Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

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Gankutsuou

Promotional image for Gankutsuou
巌窟王
(Gankutsuō)
Genre Adventure, Science Fiction, Romance, Fantasy.
TV anime
Director Mahiro Maeda
Studio GONZO
Licensor Flag of the United States Flag of Canada Geneon
Flag of Australia Flag of New Zealand Madman Entertainment
Network Flag of Japan Animax, TV Asahi
Flag of Singapore Flag of India Flag of Thailand Flag of Indonesia Flag of South Korea Flag of Venezuela Flag of Mexico Flag of Peru Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil Animax
Flag of the United States ImaginAsian TV
Flag of the Philippines Animax, Hero TV
Original run 5 October 2004 – 29 March 2005
Episodes 24
Manga
Author Mahiro Maeda
Publisher Flag of Japan Kodansha, Flag of the United States Del Rey
Demographic Seinen
Serialized in Afternoon
Original run May 2005 – ongoing
Volumes 2

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (巌窟王 Gankutsuō?, literally The Ruler of the Cave) is an anime series loosely based on Alexandre Dumas, père's classic French novel, Le Comte de Monte-Cristo. Spanning 24 episodes, it was produced by GONZO, directed by Mahiro Maeda and broadcast by Animax across its respective networks in Japan, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Latin America, and other regions. Gankutsuou's unusual visual style layers Photoshop textures into digital animation, with backgrounds often rendered in 3D. The series features several famous pieces of classical music, including Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony, the Donizetti opera Lucia di Lammermoor, and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2

Contents

[edit] Background

Gankutsuou is set in the far future, during the year 5053, whereas Alexandre Dumas's original novel takes place during the 1800s. Though Gankutsuou incorporates elements of science-fiction and fantasy, it also retains many aesthetics of France in the 1800s, particularly in regard to social classes and wealth. In addition, each of the episodes begin with a summary spoken in French.

While visiting the festival on Luna, 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, changes many aspects of the source material. Whereas Alexandre Dumas's original novel is focused heavily on the Count, Gankutsuou's narrative places more importance on the character of Albert and his friends and their inter-relationships. In the novel, the events in the Count's life proceed chronologically; in the anime, the story begins with Albert and Franz meeting the Count on Luna (which occurs many hundreds of pages into the book, in Rome), and the back story is pieced together throughout the series. The plot changes include supernatural elements, different fates for some characters, the disposal of several side-plots, and an altogether different ending.

These changes result in a different tone; in the novel the Count's quest for revenge is seen very sympathetically, but various plot elements in the anime lead the viewer's sympathy towards Albert, making the Count a far more antagonizing figure. Gankutsuou's plot could largely be classified as a coming-of-age story for Albert, catalysed by the discovery of the dark history of the Count.

[edit] Characters by household

[edit] Monte Cristo

The Count
The Count
Le Comte de Monte-Cristo (モンテ・クリスト伯爵 Monte Kurisuto Hakushaku?)
A mysterious nobleman living in luxury, The Count approaches and befriends Albert in Luna as the first step in his plan of revenge against the people who once betrayed him. The Count's previous identity was Edmond Dantès, a sailor who worked for the Morrel family's shipping company. Edmond was imprisoned in the Château d'If on false charges, and there it was that he met Gankutsuou (known as The Ruler of the Cave in Animax's English adaptation). In exchange for the strength and means to gain revenge, he allowed the cold-blooded demon to possess him. Because of Gankutsuou, he is afflicted with an odd condition which causes his body to be crystalline, revealing his bones and internal organs.
Haydée (エデ Ede?)
A delicate beauty and skilled harp player, Haydée is one of the members of the Count of Monte Cristo's estate. The former princess of the planet of Janina, she was sold into slavery when her father was betrayed and killed by a political ally. Haydée was eventually rescued by the Count, and grew deep feelings for him over time. She wishes to save him from the revenge that consumes his life. The name could be derived from the Daniel Auber opera of the same name, Haydée, about a Cypriot slave girl; her name is taken from Haidée, the pirate king's daughter, in Byron's poem Don Juan.
Giovanni Bertuccio (ベルッチオ Berucchio?)
Bertuccio is one of the Count's right-hand men, acting as servant and bodyguard.
Baptistin (バティスタン Batisutan?)
Baptistin is the Count's other right-hand man. He's skilled at fencing and practices occasionally with the Count.
Ali (アリ Ari?)
Ali is the Count's mute alien servant. He has unusual powers, such as telekinesis and controlling animals. He saves the Count's life on one occasion.

