Unnamed Photographer

The unnamed photographer is the narrator in the first volume of Baccano!

Baccano!
The Unnamed Photographer appears only in the light novel but not in the anime or manga.

After winning the grand prize in a lucky draw at a commercial street in Japan, the photographer was given a 5-day/3-night trip to New York, despite really wanting second prize. The photographer was had two tickets and sold the other for scrap money. Upon arriving to New York, he realized it was not as luxurious as he'd imagined, though he admitted the fact that New York had Japan's beef gyūdon chain stores touched his heart (In terms of money). The photographer stated, although he hasn't spent even a day in New York, felt like he hasn't seen kanji in years.

Eventually, after hearing a racket in an alleyway and attempting to look at what was happening, he is attacked, knocked-out and robbed by a group of delinquents lead by a boy. Waking up, the photographer's musing over being alive is cut-short after realizing his high-end camera(which cost 'tens of thousands') is stolen. After suppressing his anger and he contacted the police. In a typical movie or TV drama fashion, the photographer was forced to play the role of the 'stereotypical Japanese victim', which he described as was more depressing than the actual robbery. After being informed that the police wouldn't bother with these kinds of cases as he was not fatally injured, murdered or know where they went.

After reflecting that he would carry out his anger by splitting someone's skull, a young man with round glasses who appears to know Japanese helps the photographer after informing him his robbery was lead by a prankster named Bobby and his crew. The photographer disregards it being in the same level as a prank. After the man offers to negotiate with them for the photographer's stolen belongings in exchange for tenth of it's value. Suspicious, the photographer comes to the conclusion that the man is actually leading the robbers. He decides to agree with the deal and the man guides him to the Alveare. After closely inspecting the high-class restaurant, becomes relaxed after seeing it's full of couples, children and elderly people.

As the man tells an acquaintance about the situation, the photographer keeps up with his beliefs of the man and is confused of his façade of innocence as it should be obviously unnecessary by now. The man suggests they sit and chat and tells about how he learned to be fluent in Japanese from one of the top people in the 'organization'. Answering the photographer's question, reveals that he is Camorra not Mafia and proceeds to explain the difference and his role. When the man describes the Camorra as not being as secretive as the Mafia, the photographer asks if the Camorra just likes showing off more. The man laughs and asks if he is not scared as to dare ask that to a Camorra, the photographer answers 'Absolutely not', the man asks if he does not believe he is a gangster, the photographer answers 'Absolutely not'.

The man comments on how strange the photographer is, admitting that after hearing about the photographer from Paul, an older policeman, he thought he would be more gullible. The photographer criticizes the man for referring to Paul without the honorific -san, the man reveals one other thing : he is an Immortal and he has been for 60 years. The photographer scoffs it off as an American joke- until he sees the man pull out a knife and stabbing himself in the wrist and watching it quickly heal without a trace. After giving an surprised yet undisturbed response, the photographer takes a moment to comprehend what had happened and muses over why no one is looking at their direction and whether or not he will be killed. After after being assured that he will not get killed, the man states that he is the first of many to be calm upon seeing his immortality.

The photographer tells the man he thinks he is a monster, while also warning him against frightening people out of their wits with his self-harming trick. The man comes to see the photographer as a truly interesting person and gifts him with a rare opportunity to hear his story about how he became immortal and other related stories. The photographer pressed the man to make sure he is not related to any religion, the man assures him that he is not but says the story does involve a 'demon'.

Ordering breakfast, the young man with round glasses began telling his long tale. After finishing, the photographer became so absorbed with the story, it took him a while to remember he was in the year 2002. The man states that despite having no world-destroying monsters, princesses locked in high towers or treasures that can buy the entire world, it's still splendid 'legend'. The photographer agrees but asks if it really is possible for many coincidences to keep happening. The man says world’s history is a tangle of coincidences. The photographer doesn't understand but finds putting everything together very persuasive.

Then the man declares the story absolute nonsense. The photographer asks if he is kidding. The man says he's not. They proceed to eat dinner, with the man paying for dessert. The man repeats his earlier praise, except this time it sounded more like subtle mockery and the photographer asks who and where a few people in the story are. The man points to Isaac & Miria, Randy and Pezzo. The man reveals that he is Firo Prochainezo. The photographer is surprised, as he originally believed he was Maiza. The man explains where Maiza is travelling to find the other immortal alchemists scattered around the world but it should be about time he returns.

The photographer asks how Ennis is doing, Firo states they have been married for 50 years, which makes the photographer envious. Firo embarrassingly explains they're developing relationship and the photographer delightedly ponders about Firo and Ennis inseparability, before suddenly coming to the repulsing conclusion that since Ennis is part of Szilard Quates' body and Firo had devoured Szilard and made him part of himself: Firo is actually a narcissist and therefore has only ever screwed himself. Believing his thoughts are too crass and decides too keep it too himself.

Ronnie (Ronny) Sukiart, Firo's acquaintance who went to find the photographer's camera returns. The photographer remembers Ronnie being described by Firo as someone eerie and correctly guesses that he is the demon in the story. Inadvertently saying this aloud, Ronnie ominously replies 'Strictly speaking I am no demon... Just an alchemist who had obtained too much knowledge during ancient times...'. Dismissing Ronnie, the photographer finally gets his camera back, though not before paying Firo 300 dollars. Firo answers the photographer's question on what would happen if he had ran away after seeing his stabbing trick, he would have profited from the camera, explaining why he didn't introduce himself. Realizing his naive fantasy that 'good gangsters still exist' might be nonsense, the photographer erupts into gales of laughter.

Firo apologizes for attempting to intimidate the photographer and formally thanks him, as he felt that the immortals connection with the world had been thinning and since their stay in the world will be longer than anyone else's, he had been wanting to meet and connect with other people, especially people such as the photographer and is finally able to be satisfied with themselves. Firo states that next time Maiza comes back, he wants to go to Japan for vacation and asks the photographer to be their guide. The photographer agrees and asks Firo to send a letter before arriving. After giving each other simple farewells, the photographer exits the Alveare.

While walking down a street, the photographer inspects a hat store he believed was the one mentioned in Firo's story before noticing Maiza exiting the store with a bandanna. Startling Maiza, the photographer apologizes before walking away and thinks about his experiences and his part in the tangle of coincidences before finally returning to Japan. In his apartment in Ikebukuro, the photographer checks his souvenirs for family and friends, before finding a slip saying 'As thanks for listening to my story.' and three 100 dollar bills. The photographer muses on what Firo would do to explain the age on his passport to immigration and looks forward to seeing his expression then. While thinking such idle thoughts, he waits for an airmail to come.

Trivia

 * The Unnamed Photographer is an animal photographer and was once almost eaten by a black bear.
 * As a result of the attack, his feelings of shock and fear have been lacking. Subsequently, people started to believe he looked only calm or he was insensitive. Even Firo noted he was the first to have a somewhat unruffled reaction upon seeing him(Firo) show-off his immortality.
 * Apparently, he lives next door to Mikado Ryūgamine from Durarara!!