BB Recommends: Rose of Versailles
Osukaru - October 28th, 2009Since Bijou Blade’s first release is BeruBara Kids, I think it only makes sense that the first series recommendation should be the original Rose of Versailles 「ベルサイユのばら」 manga and anime. Now, since you’ve found this site at all, you are probably already familiar with The Rose of Versailles (aka. BeruBara) in one of it’s many incarnations, or perhaps you’ve only seen references to it in discussions or lists of “classic” anime and manga.
A quick summary for those unfamiliar with the BeruBara legacy: There’s an anime series, a live action movie, a drama, multiple theatrical musicals, the BeruBara Kids parody comics, and, of course, the original manga by Riyoko Ikeda which all these other versions are based on. Not to mention both conspicuous and subtle references in other anime and manga series if you know where to look.
Every incarnation focuses on one or both of the main characters of the series: Marie Antoinette, the (historical) Austrian princess who became the queen of France in 1774 and the titular character for whom “Rose of Versailles” is named; and Oscar François de Jarjeyes, a woman who is raised as a man and becomes captain of the Palace Guard of Versailles. I can go into more detail, but there are other sites out there where you can find out more.
Or, better yet, you can read the manga or watch the anime and figure it out for yourself.
Release Info
Unfortunately for English speaking fans, Berubara has not been officially released in English except for a brief publication of the first two manga volumes in the 80s – 1981 to be exact – now out of print. It is frustrating for fans that a classic like Rose of Versailles can be ignored and pushed aside for so long. But until the day an English publisher picks up the anime and/or manga, there are a few unofficial releases available.
The Rose of Versailles Manga
Original Japanese manga release – 1972-1973
English scanlation by Lililicious (ongoing)
The Rose of Versailles Anime
Original Japanese anime release – 1979-1980
English subs by Live-eviL (complete – 40 episodes)
This series has been out for some 30-odd years, and this is all that’s available in English so far. Maybe with continued fan interest the anime and manga will be licensed and released in English sometime soon.