The highly anticipated anime film adaptation of Riyoko Ikeda’s classic manga, The Rose of Versailles, has revealed eight additional cast members as it opens in Japanese cinemas today, January 31, 2025. This news arrives alongside a promotional video highlighting the character of Hans Axel von Fersen.
New Voices Join the Ensemble
The newly announced voice actors, bringing to life a range of supporting characters, include:
- Sora Tokui as Louis Joseph
- Minami Tanaka as Marie Thérèse
- Atsushi Tamaru as Lasalle
- Daiki Yamashita as Jean
- Yuuto Suzuki as Francois
- Junta Terashima as Pierre
- Wataru Takagi as de Guéméné
- Hironori Kondō as de Launay
These additions complement the already stellar cast announced previously.
The Core Cast
The main characters will be voiced by:
- Miyuki Sawashiro as Oscar François de Jarjayes
- Aya Hirano as Marie Antoinette
- Toshiyuki Toyonaga as André Grandier
- Kazuki Katō as Hans Axel von Fersen
Other notable cast members include Shunsuke Takeuchi as Alain de Soissons, Takuya Eguchi as Florian de Gerodelle, and Miyu Irino as Bernard Châtelet. Fukushi Ochiai will voice Louis XVI, while Banjō Ginga plays General Jarjayes and Mayumi Tanaka takes on the role of Maron Glacé Mont Blanc. Fumi Hirano will voice Madame Noailles, Hōchū Ōtsuka will voice Louis XV, Saori Hayami as Rosalie, Jin Yamanoi as Colonel d’Agout, Akio Ōtsuka as General Bouille, Sumi Shimamoto as Madame Jarjayes, and Kenshō Ono as Robespierre.
A New Look at Fersen
The promotional video released showcases Hans Axel von Fersen, a character described as a man whose love remains steadfast amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution. This trailer gives fans a closer look at his role in the unfolding story. A short version of a singing scene from the film, titled “Enchanting Masquerade,” has also been released, further building excitement for the film’s musical sequences. The song is composed by Tomoko Kaneharu and arranged by Hiroyuki Sawano.
Production Details
The film is produced by MAPPA, with Ai Yoshimura directing. Tomoko Konparu is in charge of the screenplay, while Mariko Oka is responsible for character designs. The music is composed by Hiroyuki Sawano and Kohta Yamamoto. This film marks the 50th anniversary of the manga series.
The Story
Set in late 18th-century France, the story revolves around several key figures: Oscar François de Jarjayes, a woman raised as a son to be the heir to her family’s military legacy; Marie Antoinette, the young queen of France; André Grandier, Oscar’s childhood friend and loyal servant; and the charming Swedish count, Hans Axel von Fersen. Their lives become intertwined against the backdrop of the French Revolution.
Release and Special Screenings
The film officially opened in Japan on January 31, 2025. Accompanying the film’s release is the mini-anime “Berubara Mini!”, which will feature a new episode each week of the film’s theatrical run. This offers an added incentive for fans to revisit the cinemas multiple times.
A Legacy Revived
The Rose of Versailles is a landmark work in the shojo manga genre. Originally serialized in Weekly Margaret from 1972 to 1973, it has had numerous adaptations, including a television anime series, a live-action film, and several musicals by the Takarazuka Revue. This new anime film aims to honor the original’s legacy while presenting the story to a new generation. The manga’s themes of duty, love, and revolution continue to resonate, and this film promises a rich and emotional viewing experience.
The Global Impact
The manga has had a significant cultural impact, bridging a connection between Japan and France. Its exploration of complex characters and historical themes has garnered a dedicated following worldwide. The story follows the lives of Oscar and Marie Antoinette, as well as the common people caught in the growing unrest of the French Revolution, and it is a story about identity, love, and the price of duty.
The film’s premiere has been highly anticipated, and with the additional cast members announced, the movie is set to be a significant event for fans of the series and anime enthusiasts alike.
