robbery". They bat a couple of mafia hitmen dressed as Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, steal the money, and then take the transcontinental Flying Pussyfoot to New York. An orchestra, Rachel, Czes, the Russo family, Natalie and Mary Beriam, and Jacuzzi and co. are also seen boarding. There are three conductors; a fat one, a young redhead and an old man, Tony, who is about to retire. The redhead is attracted by Chane, and Tony is killed by one of Ladd's men, who steals his conductor's uniform. Senator Beriam later makes whatever is onboard the Flying Pussyfoot his priority, rather than his family. Nice, Jacuzzi, Isaac, Miria, Czes, Mary and Natalie all meet in the dining car, where Isaac and Miria share the tale of the Rail Tracer. Jacuzzi is scared witless and runs to the conductor's car for a solution. The fat conductor is revealed to be part of the Lumeres, a fanatical cult dedicated to releasing Huey Laforet from jail, and the redhead is held at gunpoint. Jacuzzi runs into Ladd, and Ladd recognizes him. 
3 "Randy and Pezzo are Busy Getting Ready for the Party"
"Randi to Peccho wa Pāti no Junbi de Isogashii" (ランディとペッチョはパーティの準備で忙しい) 		 August 9, 2007
In 1932, Eve is watching men dig up the Hudson River in New York. In 1931, Runorata men come to the Daily Days for information on Dallas, and when they resort to violence, find themselves firmly rebuffed. The official explanation as to why Runorata is searching for Dallas is in 1930, he beat up a member of the Runorata family pretty badly before being stopped by Luck. Back to the Pussyfoot, Ladd is dancing with Lua, going ballistic about how he's going to kill all these people. When he leaves to check up on Bicky in the dining car, he runs into Jacuzzi, who is wanted by the Russo family, and asks Lua to follow the boy to the conductor's car. In New York, a comedy duo are trying to work in a little pyrotechnics to their evening act, but end up setting a glove and a storehouse on fire. However, beneath the storehouse an old man Barnes has apparently attained the immortality elixir. But his laboratory burns down, and he only manages to escape with two bottles. Back to 1930, Eve goes to the Daily Days for information on Dallas. Maiza takes the about-to-be-inaugurated-into-the-mafia Firo to buy a hat, after which they bump into Isaac and Miria. Firo sees a fire and goes to check it out, meeting Ennis. She loses a button which Firo finds, and he runs after her. Instead he finds Dallas beating up Barnes, and rescues him. Meanwhile on the train Nice asks Nick to take care of things in the dining car. Eve's contact in Daily Days is unable to help her. Barnes stumbles away, but Dallas catches him, "killing" him, and taking the bottles of elixir from him. In the dining car of the Flying Pussyfoot, Lumeres, Russo's Bicky, and Nick each try to take control of the car. Nick bows out, after realizing he only has a knife. Ennis finds a recuperating Barnes, and Jacuzzi finds two messed up bodies in the conductor's cabin. 
4 "Ladd Russo Enjoys Talking a Lot and Killing a Lot"
"Raddo Russo wa Ōini Katari Ōini Satsuriku o Tanoshimu" (ラッド・ルッソは大いに語り大いに殺戮を楽しむ) 		 August 16, 2007
Ladd hears the gunfire from the dining car and is getting pumped on adrenaline. In Chicago, 10 hours before the Flying Pussyfoot departed, Russo is being told that a couple dressed as Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb stole his cash. One of his underlings was also supposedly well done by Jacuzzi. Ladd comes into the office, and kills the two men reporting to Russo. He then goes on to prove that he is definitely a homicidal maniac. Having entered the dining car on the Pussyfoot, Ladd finds Bicky dead, and kills two of the three Lumeres. After Eve leaves the Daily Days, Elean accidentally lets slip to Nicolas that he has information on Dallas, but it is classified. After Maiza bumps into Isaac outside the hat shop, he and Miria enter and go crazy. They leave and dream about their wealthy future, but are hit by a car, which is being driven by Ennis, who chauffeurs Szilard to the secret society of old geezers. On the Pussyfoot, the last Lumere from the dining cart is reporting to Goose. Chane leaves midway, after which Goose admits his plan to kill her. Ladd gives his men free rein on the Pussyfoot. Szilard announces that he has remade the elixir, and tells Ennis to fetch Barnes, who has it. Dallas is beating up Barnes. Ennis arrives at the fire, and bumps into Firo. Nice and Donny go to the conductor's cabin to look for Jacuzzi, but there is something looking in on them too. 
