Gankutsu-ô

I heard about this anime and was immediately interested. I know anime very well and I was looking for something that looked artistic, intelligent, and suspenseful. Unfortunately I have never read the book this was based on, but I found this anime's story so beautiful that I have picked up the 1,400 page book and plan to finish it all. If you see only one anime in your life, and you appreciate art and drama, than this is the best of it's kind. The unique art takes some getting used to, and is somewhat disorienting at times. Really, the only complaint I have about the art is it's Too beautiful, that it goes to fast to fully appreciate. This show would probably be best in slow motion just for the sake of the art. I have heard some say that although they loved the book, they loved this anime version even more. Don't let it's scifi setting disturb you. It has absolutely no negative effect on the story. The scifi setting really only seems to enchance it's overall beauty. The characters are extremely well-developed and fascinating. One moment they will be strong and courageous, the next moment crying, the next laughing. Every episode ends in an extreme state of unpredictable suspense (AKA cliffhangers galore.) I believe so far the entire show has not been released in America. I actually suggest watching the show in it's entirety, and wait until all episodes are released, and that you have a lot of time on your hands to watch it. The story is somewhat complex, certainly unpredictable, and always gripping. Even the seasoned otaku would highly appreciate this anime at least for it's impressive quality. It's not the cliché cheaply-made primitive-art anime about scantily clad lolicon girls. Speaking of which, all the characters are quite beautiful for both sexes, and I seem to have a personal crush on The Count. I highly recommend this to anyone whose looking for an intelligent, dramatic and classic story.

I can scarcely put my love for this 24-episode anime series into words. "Gankutsuou" is a futuristic adaptation of Dumas' acclaimed novel "The Count of Monte Cristo". Famous anime director Mahiro Maeda shows just how much he loved the original novel and the character of the Count by being quite faithful to the mood while leaving his own fresh take on the story.

One of the most noticeable details about this series is an almost revolutionary method of animating. This series uses 2-D Texturing to an extreme level... giving hair unnatural textures and even everything in the background textures... in an insane color palette. It takes viewers and episode or two to get used to this style of texturing but over time it becomes something most fans love about the series.

One of the major changes in this anime is that the storyline is told from Albert's point-of-view for the majority of the series. This means everything that happens before the Château D'if comes in back-story. This also adds mystery to the Count's past and his character itself. Much of the cast is younger than in the novel, in classic anime fashion. Such as Albert is 15 instead of in his early twenties...but this makes his heightened innocence added into his anime persona more believable and his personal growth more endearing. There are other small character changes. Eugenie is greatly changed into a character that is actually of interest opposed to her novel version. Humoresly enough, according to the original promo for the series, she was indeed still quite similar to the book version in the first set up of the series... being quite close with her "lady friend".

And of course other major changes come with the new time and setting. Most of the series takes place in Paris but the year is 5053. So Paris is futuristic while also having touches of old such as the fashion and carriages and opera thrown in. And also we take the playing field out into space where Earth's warfare is mostly taking place in the future.

I honestly can't praise this series enough. I think the most important aspect of adaptations should be to get the tone of the novel right and to get the most rich, important characters accurate in personality. This series does this incredibly well. After appreciating the Count's character in the novel, the depth added from the anime only heightens my interest in him. This series is to be released in America soon so I personally suggest it as a buy to anyone who wants an anime with rich, involving plot and characters. Almost all of the storyline from the book is there, aside from an ending which is different but not a "hollywood ending" like the recent movie.

10 out of 10!

Initially, what attracted me to Gankutsuou, was the idea of an Anime version of Alexandre Dumas' "Le Comte de Monte Cristo," but upon seeing the previews, I fell in love with the whole concept. The art, to say the least, is breathtaking, if not revolutionary; to that, the animation is flawless as well - one can only guess at the expense that went into creating such a visual marvel. While Gankutsuou doesn't follow Dumas' story as religiously as some would have it, what is important is that Dumas' intent in the story was held sacred. All too often is Edmond Dantes portrayed as being right in his quest, a true hero; nothing could be farther from the truth. Dumas' Dantes was a Satanic Hero like no other, if only perhaps Heathcliff from Bronte's "Wuthering Heights." Cruel, malicious, and bloodthirsty, Dantes is one with whom the audience is meant to sympathize and pity, while at the same time despise passionately. We can understand his motives, even support them, though we know innately we shouldn't condone them; Dantes is, in his truest nature, the incarnation of both ultimate love and ultimate hate, and was Dumas' tool to show that there is little difference betwixt the two. Gankutsuou stays true to this endeavor of Dumas' in all ways. The Count is everything he was in the novel - to both men and women, he held an (for lack of a better term) erotic visage about himself, something men wanted to aspire to, and women fell to. Frigid, calculating, with a gift to bend the wills of others, Dantes proved that one who has nothing to lose, yet does not allow himself to sink into depression (but rather finding purpose for your life) and thus has no fear of death or repercussions at all, is the most alluring; people are drawn to such darkness, such demonic power. But the beauty of this story doesn't stop simply at the creation of the ultimate sinister character - to create such a character is simple; what Dumas did, and Gankutsuou respected and embellished upon, was that despite the obvious horrific nature of the character, his reasons for being so are understandable. Aristotle said that one cannot create a truly tragic character without establishing fear and sympathy within the audience first; without Catharces, tragedy has no impact. While watching the story of Gankutsuou unfold, we begin to wonder if we, too, aren't capable of such atrocities, especially if under similar conditions. In our society, we sympathize with, if not often condone secretly, crimes of passion; but to what extent can we stretch out sympathy? Perhaps revenge of this nature is too extreme, that the Count is wrong in his hellish plans; but if we were betrayed by our best friend in so horrible a manner, who can say that, given the opportunity, we would not do the same, if not worse? Sympathy we have for Edmond's position; but fear becomes the all-consuming emotion we have while watching this, as we come to realize the extent of the atrocities we ourselves are capable of, given the chance and motive for them. For any Anime fan, or for any fan of cartoons or Dumas' works, Gankutsuou is by far one of the most astounding pieces you will ever see: true to the nature of the book like no other screenplay has been, and breathtaking in its visual nature, and musical score (opening theme not withstanding), Gankutsuou is a must-see, a beautiful testament to the power of hope and love, as well as an unmatched plunge into the darkest parts of the human soul.

