Interview: Riyoko Ikeda Reflects on Gender Inequality in Her 20s and Staying True to Her Beliefs
The animated film The Rose of Versailles (Berubara) will premiere nationwide on January 31. Over 50 years since the manga’s serialization began, this brand-new adaptation has drawn attention. We interviewed the creator, Riyoko Ikeda (77), to discuss the changing times over the past five decades, the social phenomenon sparked by the Takarazuka Revue adaptation, and her reflections on her life. (Interview by Hideaki Sakurai)
Riyoko Ikeda
Key Visual from the movie The Rose of Versailles (© Riyoko Ikeda Production / The Rose of Versailles Movie Production Committee)
The Rose of Versailles: A Tale of Love and Fate Amid Revolution
The Rose of Versailles is set during the late 18th-century French Revolution, centering on the lives of Oscar François de Jarjayes, a woman raised as a man and the heir to a military family, and Queen Marie Antoinette, the noble and elegant bride from Austria. Through their intertwined fates, the story explores love, destiny, and the struggles of individuals swept up in the tides of history.
Originally serialized in Weekly Margaret (Shueisha) from 1972 to 1973, the manga spans ten volumes. Later, four new volumes featuring additional episodes were released in 2014, marking the first such additions in 40 years. The series has sold over 20 million copies to date.
Pioneering the concept of media mix, The Rose of Versailles was adapted for the Takarazuka Revue in 1974, followed by a TV anime in 1979, both of which caused a cultural sensation. The new animated film is produced by MAPPA, known for hits like Jujutsu Kaisen.
Scene cuts from the movie The Rose of Versailles (© Riyoko Ikeda Production / The Rose of Versailles Movie Production Committee)
Scene cuts from the movie The Rose of Versailles (© Riyoko Ikeda Production / The Rose of Versailles Movie Production Committee)
The Rose of Versailles Becomes a Social Phenomenon
Surprised by Success and Recognition at the Airport
— Despite its enduring popularity, it’s surprising to learn that the serialization of The Rose of Versailles lasted only two years. Unlike today’s quick transitions from manga to anime, its first media adaptation was through the Takarazuka Revue.
Ikeda:
It was truly a groundbreaking step for media adaptation. When I first received the offer for a Takarazuka stage production, I was nervous. I remember being on edge until the curtain fell on opening night, worrying, “What if it fails?” Haruna Yuri, the first actress to play Oscar, also shared that she felt nervous until the performance began.
— The Takarazuka adaptation in 1974 turned The Rose of Versailles into a cultural phenomenon. By then, the manga had already concluded, and you were reportedly on an overseas trip with fellow manga artists. Upon returning to Japan, you learned about the manga’s success when surrounded by reporters at the airport. Is that true?
Ikeda:
Oh, that brings back memories! (laughs) When I arrived at Narita Airport, a foreigner next to me asked, “Are you an actress?” When I asked why, they said, “There are so many TV cameras waiting for you! Everyone is here for you!” That was the first time I experienced something like that. It was also when I realized that The Rose of Versailles was a huge hit thanks to the Takarazuka production.
Scene cuts from the movie The Rose of Versailles (© Riyoko Ikeda Production / The Rose of Versailles Movie Production Committee)
Scene cuts from the movie The Rose of Versailles (© Riyoko Ikeda Production / The Rose of Versailles Movie Production Committee)
Source : ORICON NEWS