Ep 20 - Gankutsuou (Part 1) - French People... In Space!!

Explicit content warning

06/07/23 • 48 min

Welcome to Masterpiece Theatre... I mean, Masterpiece Anime?

Finally, Anime is Lit covers the most Literature of Anime - “Gankutsuou”, the artistic 2004 adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic (and long) novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” ...IN SPACE! with vampires!

Joined by Gankustuou aficionado Vrai Kaiser, we explore the anime’s approach to the novel, as well as the thematic contrasts, visual design, and the creators’ own inspirations. This episode is a spoiler-free discussion for fans and newbies alike. We cover plenty of interesting aspects from our research on both the original text and the anime’s creation, which we hope will encourage newcomers to watch the anime. All the spoilers are all hiding in the second half our our discussion for our next episode. Links mentioned in the episode:

Vrai’s blog posts

Interview with director Maeda (in French)

NPR Article discussing the racialized French terminology for “Ghost writer” and Dumas

Article by Lizzie Visitante

The awesome Gankutsuou figure Vrai mentioned

Where to find us:

Vrai’s Twitter and Blog Listen to more of Vrai on the Anime Feminist podcast and Trash & Treasures pod

Welcome to Masterpiece Theatre... I mean, Masterpiece Anime?

Vrai’s blog posts

Interview with director Maeda (in French)

NPR Article discussing the racialized French terminology for “Ghost writer” and Dumas

Article by Lizzie Visitante

The awesome Gankutsuou figure Vrai mentioned

Where to find us:

Vrai’s Twitter and Blog Listen to more of Vrai on the Anime Feminist podcast and Trash & Treasures pod

Previous Episode

Ep 19 - NANA - Part 2 - This Baby Can Fit So Much Feminism In It

Part 2 of our NANA discussion, complete with spoilers. Our guest Meru (@pixelatedlenses) goes with us on a deep dive through the well-crafted storytelling and the inherent feminism woven into all its fibers. NANA candidly goes places few anime ever do, and we sift through the complexity of its portrayals of sexuality, race, gender, heteronormative expectations, friendships, and the characters' own internal lives. We also discuss the narrative framing, highly effective symbolism, and allusions to the real life Sid Vicious, exploring how they enhance the ideas already present in the story.

Opening theme: "Lucy" by Anna Tsuchiya inspi' Nana (Black Stones) Ending theme: "Winter Sleep" by Olivia Inspi' Reira (Trapnest)

Where to find us:

Meru’s Twitter and Carrd

Next Episode

Ep 21 - Gankutsuou (Part 2) - The Lesbians We Lost Along the Way

***This episode is Part 2 of our Gankutsuou series, which contains spoilers for both the anime and the book. Please listen to the previous episode first!Welcome to Masterpiece Theatre... I mean, Masterpiece Anime...

Here to fully make good on our podcast’s name, we’re ready to go full Literature Analysis Mode on some actual literature with Gankutsuou and its book of origin “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Joined by Vrai Kaiser, we cover everything from the funny bits to the twists, tragedies, and the Gay Stuff, including the gay stuff from the book that the anime somehow redacted?? There’s lots to unpack, and we bothered to read this entire long book, so prepare to hear all about it and more! The very cool early-in-production Gankutsuou trailer that we refer to

Where to find us: Vrai’s Twitter and Blog Listen to more of Vrai on the Anime Feminist podcast and Trash & Treasures pod Follow us on Twitter: @animeislitpod Email: [email protected] Anime is Lit direct feed