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samdoo's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mootastic's review
4.0
I realized that I rated every individual volume of 'The Rose of Versailles' 4 out of 5 stars, yet I'd consider this to be a 5 star series. Weird.
Anyways, the main narrative of 'The Rose of Versailles' ended last volume and this last omnibus is a collection of side stories starring Lady Oscar's crime-solving niece. Admittedly, that does sound like a joke, but it works surprisingly well! These stories manage to carry on with the main series' themes about classism, mainly how the aristocracy preys on the common folk, as well as Oscar's choice to rebel against them once she realizes justice within the system is impossible since the government is designed to protect nobles. I don't think any of these stories are as good as the main narrative, but they're a good excuse to spend more time with these characters. I also think this is probably the best looking book of the bunch. Ikeda's linework is beautiful and these are probably the best renditions of Oscar and Andre.
Overall, I loved the time I spent with this series. Lady Oscar is such a cool and inspiring and relatable character. Recommending a series in the review of its last book seems kinda dumb, but I highly recommend this series to anyone reading this and think it sounds even remotely interesting. It's a seminal work in the medium for a reason!
Anyways, the main narrative of 'The Rose of Versailles' ended last volume and this last omnibus is a collection of side stories starring Lady Oscar's crime-solving niece. Admittedly, that does sound like a joke, but it works surprisingly well! These stories manage to carry on with the main series' themes about classism, mainly how the aristocracy preys on the common folk, as well as Oscar's choice to rebel against them once she realizes justice within the system is impossible since the government is designed to protect nobles. I don't think any of these stories are as good as the main narrative, but they're a good excuse to spend more time with these characters. I also think this is probably the best looking book of the bunch. Ikeda's linework is beautiful and these are probably the best renditions of Oscar and Andre.
Overall, I loved the time I spent with this series. Lady Oscar is such a cool and inspiring and relatable character. Recommending a series in the review of its last book seems kinda dumb, but I highly recommend this series to anyone reading this and think it sounds even remotely interesting. It's a seminal work in the medium for a reason!
deanlockiradall's review
Series review.
The Rose of Versailles was originally serialized in Japan in the 1970s, with multiple spinoffs, an anime adaptation in the late '70s/early '80s, and--perhaps most famously--a Takarazuka Revue musical. The manga, which followed Osamu Tezuka's The Princess Knight and preceded stories such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, influenced the direction of the shōjo manga genre as well as Japan's perception of and fascination with France. (Riyoko Ikeda's life and ideologies are also worth looking into, as both influenced the series as much as audience feedback did.) Certain cosmetics brands also still feature the iconic art style as part of their marketing.
The series features two female protagonists, Oscar François de Jarjayes (fictional) and Queen Marie Antoinette (historical). The plot follows them as they come of age and gain--or lose--awareness of French society in the years leading up to the French Revolution, combining history and fictional elements to create a romantic, historical melodrama. Oscar, AFAB, is raised as a son by her father because all his other children are daughters and he longs for a son and heir. Due to this unique upbringing, Oscar is later assigned as head of the Royal Guard for Marie Antoinette when she arrives in France to marry then-Dauphin Louis XVI. As the series goes on, Oscar becomes more aware of societal inequality and unrest among France's Third Estate (commoners, as opposed to the First Estate (nobility) and the Second Estate (clergy)). At the same time Oscar and Marie Antoinette are drawn into a love tangle, with Swedish noble Axel von Fersen (historical), Oscar's manservant/companion André (fictional), and noble-born Parisian commoner Rosalie (fictional). The series is celebrated for its feminist elements and exploration of gender and sexuality (very new for the context in which it was first serialized).
Having read the English translation and watched the anime, here are my takeaways:
- Although chronologically reversed, this series feels made for the Takarazuka Revue; it has the perfect ratio of drama, detail, romance, and marketability (not to mention gender malleability) that Takarazuka strives for.
- In some ways, I felt the anime was easier to follow, though the manga sometimes gave more context. Ikeda's art is extremely detailed (and sparkly), which sometimes makes the panels feel too busy, compared to some contemporary, more simplistic styles.
- Having been published in a time before the internet and drawing on complex history, it is also a more text-heavy series. This is not a series to binge--spread it out. Also, imo, it's slower in the first half and picks up the pace once the Revolution draws closer. If it were serialized for the first time now rather than in the '70s, I'm guessing it would be much shorter and faster-paced.
