Started watching Baccano! along with Mark Watches. The first episode confused the heck out of me, and it occurs to me that the first episode of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is probably almost as confusing for someone who doesn't already know the characters. (Though, admittedly, at least FMA:B's first episode occurs in linear time, with one clearly demarcated flashback.)
This isn't to say I'm not enjoying it, just... that was clearly designed to be disorienting, which for me is intriguing, but it's also surprising. Most series start out by trying to ease new viewers in, take them by the hand and explain things to them. There might be, for instance, a bizarre opening scene that will eventually be explained, but the entire first episode of Baccano! is essentially made of scenes like that.
Again, I'm not complaining (except about Ladd, he's horrifying and awful), just curious if this is starting to be a trend. Is it an adaptation thing? FMA:B is obviously based on a wildly popular manga, and Baccano! is based on a light novel series. Is the idea for the first episode to showcase all the characters and have a lot of cool moments for the current fans, as opposed to explaining things to new fans? Does that mean that, like FMA:B, the next episode or two will be about spelling things out for us newbies?
Well, I guess I'll find out as I go.
THIS IS A SPOILER-FREE POST. PLEASE DO NOT POST ANY SPOILERS IN THE COMMENTS. IF YOUR COMMENT REVEALS KNOWLEDGE OF *ANYTHING* NOT APPARENT WITHIN THE FIRST EPISODE OF BACCANO!, PLEASE DO NOT POST IT HERE.
Things will continue to be confusing in Baccano for a while. The amazing thing about that show is by the end, everything is crystal clear. You fully understand all the characters, gangs, organizations, and plot lines. Despite the insanity of the plot and the constant leaping back and forth though time, it all coalesces in the end.
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