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I love a good heist. A ragtag band of underdogs band together and outsmart, outwit, and outmaneuver someone who usually possesses equal amounts of resources and arrogance. A good caper embraces the thrill of the chase, and evokes the sensation of electricity down the spine that comes from knowing that the main characters are about to do something naughty.

The Coyote Ragtime Show offers all of the above and more. When the Federation decides that the best way to handle a planet full of rebels is to completely destroy it, Mister, the infamous space pirate, comes out of hiding.

What very few people know is that Bruce, the late King of the Coyotes, has hidden the treasure from the biggest heist in the history of thieving on the planet Graceland. Now Mister, and his small group of coyotes need to get to Graceland first to claim the treasure before it is destroyed forever. Of course, the only way to keep a secret is to ensure that all the people that know it are dead, so it doesn't take long before more than one group of thieves makes a play for the booty.

While a short anime at only 12 episodes, Coyote Ragtime Show packs a wallop. There is plenty of action and intrigue, with some good natured comedy and just a touch of drama thrown in for good measure. The anime tells an entire story arc, and while there are a few niggling questions at the end, the major plot points are resolved satisfactorily. As any fan of anime knows, that, in itself, is a rarity.

I would have liked to have seen a little more back-story on the main villain of the piece. As it stands, her motivation is not fully explained, and I was left wondering. That is only a small detraction from the overall anime, however, and I suggest anyone who enjoys a good caper definitely put this title on their list.

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