Gakutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo is an anime loosely based off of the book of the same name. Before I begin, allow me to say with confidence that the book is in almost every way superior to the anime. That ought to spark some controversy. With that, let's begin with the differences between the book and the anime:
The story, as previously stated, follows the 19th century novel, but takes place in a future filled with aliens, spaceships, and the supernatural. The characters are all more or less similar to those in the book but with changes in some areas. This includes Albert Morcerf becoming the main character (a supporting role in the book) as well as entailing his own life much more closely than that of the count's. Furthermore, the count is much less developed than in the anime.
Something that really disappointed me was the fact that very little insight was given into the count's circumstances, even when they were revealed. In the book, Dangler's daughter is not engaged to Albert but rather runs away from home. Beyond that and a few other details, the characters and the story are just about the same up until the end.
Albert Morcerf is the son of aristocrat and general Morcerf and engaged to Eugenie Danglers, as well as being friends with Franz D'Epinay (all names that correspond with the book). While attending an aristocrat party, Albert is enticed by the strange and illusive Count of Monte Cristo, whose recent appearance has stirred up quite the controversy. His relationship with the count and the underlying story drive the plot.
Art is great, but can be easily under-appreciated. Each character or background's texture is, at most times, not a real texture but rather a single solid image in the background that moves as the camera would move. Besides this, the art is great and I feel like it has it's own kind of style to it that the studio or artist gave out of personal interest, and doing otherwise would upset the mood of the story. Sound is also great with no wrongs to speak of.
Characters are what gets me in this review. I think a lot of people will agree with me when I think that there were some homosexual themes to this story (Albert's relationship with Peppo, Franz, the Count, etc.) that I couldn't put out of my mind, but I eventually set those aside. I was really ticked off at how naive Albert was (even though it drove the story), which became incredible at some points. Besides this I found the character development and the characters themselves to be great, not only in reflection of the book, but in their own right.
I was pleased to see that the Count was as illustrative and grand as he should be, Albert as trusting as he may be, and Maximilian the same good-hearted person he was always portrayed as. Character traits exclusive to the anime were also well done. Franz's friendship with Albert was well done and Maximilien's resentment of the aristocracy was very realistic. What I couldn't wrap my head around was parts of the supernatural elements that were not explained thoroughly enough, as well as Peppo (no idea why he/she was in this). Some of the scenes of betrayal are hard to believe but other areas are done just right (i.e. Haydee's confession, the Count's revenge, many of the deaths, etc.)
Overall though, I must say that the anime is still amazing and lives up to the book. I urge anyone and everyone to see this, but even more so to read Dumas's original work in order to better appreciate the anime. So hate if you will, I still find the book superior, but the anime cannot have it's own name for borrowing so much from the book. I would only consider it an animated version of the book (which is, in actuality, pretty awesome). Watch it, read it, and I will see you in my next review.
