Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

- Season 1

(2004)

Young aristocrat Albert visits the city of Luna on the surface of the moon. He quickly falls under the spell of an enigmatic gentleman - the Count of Monte Cristo.

Albert is kidnapped. Franz's frantic attempt to collect the ransom money comes up short, so he warily seeks the assistance of the Count of Monte Cristo.

Back in Paris, Albert's sheltered friends grow suspicious upon the arrival of the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo.

The questions surrounding the Count multiply when Albert visits the man's lavish mansion in Champs Elysees, which is filled with complicated tricks and gold ornaments.

During a pleasure cruise arranged by the Count, a disagreement leads to a duel between Albert and Maximilien. Albert's raw emotions allow his host to grasp even more sway over his destiny.

The Count of Monte Cristo positions himself deeper into the lives of those around Albert after meeting a banker and his frustrated wife.

The lives of Albert's aristocratic friends are full of secrets - and the Count is among those prone to whispering in the ears of ladies known to be spoken for.

The Count invites the Morcerfs, Danglars, and Villeforts to his newly acquired mansion, where he organizes a search to find the room containing the estate's dark secret.

The charms of the Count are fading for some, as mysteries and suspicions multiply. The controversy surrounding the mysterious man can only grow when a hidden poisoner begins to ply their trade.

Villefort, Danglars, and Morcerf are invited to a funeral. Albert suspects something is wrong and follows them to an old church, where the lid of the casket is about to be opened.

Tragedy strikes the Villefort family as the identity of the poisoner is revealed.

Albert and Eugénie realize that they have fallen in love, shortly after their engagement has been broken off.

Villefort, Danglars, and Morcerf turn on each other. Haydée tells Albert the tragic story of her past.

After his failed attempt to assassinate the Count, Villefort is arrested - the first of the big three to fall from grace.

While Albert is travelling with the count, and Franz reveals the mystery of Gankutsuou, Morcerf's war crimes are revealed during the height of his campaign.

With Morcerf out of the picture, the Count's true intents are slowly revealed.

Albert is told by the Count how he was tricked and used, and challenges the latter to a duel.

The duel between Albert and the Count takes place. However, matters are not what they seem.

Having lost his honor, his titles, and his best friend, Albert finds himself mostly alone in the world. Meanwhile, Eugénie is forced to marry Cavalcanti.

Albert is determined to save Eugénie from her forced marriage.

Finally confronting Danglars and Villefort, the Count enters the final stage of his revenge.

With Danglars and Villefort out of the way, the Count turns his gaze to Morcerf, who has taken control over Paris in a coup d'état.

The final confrontation between the Count, Morcerf, and Albert.

Five years after his confrontation with the Count, Albert visits Paris to meet his old friends.