5 "Jacuzzi Splot Cries, Cowers, and Shows His Mettle"
"Jagujī Supurotto wa Naite Obiete Banyū o Furū" (ジャグジー・スプロットは泣いて怯えて蛮勇を奮う) 		 August 23, 2007
The day before he boards the Flying Pussyfoot, Jacuzzi is held up by three Russo members. He cries and cowers, and the men are killed by Donny, Nice, and his friends. On board the Flying Pussyfoot, he is joined in the conductor's cabin by Nice and Donny, he freaks out at them, but comes to the resolution that he has to beat the Russo family and the Lumeres in order to protect the people he met earlier in the dining car. In 1930, Barnes wakes up in the secret society, and Szilard eats him to gain the whereabouts of the two bottles of elixir. He sets Ennis to chase Dallas, and tells her that Firo is also looking for her. In 1931, Gustavo gets a call from Runorata, telling him his life is forfeit should Dallas not be found. He goes to Daily Days personally to extort information, succeeding in doing so, and leaves bent on kidnapping Eve. One of Gustavo's men is apparently loyal to Senator Beriam, who also seems friendly with Runorata. Beriam tells Runorata that Dallas is partially immortal, which appears to be the real reason why Runorata is so hellbent on finding him. Firo is inaugurated into the Camorras after a swear-in ceremony and a knife-fight with Maiza which he wins, and notices Maiza's regeneration abilities. Don fires a round to celebrate, but accidentally shoots Isaac. On the Pussyfoot, the Lumeres take control of the dining car after Mary and Czes are instructed by Natalie to run away. The Lumeres discover Rachel's disappearance, but something appears to be hunting them down alongside. 
6 "The Rail Tracer Maneuvers Through the Train Slaughtering Many"
"Reiru Toreisa wa Shanai o Anyaku shi Gyakusatsu o Kurikaesu" (レイルトレーサーは車内を暗躍し虐殺をくりかえす) 		 September 13, 2007
Nicolas and Elean report to the director what Nicolas let slip to Gustavo, and he appears to have his own agenda. On board the Pussyfoot, the Rail Tracer is human, and appears to be killing Lumeres. Rachel sees him and he tells her something that scares her silly. In 1930, Dallas goes to Luck for help against Firo, not knowing that the two go way back, and is firmly rebuffed. They leave the elixir at the Gandors' as they are thrown out. Czes leaves Mary in a broom closet and goes to look for the Immortals. Nice, Jacuzzi and Donny rescue Nick, who was captured along with Lua and her bodyguard, although Ladd disdained to rescue Nick as well. Nick then spots blood pooling out of the next door cabin, and Ladd walks out. He introduces himself and is about to make a move on Jacuzzi when the latter mentions the carnage in the conductor's cabin, which momentarily diverts Ladd. Mary is discovered by one of the Russo's, who is then killed by Chane. Dallas gripes about the Gandors, and then reveals he still has a soft spot for Eve. They encounter Isaac and Miria, who are reminiscing about their shady past, and begin to beat Isaac up. Gustavo lures Eve out with information about Dallas and kidnaps her. When Jacuzzi and co. enter the bloody cabin, they find blood all over the ceiling as well. While puking, Nick sees someone outside, and they discover the Rail Tracer. Ennis finds Dallas beating up Isaac and inadvertently rescues the two of them. Elean, Nicolas and the director speculate on the outcomes of Eve's kidnapping. The director reveals that the legendary assassin Claire Stanfield, or Vino, is headed for New York aboard the Flying Pussyfoot on invitation from Luck. At the secret society, Ennis injects Dallas and his men with the incomplete elixir. 
7 "Everything began on board the Advena Avis"
"Subete wa Adowena Awisu Go no Senjō kara Hajimaru" (すべてはアドウェナ・アウィス号の船上からはじまる) 		 September 20, 2007
This episode shows the beginning of the immortal elixir aboard the ship, the Advena Avis. Maiza leads a group of alchemists in summoning a demon to grant them the elixir. Members of this group are Huey Laforet, Maiza's brother Gerd, his girlfriend Sylvie, Szilard, Czes, his parental figure Fermet, Elmer, and other unimportant people. Three rules go along with the elixir: how to "eat" other immortals, the necessary usage of one's real name with other immortals, and that Maiza would be the only one to possess the recipe for the elixir. Maiza decides to seal the knowledge, and is backed by nearly all of the alchemists except Huey, who suspends his vote, and Szilard, who firmly opposes it. Maiza later shares half of the recipe with Gerd, not knowing that alchemists are being eaten outside. When Maiza goes to "eat" Szilard, Elmer tries to stop him, which is then they discover that Szilard is gone. He "ate" Gerd and was about to "eat" Sylvie when Maiza arrives. Szilard eventually falls off the ship, but so does Elmer when he tries to convince the old man. The demon, impressed by Elmer's sheer stupidity, grants him a wish. Huey and the demon have a little chat on the top of the ship. Presently, Ronnie (the demon) and Maiza are both working for the mafia, and Ronnie has a hunch that Szilard is right around the corner. 
