Story: 10/10
The Count of Monte Cristo. One of the greatest literary works in history, and arguably the greatest revenge tale ever printed. It's clear that so much care went into the story for this adaptation. Everything is so different, and yet still the same. The attention to detail is astounding. Granted, since I knew the end of the original work, I'd gone into Gankutsuou knowing full well how it would end. Despite this knowledge, nearly each episode had me on edge. Gankutsuou starts very differently than the source material, and places the role of the protagonist into the character of Albert. In doing so it transitions the story from the classic revenge story into a Bildungsroman, a coming of age tale. The Count, on the other hand is portrayed as the anti-hero. As opposed to the novel, which has him as the clear protagonist and begins with his story, his rhyme and reason are gradually revealed as the series goes on. Rather than take away from the story, this adds an entirely new dynamic, making it a fresh experience to both fans of the novel and to those who've never read it.
Art: 10/10
I guarantee you, you've never seen any japanese animation depicted in this style. The animation style is nothing if not original. It may take some getting accustomed to, but the art is absolutely mind-blowing at times. Quite frankly, Gonzo tried something new here, and they succeeded wonderfully as far as I'm concerned. That's all I'll say on the subject.
Sound: 10/10
Nothing short of beautiful. Along with a few classical excerpts, the soundtrack is handled wonderfully by Jean-Jacques Burnel of the legendary British punk band The Stranglers, as well as Kasamatsu Kouji (who doesn't seem to have worked on any other soundtracks besides this one). Burnel also contributes to the opening theme and the ending theme. The opening is an amazing and somber song, whereas the ending undoubtedly was written for the character of The Count. Every song fits perfectly.
Enjoyment: 10/10
The suspense, the drama, the romance, the characterization... I can't recall a single episode of this series that I did not enjoy. In many aspects, I actually preferred what Gankutsuou did with the story rather than the source material. There were moments where I was literally shaking with anticipation. So much from this series will stand out in my mind for years to come. I'm not at all ashamed to admit I cried in the last episode.
Overall: 10/10
A perfect score across the board. There is absolutely no reason not to watch this masterpiece. There is nothing wrong with Gankutsuou, and so much right with it. I honestly walked away from it thinking it was an improvement on Dumas' original novel. Whether or not you agree is up to you, but at the very least, give it a glance. If you can appreciate art, you will not be disappointed.
