Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Vintage:
October 5, 2004
Status:
Awaiting Subtitles
Summary:
The story takes place in the far future of the 51st Century A.D.
While visiting Luna for the festival, Viscount Albert de Morcerf and Baron Franz d'Epinay make the acquaintance of the Count of Monte Cristo, a self-made nobleman. When they part, the Count promises to visit Albert in Paris. After he arrives, he introduces himself to the most powerful families in France (the Morcerfs, the Danglars, and the Villeforts).
The general plot of Gankutsuou, while broadly the same as the novel on which it is based, changes many aspects of the source material. In the novel, the narrative arc follows the Count chronologically; in the anime, the story begins with Albert and Franz meeting the Count on Luna (which occurs, in Rome, many hundreds of pages into the book), and the Count's back story is pieced together throughout the series. The anime's plot includes supernatural elements, different fates for some characters, the disposal of several side-plots, and an altogether different ending.
Very compelling so far. The mood and intrigue surrounding the Count draw you in, though it is Albert's genuine innocence that makes you care what happens next. He is caught like a fly in a web, and is being toyed with like a cat plays with a mouse - though remaining almost completely unaware of the fact. We become aware, however, of the very human, yet rather false and unlikeable adults that surround Albert's privileged up-bringing, that seems to focus more and more on his parents and their past, which may not be as simplistic and perfect as their son believed. Unfortunately, I can't get episode 8 to download properly, so if someone could re-upload it, that would be wonderful. Smaller files are also welcome.
I'm really looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds...
