Both Uses

although
in
Bud, Not Buddy
(Auto-generated)

ALTHOUGH BUD, NOT BUDDY is fictional, many of the situations Bud encounters are based on events that occurred in the 1930s, during a time known as the Great Depression.†
p. 237.1

although = even though -- used to connect contrasting ideas
And although the characters in Bud, Not Buddy are fictional as well, some of them too are based on real people.†
p. 237.4 *

Definitions:

(1) (although)
even though -- used to introduce an idea that contrasts with or makes the main statement surprising

At the start of a sentence, although can play a role similar to words like however, yet, still, even so, on the other hand, or nonetheless—all of which signal contrast. In the middle of a sentence, although can sometimes be used where but or though might also work, but though or but often sound more natural. For example, "She's a great teacher, though not the most popular" is usually smoother than "She's a great teacher, although not the most popular."
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)