Gankutsuou, ep. 01-06

[oyceter]

Gankutsuou is based on Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, although I am fairly certain Dumas' version didn't take place on the moon. Or in the year 5053, for that matter. Plotwise, all I can really say is that the Count has nefarious plans. Thanks to cultural osmosis, I am fairly certain these plans involve revenge of some sort. So far, he has attached himself to Albert de Moncerf.

Other than that, I really have no idea what's going on, save the world in 5053 has a lot of class differences and still uses the guillotine.

That said, the anime is absolutely stunning in terms of production. Instead of using solid blocks of color, people's hair and clothes are composed of patterns or textures. Occasionally, the effect is dizzying, but I found that I was less bothered by it than I thought it would be. Also, this has the side effect of making it very easy for me to tell people apart! No longer are they blonde and blonde and blonde, but instead, blonde with pale streaks, blonde with speckles, blonde with plaid, and etc. I love that even objects like the Count's walking stick are patterned, and some effects, like the Count's stark black cloak revealing a dazzling interior, are just gorgeous.

While the story itself doesn't feel very cracktastic, it still has its moments.

RANDOM CHARACTER: The Count is a mysterious person. People sometimes speculate if he's an alien or a vampire!
ME: I'm not sure if they mean that literally or figuratively.
RILINA: That's why I love anime.
ME: I'll go with figurative... for now.

The Count appears on screen.

RILINA: He has pointy ears!
ME: Maybe he's literally an alien! Wait, wait! He has pointy teeth too! He's an alien vampire!
RILINA: He's blue!
ME: An alien vampire... smurf?
RILINA: I love anime so much!

Since Netflix has not yet come through with the series people have recced, and since I seem to be in the mood for dark and gothic, I will keep watching!

Note: I haven't read The Count of Monte Cristo, so please don't spoil me for it, even though I'm sure every single person in the world knows how it's going to end!

Comments

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

*reads post for 3rd time*

No, no. I suspect that we could tell you the entire plot, point by point, and only minimally spoil you.

(The moon! No one told me it was set on the moon!)

[magicnoire.livejournal.com]

You haven't seen Gankutsuou? ;__; This was my favorite anime before Mononoke kicked it out of the #1 slot.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

Nope. Keep meaning to, but haven't.

[oyceter]

Heeee! Yes, parts are on the moon! Some are also in France on Earth, but I'm sure the moon will come back in play.

[rilina.livejournal.com]

I've read the book, but it was so long ago that I only remember the sketchiest details.

I think I may have to watch more of this later to find out if the Count is indeed an alien, vampire, smurf, or some combination of the three.

[oyceter]

I think you should too! Maybe you will be able to figure out more of the plot than I have so far, although from other comments it seems like general confusion is the norm.

[magicnoire.livejournal.com]

But here's the trick! Gankutsuou diverges from the book and the endings are different!

[oyceter]

Now I will be even more confused! Although I do want to read the book some day, so I still don't want to know what happens.

[the_rck]

The weird patterning actually made this one near impossible for me to watch. It made me dizzy and a little sick. I watched part of the first DVD (from the library) and ended up giving up on the series.

I did get kind of cranky with Albert, though. I had the feeling that there were big neon signs over the Count flashing 'I'm evil' and 'Stay away. This is a Bad Idea.'

[oyceter]

Oh, I can definitely see how the patterning would make it impossible to watch.

Right now I am ignoring Albert's stupidity and just pretending that it's because he's the ingenue.

[etrangere.livejournal.com]

It's Dumas' best possible adaptation : not faithful at all from the fact, but just as DRAMATIC. I think Dumas would approve.

[oyceter]

It seems very dramatic indeed! It also makes me want a version of Three Musketeers as a space opera.

[tatterpunk.livejournal.com]

That could only be an improvement on the original.

(I tweak Dumas because I love!)

[magicnoire.livejournal.com]

I agree. It's not the most faithful adaptation in terms of events and storylines (though I think the storylines that are there are recognizably part of the Monte Cristo mtyhos) but it has the DRAMA down. And the "OMG, your soul is in mortal peril, what are you doing?!" bit down too. The spirit is there.

[tatterpunk.livejournal.com]

I haven't read The Count of Monte Cristo, so please don't spoil me for it, even though I'm sure every single person in the world knows how it's going to end!

Except the producers of the Jim Caviezel film version.


*bu-dum CHING*

[oyceter]

? I am guessing it is a singularly incomprehensible film?

[tatterpunk.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, not imcomprehensible. But they changed several salient points, which in turn stood the whole message of the book on its head and improvised a new ending. (You know, the way they do.)

I actually enjoy it for the sheer swashbuckle effect (and Guy Pearce being squinty and evil, woo!), and because I am a sucker for any adaptation of this story. I'm pleased to hear I can finally get Gankutsuou from Netflix.

[oyceter]

Hee! Maybe I will watch it after reading the book to have three variations on the same story in my head. (Also, Guy Pearce.)

[nekonexus.livejournal.com]

Gankutsuou is gorgeous and wonderfully slashy and heartbreaking and...

Episode 24 does not belong. The series ends at 23 for me. Yus.

But other than that, yeah, it is totally worth watching, even if you can only take a couple eps at once due to patterning.

I think in the early episodes, it helps to know the Dumas story to follow the plot, but it does eventually get unravelled and have its own internal consistency.

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

It's even more gorgeous and slashy and heartbreaking if you start around ep 5 like I did, when all those 'I AM EVIL STAY AWAY' neon signs have been removed. Ohhhh the Count and Albert wibble sniff.

[nekonexus.livejournal.com]

yes yes! but also oh Franz and Albert. ~_~ (I still have a huge soft spot for Franz. *wibble*)

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

Start at ep 1 and Franz x Albert stares you in the face. (To the point that it made me rather want to clout Albert for being so unforgivably dense.) Start at ep 5 and it sneaks up from behind and blackjacks you when you least expect it.

[oyceter]

Hrm, ok. Am now curious to see how it goes!

[larryhammer]

For the record, The Count of Monte Cristo is worth reading. Pure crack, or at least as pure as they could refine it in the mid-19th century. Find a portable edition for your next vacation, sez I.

---L.

[oyceter]

Oh, I mean to read it (haha, eventually...), so I don't want to know what happens.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

I haven't actually made it all the way through this one due to lack of compulsion to Know What Happens, but it sure is pretty.

[oyceter]

It is very pretty! It definitely lacks in narrative drive right now, but the dark and dramatic atmosphere is carrying it for me right now.