Rose of Versailles
Anime movie announced in celebration of the 50th anniversary of an all-time shojo manga classic.
Makeover turns our reporter into Lady Oscar, heroine of The Rose of Versailles and the all-female Takarazuka theater troupe.
It’s been made into an anime TV series, live-action film, and Takarazuka stage musical, but more than anything else, it’s the original manga that’s captured the hearts of Rose of Versailles fans. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the series’ themes of desperate love, self-sacrifice, and challenging gender norms have been striking a chord with readers for over four decades.
Unlike last year, there’s no new volume of Rose of Versailles coming out this summer. However, there is still going to be a ton of new illustrations in the form of entries to a Rose of Versailles fan art competition that’s accepting submissions online right now, awarding impressive cash prizes, and being judged by the manga’s creator, Riyoko Ikeda herself.
March 31 was the last day to pick up something from Anna Sui’s line of Sailor Moon purses and accessories. The American designer hasn’t exhausted all of her Japanese animation and comic inspirations, though.
Next month Anna Sui pop-up stores are scheduled to open at six locations in Japan, where fashion fans can find exclusive bags, wallets, and pouches that take cues from some of Japan’s most famous manga creators, including Osamu Tezuka, Ryoko Ikeda, and Rumiko Takahashi.
As many of our readers are undoubtedly aware, manga is one of the biggest industries in Japan, and there are literally thousands of manga to be enjoyed out there. But among all those countless comics, there are a select few that have withstood the test of time and have been read and loved over periods spanning decades. Comic artist Riyoko Ikeda’s classic Rose of Versailles is one such work, the title and characters still widely recognized by the Japanese public more than 40 years after its first serialization in the girl’s comic magazine Margaret. In fact, a new volume of Rose of Versailles containing a selection of omnibus stories was released in August this year, making it the first new comic to come out from the series in four decades!
Now, Ikeda has collaborated with Japanese marriage and wedding information magazine Zexy and created a sweet little side-story that also doubles as a leaflet for couples preparing for their wedding. And what makes it extra delightful for fans of the manga is that it involves Oscar and André, the two main characters, finally getting married! Well, we can almost hear the fans collectively crying out, “It’s about time!”
In Japan, the easy access to anime and manga, coupled with the rapid speed at which new content is produced, means fans tend to have short memories. For most series, even relative hits, once they wrap up there’s only about a year, or at most two, until they fade into obscurity.
Which is why it’s all the more impressive when a once-loved series returns after a long hiatus. Last year, boys of all ages got a special treat with a new Dragon Ball Z movie, and this month brings a little something for the ladies, with the first new volume of girls’ comic classic The Rose of Versailles to be released in more than 40 years.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Tokyo police found our lost wallet, but the story of how they did made us feel empty
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
All-you-can-eat sashimi from Tokyo’s fish market, convenient location make this budget hotel great
Kagoshima conveyor belt sushi chain Mekkemon rises above the rest with its special secret weapon
The official cosplay booth models of Tokyo Game Show 2024【Photos】
The last of the Mohican-hairstyle-wearing people still lining up for iPhones
How to use the self-serve dispensers for green tea at conveyor bel sushi restaurants in Japan
Weekly
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan releases new Christmas drink that can be topped with whipped cream
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo releases exclusive Christmas goods in Japan
Monthly
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train- Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
RECOMMENDED STORIES
All-you-can-eat sashimi from Tokyo’s fish market, convenient location make this budget hotel great
Kagoshima conveyor belt sushi chain Mekkemon rises above the rest with its special secret weapon
The official cosplay booth models of Tokyo Game Show 2024【Photos】
The last of the Mohican-hairstyle-wearing people still lining up for iPhones
How to use the self-serve dispensers for green tea at conveyor bel sushi restaurants in Japan
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
All Tokyo public high schools abolish rules forcing students to dye non-black hair, underwear color regs
You want the whole crab? Japan’s Dom Dom will give it to you, and curry too, in Marugoto Kani Burger
Dragon’s Maze: Japan’s built-by-hand giant labyrinth that gets bigger and harder every year
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Tokyo police arrest French man on charges of shoving, killing senior citizen in bar district
Manga meat can be yours to eat in the real world with Manga Meat Bone kitchenware【Photos】
-
