Based on Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novel, this anime had a very solid classic with a huge cast from which to adapt, and I was very pleasantly surprised to see the writers make full use of this fact. We get oft-ignored characters like Haydée playing a large role in the anime, and every character is written uniquely (some weaker than others, admittedly, as is the case with larger casts, e.g. Valentine, Héloïse de Villefort).
The main plot, however, is masterfully played out in a very enjoyable retrofuturistic-futuristic universe, with the overwhelmingly decadent revenge plot of the Count/Gankutsuou maintaining consistent pacing and depth.
This just about misses out on perfect marks for me because I felt that unless you watched the entire anime over a short period of time, there are some plot points that get lost for a while before returning later on. While a nice surprise and plot twist when they do arrive, I suspect that it can be mildly confusing and possibly frustrating to viewers.
Unfortunately too, being familiar with the source novel eliminates some of the more audacious plot twists.
~Art: 10/10~
The art of this anime was simply astounding. There is a bounty of beautiful textures, colours and lighting to sate your appetite, to almost bloat you, in fact. With gorgeous and intelligent costume design by Anna Sui rivalling even live-action costumes, this anime is a real treat for anyone interested in history, art and fashion. Because of the costume design, certain moments in this anime are made iconic (e.g. the pirate outfit).
While sometimes, I will cede that the frame could become cluttered with eye-candy, I believe this contributed to the decadent nature of the plot, namely the Count himself, whose motivations, lifestyle and character can only be described as completely decadent and over-the-top.
With all that said, I believe the art style could divide audiences. The first episode completely overwhelms the eye (though I did adapt to it in good time), which is why watching this anime in as high a quality as possible is paramount to full enjoyment (coming from someone who doesn't necessarily need to see every anime in HD).
For me, I am on the side of appreciating the art and I've truly never seen an anime like it to this day.
~Sound: 8/10~
The OP and ED were both sung and composed by Franco-English musician JJ Burnel, which was clever and appropriate for this anime, with both the original and the adaptation bearing some references to different cultures. I personally really enjoyed the OP, sung from the perspective of the Count, reminding the viewer constantly of what was stolen from him and of his eternal suffering.
There is very little to complain about in terms of sound design, with this very character-driven anime carried by the charisma of the VA rather than their surroundings.
Background music was pleasant and scene-appropriate, with some very enjoyable high moments.
The VA was overall very good, but with some weaker, more "tropey" performances (looking at you Valentine). The Count was brilliant, displaying an impressive range over the course of the series. Particularly enjoyable moments were a set of mecha duelling scenes which I found strangely moving despite the dated disjointedness of the CGI of the era.
I give props too to the cast for their noble attempts at French pronunciation, which I was pleasantly surprised to hear was quite good compared to how English is sometimes pronounced in anime!
~Character: 9/10~
Character is treated incredibly well in this series. There is nuance and depth to all the characters, and as a viewer, we are treated to the ambiguity of their actions constantly. Through these characters, we are constantly questioned on the nature and justification of revenge, which will remain a personal assessment for each viewer by series' end.
Particular favourites in this regard:
- Mercédès
- Benedetto/Andrea
- Victoria
- The Count
~Overall: 10/10~
Overall, I found this anime to be intensely enjoyable, a very rare treat which I don't often find in the anime landscape. While imperfect to some, and probably in reality, I don't think a masterpiece is a measure of perfection, and for me, this anime is really one-of-a-kind. By avoiding many anime tropes, exploring mature and taboo themes, and embracing decadence, I can award top marks to Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo.
