New information about the animated movie The Rose of Versailles (scheduled for release in early 2025) has been announced. In celebration of Hans Axel von Fersen's birthday on September 4th, four new scene cuts featuring Fersen have been unveiled.

Hans Axel von Fersen is a handsome, thoughtful, and intelligent Swedish count. He meets Marie Antoinette, the daughter of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, at the masked ball of the Paris Opera House. From then on, he is entangled in an ill-fated love affair, remaining loyal to her while shaping his destiny. Fersen, a beloved character who is currently the protagonist of The Rose of Versailles - Fersen Edition in the Takarazuka Revue, was chosen as the leading character in this special year marking the 50th anniversary of the original stage production.

The newly released scene cuts feature Fersen's first encounter with Oscar François de Jarjayes, the young commander of the French Royal Guards and Marie Antoinette's protector, who later becomes Fersen’s close friend. Another scene shows Fersen gazing lovingly at Marie Antoinette, the woman to whom he dedicates his love and fate. These are crucial moments that shape the lives of Oscar and Marie Antoinette.

Kazuki Kato, the voice actor for Fersen, commented, "It is a great honor to play the role of Fersen in The Rose of Versailles, a work that has been cherished for 50 years without losing its charm. Having been involved in musicals about the French Revolution, I was deeply moved when I received the news about this role."

Regarding the film adaptation, he added, "The iconic scenes from the original, along with new musical elements, will bring about a revolutionary work in the Reiwa era with modern animation techniques. Please look forward to it!"

The Rose of Versailles is set in the late 18th century during the French Revolution and tells the story of the dashing woman, Oscar François de Jarjayes, who was raised as a "son" and heir to a military family, and the innocent Queen Marie Antoinette, who was married off from Austria to France. Amid the turmoil of the times, these characters face love and destiny, living their lives to the fullest.

Originally serialized in Weekly Margaret (Shueisha) from 1972 to 1973, The Rose of Versailles has been a cultural phenomenon, with 10 volumes published in Margaret Comics and four new volumes released after 40 years in 2014. The series has sold over 20 million copies. As a pioneer of media-mix adaptations, it was first adapted into a stage play by the Takarazuka Revue in 1974, followed by a TV anime in 1979 and a film in 1990. This new theatrical animation is being produced by MAPPA, the studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen.

Source : ORICON NEWS