(An Animee of The Count of Monte Cristo)

by Claudia

Alex dragged me into doing this, so here goes.

I chose to begin with an anime that has been released recently in DVD in the US, Gankutsuou.

Gankutsuou is an anime intended for a mature audience, as it's an adaptation of Alexander Dumas' novel “The Count of Monte Cristo,” although this adaptation takes quite a few liberties.

The story takes us to a futuristic world that retains the characteristics of a renaissance world. The young viscount Albert Morcef and his friend Franz d' Epinay arrive to the colony in the Moon in time for the carnival, marking this way the end to a trip around the galaxy to try to bring some spark into Albert's boring life.

It is not until the boys reach the moon that Albert’s begins a drastic change, among the moral decadency of the Moon's population, they meet the charming Count Monte Cristo. The enigmatic man enchants Albert with his charisma and personality, with the outcome of the boy inviting him to visit him in Paris to introduce him to his family and friends.

Little did he know, that his innocent and friendly invitation would unveil a story of betrayal, hatred, despair and tragic love that involved all those around him.

Gankutsuou is definitely not an animation for children nor youngsters; for its content is crude and to the point, having no qualms to expose the moral decadency, and libertinage of the High Society of that age.

Created by Gonzo Studios, Gankutsuou runs for 24 episodes. The Animation is smooth and beautiful, with high quality, extremely consistent artwork. Although, in a rather interesting, albeit unusual combination of methods, for the most part the animation lacks coloration. Outfits, hair, and in many cases eyes, were all colored via patterned textures, some of which were designed by Japanese fashion designer Anna Sui.

It's a highly recommendable adult animation if you are a fan of Dumas' works and can take the futuristic in-take. And if you enjoy plots that twist and shake at a fast pace. All range of human emotions are ever present, greed, love, rejection, pride, ingenuity, trust, betrayal, despair, pain, heartbreak and hope.