Anime Gankutsuou - The Count of Monte Cristo

[Dagger]

Let me begin by saying that this show feels unlike any anime I've [i]ever[/i] seen. It's based on The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas's original novel) in much the same way that Samurai 7 was based on The Seven Samurai; apparently the core story will remain more or less the same, but it now takes place in a wildly fantastical futuristic world. While obstensibly sci-fi, the setting feels quite exotic, and all of the background elements come together really well.

Animated by GONZO and directed by Mahiro Maeda (The Second Renaissance, Blue Submarine no. 6), Gankutsuou boasts high-quality animation and visuals which simply defy description. The first episode is a feast for the ears and eyes, with great classical music; there's a wonderful opera scene early on. More importantly, the show will in all likelihood have a strong, solid plot--assuming GONZO doesn't deviate too far from the source material (or go crazy with their trademark mecha).

For those of you who watch fansubs, I strongly recommend that you take a gander at Gankutsuou before it's licensed... as chances are some company will snap it up pretty quickly. This series is going to look bloody amazing on DVD.

~Dagger~

[Sword Breaker]

Wow, I'm a huge fan of most GONZO anime, especially the visuals in Last Exile, and would DEFINATLY try to check this one out.What site can I get it at? The ones I use dont carry it, could you PM me with a location? Thanks!!

[Sol-Blade]

Hmm...interesting. I am a really big fan of the book The Count of Monte Cristo, and the movie was so-so...

But it really sounds intriguing. I have to check this out. Im not really to familar with GONZO's work, so this is new to me. Who knows? Maybe I'll find a new favorite. :D

[Dagger]

[quote name='Sol-Blade']Im not really to familar with GONZO's work, so this is new to me. Who knows? Maybe I'll find a new favorite. :D[/quote]

GONZO's other anime include Full Metal Panic!, Last Exile, Hellsing, Saikano, Chrono Crusade, Peacemaker Kurogane and Kaleido Star. I have a feeling that Gankutsuou will end up being among their better series. :)

If you're curious, the official website is located [url=http://www.gankutsuou.com/index.html][u]here[/u][/url]. Just be warned that it's a Flash-based site and therefore might not load properly for everyone. The front page alternates between the show's logo and a great still image of Albert and the Count. You can check out the individual character pages for more examples of Gankutsuou's artwork.

~Dagger~

[James]

[color=#707875]I've just seen the first episode and I really have to concur with Dagger's analysis. I must admit, I've never read The Count of Monte Cristo, nor have I seen the film (although I'd had some recommendations against seeing it, which probably explains that). So in a sense, I'm kind of going in with a fresh viewpoint on it. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, I don't really know.

As Dagger mentioned, the visuals are stunning. I'm really not sure if I like the method of rendering that they've used on the clothing (where you have a flat texture that never moves, even when the outer lines of the character moves -- this technique is used on various American cartoons too, including even something like Ren & Stimpy). But having said that, the actual textures used are quite decorative and elaborate, so it does seem in keeping with the rest of the show's aesthetic.

In terms of story, I found the first episode a little vague, but since I don't know about the source material, I could simply be missing something there. And I naturally assume that there will be more to work with in future episodes.

One thing I will say, is that the show has a highly dramatic angle to it. [spoiler]The execution scene was really well done in my opinion, particularly when we see which criminal is saved[/spoiler]. Maybe I'm making a long stretch, but these parts reminded me of The Second Renaissance, which is the most emotionally and psychologically intense anime I have ever come across (for me, anyway).

I love the architecture and the use of CG as well. It's very subtle and very beautiful. [spoiler]The fireworks scene at the end is absolutely jaw dropping and features some effective shots[/spoiler].

All in all, I think it's worth watching. I'm definitely going to follow this series to see how it develops.

Oh, and...the music is fantastic throughout. I actually quite liked the end sequence music, despite the fact that I'm often not a big fan of title sequences in anime (with some exceptions).[/color]

[Dagger]

[quote name='James][color=#707875']Oh, and...the music is fantastic throughout. I actually quite liked the end sequence music, despite the fact that I'm often not a big fan of title sequences in anime (with some exceptions).[/color][/quote]

What I found unusual is that Gankutusou totally forgoes the ordinary template; most anime have a fast-paced, visually stimulating opening song and a slower, more relaxing ending. I think the reversal does work in the show's favor.

