Story: 10/10
Gankutsuou is based upon the Count of Monte Cristo, the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. The classic French novel has the story told from the perspective of The Count, but the anime shifts the perspective to Albert de Morcerf. This fundamental change shifts the tone of the story as a whole. It grants The Count and air of mystery, since instead of the narrative following him, it now follows a third party who views him from afar. Morcerf serves as a viewer surrogate, and through him we relate to his naivety and adoration for The Count. In the aspect of story it can be said to perhaps even surpass the original source material, turning a cold hearted story of vengeance into something with a lot more heart.
Art: 9.5/10
While it is debatable whether the story benefits from the shift in perspective, it is not debatable that Gankutsuou takes full advantage of the medium of animation. This is one of the most beautiful anime TV series to have ever been created. Some of the motion can be rough, and the CGI is clearly dated (a hallmark of mid-2000s Gonzo productions), but the art direction is both gorgeous and fitting. The colors and designs on clothing evoke the flamboyance and fabulous wealth of early 19th century France. The inclusion of science fiction elements weave seamlessly into the overall tone of the setting to create a feeling of grandeur and awe that is evoked by a Paris of old that has long since passed. Gankutsuou has clothing designs that are the height of fashion, and some outfits dazzle the eyes with their intricacy and detail. Yet nothing is ever over-designed. Every character is unique and memorable, and you will never find yourself asking, "who was that guy again?" as you do with many other shows of lower caliber.
Sound: 9.5/10
Complementing the art direction is the music choice. The synthesis of 19th century romantic pieces, operatic overtones, electronic dance music, and French pop songs is both fresh and unique to this particular show. The classical pieces ground the show's setting in the original novel, lending believability to the setting involving aristocrats, noblemen, and old-school gentlemen's duels. While the electronic music emphasizes the sci-fi nature of the show, evoking strong connections to Cyberpunk, a genre known for its depiction of dystopian societies and systemic corruption, themes that find their home within the heart of Gankutsuou.
Character: 9/10
The strength of the characters largely owes itself to the original Alexandre Dumas novel. With such a huge cast it was a daunting task to flesh them all out with an interesting story and memorable aesthetics. This show does it all. A special kudos to the character design department for their depiction of The Count of Monte Cristo. The choice to give him such an endearing yet alien visage was perfect for his character. He looked both sinister and respectable: a smile that you could trust and yet an air about him that exudes menace.
Enjoyment: 10/10
Mech duels, vengeance, gorgeous backdrops, gorgeous clothes, murder, betrayal, deceit, secrets, action, drama. Saying any more would spoil too much.
Overall: 9.8/10
One of my favorite anime of all time, and I only hope this review helps convince at least one other person to watch this legendary show.
