Anything Else Like Gankutsuou?

[ManOfLaManga]

Stylistically speaking, this show is so inventive and artistic I'm really bedazzled. Is there anything else out there like this show that I may have missed?

ManOfLaManga

[aquapermanence]

Stylistically? You'd have to try other shows by GONZO or maybe Studio 4C to find visual design as far-out as Gankutsuou, and even then I'd say it's pushing the envelope. Kaze no Yojimbo,Samurai Champloo, or J2 might fit the bill in a pinch--all three use very distinctive non-literal visual styles.

But if content will satisfy, there's an anime adaptation of The Three Musketeers, another work by Dumas. And there are plenty of shows about devilish gentlemen who manipulate young people. I recommend Photon for starters. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[Captain Impulse]

Speaking strictly in terms of art style, nothing particularly comes close, but there are several series with somewhat unique styles to them that might fit your fancy.

I'll even give you a 5-star rating system to help you decide what to choose next (based on content, not art style)

FLCL: *****
Soultaker: ***
Betterman: ***
Serial Experiments Lain: ****
Boogiepop Phantom: ***1/2
Texhnolyze: ****
Haibane-Renmei: *****

I'll add more to the list when my brain starts functioning again.

[ohtori_akio]

I feel inclined to bring up Utena for this. Not necessarily the look but more the use of it. The series utilises Art in various ways to get a message accross and overall it thrives on style.

The Utena Movie is visually breathtaking as well so give that a try.

[itsuka]

Fist, no series uses the same visual techniques as Gankutsuou, though if you haven't seen it, you might want to check out the Animatrix. The directors on that set of shorts were left total creative freedom, and some really used it to experiment with visual style.

I was visually dazzled by the first episode of Soultaker, but it never lived up to that first episode, and the story was less than mediocre.

I do agree on Utena as a series that uses a lot of visual imagery very deliberate, but it's not overwhelming, it's used far more subtle.

[gpn]

Le Portrait de Petite Cossette comes to mind.

[JackProton]

[ QUOTE ]
Itsuka said:
I was visually dazzled by the first episode of Soultaker, but it never lived up to that first episode, and the story was less than mediocre.


[/ QUOTE ]

I agree its not A material but I rather enjoyed the Arthurian references and the mythic Joseph Campbellian hero's journey in Soultaker.

There's always Le Portrait de Petite Cosette for the graphic punch of Soultaker but without the extra calories.

[ManOfLaManga]

I am already a big Utena fan, and yes, the movie is much richer than the series. I was truly wowed by it when I saw it at a convention on the big screen.

Thanks everyone for all these suggestions and comments. You all rock! But some I am familiar with and still don't put them up with Gankutsuou (like Boogiepop, though I enjoyed the dark look, it was not constantly inventive). Apart from my all time fave, Miyazaki, whose films I appreciate for other reasons, I have never seen anything as visually brilliant as Gankutsuou. The moving textures in the clothing, the set design, as I said, the fashion design, etc. etc..

And feel free to post more suggestions if you think of any, thanks all! I'm really only talking about style, not content /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

ManOfLaManga

[Shibi]

While not a series, the Film Mind Game is about as visually inventive as anime gets.

[Yukino Miyazawa]

[ QUOTE ]
ManOfLaManga said:

I'm really only talking about style, not content /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif



[/ QUOTE ]
Cat Soup definitely has a unique style, though I wouldn't call it stunning. It's quite a head-trip.

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is a nice piece of eye-candy. Very pretty, with fluid animation.

And while I haven't seen the xxxHolic movie, I'm guessing it's as stylish as the manga.

[ooga]

[ QUOTE ]
ManOfLaManga said:
Stylistically speaking, this show is so inventive and artistic I'm really bedazzled. Is there anything else out there like this show that I may have missed?

ManOfLaManga

[/ QUOTE ]

Visually I'd say SoulTaker is the closest thing at the moment. The show itself is pretty crappy though. I've had the discs for years now but haven't been able to bring myself to watch the last two DVDs. /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

[DeVeliCious]

I agree about the vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust - its rally good, and very vivic (if that word makes sense).

