The Rose of Versaillesis a timeless shojo getting a revival after almost fifty years, and the new trailer proves why the series will be a huge hit.The Rose of Versaillesis a genre-defining work dating back to 1972. Set around and during the French Revolution,The Rose of Versaillesfollows a woman named Oscar François de Jarjayes. Her father, a military commander, raised her as a son so she could take his place. A compelling historical fiction combining real figures with imaginary ones,The Rose of Versaillesis one of the most influential shojo works of all time.
The Rose of Versaillesis beautiful, and its historical setting gives it a timelessness and staying power. It actually received an anime in the late 1970s, but it’s easy for modern-day fans without a specific interest in shojo to pass the series by.MAPPAhas decided to give it a second lease on life witha theatrical release set to premiere on July 31, 2025, and the trailer is absolutely immaculate.
The Rose of Versaille’s New Trailer Brings The Revolution To Life
The Havoc, Detail, And Decadence Of The French Order Is Elegantly Depicted By MAPPA
The Rose of Versailleswas fundamental to the artwork of the shojo to follow—the origin of the classic shojo shiny eyes. However, beyond that, its painstaking attention to detail—both narrative and artistic—is truly impressive. The architecture of the period is represented with care, in all of its Rococo excess; the fashion and dress, the cultural norms, and even the dances are intentionally placed. This makesThe Rose of Versaillesa difficult work to animate well.
MAPPA is growing to be a legendary studio after their work onAttack on Titan’s final season,Jujutsu Kaisen, andKakegurui. It seems likeThe Rose of Versaillescould be one of their best works yet. MAPPA is perhaps best known for its eye-candy and meticulous animation. The trailer makes it abundantly clear that MAPPA is the perfect studio to giveThe Rose of Versailles. The settings are given the time and detail that the original work demanded.
The Rose of VersaillesGets A Timely Revival
Changes In Anime Culture And Social Norms Means The Revival Is Right On Time
The Rose of Versaillessuffered an unfortunate fate. It debuted in 1972 and was part of a tidal shift within shojo as a new generation of mangaka, called theYear 24 Group, came to the fore. Before the 1970s, shojo manga were generally targeted at very young girls, centering around fairytale heterosexual romances or fleeting homoeroticism. The stories were delicate, and they hardly ventured into politics, scandal, or sexuality—deemed inappropriate for the demographic at the time.The Rose of Versailles, by contrast, dove straight into all of the above. However, after a certain narrative decision, readership declined, and the series came to an early end.
In the early 2010s,The Rose of Versaillesgot a second chance, and 4 more volumes were released under the nameThe Rose of Versailles: Episodes. With its emphasis on social unrest, gender and sexuality, and political revolt, the shifting social climate in Japan and globally has opened itself up again to the provocative story. Not to mention that the workThe Rose of Versaillesbegan—blurring the topics perceived acceptable for certain demographics—continues today with an increased demand for dark, thoughtful anime.
The Rose of Versailleswas a revolution in itself, and it was revived at just the right time. Fans should not miss this new iteration of a classic anime when it hits theatres on Janaury 31, 2025.
