What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBaccano!
Series · 2007
If you loved Baccano!, start with Porco Rosso (Hayao Miyazaki, 1992) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Baccano! across media.
You crave the chaotic energy of Baccano! where tangled lives and criminal underworlds collide through a bold, non-linear storytelling lens.
Books on the same thread
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 2004
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
Like the Prohibition-era setting of Baccano!, this novel masterfully captures the decadence and moral decay of a specific American epoch, grounding its grand tragedy in the intricate lives of individuals.
Gomorrah
Roberto Saviano · Book · 2007
Shares a thread with Baccano!: Organized Crime.
If the organized crime elements of Baccano! fascinated you, this investigative work strips away the romanticism to expose the visceral, global reality of the mafia structures that mirror those fictional syndicates.
Wise Blood
Flannery O'Connor · Book · 2007
Explores: Religious fanaticism, Existential angst, Redemption.
The eccentric, larger-than-life characters interacting in close quarters will remind you of the colorful ensemble cast found in Baccano!, as both works explore human obsession through sharp, distinct narrative voices.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain · Book · 2009
Explores: Racism, Freedom, Moral Development.
Fans of the picaresque journey in Baccano! will appreciate how this classic uses a sprawling, episodic structure to critique society while following travelers caught in the currents of a changing nation.
Films on the same thread
Porco Rosso
Hayao Miyazaki · Film · 1992
Explores: Anti-War, Redemption, Self-Acceptance.
This film shares the 1930s aesthetic and adventurous spirit of Baccano!, blending historical atmosphere with a touch of the supernatural to create a unique, stylized world where redemption remains elusive.
Once Upon a Time in America
Film · 1984
Explores: Nostalgia, Regret, Betrayal.
The non-linear narrative and focus on the lingering consequences of a life in crime make this an essential follow-up for anyone who enjoyed the fractured, memory-heavy structure of Baccano!.
The Godfather
Francis Ford Coppola · Film · 1972
Explores: Power, Family Loyalty, Corruption.
Those drawn to the complex power dynamics and family loyalties within the criminal underworld of Baccano! will find the ultimate exploration of those themes in this definitive, sweeping crime saga.
The Untouchables
Brian De Palma · Film · 1987
Explores: Good vs Evil, Corruption, Justice.
The high-stakes conflict between law enforcement and mobsters during the Prohibition era provides a direct thematic bridge to the central struggles that define the bloody chaos found in Baccano!.
Podcasts on the same thread
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: moral ambiguity, social justice, human behavior.
Much like the diverse cast of Baccano!, this podcast thrives on the moral ambiguity of human behavior, showcasing how ordinary lives become intertwined with the criminal world in unexpected ways.
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
The improvised, ensemble-driven storytelling and high-energy group dynamics will feel instantly familiar to anyone who loved the chaotic, fast-paced interactions of the various factions featured throughout Baccano!.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Baccano! set in a specific historical period?
Yes, Baccano! is set in 1930s America. The plot revolves around a legendary voyage of a transcontinental train known as The Flying Pussyfoot, which serves as the primary location for the interactions between the alchemists, gangsters, thieves, and swindlers featured in the series.
What is the primary setting of Baccano!?
The primary setting of Baccano! is a transcontinental train called The Flying Pussyfoot. As the train travels across 1930s America, the paths of various characters including alchemists, swindlers, thieves, and gangsters cross, resulting in a violent journey that leaves a trail of blood across the country.
Does Baccano! feature supernatural elements?
Yes, Baccano! features alchemists as part of its cast. These characters interact with a group of swindlers, thieves, and gangsters aboard a 1930s transcontinental train called The Flying Pussyfoot, leading to a violent series of events that occur throughout the country during the voyage.
What kind of characters are in Baccano!?
Baccano! features a diverse cast consisting of alchemists, swindlers, thieves, and gangsters. These individuals cross paths while aboard a transcontinental train named The Flying Pussyfoot in 1930s America, triggering a legendary and violent voyage that leaves a trail of blood across the country.