Utena - the movie, I wasnt too impressed. I don't know... I think you need to watch the series first before plunging into the movie, might make more sense. Dont get me wrong, the visual wise its excellent. Its just for me the movie tended to relate a lot of issues to a more sexuality intense... I don't know... Im rambling.. its too early for me.

Samurai Seven is a good one I can recommend.

Thats all I can think now...

[ManOfLaManga]

I've seen all but the Samurai one. I like both of those features very much, but although they're both very visual, I don't see the similarity to Gankutsuou in style- but maybe more in the ornate nature of Vampire Hunter D; still it's been a while since I've seen that so I can't recall too well. /images/graemlins/shy00000.gif

Thanks,

ManOfLaManga

[Njr Scrawl]

[ QUOTE ]
ManOfLaManga said:
Stylistically speaking, this show is so inventive and artistic I'm really bedazzled. Is there anything else out there like this show that I may have missed?

ManOfLaManga

[/ QUOTE ]

The second half of End of Evangelion, from when <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Third Impact begins</span>, is like nothing I had ever seen before. Fantastic to watch on a big screen, (especially if anamorphic).

[DanielJr]

^Wow, you think EoE is like Gankutsuou? Even from a stylistic point of view, that recomendation seems totally off.


Anyways, I'll second Samurai 7. It's not exactly a story of love and revenge, but the themes of trust and betrayal are definitely there. Not to mention it's another adaptation of classic entertainment with fully realized worlds and what not. Its scope is just as big as Gankutsuou's. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

If you enjoyed Monte Cristo, why not check out the live action movie? It's not as faithful to the original source as the anime (at least up to DVD #3), but it's definitely a good rendition of it. Jim Caviezel made a pretty good count, albeit more charismatic one.


*Is currently working on a Monte Cristo fansite comparing all adaptions of the novel*

[itsuka]

[ QUOTE ]
DanielJr said:
If you enjoyed Monte Cristo, why not check out the live action movie? It's not as faithful to the original source as the anime (at least up to DVD #3), but it's definitely a good rendition of it. Jim Caviezel made a pretty good count, albeit more charismatic one.

*Is currently working on a Monte Cristo fansite comparing all adaptions of the novel*

[/ QUOTE ]

I have to vehemently disagree on that particular movie, I found it one of the worst adaptations I've ever seen, mostly because so much of the book was totally lost and changed beyond recognition. I'm not always a fan of faithful adaptations, but they have to get the atmosphere right. Some movies do, some don't. For instance, the two 70s movies by Richard Lester of Dumas' The Three Musketeers are not exactly faithful to the books, but the atmosphere is exactly right. The Gankutsuou anime gets the atmosphere exactly right, even if it deviates from the book in the second half and takes the setting to SF territory. The Caviezel movie, however, was flat and falls totally short.

My usual recommendation is to read the book if you enjoy the anime.

[DanielJr]

Yeah, the movie is not subtle about Dantes' revenge like in the novel or anime. On the contrary, Dantes is very active in pursing his revenge... he even takes matters into his own hands, which is something he never did since the plot was pretty much setting things into motion and let them cause their own demise. I thought even with the changes the movie was very enjoyable. I think that if you don't look for an adaptation but a rendition --a similar story with similar characters-- you might still enjoy the 2002 movie. Think Disney's Treasure Planet. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I haven't seen the older movies.


-Edit-
Heh heh, I was doing a few searches on older Monte Cristo movies and stumbled on this French mini-series. Have you seen it Itsuka?

http://dvdpacific.com/item.asp?ID=698492


-Edit2-
*Already ordered it along with Vol.4 of the anime*

[pianocello]

Jigoku Shoujo

[DiGiKerot]

[ QUOTE ]
ooga said:
[ QUOTE ]
ManOfLaManga said:
Stylistically speaking, this show is so inventive and artistic I'm really bedazzled. Is there anything else out there like this show that I may have missed?

