First off, I’d like to say hi everyone. I’m Janette, I’m new to the team and this is my first post ever. I’m completely new to this, and may not be posting too much until school calms down, but I’ll definitely do my best. So without further ado, Gankutsuou. Minor spoilers ahead!

The first four episodes can be split into two story arcs. We open with a futuristic story, following Albart and Franz, two aristocrats attending the festival on ‘Luna’. At the opera, Albart sees a mysterious blue man and later finds his watch, leading to our heroes acquaintance with the ‘Count of Monte Cristo’

The Count of Monte Cristo quickly became friendly with Albart, and this will become part of a beautiful/creepy relationship. But Franz has other thoughts. Understandably, the Count decides to thank them for returning the watch by inviting them to an execution. This leads to a sick game in which Albart chooses one man to go free by chance, and ineviably he picks the worse of the lot. Upset, he storms out, leaving Franz behind and meets up with a very pretty girl, Peppo. Seems like he’s going to get lucky, that is, until she pulls a gun.

This leads to a kidnapping by bandits, and an epic rescue by the Count. In return for the rescue, the Count asks Albart to let him visit him and he agrees. Franz and Albart return to Paris.

The next story follows just viewing the aristocratic world of Franz and Albart. Both of them are unhappily engaged, Franz to Valentine, and Albart to Eugene. Most of their friends are not pleasant people, one is openly critical and hateful of everyone, the other exposes his friends for a trash newspaper, but it’s cool, because they’re, well, rich. The only pleasant man of the bunch besides, Albart and Franz, is Maxmillion, a commoner known for his valor on the battlefield. But to add to the fun, Maxmillion quickly falls for Valentine. We also find Peppo has followed Albart home. Hm…

The Count’s visit brings more questions then answers, he has a strong obsession with revenge, why is unknown. He’s also extremely interested in Albart’s mother. And then there’s the matter of him not appearing in a picture. These mysteries are left hanging on the end of the first four episodes as it ends with the Count inviting Albart and all his friends to his place.

Thoughts

The first thing I have to say is this series is different then anything I have ever watched. I’ve never quite seen a story like this. I picked up the series since my sister liked the book, The Count of Monte Cristo, and she says it sticks to the spirit. I haven’t, so I don’t know. The story itself however manages to be gripping, interestingly enough with very little action, but purely dialouge driven.

The best part of this is the art. It uses textures rather then colors, and while the effect takes a while to get use at first it turns into a magnificant effect. There is just something cool about such things, as seeing an entire city in a guy’s coat. It seems the more complex a character is, the more textures they have. And the count is the perfect example of this, full of textures only adds to his mystery.

The Count is an amazing character, and one I’m never sure what to make of. He seems to like Albart, but same times seem entertained by any suffering he finds in the world, as well as what he can do by just throwing his vast amounts of money around.

Our main character, Albart, is the only who truely gets on my nerves. He’s a naaive soul who wants to see the world outside his aristocratic life, but he’s defensive of the Count in a way that’s infuriating, not accepting a bad word of any sort. Come on, there’s something kinda creepy about someone who won’t even tell you his name!

The story is rated 16+ and fully deserves it. While it doesn’t have downright violence, it has ‘almost’ violence, such as nearly stabbing someone in the eye. Which is kinda freaky.

In the end, I can say this is worth watching, for the very least, the fact that it’s something completely different. I’m definitely hooked, and can’t wait to watch more. ^_^

Quotes

“In other words, if you took away the averice, lust and gluttony, you’d have nothing left.” -Peppo about aristocrats

“Oh please, there’s no such thing as people who don’t have secrets.” -Peppo

Oh yes, I remembered that the person who the screenshots belonged to asked for credit. Here they are! http://anime.akichigo.org/gankutsuou/1.php