Anime — Gankutsuou

The Count of Monte Cristo (a book that I the philistine have never actually read) as animation, translated to 51st Century Paris. Not that that is without precedent -- Tiger, Tiger, besides being the first cyberpunk novel, did much the same. Starting with the carnival transposed from Venice to Luna, it introduces the Count to us at the same time as Albert first encounters him, and then follows events going forwards, revealing the back-story as events spiral towards their conclusion.

Lavishly, lushly realised in a highly textured style (though you do have to get used to the textures staying still as the characters move); beautifully realised; and a stuning sound-track -- not just the OP and ED, which are by Jean Jacques Burnel of the Stranglers.

Highly recommended.