Unboxing [US]: Baccano! - Complete Series: Standard Edition (Blu-ray)

Perhaps one of the most impressive English dubs out there. It's time to take a trip to the flying pussyfoot with Baccano!

Here's an overview/unboxing for the standard edition of Baccano! on Blu-ray from Aniplex of America.

Baccano! is a very some-what complicated series based on the light novel of the same name (the same author who also made Durarara!!) and it's set during the 1940s of America where a bunch of events are going on; ranging from a robbery to supernatural immortality. This show has a lot going for it and it's one of the best anime shows ever made.

A lot of anime shows are mainly set in Japan and what makes Baccano! unique is that it's very american which is rare for an anime, and that is why the dub is also very good because the accents and the voices fit the roles perfectly. The show is also very good for fans who have a dislike towards fanservice since it's all about the story and the action.

While Funimation initially released the show on DVD, they did not have the Blu-ray rights. Aniplex of America was then founded not long after and Baccano!'s Blu-ray release was one of the first titles they had announced (alongside R.O.D. and Rurouni Kenshin). The Blu-ray was originally released as a Limited Edition Blu-ray set which contained packaging very similar to Madoka Magica but in Blu-ray size and only a few extras. It later sold out and was re-released as a standard Blu-ray set, which I have right here.

This standard edition Blu-ray set contains the entire series (13 episodes and 3 OVAs) across three discs and comes with some small additions like a mini-booklet and a slipcover. This is one of Aniplex's well designed sets since the cover is really cool (and is the exact same as the limited edition set) and has a well balanced content of discs. Note that the discs are exactly the same as the Japanese version as it also provides Japanese subtitles. The set comes with English and Japanese audio and unlockable subtitles. Like all Aniplex sets on Blu-ray, it's region free.

Another thing to point out is that the Blu-ray masters are actually upscales but they're one of the better 1080i anime shows you'll see around.

Blu-ray Specs (Main Feature):

Languages: Japanese, English
Audio: LPCM 2.0 [Japanese], LPCM 2.0 [English]
Video: 1080p HD Remaster/Upscale 16:9
Region: A, B, C
Subtitles: English [Japanese language] & Japanese

Subtitles Locked: No
Discs: 3

Plot Synopsis (via Online):

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, this anime adaptation 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.

Extra Content:

Aniplex 'Proof of Purchase' card
Clean Opening Animation

Clean Closing Animation

This version of Baccano! is no longer in print and has been confirmed by an Aniplex representative that it will not receive a re-release. I went for the US version because I questioned Manga UK about the possibility of releasing a Blu-ray version of this show (and a lot others) and they downright said that upscaled shows would not get a Blu-ray release in the UK. That is until now.

In 2014 (given this is an update to the original post from 2013), Anime Limited have announced that they have the Blu-ray rights to Baccano! and will be releasing the show as a Collector's Edition package (not to worry a standard version will be available). The difference between this version and the Aniplex release is that all of the extras that Funimation included in their DVD release will be included in the UK Blu-ray release which adds some extra touch. I may consider it depending on how well the packaging and quality control is like.

Baccano! is still available on DVD from Funimation under their Anime Classics label and from Manga UK in a normal case.