‘Gankutsuou: The Count Of Monte Cristo’ Is A Science Fiction Anime Remix Of The Classic Revenge Tale
By Rafael Motamayor/April 30, 2020 10:00 am EST
(Welcome to Ani-time Ani-where, a regular column dedicated to helping the uninitiated understand and appreciate the world of anime.)With current global events, escapism has become more important than ever. Instead of scrolling through Twitter or watching the news all day long, why not immerse yourself in some thrilling, compelling, nail-biting anime? Originally, I planned to cover a tamer, funnier, more comforting show for this week’s anime column. Instead, I found myself completely obsessed with a story I have seen told countless other times across different media, the tale of The Count of Monte Cristo. Retitled as Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, this 2004 anime version of Alexandre Dumas’ classic tale of revenge moves the plot from 19th century France to the year 5053. The story follows the titular Count, who infiltrates the Parisian high-class in order to exact revenge on those involved with a betrayal from 25 years prior. There’s a large ensemble of characters who get impacted by the revenge plot. People live, people die, and nothing will ever be the same for those involved. If you have never heard of the original story, the anime is a fantastic introduction to one of the most famous stories ever told, and if you’re super familiar with the original or with the countless adaptations that came before this anime, Gankutsuou offers enough differences and artistic choices to make for a fresh take on the original. This is one of the most stylish shows of the past two decades, with a large ensemble of well-written characters, and a story that’s begging to be binge-watched. You may know The Count of Monte Cristo, but you don’t know Gankutsuou.
What It Brings to the Conversation
There are two major changes that Gankutsuou makes to the original story. One is the change in framing, telling the story from the perspective of Viscount Albert de Morcerf, who becomes friends with the titular Count and introduces him to the Parisian aristocracy. The other is that the Count’s obsession with revenge becomes literal in the anime, as we see the semi-demonic figure known as Gankutsuou take over the body of Edmond Dantes, making him immortal and giving him blue-ish skin that makes him look like a 19th-century vampire living in space. The anime de-Christianises the original story, taking out the elements of divine retribution and forgiveness, using Gankutsuou to explore the idea of a person being literally possessed by their thirst for revenge, overtaking every other aspect of their old self. This allows the show to go to darker places than other adaptations, and taken on its own terms it’s a fascinating exploration of how grief or anger can destroy one’s soul to the point where they lose everything that made them who they were before. The result is something more akin Jekyll and Hyde, a person split in two due to their anger, that struggles with putting together the two halves. Though the last couple of episodes may disappoint some fans of the book, the anime’s ideas of forgiveness and love are well worth exploring.
Why Non-Anime Fans Should Check It Out
Animation isn’t a medium where you usually make note of set of costume designs, but Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo very quickly lets you know that it isn’t a traditional anime. From beautiful visuals, to a complex and large-scale plot full of political betrayals, and a retrofuturistic sci-fi setting, this is an anime that can easily take your mind off the horrors of the world, with the deliciously evil and macabre revenge plot of another. Watch This If You Like: V for Vendetta, Kill Bill, Oldboy
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo is now streaming on Funimation’s Youtube Channel.
‘Gankutsuou: The Count Of Monte Cristo’ Is A Science Fiction Anime Remix Of The Classic Revenge Tale
By Rafael Motamayor/April 30, 2020 10:00 am EST
(Welcome to Ani-time Ani-where, a regular column dedicated to helping the uninitiated understand and appreciate the world of anime.)With current global events, escapism has become more important than ever. Instead of scrolling through Twitter or watching the news all day long, why not immerse yourself in some thrilling, compelling, nail-biting anime? Originally, I planned to cover a tamer, funnier, more comforting show for this week’s anime column. Instead, I found myself completely obsessed with a story I have seen told countless other times across different media, the tale of The Count of Monte Cristo. Retitled as Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, this 2004 anime version of Alexandre Dumas’ classic tale of revenge moves the plot from 19th century France to the year 5053. The story follows the titular Count, who infiltrates the Parisian high-class in order to exact revenge on those involved with a betrayal from 25 years prior. There’s a large ensemble of characters who get impacted by the revenge plot. People live, people die, and nothing will ever be the same for those involved. If you have never heard of the original story, the anime is a fantastic introduction to one of the most famous stories ever told, and if you’re super familiar with the original or with the countless adaptations that came before this anime, Gankutsuou offers enough differences and artistic choices to make for a fresh take on the original. This is one of the most stylish shows of the past two decades, with a large ensemble of well-written characters, and a story that’s begging to be binge-watched. You may know The Count of Monte Cristo, but you don’t know Gankutsuou.
What Makes It Great
What It Brings to the Conversation
There are two major changes that Gankutsuou makes to the original story. One is the change in framing, telling the story from the perspective of Viscount Albert de Morcerf, who becomes friends with the titular Count and introduces him to the Parisian aristocracy. The other is that the Count’s obsession with revenge becomes literal in the anime, as we see the semi-demonic figure known as Gankutsuou take over the body of Edmond Dantes, making him immortal and giving him blue-ish skin that makes him look like a 19th-century vampire living in space. The anime de-Christianises the original story, taking out the elements of divine retribution and forgiveness, using Gankutsuou to explore the idea of a person being literally possessed by their thirst for revenge, overtaking every other aspect of their old self. This allows the show to go to darker places than other adaptations, and taken on its own terms it’s a fascinating exploration of how grief or anger can destroy one’s soul to the point where they lose everything that made them who they were before. The result is something more akin Jekyll and Hyde, a person split in two due to their anger, that struggles with putting together the two halves. Though the last couple of episodes may disappoint some fans of the book, the anime’s ideas of forgiveness and love are well worth exploring.
Why Non-Anime Fans Should Check It Out
Animation isn’t a medium where you usually make note of set of costume designs, but Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo very quickly lets you know that it isn’t a traditional anime. From beautiful visuals, to a complex and large-scale plot full of political betrayals, and a retrofuturistic sci-fi setting, this is an anime that can easily take your mind off the horrors of the world, with the deliciously evil and macabre revenge plot of another. Watch This If You Like: V for Vendetta, Kill Bill, Oldboy
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo is now streaming on Funimation’s Youtube Channel.
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo is now streaming on Funimation’s Youtube Channel.
