More than half a century after Riyoko Ikeda first penned her revolutionary manga, The Rose of Versailles, the opulent world of pre-revolutionary France, courtly intrigue, and groundbreaking characters returns to the screen. A new animated film adaptation, produced by the acclaimed studio Mappa, hit Japanese theaters earlier this year and is now set for its global debut, streaming on Netflix. This release marks a revival of a beloved classic for its 50th anniversary, bringing back the fantastic character, the iconic heroine, Lady Oscar.

A Legacy Reborn: The Enduring Power of The Rose of Versailles

First serialized in Weekly Margaret from 1972 to 1973, Riyoko Ikeda’s The Rose of Versailles was more than just a manga; it was a cultural earthquake. Selling over 20 million copies in Japan alone, it sparked a social phenomenon. The story primarily follows two women navigating the treacherous currents leading up to and during the French Revolution: the...