Indeed, “they lived intensely, beautifully.” Riyoko Ikeda’s historical fiction manga, The Rose of Versailles, will be rebirthed 50 years after its first release in the form of a brand new theatrical anime film.
From an official website that was made public last Wednesday, a Twitter account, a release of its first key visual, and a promotional video posted on the official YouTube channel of the movie, made the announcement a whole spectacle.
Teasing the fans on how they did not forget about the story, the hint of this comeback first came from Ikeda herself who released a celebratory sketch of the main characters.
In the intrigued-filled court of Queen Marie Antoinette before and during the upheavals of the French Revolution, the story follows Oscar François de Jarjeyes, a young noblewoman, who was raised as a son by her father who needed an heir.
The original manga was first launched by the author in Shueisha’s Weekly Margaret magazine from 1972 to 1973 and was only published in English by Udon Entertainment in December 2019.
Over the years, Ikeda’s distinct creation inspired countless projects. In 2013, Right Stuf released in North America a two-DVD-set 40-episode anime from 1979-1980. In addition, the manga also became the blueprint for a 1990 animated film. The game, Private BeruBeara Academy: Rose of Versailles Re*imagination by Otomate, was also said to be an “unspecified” screen and game adaptation that’s still currently in the works.
Despite the long wait, fans reassured the author that The Rose of Versailles was not forgotten. For them, it became one of the early significant pioneers that gave light to the talk of sexuality, gender, and gender roles.
“50th Anniversary Rose of Versailles Exhibition: Rose of Versailles Forever” is set to release the teaser visual, character designs, and background production art, at the Tokyo City View Observation Deck on September 17.
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