This is one show that has always kept me engaged.

I suppose I must admit that the art style could be distracting to people who are not used to it. However, I found it to be gorgeous and takes the work to an entirely different level; this is art. I would hang pictures from this series on my wall; in fact, I have purchased prints from it.

The art drew me in, but the story kept me around.

In some respects, this is better than the book, in my opinion. The novel is over one thousand pages. Interesting, but long. This show cuts out much of the set-up, which keeps the pace in check and doesn't drag it down. If you are a huge fan of the book, the changes may disappoint you. But if you can watch it with an open mind, you may enjoy this translation.

I know this has nothing to do with the quality of the show, but I must talk about the DVD art. The DVDs are quite pretty, with metallic bits that make me want to frame them or at least not put them in my player.

The sound quality is top-notch as well, with great voice actors (I was surprised at the English cast, as it was excellent, although I prefer Japanese) and nice music. Some people don't like the opening theme (someone once said that it sounded like a drunk Frenchman; the singer is French, but probably not drunk), but I really enjoy it and think the non-rhythmic quality of it is interesting and fits into the show very well. I'm not a fan of the ending theme, but you can always skip it.

Overall, I absolutely love this series, and it deserves a lot of attention, not just from the anime community but the art and classic novel communities as well.

The sell of this story is that it is one of the greatest revenge plots in the story of anime. Based on the novel of Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas. Adorned by a daring creative endeavor of animation, where weird patterns, contrasts and textures reign, showcasing something different.

That is the sell, the product meanwhile, for some reason acclaimed, is rather disappointing.

The show is hard to watch by virtue of its childish, ridiculous, over the top and obnoxious prepubescent characters and dialogue, that simply make it hard to connect to an obvious plot with tragedy overtones. You know early on what is gonna happen. Everyone is so easy to rile up, so immature and prone to the worst course of action. Everyone except for one character, conveniently. The lack of rationale and subtlety to every one of their emotions... It feels cheap, childish, in order to make some character rise while the other fall. Everything is rushed, magically falling into place, overdramatized. With theatrical type of movements that don't feel right.

It doesn't seem elaborated in spite of the diverse and complex fronts of the story, it's many characters and pathways. People that have made of themselves arriviste wonders, cunningly, vilely, suddenly, when the weight of an ominous past comes upon them, lack the character or intelligence to make a single good decision. There's no grasp or ability to adapt to the upcoming adverse conditions. Victims of a perfect plan backed by a lifetime of preparation, an indomitable desire for revenge, an irresistible charm and copious amounts of money. Women and men fawning over the Count's charm and becoming simple pawns in his chessboard. It's all so easy.

The world ain't overly interesting nor crafted, for some reason they set it in a futuristic scenario, with the society, architecture and hierarchy of the nineteenth century. It is barely presented, not well dove into and it simply doesn't merge. At times it does feel pointless beyond the fact that it allows for some ethereal scenes. There's no appeal to it and the animation ain't nothing to marvel at beyond the initial episodes. Mononoke (2007) or Sonny Boy are much greater and coherent visual spectacles. It's allure, lets call it, isn't enough to warrant this being thought of as a great show...

It even turns boring in its slow pace approach.

And we have not arrived yet at the worst part, THE MAIN CHARACTER. The show overrelies on the shoulders of two characters, and of those is Albert, who is so awful that I could dedicate myself only to find whatever ill intended adjective I can find in order to pair him with it, he's undoubtedly one the most enchanted, idiotic and irritating characters in the history of anime. Good luck in not hating him. I couldn't care less that me harboring those feelings could be attributed by some to how well he's written, when he's so one note and otherwise this show doesn't incite gasps, surprise or horror, but rather invites you to roll your eyes. The other character is Conde de Monte Cristo, who is not charming enough nor interesting enough here, in between his ambiguous dialogue, to compensate his counterpart. Their dynamic although possible, is horribly on the screen. The Count should have a much center role while Albert is tossed to the side, no show can depend on such a character.

The end is also rushed and horrible, so there's that. It isn't the conclusion to the developments, but a nonsensical, poorly written child book kind of finish. There's no trace of coherence, it's just ridiculous.