Gankutsuou 2

by Mahiro Maeda, Yura Ariwara | Graphic Novels |
ISBN: 0345505549 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingGoryDetailswing of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 11/10/2010
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Journal Entry 1 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, November 11, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed the anime version of Gankutsuou courtesy of Netflix, and decided to get the manga version; this is the second of three volumes. As you can see from the cover, the artwork is very lush. [This cover's actually very mild - misleadingly so!]

The story is an adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo, but told from the point of view of young Albert de Morcerf instead of that of the Count himself. The anime is a very enjoyable variation on the original. [I first heard of this via the TV Tropes entry, which provides some entertaining info about the manga and anime versions.]

Unfortunately (or not, I suppose, depending on how you look at it), the manga does not tell the same story as the anime; while the first volume is pretty close, the second and third depart from the anime, sometimes showing the events from the anime but from the viewpoints of other characters, and in a few key cases showing events that weren't in the anime at all. (One could argue that one version shows the delirious hallucinations of guilty characters while the other shows what really happened, but it still felt like a disconnect to me.) The manga does not follow through to the end of the story, either, stopping rather abruptly. As an add-on to the anime, it has its points, but all in all I was dissatisfied with it. All three manga volumes together do provide some background from the Count's point of view, but do not cover the entire anime, and are probably best read as a kind of supplement to the anime series.

Still, the artwork and plot might give some idea of the anime adaptation, and if it encourages anyone to try the anime then it's done it's work {wry grin}!

This volume focuses on the character de Villefort, who began as a capable and earnest public servant, but whose fear of scandal caused him to commit the ultimate betrayal and condemn the innocent sailor Dantes to a hideous fate. That crime appears to have led him into other sins, and in this book he suffers the corruption and loss of everything he still holds dear. And there are some touching scenes between Villefort's son Edouard and young Franz d'Epinay, scenes that could well have taken place in the main story but that weren't shown there; given the futures of both characters these scenes are even more poignant.

The main story in this volume ends with Villefort confronting his inner demons, to the delight of the Count. There are two supplemental tales as well, one of them a flashback to Albert and Franz discussing their futures, and leading into their decision to visit the Carnival on Luna (the opening sequence of the anime). The second tale illustrates how the Count forged some of his more unusual alliances. (And there's a humorous trailer involving one of the Count's henchmen, mainly known for his weapons skill and ruthlessness, but who in this sequence wants nothing more than to be come a baker!)

The artwork includes some of the touches that made the anime so memorable - the moon showing the face of a skull, the lavish costumes and sets.

I don't know whether this will appeal to someone who hasn't seen the anime, but I hope it will pique their interest, and perhaps fill in some of the background!

The series:

Gankutsuou Vol. 1
Gankutsuou Vol. 2
Gankutsuou Vol. 3

Journal Entry 2 by wingGoryDetailswing at Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, December 2, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (12/2/2010 UTC) at Nashua, New Hampshire USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I'm adding this book to k00kaburra's Manga bookbox, which should be on its way to the next in line, BCer emmejo in New York, some time tomorrow. [I'll post the delivery-confirmation number in the forum thread after I've mailed the box.] Enjoy!

*** Released as part of Jare's 2010 Chills & Spills release challenge. The theme for December includes monsters and aliens, and Gankutsuou should qualify! ***

Journal Entry 3 by emmejo at Trumansburg, New York USA on Thursday, December 9, 2010
I watched the first episode of the anime and thought it was awesome, however the other anime-watchers in my household didn't care for it and it is no longer on Netflix. I think this is my excuse to go watch it off Funimation's website.

Journal Entry 4 by emmejo at Trumansburg, New York USA on Sunday, March 27, 2011
In the second volume of this science-fiction adaptation of the classic book The Count of Monte Cristo the Count continues with his revenge on the men who sent him to jail. Here he concentrates on trying to break the mind of Gérard de Villefort, the man who falsely convicted him in an effort to hide his family's own illegal doings.

This comic is much closer to the plot of the original book, rather than the anime it shares a name with. One of the main differences is that there is far less gadgetry and physical items used in the Count's plots. He does the most damage with a few choice words and suggestions calculated to frighten and confuse the people he knows very well. It's a much more subtle way of going about his business. The Count is also less involved, he tends to get start the ball rolling and just watch as things fall apart.

I didn't much care for the art in this book. It felt too rough and choppy. It was difficult to pick up on subtleties in the midst of the chaotic layout and drawing style, and in this story that is very important to be able to do.

Journal Entry 5 by emmejo at NLLC (Former OBCZ) in Ithaca, New York USA on Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (4/25/2011 UTC) at NLLC (Former OBCZ) in Ithaca, New York USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Added to the bookbox.

Come pick out some free books!

Journal Entry 6 by emmejo at Trumansburg, New York USA on Friday, June 3, 2011
As the school year ends, activity at NLLC slows down considerably. I took some of the books that seemed to have been there longest out to release elsewhere or back to the Bookcrossing Zone at a later date.

Journal Entry 7 by emmejo at Boulton Center for the Peforming Arts in Bayshore, New York USA on Saturday, June 18, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (6/17/2011 UTC) at Boulton Center for the Peforming Arts in Bayshore, New York USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Left in the ladies' room before the Billy Bragg concert, which was really good.

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