Baccano! 4

Baccano! is one of those anime properties that you either love or hate. It seems like there is no gray area when a discussion of Baccano's charms (or lack thereof) breaks out among friends. The 4^th installment of the saga does little to change this fact but before I get ahead of myself, let's take a look at what's included in this Funimation release.

Released on a single disc, Baccano 4 consists of the 13^th through 16^th episode of the show and comes in at a total runtime of 100 minutes even. The show wears a very appropriate TV MA (17+) rating due to depicted core and graphic violence. Surprisingly, for such an adult-themed show, there is no nudity or sexual pretense to report.

As has been the trend with Funimation's release of the property thus far, extras are surprisingly rich with an English actor commentary track over one of the episodes, textless songs, and a host of Funimation trailers.

Language options are typical sub and dub variety meaning original Japanese dialog or English dub options with English subtitles available under either.

The story, or what passes for one anyway, is a muddled convergence of small threads and segments that appears to have been edited together by a crack-head with ADHD. This style continues faithfully here in the 4^th installment by presenting what is technically the end of the tale. Here the cultist alchemist pirate finally gets what's coming to him while the gore-train continues its ongoing journey to nowhere and Tommy gun toting immortal mobsters maintain their gruesome definition of practicing politics.

For those who have followed along with the series from the first volume, this is simply more of the unique and stylized mayhem you have come to love. To those individuals thinking of coming on board late or just hated the earlier releases; the 4^th installment will do little to win you over.

Of course love or hate the show itself, Funimation deserves praise for the presentation values packed into these 4-episode releases. A low MSRP is just about guaranteed and the box art is simplistic and dark enough to make collectors chuckle with delight.

English dub work is remarkable and maintains the type of gritty ambiance that the visuals and themes insist upon. In fact this is one of few domestically released anime titles that may actually work even better when viewed in dub mode. Music work is appropriate as well save for an ending score that would fit in far more appropriately with some sappy moe piece.

In all, there is no way to convince fans of the wackiness or haters of the charms contained within Baccano! This is a series that does things its own way and makes no apologies for doing so. Baccano! 4 is a continuation of the tale presented in all of the gruesome, disconnected glory of its predecessors. This may be the end of the story but since we started in the middle, progressed to the end, then finish with the beginning; it's foolish to be troubled by such things.