8 "Isaac and Miria Spread Happiness Without Realizing it"
"Aizakku to Miria wa Wareshirazu Shui ni Kōfuku o Makichirasu" (アイザックとミリアは我知らず周囲に幸福をまきちらす) 		 September 27, 2007
Two FBI agents come to Chicago to enlist the help of the local police in finding Isaac and Miria, whom, we discover, are really quite whimsical. On board the Pussyfoot, the two faint upon remembering they forgot to buy Ennis a souvenir. Jacuzzi and co. see the Rail Tracer, and decide to climb onto the roof to investigate. In New York, Gustavo inflicts his disgusting behaviour on the kidnapped Eve, and reveals that he killed her father and oldest brother. In 1930, Eve is missing Dallas and crying over her photograph of them. She overhears Isaac and Miria's speculation about their 'tragic love' and goes to talk to them. Isaac and Miria are corrected, that Dallas is actually her brother, who, although from a rich family, has turned into a delinquent. Isaac and Miria decide to help Eve, and steal the Genoard family assets. They leave, telling Eve that she will always be able to find happiness. When Eve wakes, Dallas is there, and offers to teach her billiards. But he flies into a rage upon discovering all their money is gone. Eve's memories are all a dream, and when she wakes up her guard is asleep, and she quickly runs away. On the Pussyfoot, Jacuzzi and co. return to the dining car only to discover all their friends have disappeared. He instructs them to split up and search for them, with he and Donny headed one way and Nice and Nick the other. He kisses Nice before he leaves. He and Donny find Isaac and Miria at the conductor's cabin, lamenting loudly on Jacuzzi's surmised death. In one of the luggage cars, Jacuzzi explains their circumstances to Isaac and Miria, like how he robbed 18 Runorata stores in a day after finding out 8 of his friends had been killed. He regrets all the deaths he's inadvertently caused, and Isaac and Miria cheer him up before leaving to look for the Rail Tracer. In 1930, Isaac and Miria help Ennis load Dallas and gang into her car. Ennis says she's too afraid to face up to her sins, and Isaac and Miria cheer her on, before exchanging names and telling her to meet again, touching her. 
9 "Claire Stanfield Carries out Duties Faithfully"
"Kurea Sutanfīrudo wa Chūjitsu no Shokumu o Suikō suru" (クレア・スタンフィールドは忠実に職務を遂行する) 		 October 4, 2007
Ladd goes crazy upon discovering the bloody mess in the conductor's cabin, dancing in the blood pools and spattering his suit. One of the corpses is the fat conductor, while the other is Ladd's underling Dune who killed the old conductor for his uniform. This episode centers around Claire's backstory, revealing his history with the Gandors as well as his role aboard the Flying Pussyfoot. It is revealed early on that the Rail Tracer is a conductor; the young redheaded conductor held at gunpoint in the second episode in fact. He is the assassin Claire Stanfield, or Vino. He killed Dune, but not before torturing him to extort information. Blood-spattered and red-eyed, he is the Rail Tracer they see onboard the Pussyfoot. Rachel is also revealed to be an information gatherer working for the Daily Days, and shares with the director and Nicholas the events she saw unfold upon the Flying Pussyfoot. The director reveals he knows an awful lot about the incident for someone who wasn't there. He also appears to know that Czes is immortal. When the Pussyfoot arrives in New York, Claire meets the Gandors outside Grand Central instead, and tells them he is no longer Claire, but Vino. He wants a job that will make him work, and appears to be searching for someone. Szilard eats one of Dallas cronies, before unleashing the rest of them at the Gandors' head office when Luck, Berga, and Keith are away. Unfortunately, their men get caught in the crossfire. Mary is also held hostage by the Lumeres, and Goose doesn't intend for her to live too much longer. At the very end, Czes is attempting to lure Ladd into killing all the people in the dining cart, but Claire is watching. 
