Versailles no Bara (The Rose of Versailles) - Ikeda, Riyoko
Authors:
Ikeda, Riyoko,
Synopsis
Hoping to unite their countries with an alliance, The Empress of Austria arranges her daughter, the delightful yet spoiled Marie Antoinette, to marry the crown prince of France, Louis XVI. Upon arriving in Versailles, the Austrian princess meets Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, Captain of the Royal Guards—a seemingly dashing young man—but to Antoinette's astonishment, he is in fact a woman!
The youngest daughter of a noble family with a prominent lack of a male heir, Oscar was raised as a boy to continue the family's military legacy. Suffocated by the rigid rules associated with her new position and longing for companionship, Antoinette immediately takes a liking to this intriguing young woman, and wastes no time befriending her. However, as the childish new queen foolishly abuses her power, Oscar is conflicted between maintaining her loyalty to the royal family and addressing the growing concern of poverty among the common people.
Recalling the events of the French Revolution, Versailles no Bara depicts the struggles of two women unjustly burdened by family expectations. Yet, despite being forced to deny their identities at the expense of personal happiness, they march on to become key players in the annals of history.
[Written by Animeranku Rewrite]
The youngest daughter of a noble family with a prominent lack of a male heir, Oscar was raised as a boy to continue the family's military legacy. Suffocated by the rigid rules associated with her new position and longing for companionship, Antoinette immediately takes a liking to this intriguing young woman, and wastes no time befriending her. However, as the childish new queen foolishly abuses her power, Oscar is conflicted between maintaining her loyalty to the royal family and addressing the growing concern of poverty among the common people.
Recalling the events of the French Revolution, Versailles no Bara depicts the struggles of two women unjustly burdened by family expectations. Yet, despite being forced to deny their identities at the expense of personal happiness, they march on to become key players in the annals of history.
[Written by Animeranku Rewrite]
Background
Versailles no Bara is set against the backdrop of the 1789 French Revolution. It became an instant success with millions of copies sold around the world since its appearance on May 21, 1972.
In 1983, the first two volumes of the manga were translated into English by Frederik L. Schodt for the purpose of teaching English to Japanese speakers. This version was released in North America by the North American branch of Sanyusha and was the first commercially translated manga to be available in the country. It was published in English as The Rose of Versailles by Udon Entertainment as omnibus volumes from February 4, 2020 to April 6, 2021.
The series has been adapted into several "Takarazuka Revue" musicals. These shows led to a large resurgence in the popularity of Japanese revues; it came to be known as the "Berubara Boom." The manga has also received a live-action movie adaptation titled Lady Oscar, which was released in Japan on March 3, 1979.
In 1983, the first two volumes of the manga were translated into English by Frederik L. Schodt for the purpose of teaching English to Japanese speakers. This version was released in North America by the North American branch of Sanyusha and was the first commercially translated manga to be available in the country. It was published in English as The Rose of Versailles by Udon Entertainment as omnibus volumes from February 4, 2020 to April 6, 2021.
The series has been adapted into several "Takarazuka Revue" musicals. These shows led to a large resurgence in the popularity of Japanese revues; it came to be known as the "Berubara Boom." The manga has also received a live-action movie adaptation titled Lady Oscar, which was released in Japan on March 3, 1979.