ManOfLaManga

[/ QUOTE ]

Visually I'd say SoulTaker is the closest thing at the moment. The show itself is pretty crappy though. I've had the discs for years now but haven't been able to bring myself to watch the last two DVDs. /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Whaaa? No love for the SoulTaker around here /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

Seriously, though, I love the show, and whilst it probably could do with some trimming around the middle, the opening is cool and the last few episodes are awesome. Sure, it doesn't actually have any of the depth it tries to allude to having - its really just a silly superhero show pimped up with awesome visuals - but its a really slick and entertaining show IMHO.

[itsuka]

[ QUOTE ]
DanielJr said:

Heh heh, I was doing a few searches on older Monte Cristo movies and stumbled on this French mini-series. Have you seen it Itsuka?

http://dvdpacific.com/item.asp?ID=698492


-Edit2-
*Already ordered it along with Vol.4 of the anime*

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen it on TV. It's been broadcasted in various European countries. It's reasonably faithful if you consider the different plot elements (most subplots are included, since it has more time as a miniseries to do so), but it makes a few changes that I personally had some trouble with. Depardieu plays the count arrogant, larger than life, and basically a bit too full of joy de vivre. It is very much Depardieu, but is it really Edmond Dantes? I really didn't like how the ending was changed to make it a suitable ending for Depardieu - but not one for Edmond Dantes.

Ironically, that mini series looks more faithful than the anime, if you look at the plot elements included, but in spirit, it's still the anime that comes closest to the book in characterization and in the Parisian atmosphere of the 19th century, even if it takes more liberties with the plot.

But if you already ordered it, you can form your own impression of Depardieu's Dantes /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[Legion]

[ QUOTE ]
Shibi said:
While not a series, the Film Mind Game is about as visually inventive as anime gets.

[/ QUOTE ]
I got Mind Game in the mail a month or so ago (my first Japanese anime DVD!) but I haven't watched it yet. From what I've checked out I can tell I'm in for quite a trip.

[SmoothTex]

[ QUOTE ]
Itsuka said:
I have to vehemently disagree on that particular movie, I found it one of the worst adaptations I've ever seen, mostly because so much of the book was totally lost and changed beyond recognition. I'm not always a fan of faithful adaptations, but they have to get the atmosphere right. Some movies do, some don't. For instance, the two 70s movies by Richard Lester of Dumas' The Three Musketeers are not exactly faithful to the books, but the atmosphere is exactly right. The Gankutsuou anime gets the atmosphere exactly right, even if it deviates from the book in the second half and takes the setting to SF territory. The Caviezel movie, however, was flat and falls totally short.

My usual recommendation is to read the book if you enjoy the anime.

[/ QUOTE ]

I must disagree with you on the movie version. It may have been an unfaithful adaptation but I thought it was very enjoyable. I would suggest that anyone interested in "Revenge Fantasy" type films give it a try.

I mean, "V for Vendetta" could be considered to be an unfaithful rendition of "The Count of Monte Cristo" also, but it's still good, IMHO.

I would want people to see the movie adaptation simply to pique their interest and, as a result, read the novel.

Just my opinion, anyway.

[The Pirate Queen]

[ QUOTE ]
Itsuka said:
I've seen it on TV. It's been broadcasted in various European countries. It's reasonably faithful if you consider the different plot elements (most subplots are included, since it has more time as a miniseries to do so), but it makes a few changes that I personally had some trouble with. Depardieu plays the count arrogant, larger than life, and basically a bit too full of joy de vivre. It is very much Depardieu, but is it really Edmond Dantes? I really didn't like how the ending was changed to make it a suitable ending for Depardieu - but not one for Edmond Dantes.

Ironically, that mini series looks more faithful than the anime, if you look at the plot elements included, but in spirit, it's still the anime that comes closest to the book in characterization and in the Parisian atmosphere of the 19th century, even if it takes more liberties with the plot.

But if you already ordered it, you can form your own impression of Depardieu's Dantes /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I can second this opinion completely. The ending really spoiled the whole miniseries for me, and while Depardieu is a good actor, he's not really The Count.