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is an anime series loosely based on Alexandre Dumas, père's classic French novel, ''Le Comte de Monte-Cristo''. Spanning 24 episodes, it was produced by GONZO, directed by Mahiro Maeda and broadcast by Animax across its respective networks in Japan, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Latin America, and other regions. The series was also later adapted into a manga, serialized in Kodansha's ''Afternoon'' manga magazine since May 2005. ''Gankutsuō's'' unusual visual style layers Photoshop textures into digital animation, with backgrounds often rendered in 3D.

Contents

Background

Characters by household

Monte Cristo

Morcerf

Danglars

Villefort

Other characters

Episodes

Theme songs

Licensing

Critical reception

Trivia

References

External links

Background

''Gankutsuō'' is set in the far future, during the year 5053, whereas Alexandre Dumas's original novel takes place during the 1800s. Though ''Gankutsuō'' incorporates elements of science-fiction and fantasy, it also retains many aesthetics of France in the 1800s, particularly in regard to social classes and wealth. In addition, each of the episodes begin with a summary spoken in French.
While visiting the festival on Luna, Viscount Albert de Morcerf and Baron Franz d' Epinay make the acquaintance of the Count of Monte Cristo, a self-made nobleman. When they part, the Count promises to visit Albert in Paris. After he arrives, he insinuates himself into the most powerful families in France (the Morcerfs, the Danglars, and the Villeforts).
The general plot of ''Gankutsuō'', while broadly the same, changes many aspects of the source material. Whereas Alexandre Dumas's original novel is focused heavily on the Count, ''Gankutsuō'''s narrative places more importance on the character of Albert and his friends and their inter-relationships. In the novel, the events in the Count's life proceed chronologically; in the anime, the story begins with Albert and Franz meeting the Count on Luna (which occurs many hundreds of pages into the book, in Rome), and the back story is pieced together throughout the series. The plot changes include supernatural elements, different fates for some characters, the disposal of several side-plots, and an altogether different ending.
These changes result in a different tone; in the novel the Count's quest for revenge is seen very sympathetically, but various plot elements in the anime lead the viewer's sympathy towards Albert, making the Count a far more antagonizing figure. ''Gankutsuō'''s plot could largely be classified as a coming-of-age story for Albert, catalysed by the discovery of the dark history of the Count.

Characters by household

Monte Cristo

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★
: A mysterious nobleman living in luxury, The Count approaches and befriends Albert in Luna as the first step in his plan of revenge against the people who once betrayed him. The Count's previous identity was Edmond Dantès, a sailor who worked for the Morrel family's shipping company. Edmond was imprisoned in the Chateau d'If on false charges, and there it was that he met Gankutsuō (known as ''The Ruler of the Cave'' in Animax's English adaptation). In exchange for the strength and means to gain revenge, he allowed the cold-blooded demon to possess him. Because of Gankutsuou, he is afflicted with an odd condition which causes his body to be crystalline, revealing his bones and internal organs.
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★
: A delicate beauty and skilled harp player, Haydée is one of the members of the Count of Monte Cristo's estate. The former princess of the planet of Janina, she was sold into slavery when her father was betrayed and killed by a political ally. Haydée was eventually rescued by the Count, and grew deep feelings for him over time. She wishes to save him from the revenge that consumes his life.
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★
: Bertuccio is one of the Count's right-hand men, acting as servant and bodyguard.
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★
: Baptistin is the Count's other right-hand man. He's skilled at fencing and practices occasionally with the Count.
;
: Ali is the Count's mute alien servant. He has unusual powers, such as telekinesis and controlling animals. He saves the Count's life on one occasion.

Morcerf

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★
: The husband of Mercédès and the father of Albert, Fernand is general of the Parisian army and the leading candidate in France's presidential race. While touted as a hero, Fernand is actually a cowardly character, guilty of unethical practices including the murder of the King of Janina and a purchased nobility. In the past, he worked with Edmond Dantès and Danglars under his real name of Fernand Mondego. Though Edmond considered him a friend, Fernand was his rival for the affection of Mercédès.
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★
: The former fiancée of Edmond Dantès, Mercédès demurred and married her childhood friend Fernand upon news of Edmond's death in the Chateau d'If. Though she is a devoted wife and caring mother, Mercédès still harbours feelings for Edmond. She suspects the Count's true identity and worries that he has returned to disrupt her family's life.
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★
: A naïve fifteen-year-old, Albert encounters the Count while vacationing on the moon colony, Luna. Taken in by the Count's poise, sophistication, and mystique, Albert serves as a tool for the Count to immerse himself in Parisian society. His naïveté is his defining flaw, blinding him to others' faults and intentions. Nonetheless, his purity of spirit penetrates the hearts of others.

Danglars

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★
: Danglars is the most powerful banker in France and he seeks wealth above everything else, often disregarding the feelings of those closest to him in the process. By appealing to Danglars' sense of greed, the Count persuades him to create an account allowing an unlimited withdrawal of funds. He sees the marriage of his daughter Eugénie as a way to enhance his family's wealth and prestige. He has been friends with Fernand for several decades, and engaged Eugénie to Albert as a way of tying the families together.
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★
: Madame Danglars is known for being outspoken and determined to get her way. Madame Danglars has had several extramarital lovers, such as Albert's friend Lucien. In contrast to her husband, Madame Danglars has limits on what she will do in the pursuit of wealth; her most prized possession is her horse Eclipse which she refuses to sell.
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★
: Eugénie is the childhood friend of Albert and Franz and is engaged to Albert. Though she is usually friendly to Albert, she appears displeased with the arrangement and sometimes acts cold towards him. Later in the episodes she shows some feelings towards Albert and she soon realizes that she has fallen for him. She shows her affections through composing music for and playing the piano; her dream is to become a professional pianist.