10 "Czeslaw Meyer Formulates Strategies, Terrified of the Immortal's Shadow"
"Chesuwafu Meieru wa Fushimono no Kage ni Obie Sakuryaku o Meguraseru" (チェスワフ・メイエルは不死者の影に怯え策略をめぐらせる) 		 October 11, 2007
Senator Beriam goes to see Huey Laforet in prison to get him to tell the Lumeres to surrender quietly. Huey laughs off his family-centered concern, and tells him that he shouldn't worry since his daughter, Chane, is onboard and is absolutely loyal to him. The two of them communicate telepathically, and Chane reveals that she knows the Lemures' plan to kill her. Czes is still trying to bribe Ladd into killing the people in the dining car, only the man doesn't take the bait and blows his head off. Gustavo is finally alerted to Eve's escape as Beriam's mole fakes his own incapacity. Eve is saved by Elean, who reveals the Gandors were involved with Dallas' disappearance. Eve takes off for their headquarters immediately. In 1930, Isaac and Miria are plotting their next robbery when they see Dallas carrying the box of elixir and steal it from him. Ennis sees them run off with the box and follows them. Eve arrives at the Gandors and tries to find out about Dallas, but they are interrupted by Gustavo. On board the Pussyfoot, Nice reveals that was the first time she and Jacuzzi had kissed in 10 years of dating. Ladd encounters Chane on top of the train and engages her in a fight. Watching Ladd and Chane, Nice and Nick let their guard down and are captured by the Lemures. Gustavo shoots the Gandors, but they regenerate and take him out. Cut to Isaac and Miria who are let down by their robbery of Dallas, and they head to the Martillo family's office, which is under a restaurant. Ennis tails them there. Isaac is shot in the head due to celebratory gunshots for Firo's inauguration, but is seemingly unwounded and they meet up with Firo and Maiza again. 
11 "Chane Laforet Remains Silent Before Two Monsters"
"Shāne Raforetto wa Futari no Kaijin o Mae ni Chinmoku suru" (シャーネ・ラフォレットは二人の怪人を前に沈黙する) 		 October 18, 2007
Firo talks to Maiza about his regeneration, but he sees Ennis and chases her to return her button. Atop the Pussyfoot, Chane is fighting Ladd, and Goose orders his men to shoot them both if possible. Ladd finds out and squeezes out information from the Lumeres. Czes is plotting in one of the passenger cars and plays the fool when Claire finds him. They both try to unnerve each other with various ways of torture, culminating with Rachel seeing Claire take Czes outside and grind his limbs off. Chane and Ladd fight again, but are interrupted by Claire, who shoves his ideology into Ladd's face, infuriating him. Maiza returns to the restaurant where Szilard is waiting for him. Szilard guns down Maiza's friends, and Firo tries to interfere but is stopped by Ennis, who explains the circumstances surrounding Szilard and her existence to him. The Gandors go up to check on the firefight. Dallas and his thugs manage to corner Firo and Ennis. Back on the Pussyfoot, Donny knocks out the Russo members and Jacuzzi takes control of the dining car. In 1932, Runorata enters the Gandors' office, desiring to know Dallas' whereabouts. 
12 "Firo and the Gandor Brothers are Shot Down"
"Fīro to Gandōru San Kyōdai wa Kyōdan ni Taoreru" (フィーロとガンドール三兄弟は凶弾に倒れる) 		 October 25, 2007
Rachel explains the origins of her injury, which was attained when she rescued Natalie and Mary Berriam, and Nice and Nick from the Lumeres. Jacuzzi heads alone to look for Nice. In 1930, the Gandors arrive on the scene to rescue Firo and Ennis from Dallas, but they regenerate and kill them. Maiza tries to run away, and Szilard follows, and Isaac and Miria run him over with his own car after they run over Dallas first. He tells Ennis to take care of them, and then shoots Maiza, crippling him. In 1931, Czes, nearly limbless, is thinking about the life he spent tortured by Fermet before finally "eating" him, thinking this was retribution. Isaac and Miria try to rescue him, but Czes discovers they are immortal and panics, causing them to fall off the train. They are momentarily saved by Rachel, but she was unable to hold onto them. Claire took their rope and made Donny reel them in. On top of the train, Ladd and Claire continue their conversation, and Claire reveals he holds the trump card, Lua, causing Ladd to jump off the train to save her. Nice and Nick try and escape to the roof, but are confronted by Goose, who is then attacked by Jacuzzi. He tells Nice and Nick to escape while he draws off the rest of the Lumeres. Goose follows with a flamethrower. When Donny is pulling the trio in, their rope knocks Goose over, damaging his flamethrower. 
