The Rose of Versailles (Lady Oscar)
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:43 pm
Am I the only fan here? I imported IDP's version, which has both the French and Japanese audio, and I've loved it! I've yet to watch the Japanese audio though - nostalgia is what made me bought the series in the first place. It's a 1979 anime based from a very popular manga in Japan. It's a little more mature than Astroboy - I'd say it must have been aimed at teenagers.
For those who have never heard of it, it's the story of Oscar, a young lady raised like a boy by her father because he didn't have any son. The story takes places before and during the French revolution of 1789. Oscar becomes the commandant of the queen's guard (the queen here being, of course, Marie-Antoinette), and is the witness of the events leading up to the revolution, in which she eventually plays a part.
The main character is fictional, as are some other characters, but the action takes place among the important actors of the time (king, queen, nobility...). It tries at the same time to show the perspective of the general people.
I have to say that I found it a lot more moving than I did at the time I watched it, which was a nice surprise. I also loved the historical setting. It's funny because the booklet says they switched directors in the middle of the series. I didn't notice at first, but it does become more serious and darker after the second guy came in, however since it matches the historical events, as things became more and more frustrating and difficult for the people, it's not desruptive in any way, at least in my eyes.
While I've always been interested in history, there's nothing like a good anime or an Alexandre Dumas novel to help one remember easily specific historical events.
I'm about to watch it in Japanese. It will probably be a bit strange to hear this part of France history in another language for a French speaker!
For those who have never heard of it, it's the story of Oscar, a young lady raised like a boy by her father because he didn't have any son. The story takes places before and during the French revolution of 1789. Oscar becomes the commandant of the queen's guard (the queen here being, of course, Marie-Antoinette), and is the witness of the events leading up to the revolution, in which she eventually plays a part.
The main character is fictional, as are some other characters, but the action takes place among the important actors of the time (king, queen, nobility...). It tries at the same time to show the perspective of the general people.
I have to say that I found it a lot more moving than I did at the time I watched it, which was a nice surprise. I also loved the historical setting. It's funny because the booklet says they switched directors in the middle of the series. I didn't notice at first, but it does become more serious and darker after the second guy came in, however since it matches the historical events, as things became more and more frustrating and difficult for the people, it's not desruptive in any way, at least in my eyes.
While I've always been interested in history, there's nothing like a good anime or an Alexandre Dumas novel to help one remember easily specific historical events.
I'm about to watch it in Japanese. It will probably be a bit strange to hear this part of France history in another language for a French speaker!
.
I couldn't put it down, I think I went almost sleepless a few nights. 
It scares me a bit to spend money to import something I don't know if I'll like (and that's assuming I could find a version in a language I can read anyway, but that would probably has to be in Europe).
That's even what drew me into it at first! 
and yes, I agree, it's so beautiful. I looooooove IDP's version. I don't know about the other boxes but just listening to the music on the menus make it unforgettable! It really makes me feel in the 1700s!
I have to admit I always choose the option to skip the opening and ending credits. 