[edit] Morcerf

Général Fernand de Morcerf (Fernand Mondego) (モルセール将軍／フェルナン・モンデゴ Morusēru Shōgun/Ferunan Mondego?)
The husband of Mercédès and the father of Albert, Fernand is general of the Parisian army and the leading candidate in France's presidential race. While touted as a hero, Fernand is actually a cowardly character, guilty of unethical practices including the murder of the King of Janina and a purchased nobility. In the past, he worked with Edmond Dantès and Danglars under his real name of Fernand Mondego. Though Edmond considered him a friend, Fernand was his rival for the affection of Mercédès, and thus lead to his part in Edmonds wrongful imprisonment.
Mercédès de Morcerf (Mercédès Herrera) (メルセデス Merusedesu?)
The former fiancée of Edmond Dantès, Mercédès demurred and married her childhood friend Fernand upon news of Edmond's death in the Chateau d'If. Though she is a devoted wife and caring mother, Mercédès still harbours feelings for Edmond. She suspects the Count's true identity and worries that he has returned to disrupt her family's life.
Albert de Morcerf
Albert de Morcerf
Vicomte Albert de Morcerf (アルベール・ド・モルセール子爵 Arubēru Do Morusēru Shishaku?)
A naïve sixteen-year-old, Albert encounters the Count while vacationing on the moon colony, Luna. Taken in by the Count's poise, sophistication, and mystique, Albert serves as a tool for the Count to immerse himself in Parisian society. His naïveté is his defining flaw, blinding him to others' faults and intentions. Nonetheless, his purity of spirit penetrates the hearts of others.

[edit] Danglars

Le Baron Jullian Danglars (ダングラール男爵 Dangurāru Danshaku?)
Danglars is the most powerful banker in France and he seeks wealth above everything else, often disregarding the feelings of those closest to him in the process. By appealing to Danglars' sense of greed, the Count persuades him to create an account allowing an unlimited withdrawal of funds. He sees the marriage of his daughter Eugénie as a way to enhance his family's wealth and prestige. He has been friends with Fernand for several decades, and engaged Eugénie to Albert as a way of tying the families together. Danglars was the one who came up with the idea to imprison Edmond for his own gains.
Victoria de Danglars (ビクトリア Bikutoria?)
Madame Danglars is known for being outspoken and determined to get her way. Madame Danglars has had several extramarital lovers, such as Albert's friend Lucien. In contrast to her husband, Madame Danglars has limits on what she will do in the pursuit of wealth; her most prized possession is her horse Eclipse which she refuses to sell.
Eugénie de Danglars (ユージェニー Yūjenī?)
Eugénie is the childhood friend of Albert and Franz and is engaged to Albert. Though she is usually friendly to Albert, she appears displeased with the arrangement and sometimes acts cold towards him. Later in the episodes she shows some feelings towards Albert and she soon realizes that she has fallen for him. She shows her affections through composing music for and playing the piano; her dream is to become a professional pianist.

[edit] Villefort

Gerard de Villefort Procureur-général (ヴィルフォール首席判事 Virufōru Shuseki Hanji?)
Gérard is the highest ranking judge in Paris and is considered a member of the social elite. He is known for being harsh in his rulings, a trait that will return to haunt him. While he conducts his judicial business with an iron fist, he is in truth a very passive, self-flagellating character. His first wife died years ago, and he remarried to a social-climber named Héloïse. He once had an affair with Madame Danglars which resulted in a child. Villefort was the one who sent Edmond Dantes to prison without a trial and the intent to keep him there within the prison walls for life.
Valentine de Villefort (ヴァランティーヌ Varantīnu?)
Valentine is Villefort's daughter by his first wife. She is a kind and caring person, but she is also somewhat withdrawn and rather frail. She is very sickly most of the time. While she appears to have a civil relationship with her father, she is more attached to her grandfather Noirtier. She is formally engaged to Franz who does not seem to have feelings for her. After a while she starts to prefer the company of Maximilien Morrel. Unfortunately, due to his position as a soldier, Maximilien does not meet with her father's approval.
Héloïse de Villefort (エロイーズ Eroīzu?)
Héloïse is the second wife of Villefort and Valentine's stepmother. She is bitter towards her stepdaughter because she believes that Valentine will inherit the Villefort's estate, leaving her son Edouard with nothing. Her hobby is gardening in her private greenhouse. She is fascinated by toxicology, and most of the plants she grows are highly poisonous. From her flirtations with the Count and indifference towards her husband, she gives the strong impression that she is a social climber.
Edouard de Villefort (エドワール Edowāru?)
Edouard is Héloïse's only son from her previous marriage. He is a young and spoiled boy whom his mother hopes will one day inherit the Villefort's estate.
Noirtier (ノワルティエ老 Nowarutie-Rō?)
Noirtier is Gérard de Villefort's father-in-law, though they have an antagonistic relationship. Noirtier was once a high-ranking official within the French government, but was paralyzed due to a stroke and he can no longer speak. Valentine is devoted to his well-being and he seeks to provide for her as best he can given his condition.