13 "Immortals and non-Immortals both Enjoy Life Equally"
"Fushimono Mosō de nai Mono mo Hitoshi Nami ni Jinsei o Ōka suru" (不死者もそうでない者もひとしなみに人生を謳歌する) 		 November 1, 2007
Claire continues his conversation with Chane and ends up proposing to her, surprising them both. He saves her from a Lumere sniper, and tells her to cut her reply into the roof. Nice and Nick re-ammunition and steal what they came for, with Nice remembering why Jacuzzi cries so much. On top Jacuzzi headbutts Goose, who has had a weapon malfunction. Nice hears shots, and tells Nick to go on ahead. Goose shot Jacuzzi, and is about to burn him with the flamethrower when they see Czes' blood. Goose panics and tries to burn it, and Jacuzzi throws the bomb Nice gave him, which blasts Goose to the edge of the train. He doesn't fall, but Jacuzzi takes a knife in his hand to push the Lumere off. His tank of gas explodes, killing him. Isaac and Miria see the blood and think it's the Rail Tracer come to finish off Czes and try to protect him, and Isaac gives another cringe-inciting explanation. Czes tries to "eat" him, but Isaac and Miria think he's trying to reach out to them, and Miria tells him that he can laugh now. Nice finds Jacuzzi and pulls him up, and they embrace. Jacuzzi tells her that he's cried enough for both of them, so when sad things happen she can't cry. She turns and sees Claire standing in front of them. Jacuzzi goes to attack, but Claire waves a finger, and disappears. In 1930, Ennis stabs Szilard just as he's about to "eat" Maiza, and he incapacitates her. He turns to threaten her, and Isaac and Miria go to her defense. Firo, the Gandors, and the Martillos appear, having recovered after being shot numerous times. They set Szilard on fire, and Ennis instructs Firo on how to "eat" Szilard. He does so, and also saves her from the brink of death. It becomes obvious that Firo and Ennis have feelings for each other. Maiza apologizes for having brought this "curse" upon them, but they teach him that there can be happiness in immortality as well. In 1932, Luck tells Eve and Runorata that he had Dallas cemented and thrown into the Hudson River. Runorata acquires property rights from Eve after shooting Gustavo, and they go search for him. In 1931, the Flying Pussyfoot finally arrives in New York, and Isaac and Miria greet Maiza, Ennis and Firo. They introduce Czes as Ennis' younger brother and souvenir from the west. Czes reveals that he came to New York with the intention of eating Maiza, but Maiza just wants to take care of him, and the two reconcile. 
14 "Graham Spector's Love and Peace"
"Gurahamu Supekutā no Ai to Heiwa" (グラハム・スペクターの愛と平和) 		 February 27, 2008
(OVA, DVD volume 5)
In 1931, the majority of the protagonists (Firo and Isaac's groups) are relaxing while meanwhile Graham Spector is outraged at the fact that someone was able to seriously injure Ladd, and relates the story of how the two had met--in 1929, Graham had attacked him for ruining a car he had been going to dismantal during a job of Ladd's to take out a group of men who had been selling the Russo family's goods illegally. Despite winning, Ladd had spared Graham, saying that he liked men like him. In 1931 again, it is revealed that Elmer was present at the train station during the reunion of Firo's and Isaac's groups, but chose not to introduce himself to them. Elmer then heads to the prison to meet with Huey, who asks him to find Chane and make her smile, doubting that the girl he had treated so dispassionately is capable of experiencing happiness anymore. Meanwhile, Graham plans to deal with Jaccuzzi's group as Czes explains the truth of what happened on the Flying Pussyfoot to Rachel. 
15 "Even in the High Class Residential Area the Delinquents Remain as They Were"
"Kōkyū Jūtakugai ni Tadoritsuita Furyō Shōnentachi wa sore demo Itsumo to Kawaranai" (高級住宅街に辿り着いた不良少年たちはそれでもいつもと変わらない) 		 April 23, 2008
(OVA, DVD volume 7)
 
16 "Carol Proclaims That the Story Has No End"
"Monogatari ni Owari ga Atte wa Naranai koto o Kyaroru wa Katatta" (物語に終わりがあってはならないことをキャロルは悟った) 		 May 28, 2008
(OVA, DVD volume 8)
 

[edit] Video game

A video game adaptation was created by MediaWorks.

[edit] References

  1. ^ (Japanese) Anime Official Site. Aniplex. Retrieved on 2007-03-14.
  2. ^ Official Baccano! website episode list

[edit] External links