Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

Gankutsuou
The Count of Monte Cristo

Original Story: Alexandre Dumas

Production by: Gonzo

Adapted from: the classic book "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas
Movies: none
Live-action: there is an American movie but its not accurate.
OAVs: none

Genre: mystery, action, adventure, science fiction, drama, romance.
Number of episodes: 24

ANN's plot summary: "Trying to escape his uneventful life, Albert, the son of a renowned general from Paris, makes a journey with his friend Franz. During his travels, he meets an immensely wealthy nobleman named The Count of Monte Cristo. Living in luxurious hotels, surrounded by beautiful women and strong bodyguards, the charming but enigmatic count fascinates Albert. Albert invites the count to join the high society of Paris. However, unknown to Albert, his father had once framed the count and took the Count's fiancee as his own. "

My Ranking: 5 hoshi
My Rating: R
there is allot of intensity with reference to drugs and a few pretty explicit sexual references and scenes. also there is quite a bit of violent and bloody instances.

My Review: This series was amazing. For the moment I will only touch on the anime and make no reference to the book because the anime can honestly be given its own review. For one this series was incredibly well done. It was intense, full of action, and didn't cut short on the mystery factor. This anime was exquisite to behold in art style and animation, but that didn't in any way overpower the plot which was just as intricate and bad ass. The mystery that enveloped the Count was to be left on everything he touched to keep one ignorant of certain things until the climax of the story. This made you want to keep watching to find out what would happen next and to unravel his enigmatic cloak. The story captured your interest while the gorgeous affects kept you engrossed to not look away for a minute.

One thing I particularly liked about this series was its consistency. There was never a lack for speculation on behalf of the plot nor was there a lapse in the intense emotion accompanied with the story. Up until the end there were times when the viewer would still be dying to know what would be the outcome of the Count's quest for revenge. What feelings would each of the characters choose as the most dominant in their actions?

The action is pretty win in this series. Though its not all fighting and bloodshed its still gives a thrill as the Count weaves his web of vengeance around the unsuspecting cast of characters. Not to mention the fact that the anime takes place in a futuristic setting which opens the door to some of the coolest ways to kill people. mwahaha.(couldn't resist).

This anime deserves its props and I'm willing to give them. It was the right combination of action and mystery in the most perfect amount of time. It left one with closure and was not so overpowering that the viewer is still left uneasy. I can once again describe this series as consistent but also well proportioned. With that, I confess my love for this story and bid you Au Revoir. "Bide your time and hold out hope."

Comparison: Gankutsuou was ingenious in its adaptation from the original book and let itself become its own entity of awesomeness. At this time I must admit to my other identity as a bookworm in order to give a full report. (it so happens I had to read this book for summer reading the same time I was introduced to the anime. haha.) In most book to movie adaptations the movie is doomed to fail because it often tries to go in the same direction in a different way, therefore, suckage. Gankutsuou on the other hand was spared in complete fail because it branched off in a different direction in order to do things differently, hence a good story on its own alltogether.
The characters retain their names and occupations along with their connection to each other very accurately. The plot also retains most of its shape, but it does deviate from the facts. For example: Franz and Eugenie have barely any part in the original story. We see Franz only twice while Eugenie doesn't have one line.
The anime was put more in Albert's perspective while the book stays in a 3rd person omniscient with a little more attention to the Count himself, hence, depicting him as a little more human than the enigma presented in the anime. There are other things I could touch on but I fear of boring the audience of this ANIME blog. For more I'd suggest Wikipedia but I just like giving my two cents on the matter.

Gankutsuou was subbed by KAA (kick ass anime) and licensed by bang zoom! entertainment.

Sample Vid: I once again don't know of a good amv but the ED for the series is a pretty good representation for a sneak peek at what its all about. without spoilers.