Episode 2 surprised me in a variety of different ways--from the heavy focus on Franz to the hilarious and nicely understated revelation about [spoiler]Beppu's true gender.[/spoiler] Interestingly, seeing the events unfold from Franz's point of view made me realize that Albert is somewhat lacking as a protagonist... he's startlingly immature and doesn't seem to be very good at handling his feelings. His enthusiasm for (rather, borderline infatuation with) the Count is troubling; it's really easy to sympathize with Franz's subtly shown resentment. Franz is clearly more mentally grown-up than Albert, not to mention more responsible, and their friendship will surely have to undergo much harsher tests in upcoming episodes.

The fact that the characters' emotions are [i]shown[/i] instead of stated allows the viewer to develop any number of different interpretations. I hope this trend continues as the main plot starts to develop.

I love the Count--and I particularly love hearing him speak French. The short monologue at the beginning was, I thought, one of the least boring and most effective recaps I've seen in quite a while.

~Dagger~

[Veritas]

[size=1][color=darkred]I stumbled apon the site for Gankutsuou - The Count of Monte Cristo yesterday and I was rather captivated by the concept. [i]The Count of Monte Cristo[/i] book by Alexander Dumas is one of my personal favorites, and Gankutsuou looks like it is going to add some promising twists to the story. [/color][/size]
[size=1][color=darkred][/color][/size]
[size=1][color=darkred]The costume design are very original is style, but most definately in color and texture. I don't know quite how to explain it without sounding like an idiot.[/color][/size]
[size=1][color=darkred][/color][/size]
[size=1][color=darkred]Anyways the DVD comes out on the 25th of this month I believe, so I thought I would try to see what the rest of you at the OB think, if your interested in the anime, and planning to buy it. Then this can be a discussion for the Anime once it's out.[/color][/size]
[size=1][color=darkred][/color][/size]
[size=1][color=darkred]Here is the web site if anyone is curious, [/color][/size][url="http://montecristodvd.com/"][size=1][color=darkred]http://montecristodvd.com/[/color][/size][/url]

[Killer7]

Yeah I am looking forward to Gankutsuou too. It looks like it is going to be really good, even though I never really loved the book. I saw the box art for the Japanese dvd, and it is really cool, hopefully it stays like that throughout the show. Of course I probably won't wait for the American release of the whole series ;) .

[Dagger]

Yeah, needless to say, I'm really excited about getting to experience Gankutsuou on DVD. I also hope it gets TV exposure at some point, but we'll see. Hopefully, pimping Geneon's site in my signature has done some good, haha. :animesmil

Oh, and also...
[url="http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1172248&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=2&vc=1"][u]Pictures of the packaging, courtesy ricecooker[/u][/url]
[url=http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/4393.php][u]Anime on DVD's advance review[/u][/url]

~Dagger~

[Veritas]

[size=1][color=darkred]Oi, I had no Idea there was a thread allready up for this. Anyways, I really like how they show the Count having a devilish appearance so to say. I am counting the days till the 25th.[/color][/size]
[size=1][color=darkred][/color][/size]
[size=1][color=darkred]I totally agree with you Dagger, it would be awesome if it could get TV time, I think G4(Tech Tv) is a likely cadidate. They have aired 3 shows done by Gonzo so I'm hopeful. Only time will tell though, now I'm hoping for an anime version of The picture of Dorian Grey, ok maybe not that far.[/color][/size]
[size=1][color=#8b0000][/color][/size]
[size=1][color=#8b0000]But I like the fact that they seem to be staying more true to the book, including character such as Haidee, Andrea, Maximillian, Caderouse, etc. The most recent movie, I found enjoyable, but after reading the book I thought they left out and changed too much.[/color][/size]

[Dagger]

Volume 1 came out today, and (conveniently) my Gankutsuou package also arrived in the mail. Banzai! Geneon really hit a home run with this one; the box is even more ravishing in person.

