A new promotional video for the upcoming anime film adaptation of Riyoko Ikeda’s classic manga, The Rose of Versailles, has been released, this time highlighting the character of André Grandier. The film, produced by MAPPA, is set to premiere in Japan on January 31, 2025. This release marks a significant moment for fans of the series, which has seen multiple adaptations since its debut in the 1970s.
A Beloved Character Takes Center Stage
The latest video focuses on André Grandier, Oscar François de Jarjayes’s childhood friend and loyal companion. André’s character is central to the emotional core of The Rose of Versailles, and the new promotional material offers a glimpse into his complex relationship with Oscar against the backdrop of the French Revolution. His unwavering devotion and internal struggles resonate deeply with fans, making this character-focused video a welcome addition to the promotional campaign.
The film’s voice cast includes Toshiyuki Toyonaga as André Grandier, joining a stellar cast featuring Miyuki Sawashiro as Oscar François de Jarjayes and Aya Hirano as Marie Antoinette. Kazuki Katō will voice Hans Axel von Fersen. The film also features a theme song called “Versailles” by the artist Ayaka.
A 50th Anniversary Celebration
The new anime film is part of a larger celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the original manga’s publication, which ran from 1972 to 1973. The series, which was serialized in the manga magazine Margaret, quickly became a cultural phenomenon in Japan. It has since been adapted into a popular TV anime series (1979-1980), a live-action film (1979), and numerous stage musicals by the Takarazuka Revue.
Manga’s Impact
Riyoko Ikeda created The Rose of Versailles after becoming involved with Japan’s New Left movement and the Communist Party. The manga was groundbreaking for its time, telling a complex historical story with a focus on politics, class struggle, and female characters. It is credited with redefining the shōjo manga genre, proving that manga for girls could tackle serious and thought-provoking themes, and it has sold over 23 million copies worldwide.
The story revolves around two main female characters: Oscar François de Jarjayes, a woman raised as a man to lead the Royal Guard, and Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France. Their lives intertwine as they navigate the opulent yet tumultuous world of the French court, amidst the growing social unrest that would lead to the French Revolution. The series explores themes of duty, sacrifice, love, and revolution, blending historical figures with fictional characters.
Anime Adaptations
The original Rose of Versailles anime series, produced by TMS Entertainment, aired on Nippon Television between 1979 and 1980. The series was directed by Tadao Nagahama for the first 12 episodes and then by Osamu Dezaki for the remainder. This adaptation was crucial to the series’ popularity, solidifying its place in anime history, and has since been released on Blu-ray by Discotek Media.
In addition to the main TV series, a single episode summarizing the events of the series, The Rose and Women of Versailles, was also produced. There was also an anime film, The Rose of Versailles: I’ll Love You As Long As I Live, released on VHS in 1987. Though a remake was announced in 2007, it remains unproduced as of 2021.
New Film Details
The 2025 film is directed by Ai Yoshimura (Daily Lives of High School Boys, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU), with a script by Tomoko Konparu (Ashita no Nadja, Uta no Prince-sama – Maji Love 1000%). Mariko Oka (First Love Monster, Hell Girl) is handling character designs. The music is composed by Hiroyuki Sawano (Attack on Titan, Blue Exorcist) and Kohta Yamamoto.
The production team also includes several notable voice actors:
- Miyuki Sawashiro as Oscar François de Jarjayes
- Aya Hirano as Marie Antoinette
- Toshiyuki Toyonaga as André Grandier
- Kazuki Katō as Hans Axel von Fersen
- Shunsuke Takeuchi as Alain de Soissons
- Takuya Eguchi as Florian de Gerodelle
- Miyu Irino as Bernard Châtelet
- Fukushi Ochiai as Louis XVI
- Banjō Ginga as General Jarjayes
- Mayumi Tanaka as Maron Glacé Mont Blan
- Fumi Hirano as Madame Noailles
- Hōchū Ōtsuka as Louis XV
- Saori Hayami as Rosalie
- Jin Yamanoi as Colonel d’Agout
- Akio Ōtsuka as General Bouille
- Sumi Shimamoto as Madame Jarjayes
- Kenshō Ono as Robespierre
The film’s release will be accompanied by a mini-anime titled “Berubara Mini!”, with a different episode each week of the film’s theatrical run in Japan.
Theater Bonuses
For the first two weeks of the film’s screening, theatergoers will receive a special bonus: a reproduction of Ikeda’s original drafts for two famous scenes from the manga, further adding to the celebratory atmosphere of this release.
A Legacy of Revolution
The Rose of Versailles is more than just a historical drama; it is a story about revolution, identity, and love, set against a backdrop of social and political upheaval. Its characters, like the noble yet conflicted Oscar, the tragic Marie Antoinette, and the steadfast André, continue to captivate audiences decades after their creation.
The upcoming film is highly anticipated, promising to deliver a fresh perspective on this timeless story. With its talented team and a focus on the beloved characters like André Grandier, the 2025 Rose of Versailles film is poised to be a hit with longtime fans and new viewers alike. The film is set to be released in Japan on January 31, 2025.
