Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu, Baccano! Recommendations
Now, I know there's going to be a lot of people questioning my sanity for such a recommendation, but I'm going to do it anyway because, quite frankly, there are a lot of similarities between Baccano! and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya that are interesting and scare me just a bit.
First, the stories are not normal for the time and place they are set in. Rather, the activities that happen with the characters during each series could be described as "paranormal". These happenings really do help make some of the characters, and give the "normal" characters defining moments in each series. This parallel between the
supernatural and the normal give and interesting spin on something we thought we know, but we just didn't dig deep enough.
As for characters, there are many parallels that can be made. First, there is a definite similarity in Haruhi Suzumiya, from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Isaac and Miria, from Baccano!. From the surface, these three characters can be seen as flamboyant and annoying, spreading happiness to the groups of their choosing. Though its true that these characters act with different plans in mind, they also produce similar situations. Their situations go somewhat in this order - they plan, they act, they create a problem, they come up with a ridiculous solution, they preform a solution, the problem is solved, and then they plan again. It's a never ending cycle of, what some would say, destruction.
There's also a big similarity between Yuki, from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Chane, from Baccano!. Though, it's true that Chane starts to show more emotion during the end of the series, both characters have a connection with acting quietly with their own goals in mind. Chane does take a more direct approach, but they both end up solving some problems with violence. Yuki does talk more than Chane at certain points, and her emotions aren't shown much at all, but for the most part, they are alike in many ways.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya takes a lighter approach to the problems, while Baccano! is filled with blood, violence, and a lot of different, strange characteristics, but these series do have plenty in common. The ideas behind each series are different, but if a viewer likes one, the other would be interesting to at least look at. Just be aware that The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is lighter, a bit more childish, and has its hints of dirty humor while Baccano! focuses more on violence, character humor, and darker ideals.
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One of these is VERY violent and the other has very little violence. If that's important to you then ignore this recommendation. The reason I link these is the non-linear storytelling. I love when a show pulls this off and both of these do it REALLY well. Also, despite the vast difference in blood loss, the tone is surprisingly similar.