Of particular interest are the on-disc extras, which I definitely do plan to view at some point, although I'm waiting till I finish the first four episodes. Geneon isn't exactly known for including awesome extras, but Gankutsuou volume 1 comes with a Mahiro Maeda interview (!!), a feature showing his storyboards for episode 1, and voice actor commentary. It isn't terribly often that anime DVDs come with extras relating to the Japanese staff, so I'm quite excited about hearing what Maeda has to say about the show.

Anyway, Gankutsuou looks just impeccable on DVD. I imagine I'll watch it dubbed at some point, but right now I'm sticking with the Japanese language track. (You know, I'm collecting at least two or three other series in which Johnny Yong Bosch plays the lead character--sure, I think he's a great actor, but enough is enough!)

~Dagger~

[After*Glow]

[COLOR=DarkRed][FONT=Times New Roman]My friend had got me into this about a month ago and it is one of the best animes I've ever seen. It just so pretty unlike anything I've seen before. One of the better animes to come around in a while.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Kaze]

[QUOTE=Dagger]Volume 1 came out today, and (conveniently) my Gankutsuou package also arrived in the mail. Banzai! Geneon really hit a home run with this one; the box is even more ravishing in person.

Of particular interest are the on-disc extras, which I definitely do plan to view at some point, although I'm waiting till I finish the first four episodes. Geneon isn't exactly known for including awesome extras, but Gankutsuou volume 1 comes with a Mahiro Maeda interview (!!), a feature showing his storyboards for episode 1, and voice actor commentary. It isn't terribly often that anime DVDs come with extras relating to the Japanese staff, so I'm quite excited about hearing what Maeda has to say about the show.

Anyway, Gankutsuou looks just impeccable on DVD. I imagine I'll watch it dubbed at some point, but right now I'm sticking with the Japanese language track. (You know, I'm collecting at least two or three other series in which Johnny Yong Bosch plays the lead character--sure, I think he's a great actor, but enough is enough!)

~Dagger~[/QUOTE]

[font=Times]So where would you rank it among all the GONZO titles, in terms of overall quality? I particulary want to know if it's visually better than FMP, or whichever series you find to look the best. And would you definitely recommend the DVD for purchase? All the praising makes me want to get it.[/font]

[Dagger]

[quote name='Kaze][font=Times']So where would you rank it among all the GONZO titles, in terms of overall quality? I particulary want to know if it's visually better than FMP, or whichever series you find to look the best. And would you definitely recommend the DVD for purchase? All the praising makes me want to get it.[/font][/quote]
Well, it's [i]very[/i] different visually from FMP. As far as GONZO television series (ignoring OVAs and such, like Yukikaze) that I've seen go, I'd say that Samurai 7/Gankutsuou, Last Exile and Saikano are the best-looking, in roughly that order. While Sam7 is smoother than Gankutsuou, the latter's visuals are a lot more immersive. (I'd put Basilisk pretty high on that list... but I've only seen an episode or two, so it might be a bit of an unfair comparison--for all I know there's an animation drop-off later on. But I digress.)

In terms of overall quality? Well, even though Kaleido Star is my favorite GONZO series, I think Gankutsuou is more outstanding from an objective point of view (K* has a lot of qualities that really appeal to me on a personal level, though). Gankutsuou is the most innovative and probably the most "artistic" GONZO anime, for lack of a better word.

Of course it'd be best to make sure that the psychedelic, patterned look of the artwork doesn't make you feel nauseous or anything, haha. Try watching the Quicktime trailer at the official site (it's an extended version of the site's intro animation). That should give you a feel for how it looks, although obviously it's a lot murkier than what you'd see on a DVD.

And sure, I'd recommend the first disc. Since it's still the week of release, you should be able to find it at a good discount somewhere or other. Plus, both Netflix and Blockbuster (online service) have it listed, if you're a renter.

I don't want to come across as if I'm hyping this show up as the greatest thing since sliced bread. Nevertheless, it has a great plot (for obvious reasons) and it's an example of something interesting and unique that doesn't just peter out after the first couple of episodes.

