It was announced that the classic romance manga The Rose of Versailles, also known as Lady Oscar and La Rose de Versailles, by Riyoko Ikeda is getting a brand-new theatrical anime after its first anime series airing in 1979 in Japan.
The announcement comes with a teaser visual showcasing Oscar and Marie Antoinette, along with the catchphrase “Fierce, beautiful, and alive.” In the teaser video, the original manga and teaser visual were projected along with classical music, and the finish was filled with nostalgia and expectations for this theatrical anime.
In addition, a celebratory illustration and comments were revealed by Ikeda. “I often receive requests for a new anime from many fans, so I’m full of surprise and joy that it actually comes true,” he commented
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original manga, an exhibition”Forever the Rose of Versailles” will be held from September 17 at Tokyo City View, displaying the illustrations and images of the character and background setting of the new anime. These illustrations are revealed in public for the first time.
▍About The Rose of Versailles
Riyoko Ikeda first serialized the manga in the manga magazine Margaret from 1972 to 1973, while a revival of the series was published in the magazine from 2013 to 2018. The series is known to be the prioneer of shōjo manga in Japan, characterized by the emergence of stories with complex narratives focused on politics and sexuality. The Rose of Versailles has achieved mainstream critical and commercial success, proving the genre’s viability as a commercial category and granting the genre greater recognition among critics.
A television anime adaptation of The Rose of Versailles, produced by TMS Entertainment, aired in Japan from October 10, 1979, to September 3, 1980.The series was later adapted into the anime film The Rose of Versailles: I’ll Love You As Long As I Live, which was released in May 1987. A remake of I’ll Love You As Long As I Live was announced by Toei Animation in 2007, but as of 2021, remains unproduced.
The historical drama set in the years preceding and during the French Revolution. Using a combination of historical personages and original characters, The Rose of Versailles focuses primarily on the lives of two women: the Queen of France Marie Antoinette, and Oscar François de Jarjayes, who serves as commander of the Royal Guard.