- While I'm usually somewhat neutral on remakes, I'm curious about this one. The Rose of Versailles was *ahem* revolutionary for its time, but I would be interested to see what more overt explorations of gender and sexuality (especially in a queer/trans/nonbinary lens) could be done in a contemporary remake of this series. One could argue this would result in a completely different story, but the thought experiment remains, especially for the Oscar/Rosalie and Oscar/André relationships.
- Aspects of Oscar's character and plot line were also reminiscent of Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness Quartet, but that could just be my personal nostalgia.
The Rose of Versailles was originally serialized in Japan in the 1970s, with multiple spinoffs, an anime adaptation in the late '70s/early '80s, and--perhaps most famously--a Takarazuka Revue musical. The manga, which followed Osamu Tezuka's The Princess Knight and preceded stories such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, influenced the direction of the shōjo manga genre as well as Japan's perception of and fascination with France. (Riyoko Ikeda's life and ideologies are also worth looking into, as both influenced the series as much as audience feedback did.) Certain cosmetics brands also still feature the iconic art style as part of their marketing.
The series features two female protagonists, Oscar François de Jarjayes (fictional) and Queen Marie Antoinette (historical). The plot follows them as they come of age and gain--or lose--awareness of French society in the years leading up to the French Revolution, combining history and fictional elements to create a romantic, historical melodrama. Oscar, AFAB, is raised as a son by her father because all his other children are daughters and he longs for a son and heir. Due to this unique upbringing, Oscar is later assigned as head of the Royal Guard for Marie Antoinette when she arrives in France to marry then-Dauphin Louis XVI. As the series goes on, Oscar becomes more aware of societal inequality and unrest among France's Third Estate (commoners, as opposed to the First Estate (nobility) and the Second Estate (clergy)). At the same time Oscar and Marie Antoinette are drawn into a love tangle, with Swedish noble Axel von Fersen (historical), Oscar's manservant/companion André (fictional), and noble-born Parisian commoner Rosalie (fictional). The series is celebrated for its feminist elements and exploration of gender and sexuality (very new for the context in which it was first serialized).
Having read the English translation and watched the anime, here are my takeaways:
- Although chronologically reversed, this series feels made for the Takarazuka Revue; it has the perfect ratio of drama, detail, romance, and marketability (not to mention gender malleability) that Takarazuka strives for.
- In some ways, I felt the anime was easier to follow, though the manga sometimes gave more context. Ikeda's art is extremely detailed (and sparkly), which sometimes makes the panels feel too busy, compared to some contemporary, more simplistic styles.
- Having been published in a time before the internet and drawing on complex history, it is also a more text-heavy series. This is not a series to binge--spread it out. Also, imo, it's slower in the first half and picks up the pace once the Revolution draws closer. If it were serialized for the first time now rather than in the '70s, I'm guessing it would be much shorter and faster-paced.
- While I'm usually somewhat neutral on remakes, I'm curious about this one. The Rose of Versailles was *ahem* revolutionary for its time, but I would be interested to see what more overt explorations of gender and sexuality (especially in a queer/trans/nonbinary lens) could be done in a contemporary remake of this series. One could argue this would result in a completely different story, but the thought experiment remains, especially for the Oscar/Rosalie and Oscar/André relationships.
- Aspects of Oscar's character and plot line were also reminiscent of Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness Quartet, but that could just be my personal nostalgia.
alicearaujoms's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
small__fry's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I binged this series so quickly while recovering from surgery. A classic shoujo that stands the test of time and proof the genre is maligned as trivial stories for young girls. Mature storytelling with a dash of feminism and class criticism saturated in swirling petals and cascading curly hair. Not to mention the sprinkling of queerness throughout.
Specific to this volume; Even though tragedy is clearly earmarked from the outset (it is the French Revolution after all), I still had tears in my eyes at points of this volume. Lady Oscar forever.
Specific to this volume; Even though tragedy is clearly earmarked from the outset (it is the French Revolution after all), I still had tears in my eyes at points of this volume. Lady Oscar forever.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
hoggboss's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lnb_sweety's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
angwantstoreadmore's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
dok_plague's review
5.0
Loulou's side stories are an adorable addition to the Rose of Versailles series and provide a great ending to the series