~Dagger~

[Kaze]

[font=Times]I watched the trailer as you suggested, definitely interesting (looked pretty good even on Quicktime). And from what you and everyone else says:

Outstanding visuals
Most innovative GONZO title
Perhaps the most artistic
Fantastic music
Same director as The Second Renaissance (very good in my opinion)
There's a blue man

I'd definitely like to check it out now, at the very least to see why the Count is blue. So that's another anime I have to get or just see, on top of the twenty others I still haven't. >_> <_<[/font]

[Veritas]

[size=1][color=darkred]I just finished watching the first volume, and I am very impressed so far. The visuals are interesting and took a second for me to adjust but beautiful, expressive and stunning all the same. The music is very impressive and compliments the story well. [/color][/size]

[size=1][color=darkred]I think they have done an excellent job in portraying a futuristic society but still keeping the style and fashions of the time period the book is set it. I love all the characters and I think the dubbing for the show is excellent, but I prefer dubbed better anyways.[/color][/size]

[font=Times][quote name='Kaze']So where would you rank it among all the GONZO titles, in terms of overall quality? I particulary want to know if it's visually better than FMP, or whichever series you find to look the best. And would you definitely recommend the DVD for purchase? All the praising makes me want to get it.[/quote][/font]

[size=1][color=darkred]So far on the list of Gonzo titles I would rank Gankutsuou very high. It is hard to compair it to FMP because I think the visual interest is drawn elsewhere. In FMP the characters have alot of depth and character detail. While Gankutsuou the detail is more on texture, as well as boistering alot of backround/enviroment detail. [/color][/size]

[size=1][color=darkred]I would most definately recommend it, though I personally really like stuff on the more classical to renaissance periods.[/color][/size]

[Dagger]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

As far as character designs go, it's hard to choose, but I really like how [b]Peppo[/b] and [b]Mercedes[/b] are drawn. The latter especially seems as though it would have been hard to pull off--fully delineated lips are pretty rare in anime, and hers even more so because they're so pale, contrasting with her dark skin tone. I just thought she looked fantastic during her big entrance scene (the great music & direction there helped too).

~Dagger~

[bellpickle]

[SIZE=1]I only began watching Gankutsuou a few days ago, and I'm already quite intrigued by it. It's quite impressive to keep the plot as ambiguous as it is without frustrating the viewers or overcomplicating the story. (I haven't read the novel, so besides hints dropped by trailers and previews, I have no clue of what will happen in future episodes.)

Most everyone else has already praised the animation, so I'll just say this: the animation style suits the setting very well. I could never have imagined a better looking Neo-Paris.

Also, I really, really like the music. A lot.[/SIZE]

[Dagger]

Volume 2 owned me. Episode 6 in particular was just absurdly great, so much so that I don't want to blabber on about it too much. The animation seemed to get a big shot in the arm for the events shown in it; I wish I knew who served as the episode director. The character movements were exceptionally well done. And of course it also contained that amazing scene with [spoiler]Haydee at the opera house.[/spoiler]

This is one show I know I'll sit down and re-watch from start to finish once the final disc comes in. It's really quite intoxicating to witness the different plot threads slipping into place.

I haven't read the novel either. I guess I'll read it afterward, since I'm curious about what was changed. For example, I've been told that Peppo is a character in the novel, but with a much smaller role than in the anime.

~Dagger~

[Veritas]

[size=1][color=DarkRed][font=Tahoma]Volume 2 is out OMG...........must go buy now, right this very moment. Anyways, I am very captivated by this show, it has stayed pretty true to the book so far. Peppo does have a bigger role in the anime, as well as some other features if I remember right, it has been too long since I've read the book. Though as Dagger said, I am looking forward to watching all of them in sequence once they are all released. Anywho I'll post more after I've seen volume 2 until then.
[/font][/color][/size]

[bellpickle]

[SIZE=1]I just watched episodes 13-16, and it was [I]amazing[/I]. The series really picks up after episode 6, and the plot has been unraveling very nicely. It's apparent how carefully planned out the events are, especially those pertaining to the Count's backstory. And the best part is that I still have no clue of what will happen in future episodes.

