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Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo Anime Gets Stage Play

A stage play adaptation of Gonzo's television anime Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo has been green-lit for a December 20-28 run in Tokyo. The Kokumin Kyōsai coop Hall/Space Zero venue will host the Gankutsuou Le theatre play.

The 2004-2005 television anime re-imagined The Count of Monte Cristo novel by Alexandre Dumas by setting the classic story of revenge and deception in a surreal fantasy future version of Paris. Albert, the son of a renowned general, meets the enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo during a festival on Luna. Albert invites the beguiling count back to Paris. Unbeknownst to Albert, his father had once framed the count and destroyed the count's personal and public life. What follows is a dark passage for Albert as he discovers the depths of the past wrongs and the lengths that the count is willing to go to avenge himself.

Yū Murai (director of Karakuri Circus stage play) is writing and directing the Gankutsuou play, and the anime's co-creator/director/original character designer Mahiro Maeda is collaborating on the stage production with Taichi Hashimoto (revisions, Speed Grapher). Playwright Chūji Mikasano (Tokyo Ghoul, Touken Ranbu) is serving as the production's dramaturge.

Shōhei Hashimoto (The Royal Tutor, Dimension High School, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Re:Build, Yu Yu Hakusho stage play) plays Albert de Morcerf, while Masashi Taniguchi (Kamen Rider Amazons, Bungo Stray Dogs stage play) plays the titular Count of Monte Cristo. Junon Superboy Anothers musical group member Yō Maejima plays Albert's friend Franz d'Epinay.

Geneon Entertainment and Funimation both released the anime series in North America. Del Rey published Maeda's tie-in manga in English.

Source: Comic Natalie