Anime Gankutsuou - The Count of Monte Cristo

[Dagger]

[QUOTE=bellpickle][SIZE=1]
(Though if it's any consolation, at least it gets better from that point on instead of more depressing.)[/SIZE][/QUOTE]
So it seems. :) I waited until after I got back from my trip to watch episodes 19 & 20, and although some parts of them were quite painful (the wound is still fresh, I guess), they were painful in a more uplifting and bittersweet way. And the writing is just so damn good, yet again, that I could accept almost any kind of twist at this point. Episode 20 could have been [i]so[/i] awful, but it was [i]so[/i] great, and although I would have rolled my eyes at the [spoiler]bridal-hefting[/spoiler] scene under ordinary circumstances, I can only offer it my most enthusiastic endorsement when the male party is [spoiler]wearing a maid outfit.[/spoiler] Albert for the win.

Speaking of which! I marveled at how his growth was depicted purely through showing rather than telling. Even his face was drawn differently--not in a way that would make character design sticklers like myself run screaming for the hills, but just enough to show his maturity. [spoiler]Because of Franz, he was able to understand the role he should assume in the future; he came to realize what it means to stand by someone's side. The way his other friends stepped in to help and the contrast between the nightmare in episode 19 and Franz's farewell letter at the end of episode 20, and even the childhood-trio flashback with Franz's ridiculous cereal bowl haircut... argh.[/spoiler] It was all too perfect.

And [spoiler]Peppo!!![/spoiler] Talk about piling on ache after ache. But man, [spoiler]s/he was in absolute top form.[/spoiler] Gankutsuou excels at small, telling physical gestures, and the way [spoiler]she slipped off her shoes[/spoiler] is exemplary of that.

I'm looking forward to finding out why you like Andrea so much--or rather, I'm curious as to whether he'll remain a [spoiler]Dilandau[/spoiler] type in the last four episodes, not to mention whether he'll have a happy ending (unlikely, I suppose?) or go down in flames.

Drain away my emotions, stopper my ears so I can't hear the superbly chosen music, and 20 episodes in, I am still humbled by the show's visual beauty.

~Dagger~

[Horendithas]

[COLOR="Indigo"]This is one of those animes that I knew about but never got around to watching it. Now that I am ... I'm smacking myself for putting it off for so long.

As others have mentioned, the visuals are stunning. It was a little odd at first, but I love how you have a flat texture for the character's clothing that doesn't move. Normally I don't like this technique, but the designs are so elaborate and decorative that it really suits the show.

It has a wonderful dramatic flair to how things are done, like in the first episode with the [spoiler]execution scene. Especially when you see just which criminal is saved.[/spoiler] I knew what was going to happen and yet it was still a captivating moment.

The other thing I like is the combination of visuals with beautiful CG. Take the [spoiler]fireworks scene, it was beautifully done.[/spoiler]

Oh and I pretty much instantly loved the ending song to this show, after the quiet opening it just worked so well to wrap the episode up with it. I like it enough that I already picked up a copy of the full version to the ending song. [/COLOR]

[Rachmaninoff]

Upon learning that during the series [spoiler]Albert's finance's piano playing was excerpts from Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto.[/spoiler] *pokes Indi* I have re-visited this anime to watch it since other than to check out episode one I never bothered to watch more, though I had planned on it.

Anyway, as said, the visuals are fantastic and the whole thing has a very sinister air about it that I'm getting the feeling is going to get rather interesting later on during the show. If I'm reading things right that is. I guess I'll find out.

Oh and I definitely agree with the sentiment about how the ending song really fits the show. It's so different and yet oddly fitting that the intro is slow and the outtro is nicely fast paced. It suits the tone and feel that the anime is developing so far. Switching it around would ruin the impact it's meant to give in my opinion.

[Sabrina]

[FONT="Tahoma"]I think I knew from the moment I saw the bit with the [spoiler]execution[/spoiler] that this anime was going to be rather interesting. o_O It's got a very psychological feel and twist to how everything builds only to totally break apart later on. The Count is so [spoiler]manipulative with how he slowly tears them apart.[/spoiler]

I do like the visuals though at first they took getting use to and the music is fun as well. I really do like the ending song to this show. It just fits it so nicely. ^_^

Anyway, I really enjoyed how it wrapped up, it was fascinating to me how it ended since I was not expecting that. >_> I'm assuming that what undid [spoiler]the Count was the phrase about holding out hope, his own words of advice.[/spoiler] Anyway, that was a fun show to watch, even if I did cry over what happened in episode eighteen. [/FONT]

[James P. Galvatron]

Such an amazing anime though the animation style was something to get used to the first time I watched it felt like my eyes were going to bleed so many clothes not moving with background its like its just there for no reason at all.:animecry:

I remember when this thread first came here wow I have been on here to long can't believe its been 4 years since and how did you even find this thing.

[Horendithas]

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name='Kid_Notorious7447']I remember when this thread first came here wow I have been on here to long can't believe its been 4 years since and how did you even find this thing.[/QUOTE]Using a handy thing like this: [URL="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=38208"][U]Anime Central Thread Directory[/U][/URL] [/COLOR]

[James P. Galvatron]

[quote name='Indi'][COLOR="Indigo"]Using a handy thing like this: [URL="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=38208"][U]Anime Central Thread Directory[/U][/URL] [/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Ah interesting didn't even know about that is it new I haven't been on the site in over a year almost just started coming back on and saw someone bring up the old Count of Monte Cristo thread speaking of the anime I must now watch it again on Veoh.

[Horendithas]

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name='Kid_Notorious7447']Ah interesting didn't even know about that is it new I haven't been on the site in over a year almost just started coming back on and saw someone bring up the old Count of Monte Cristo thread speaking of the anime I must now watch it again on Veoh.[/QUOTE]It was created before this thread was, so it's not new. And yes, re-watch it. I know I'm going to. I just love how wonderfully [spoiler]sadistic the Count is.[/spoiler] I love it when that sort of thing is consistent and well done. Wishy washy villains just annoy me so ones that aren't... are the best. [/COLOR]

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR="DarkGreen"][FONT="Book Antiqua"]With all the fuss I decided to check this out. o_O The imagery is really odd. It almost makes you feel dizzy to watch. It does have a rather odd aesthetic feel that is soothing though. It almost makes you feel like you're watching art that has come to life, a painting if you will.

Anyway, I can see based on the [spoiler]execution scene[/spoiler] that this anime is going to be very interesting from a psychological point of view. Seriously. [/FONT][/COLOR]