[edit] Other characters

Franz d'Epinay
Franz d'Epinay
Le Baron Franz d'Epinay (フランツ・デピネー男爵 Furantsu Depinē Danshaku?)
Albert's best friend who accompanied him in the carnival in Luna. He seems to be more mature than Albert, cautioning him against the Count. He holds deep feelings for his best friend and he risks his own life on several occasions to save Albert.
Maximilien Morrel (マクシミリアン・モレル Makushimirian Moreru?)
A military man in love with Valentine. His father owned the shipping company that hired Edmond Dantès. Though he is socially awkward, he is also strong, courageous and honest.
Lucien Debray (リュシアン・ドプレー Ryushian Dopurē?)
Lucien is a friend of Albert and Franz. He works as a secretary within the French government. Charismatic and confident, Lucien is a self-proclaimed ladies' man, and far from shy when it comes to his affair with Madame Danglars.
Robert Beauchamp (ボーシャン Bōshan?)
Beauchamp is another friend of Franz and Albert. Beauchamp works as a news reporter for a French newspaper.
Raoul de Château-Renaud (ラウル・ド・シャトー＝ルノー（ルノー） Rauru Do Shatō-Runō?)
Renaud is another friend of Albert and Franz. A soldier during the previous war, he was saved by Maximilien and introduced him to the group. A man with a love for cars, he is an open and talkative person.
Luigi Vampa (ルイギヴァンパ Ruigi Vanpa?)
Vampa is the well-known leader of a group of bandits on Luna. He is responsible for kidnapping Albert at the beginning of the story.
Peppo (ぺッポ Peppo?)
Peppo is a young transwoman who meets and seduces Albert during the festival on Luna per Luigi Vampa's orders. When Albert returns to Paris, she becomes a maid in the Morcerf household.
The name may be derived from the poem Beppo by Byron which may have been the inspiration for the names of other characters such as Haydée.
Marquis Andrea Cavalcanti / Benedetto (アンドレア・カヴァルカンティ（侯爵） Andorea Kavarukanti (Kōshaku)?)
Cavalcanti is an Italian criminal known to the Count, who rescues him from execution, funds him, and introduces him to Parisian society as a noble. Cunning and crude, Cavalcanti flamboyantly displays his wealth to make himself known throughout Paris. After meeting Danglars, he replaces Albert as Eugénie's fiancé. He is arrested at the wedding and is shown to be a fraud created by the Count. Cavalcanti is actually the result of the affair of Gerard Villefort and Victoria Danglars and had been abandoned as an infant.
Gaspard Caderousse (カドルッス Kadorussu?)
Caderousse is a drunk who was once a member of the same crew as Edmond, Fernand, and the others. He indirectly participated in the plot to send Edmond to the Chateau d'If.

[edit] Episodes

Main article: List of Gankutsuou episodes

[edit] Theme songs

Opening theme
Ending theme
  • "You Won't See Me Coming"
    • Lyrics: Jean-Jacques Burnel
    • Arrangement: Jean-Jacques Burnel & Loule Nicastro
    • Performance: Jean-Jacques Burnel

[edit] Licensing

Geneon Entertainment acquired the North American release rights for Gankutsuou, and it has been released under the title Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo. As of September 12, 2006, all volumes(1-6) have been released on DVD. A box set was also released after the release of all 6 DVDs. They are now out of print due to Geneon USA retiring from the anime business recently.

[edit] Manga

The manga version of Gankutsuou is currently being serialized in Kodansha's Afternoon manga magazine since May 2005. There are currently 2 volumes out in Japan. At the New York Anime Festival 2007, Del Rey announced that it will be releasing the manga adaptation of Gankutsuou however, no release date has been announced so far.

[edit] Critical reception

Gankutsuou was acclaimed when released in North America, with sources such as Anime Insider[citation needed], Newsarama.com [1] Animeondvd.com[2], and Anime News Network[3] judging it to be among the best releases of the year.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fritz, Steve (2006-12-21). Animation's Centennial - Was it Something to Celebrate?. Retrieved on 2007-07-16.
  2. ^ Gankutsuou -The Count of Monte Cristo at AnimeOnDVD.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-16.
  3. ^ Martin, Theron (2007-1-7). Theron Martin's Best (and Worst) of 2006. Retrieved on 2007-07-16.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-12-07/del-rey-announces-new-manga-fiction

[edit] External links