"Gankutsuou" (2004) TV series 2004-????

Director:

Mahiro Maeda

Writers:

Alfred Bester (novel) (uncredited story source)
Alexandre Dumas père (novel)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

5 October 2004 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot Keywords:

Vengeance | Surrealism | Literature | Tech Noir | Anime

Cast

Jun Fukuyama

...

Albert (unknown episodes)

Also Known As:

The Count of Monte Cristo (International: English title)
Ruler of the Cavern (literal English title)

Runtime:

Japan:24 min (24 episodes)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:PG | Australia:M (some episodes)

Company:

Gonzo Digimation

Quotes:

Albert: It's just a game, right... Count?

Movie Connections:

Version of Amir el dahaa (1964)

Soundtrack:

We Were Lovers

By far the best adaptation yet of the classic novel.

If you're a fan of the novel, then you are - by definition - one whom is disgusted by anything that Hollywood has attempted with regards to Dumas' brilliant story.

The 6-hour French Television mini-series starring Gerard Depardieu will also leave you disappointed.

In contrast, this Gonzo Studio's creation will provide some relief. A 24-part series (each 23mins) serves justice, covering the latter half of the novel. With the present return-on-investment hurdles that large movie production studios place on potential projects these days, it is only an anime adaptation that can do justice to the grandeur required to recreate the world of the Count of Monte Cristo - and Gankutsuou does just that.

True fans can only live in the hope that one-day, a big-budget 50-part TV series is created to retell the story the way Dumas intended. Until then, I hope the producers of Gankutsuou release another dazzling 24-part prequel to retell the first half of the novel.