Anime rec: Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

[amanuensis1]

Image from the wikipedia page.

On ravenna_c_tan's recommendation, I watched the 24-episode anime series Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, which is a futuristic version of the classic Dumas story. I loved it. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to make it past the animation style, which uses fixed background patterns for clothing and hair which shift as the characters move; I didn't care for that way back when I first saw it used for a plaid-clad guy in a Bugs Bunny cartoon. But I got used to it, and then it really grew on me. Makes me want to run down to the fabric store and find the loudest paisley I can so that I can do cosplay for it.

The conceit of Gankutsuou is to make the children's generation the main characters, and to focus on the friendship between Monte Cristo and Mercedes's son. It's a lovely, rewardingly angsty retelling. I've seen lots of versions of TCoMC--hell, I even remember the Mr. Magoo version--and so many of them try to change the ending, but I've never seen one that dared to create a sadder ending than the original. Wow. And I was very pleased at how the death of one particular character, partway through the series, resonated and resonated the rest of the way through, accompanied by deep visible grieving from the other characters. Not just some throw-away.

And there are lots of pretty men scattered all through it, and it's infinitely slashy. I'm tempted to nominate this fandom in Yuletide. Still not sure if I'm ready for that commitment, though. But I really would like to find fic of at least one particular pairing. *goes hunting doujinshi*

Comments

[hpstrangelove.livejournal.com]

It's interesting that you post this right now - I just finished watching all 24 eps during my Equus trip a few weeks ago. I loved it too. Because I was not familiar with the original work, I actually bought an unabridged version of the book (gosh, like 1k+ pages!), rented the movie version on DVD and bought the 7 hour French version.

I agree 100% with everything you say here. I've had the anime for well over three years and just never could get into the style. I'd heard it was good slashiness though (which it is), so persevered. I'm very glad I did.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I remember my first experience with the book! I was devouring it, thinking, "This is something they MAKE you read for school?" I was always an avid reader but I had suspicions of things they called "classics" because they weren't sensational enough. ^_^

I'd like to see that 7 hour French version! *goes to check netflix*

[markeyisapunk.livejournal.com]

it's nice to find new toys :) I just found howl's moving castle, and am all geeked out over books + movie. thanks for the link, the trailer looks gorgeous.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

And after I watched the series, I thought, "Wow, it's even niftier than the trailer made it out to be!"

[cellia.livejournal.com]

That one's been on my "to watch" list for years. That picture just bumped it up a few places though!

Oh anime... one thing I still love/hate about it is that it's totally unafraid to just kill anyone off at any time (even when you think you're watching a happy kids series!). One of my favorite series kills off the main character in the finale. :D

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

SO much love/hate for that. Yes. I've been learning not to ascribe Western narrative structure to Eastern storytelling. FAR less forgiveness for sins, much more death.

I would love to know what the series you're speaking of is, but that would spoil me for it. Damn! Well, I'll just have to watch a lot of 'em and when you see me mention, "I watched such-and-such..." you can leap on me and say, "That one was it!" :D

(And why else do you think I used that picture? ^_~ I was already watching the series when I saw that picture, but it made me say, "Well, if I wasn't watching it already, I sure would be now!")

[forestgreen.livejournal.com]

Oh, I need to get this. I *love* The Count of Monte Cristo. I'm sure that my first slash pairing (before I even knew what slash was) was Monte Cristo/Albert. I didn't care *too much* about Mercedes and I totally disliked Aidee but whenever Albert and Monte Cristo were together in scene I jumped with excitement and happiness. I probably had the duel between the two of them memorized.

And during the evenings I used to spent ours pretending to be asleep while I made up in my head stories where Albert and Monte Cristo were "best friends forever". I was like 11 and sex was still a weird concept I didn't quite get, but looking back the seeds of the future slasher were there.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

My friend, if you're all about the Monte Cristo/Albert, you will eat this version up with a spoon. I so hope you like it!

Count of Monte Cristo

[godiva2111.livejournal.com]

I watched this a little over a year ago, not all of it though, it must have gotten licensed at the time and only got to watch the first 5 eps or something. I remember having a hard time getting past the stylized art as well, but it was enjoyable. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention. I'll have to look for it again.

Re: Count of Monte Cristo

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I hope it works for you this time! :D

[riari.livejournal.com]

Dammit, I need to get myself to sit down and watch this series. I have the boxset sitting here looking at me. ^_^ (Which, btw, is also gorgeous. ^__^ )

If you haven't found these doujinshi yet, I highly recommend this one on this page (http://shi-ran.rydia.net/): Famme Fatale (http://shi-ran.rydia.net/zips/Gankutsuou_-_Famme%20Fatale_%5BSHI-RAN%5D.zip) which has a nice threesome in there.

Also, look for Baise which is another one by that artist and is just as completely awesome, which can be found on aarinfantasy's forums here (http://aarinfantasy.com/forum/f107/t15708-gankutsuou_baise.html).

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Oh! Thank you so much--the only one I had been able to find of Baise was in Italian! :D *is very happy*