Winter 2025 Preview: The Rose of Versailles

summation

• A shojo classic, The Rose of Versailles tells a story of identity, duty, and love during the French Revolution.

• At a time when editors were skeptical about the shojo genre, it became an international hit, sparking interest in French culture and spawning many adaptations.

• Directed by Ai Yoshimura, the film features an outstanding crew and impressive music by composers Hiroyuki Sawano and Kota Yamamoto.

When you mention the topic of MAPPA's upcoming animated movie, most people think probably think chainsaw man movieIt's probably the studio's most anticipated project in recent memory. But it wouldn't be wise to sleep on an upcoming album. rose of versaillesis an adaptation of the classic shojo, a success that created a surprising cultural bridge between Japan and France.

Riyoko Ikeda was a prolific manga artist who came to prominence in the 1970s, writing romantic shoujo manga with an emphasis on historical fiction, often set in Europe. rose of versailles is one of her most popular works, using the unrest of the French Revolution as its framework to tell a story of identity, duty, and love in a time of great change.

What is The Rose of Versailles about?

In Ikeda's story, another character catches her eye besides Marie Antoinette, who arrives in Versailles to marry the Crown Prince Louis XVI. His name is Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, Captain of the Royal Guard. that Not a “he” at all. she As the daughter of an aristocratic family that has raised her since she was a boy, she responds with pride and determination to the call of Oscar, who entrusts her with the responsibility of continuing the family legacy.

But as inequality grows, Oscar finds himself torn between his duty to the royal family and his duty to the French people, while the naive Marie comes to understand the differences between himself and the people he rules. rose of versailles It chronicles the relationship between these two people as they struggle to live up to the expectations placed on them and their responsibilities in shaping their future.

The global impact of this cartoon

This groundbreaking period drama didn't succeed without first overcoming a lot of skepticism. In the early 70s, the medium of comics was considered a sub-form of art. As Nippon.com's Hotta Junji puts it, “Shoujo manga was the lowest of them all, with female manga artists earning only half as much as their male colleagues.” The editorial staff doubted whether the female readership would be able to appreciate historical dramas and were worried that the nuance would be lost.

Ikeda and his fellow shojo writers of the era would prove that misconception disastrously wrong…

Ikeda and his fellow shojo writers of the era would prove that misconception disastrously wrong, rose of versailles It expanded beyond Japan. The work was an international hit, including a 40-episode TV animation in 1979, a live-action adaptation the same year, and several stage adaptations. The surge in tourism and interest in French culture inspired by the manga's success did not go unnoticed by the French, who later awarded Ikeda the Legion of Honor in 2009.

The employees behind the new adaptation

This new adaptation is directed by experienced director Ai Yoshimura, who previously helmed this production. Ao Haru Ride, dance with the devil, boys cheeringand Kabukicho Sherlock. she also black butler, Gintama, Daily life of a high school boyand Gatchaman CrowdIt's an impressive portfolio that makes her an ideal fit for this story and audience.

Joining Yoshimura is prolific animation screenwriter Konparu Tomoko. He is an industry veteran who has written classic works such as: Urusei Yatsura and touch. Later she wrote: Nana, Kimini TodokeCollaboration with Yoshimura Ao Haru Ride and dance with the devil. This year alone, Konparu wrote a boy romantic comedy. cherry magic A sequel is scheduled to be written in 2025.

Longtime animator Mariko Oka serves as the film's character designer. Her credits as a character designer hetalia Although she likely has a lot to say to a specific readership, she has worked across the industry. attack on titan to by roadto glass on iceAnd more. She was also the animation director for Mari Okada's 2023 Netflix original. maboroshi.

sound of revolution

As beautiful as the film looks, the sound may be where it truly soars. J-Pop singer Ayaka performs the movie's main theme, 'Versailles', which features prominently in the latest preview. Hiroyuki Sawano, famous for music attack on titan, Blue Exorcistand soon Fate/Strange FakeI am producing music. His collaborator and student Kohta Yamamoto is the film's composer.

In between adapting some of the most popular modern comics such as; Chainsaw Man and Do a jujutsuMAPPA seems to have jumped on the modern remake trend. This season, MAPPA produced a remake of Ranma 1/2 directed by Kounosuke Uda. rose of versailles There seems to be no small amount of fidelity to capturing such a beautiful and nostalgic art style. With any luck, some form of international release will follow soon after the premiere.

rose of versailles Released in Japanese theaters on January 31, 2025.

Source: Nippon.com