Les Miserables #1-2

When I found out about Les Miserables the anime, I was aghast. Les Miserables is one of those things that hold a special place in my heart because it was a part of a more innocent time in my life. I was very surprised, but still very happy to find out about it.

For those of you who don't know the story, there are about 3 main characters: Jean Valjean, Cosette, and Javert. Cosette is an orphan who is taken under the wing of Jean Valjean. However, Valjean has one major skeleton in his closet - he used to be a convict and he broke his parole. Javert, who is a police officer/detective of France, has been searching for him for years. Of course, Les Mis has a few other subplots as well, but that's getting ahead of things.

I saw the first 2 episodes so far. I must say that this is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL anime I've seen in a while. The backdrops, the scenery, it's really amazing and absolutely breathtaking. The animation style is reminiscent some Western styles, but that's perfect because if Les Mis was done any other way, it just wouldn't feel right. The music is just perfect for the show. There's a real "aura" about this show. I think the producers really captured the traditional feel of it.

Summary of Ep 1 & 2:
Fantine and her daughter, Cosette, move to a new town, where Fantine must find work to support her and her daughter. In the town, the local businesses there refuse to hire her because she's a single mother. However, she finds out about a new factory in another town that is hiring. Fantine doesn't want to risk not getting the job, so left with no choice, she leaves Cosette with the Thenardiers. Both mother and daughter are heartbroken at the way things must be.

Unbeknownst to Fantine, the Thenardiers are really rotten people, and they take advantage of Fantine and Cosette by demanding payment and forcing Cosette to be their child slave. (It's sad, but it's done to the point where it's kinda ridiculous/funny. Or maybe I'm just heartless.)

Fantine arrives at the other town and is hired into the factory. The factory is owned by the local mayor, Madeleine, who is really Valjean. Years ago, Valjean, still a crook, was taken in by a local bishop. Valjean steals the bishop's silver, but when the police bring him in, the bishop tells them that the silver was a gift. In addition to that, the bishop "reminds" Valjean that he even forgot about two silver candle holders. However, as the bishop handed the silver to Valjean, he says to him, "Don't forget your promise to me, that you would use this silver to become an honest man." At that point, Valjean's life changed forever.