We've all had at least one older person in our lives that we looked up to, and adored. Maybe it was a teacher, or a coach; someone we respected, and worshipped unquestioningly. The one we turned to for advice. When they spoke to us, we glowed. We thought, "This is a perfect person, who can do no wrong!" Young Albert finds such a person on his first trip to the pleasure-city of Luna. Traveling with his long-time best friend Franz, his eyes are drawn to the mysterious person known as the Count of Monte Cristo. It's adoration almost at first sight. Everything about the Count captivates and intrigues Albert, despite Franz's misgivings.
As you might guess, the story is apparently based on the classic book, "The Count of Monte Cristo." I have to admit I have neither read the book, nor watched any film adaptations of it before, or yet. This is my only introduction to the story, so I can't say how it compares to the real one.
But hold it right there: even though this is based off a story set in the 19th century, it is NOT a stodgy, stuffy, pastel, period drama. It's not Romeo x Juliet, or Le Chevalier D'eon. Some of the fashions are lightly based off the period, but other than that, the setting is futuristic, even sci-fi. Alongside horse-drawn carriages and oil paintings, are supercomputers, intergalactic banking systems, and sleek spaceships.
The art really vies with the story for my favorite part of the anime. "Unconventional" is an understatement. The art designers chose to use a minimum of solid colors in people's clothes, hair, and in the backgrounds. Instead, they used patterns, or metallic surfacing. What you get are lush scenes that look like pieces from a patterned quilt. Or, if you're familiar with art, they are reminiscent of Gustav Klimt paintings. The character drawing outlines, instead of the conventional black, are blue, green, or brown. Yes, it might get visually overwhelming at times. There's pattern next to pattern, and incredibly rich colors. But surprisingly it lends an air of realism and depth. It lacks the static, 2-D look that is usually "the look" of 2-D animation.
Overall, the style may be too intense for some viewers, especially if you don't care much about art. But I drooled over it. The art spices up the drama, helping carry you through any parts that might feel lagging. And you do need to like drama to like this show. (After all, there is only one action scene.)
After Albert returns to Paris from Luna, he returns to his life as a young aristocrat, living with his loving parents. His father is on the path to the presidency. When the Count later arrives in Paris, Albert gladly introduces him into the Parisian high society. But the Count has hidden motives for coming to Paris at this time. And what does he really want with Albert?
Albert, and others, begin to notice a strange mystery surrounding the Count. Evidently there is a long-buried secret plot beginning to resurface, and that fact is scaring some of the most important heads of Paris. What happened years ago? What do they know? Pieces of the mystery are revealed piece by piece, and we are kept on our toes, trying to put the puzzle of this dark mystery together. But despite doubts and threatening political storms, Albert's belief in the Count remains unshaken.
Both Albert and Franz have fiancees that have been arranged for them. Of course, that issue becomes important, but unusually, arranged marriage is not painted as completely bad, as most animes try to do. It's more of a gray zone, that might be good, or bad, depending on circumstances. Albert is quite naive, and likes to believe that everyone has purely good or bad motives. Franz takes it upon himself to advise Albert, though Albert doesn't appreciate it much. Their friendship becomes a very important part of the story.
I loved the heavy emotion that this series moved in me.
Albert, Franz, and Valentine (Albert's fiancee) are still 15-year-old kids. They're expected to act like adults, and yet be the pawns of their parents. The threesome were childhood friends and grew up together. But now that they're growing up, their relationships are changed, and strain. Getting older is such an awkward thing. There is one important character who is brutally killed. It was one of the most heart-rending death scenes I've encountered. I was crying for 10 minutes at least. There is a critical betrayal that takes place. I can't give any details since that would be a spoiler, but it guided the series into the climax. I was as stunned over it as the abandoned character was. Some viewers might have seen it coming, but I was completely surprised.
The series' ending is satisfactory.
There are quite a lot of important secondary characters. And they're pretty good (of course, the primary characters are good too). The "good-guy" characters don't have a lot of secrets. But the bad guys certainly do, as well as some characters who are in the middle. And there are several of those. Most characters aren't completely black and white, though some are more one way than another. There are characters who do wrong for reasons of pure greed; others out of despair. But who has the right to judge all the motives of each?
Some viewers go back and forth over whether this series hints at shounen-ai. There is certainly nothing explicitly stated in regards to that. But some viewers might read it in (between Albert and the Count, and/or between Albert and Franz).
There is some mature sexual content and nudity, but it's pretty brief.
The music is decent. I loved the ballad-like opening song, and the intro sequence in general. The English voice acting is some of the best I've heard. Albert is well matched with Johnny Yong Bosch (VA for Lelouch).
Note on the manga:
I happened across the manga for Gankutsuou. I like reading manga, but I was extremely unimpressed. After reading a chapter or two, and flipping through the rest of the volume, I tossed it aside. I found out later that it was written AFTER the anime, as a sort of spin-off. But it has little to recommend it. It looks like an early storyboard sketch for the anime. The art is pretty bad. Maybe it's storyline was an idea that the anime creators liked, but ended up scrapping...
Conclusion:
This anime is ideal for (mature) viewers who like drama, mystery, and interesting characters (and maybe some awesome art). For myself, I was absolutely blown away; at first by the incredible and unique production style, and then hooked by the engrossing mystery.