Villefort

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★
: Gérard is the highest ranking judge in Paris and is considered a member of the social elite. He is known for being harsh in his rulings, a trait that will return to haunt him. While he conducts his judicial business with an iron fist, he is in truth a very passive, self-flagellating character. His first wife died years ago, and he remarried to a social-climber named Héloïse. He once had an affair with Madame Danglars which resulted in a child.
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★
: Valentine is Villefort's daughter by his first wife. She is a kind and caring person, but she is also somewhat withdrawn and rather frail. She is very sickly most of the time. While she appears to have a civil relationship with her father, she is more attached to her grandfather Noirtier. Though she is formally engaged to Franz, she does not seem to have feelings for him; instead, she prefers the company of Maximilien Morrel. Unfortunately, due to his position as a soldier, he is not approved of by her father.
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★
: Héloïse is the second wife of Villefort and Valentine's stepmother. She is bitter towards her stepdaughter because she believes that Valentine will inherit the Villefort's estate, leaving her son Edouard with nothing. Her hobby is gardening in her private greenhouse. She is fascinated by toxicology, and most of the plants she grows are highly poisonous. From her flirtations with the Count and indifference towards her husband, she gives the strong impression that she is a social climber.
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★
: Edouard is Héloïse's only son from her previous marriage. He is a young and spoiled boy whom his mother hopes will one day inherit the Villefort's estate.
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: Noirtier is Gérard de Villefort's father, though they have an antagonistic relationship. Noirtier was once a high-ranking official within the French government, but was paralyzed due to a stroke and he can no longer speak. Valentine is devoted to his well-being and he seeks to provide for her as best he can given his condition.

Other characters

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★
: Albert's best friend who accompanied him in the carnival in Luna. He seems to be more mature than Albert, cautioning him against the Count. He holds deep feelings for his best friend and he risks his own life on several occasions to save Albert.
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★
: A military man in love with Valentine. His father owned the shipping company that hired Edmond Dantès. Though he is socially awkward, he is also strong, courageous and honest.
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★
: Lucien is a friend of Albert and Franz. He works as a secretary within the French government. Charismatic and confident, Lucien is a self-proclaimed ladies' man, and far from shy when it comes to his affair with Madame Danglars.
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★
: Beauchamp is another friend of Franz and Albert. Beauchamp works as a news reporter for a French newspaper.
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★
: Renaud is another friend of Albert and Franz. A soldier during the previous war, he was saved by Maximilien and introduced him to the group. A man with a love for cars, he is an open and talkative person.
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: Vampa is the well-known leader of a group of bandits on Luna. He is responsible for kidnapping Albert at the beginning of the story.
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★
: Peppo meets Albert during the festival on Luna, and seduces him per Vampa's orders to kidnap him. When Albert returns to Paris, Peppo becomes a maid in the Morcerf household. While Peppo appears to be a young woman, the Count tells Albert that Peppo is actually a boy in disguise.
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★
: Cavalcanti is an Italian criminal known to the Count, who rescues him from execution, funds him, and introduces him to Parisian society as a noble. Cunning and crude, Cavalcanti flamboyantly displays his wealth to make himself known throughout Paris. After meeting Danglars, he replaces Albert as Eugénie's fiancé. He is arrested at the wedding and is shown to be a fraud created by the Count. Cavalcanti is actually the result of the affair of Gerard Villefort and Victoria Danglars and had been abandoned as an infant.
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:
★
: Caderousse is a drunk who was once a member of the same crew as Edmond, Fernand, and the others. He indirectly participated in the plot to send Edmond to the Chateau d'If.

Episodes

Theme songs

;Opening theme:

★ ''"We Were Lovers"''

★
★ Lyrics: Jean-Jacques Burnel

★
★ Arrangement: Jean-Jacques Burnel & Loule Nicastro

★
★ Performance: Jean-Jacques Burnel
;Ending theme:

★ ''"You Won't See Me Coming"''

★
★ Lyrics: Jean-Jacques Burnel

★
★ Arrangement: Jean-Jacques Burnel & Loule Nicastro

★
★ Performance: Jean-Jacques Burnel

Licensing

Geneon Entertainment acquired the North American release rights for ''Gankutsuō'', and it has been released under the title ''Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo''. As of September 12, 2006, all volumes(1-6) have been released on DVD.

Critical reception

''Gankutsuou'' was acclaimed when released in North America, with sources such as ''Anime Insider'' , Newsarama.com ^[1] Animeondvd.com^[2], and Anime News Network^[3] judging it to be among the best releases of the year.

Trivia

★ ''Gankutsuō'' (literally meaning ''The Ruler of the Cave'') was a title under which early Japanese translations of ''The Count of Monte Cristo'' were published.

★ The textures and patterns for the characters' clothing in the final episode were created by noted fashion designer Anna Sui.

★ The series features several famous pieces of classical music, including Tchaikovsky's ''Manfred Symphony'', the Donizetti opera ''Lucia di Lammermoor'', and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2

★ The story the Count references in episode 15 is that of Tanabata (or Qi Xi in China).

References

1. Animation's Centennial - Was it Something to Celebrate?
2. Gankutsuou -The Count of Monte Cristo at AnimeOnDVD.com
3. Theron Martin's Best (and Worst) of 2006

External links

★ Official ''Gankutsuou'' website

★ Geneon's official website for ''Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo''

★ Animax's website for ''Gankutsuō''

★ Animax East Asia's website for ''The Count of Monte Cristo''

★ Animax South Asia's website for ''The Count of Monte Cristo''

★

★ ''Gankutsuou'' Anime Screenshots Archive