I feel strangely giddy right now, even though the recent events of the series have actually been rather depressing. I can't wait to watch the next episodes, and I'm definitely getting this on DVD once I save up enough money.[/SIZE]

[Dagger]

Volume 3 came in a little while ago, which means that I'm up to episode 12 now.

I feel weird about the Albert/Eugenie angle. It's hard to pinpoint why--maybe it's because I sympathize with Albert without actually liking him. Or because while [spoiler]it makes absolute sense for him to really be in love with her (given his personality, his character development so far, etc.), there's more chemistry between them when they're standoffish and when they edge around the issue of romance than when they're doing the star-crossed lovers thing.[/spoiler] On the other hand, it was very telling and symbolic that [spoiler]they could become more open about their emotions only after their arranged engagement was broken.[/spoiler]

The more I see of Gankutsuou, the more I love Franz. The poor guy has to put up with a lot of **** from Albert, and he's amazingly un-self-pitying. Two of my favorite "quiet" scenes in this set of episodes were his conversations with Maximilien and Eugenie.

~Dagger~

[bellpickle]

[quote name='Dagger']The more I see of Gankutsuou, the more I love Franz. The poor guy has to put up with a lot of **** from Albert, and he's amazingly un-self-pitying.[/quote]
[SIZE=1]AGREED. It's refreshing to see a character who's loyal and selfless, yet matured and cautious at the same time. And I love the little hissy fits Albert and Franz throw at each other throughout the series; though even during those scenes, it's obvious how much the two care for each other, even if they, Albert especially, rarely express it in words.

On a somewhat related note, my vote for favorite character is a toss-up between Franz and Andrea, which I find funny because the two of them are [I]total[/I] opposites. XD[/SIZE]

[Dagger]

[quote name='bellpickle][SIZE=1]I just watched episodes 13-16, and it was [I]amazing[/I']. The series really picks up after episode 6, and the plot has been unraveling very nicely. It's apparent how carefully planned out the events are, especially those pertaining to the Count's backstory. And the best part is that I still have no clue of what will happen in future episodes.[/SIZE][/quote]
[SIZE=1]I finished this set of episodes recently, and I feel pretty much exactly the same way as you did when you wrote this post. The director seems to be an expert at bringing things to a fever pitch in [i]every single episode[/i]... I've really started to appreciate the choice to use a frenetic ED and a calm OP.

The [spoiler]parting[/spoiler] scene in episode 15 might be my favorite moment in the series so far. I won't bother to enumerate all the reasons why, but [spoiler]seeing the Count transition from weeping to laughing psychotically[/spoiler] was so awesome and so, so chilling. Jouji Nakata is a god among seiyuu.[/SIZE]

[CENTER]-------------------------[/CENTER]

So I saw episode 18, and I'm still crying like a damn idiot. It's amazing how that scene could have so much of an impact even when it was obvious what was going to happen--although maybe that helped it a little. My pulse was going through the roof for pretty much the entire episode.

I had planned on watching all of volume 5 tonight, but I really don't think I'll have the heart for it. I need to go drown my sorrows with Ouran or something. :animecry: :animecry: :animecry:

~Dagger~

[bellpickle]

[quote name='Dagger']So I saw episode 18, and I'm still crying like a damn idiot. It's amazing how that scene could have so much of an impact even when it was obvious what was going to happen--although maybe that helped it a little. My pulse was going through the roof for pretty much the entire episode.[/quote]
[SIZE=1]I KNOW, RIGHT? I actually didn't expect it at all until they blatantly revealed that [spoiler]Albert wasn't in the armor,[/spoiler] so it hit me pretty hard. I remember having trouble sleeping that night. >_>

I actually avoided watching the series for a couple weeks after that, even though I still consider it to be my favorite episode. And I still haven't rewatched it since then.

(Though if it's any consolation, at least it gets better from that point on instead of more depressing.)[/SIZE]