The Rose of Versailles - Omnibus, #1 by Riyoko IkedaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Rose of Versailles - by mangaka Riyoko Ikeda - has long been considering one of the must reads of manga, and it's anime adaptation one of the must sees. Whenever I ask for recommendations, this name is never far from the list, and it's been hard to point out that it wasn't exactly possible for me to read it. Until now. Thanks to Udon Entertainment for giving us these rather gorgeous hardback editions of an English translation. After so many years of hearing how important this story is, how did finally being able to read it feel?
This first volume focuses on Marie Antoniette, and her first few years at the Royal Court of Versailles. As I understand it, the young Queen was the inital focus of the manga before the fan popularity of Oscar changed that and you can see that happening over the course of this first volume. Ikeda's take on Antoniette is that of a flightly girl who is quite kind hearted, but easily lead, and relishes the freedom she has gained when it becomes apparent that people answer to her now. This is actually quite a good way to approach it - if she were just a bit more inclined to buckle down, and listen to people's advice, then so much could have been avoided. You end up feeling quite sorry for this girl - because she still seems so much a child during the course of the first volume.
The artwork is magnificent, and the detail put in makes each page a delight to look upon. The coloured pages given as extras also help to breathe a new life into a manga that is nearly 40 years old. Honestly, it makes me wish that the anime was available on the physical release in the UK as I am desperate to know the rest of the story.
That is what limits this review: it's only the beginning of the story. But what a beginning. I cannot wait to see the next four volumes, and see how this story unfolds!
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