What do you think?
Rate this book
ベルサイユのばら [Versailles no Bara] #5
ベルサイユのばら 5
フランス人民は自由、平等、友愛を旗印に雄々しく立ち上がり、革命の焔は全土に燃え広がっていく。オスカルは衛兵隊を民衆側につけ、国王軍と闘う決心をする。激しい戦闘のさなか、アンドレが、次いでオスカルが銃弾に倒れた。1789年7月14日。バスティーユ陥落。民衆の勝利の歓声のなかでオスカルは静かに息絶えた。革命軍は、ベルサイユから国王一家をパリに移し監禁した。幽閉された王妃アントワネットの前にフェルゼンが現れた。革命の嵐の中で一瞬の生を悔いなく生きた恋人たちの物語。
370 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 1994
5 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Riyoko Ikeda
392 books284 followersRiyoko Ikeda (池田理代子) is a Japanese manga author and soprano singer.
As one of the 24-gumi, she has written and illustrated many shōjo manga, many of which are based on European historical events, such as the French Revolution or the Russian Revolution.
Her most famous manga is Versailles no bara (ベルサイユのばら, The rose of Versailles).
Other famous works include Oniisama e... (おにいさまへ…, Dear Brother) and Orpheus no mado (オルフェウスの窓, The Window of Orpheus) that won an Excellence award at Japan Cartoonists Association Award in 1980.
As one of the 24-gumi, she has written and illustrated many shōjo manga, many of which are based on European historical events, such as the French Revolution or the Russian Revolution.
Her most famous manga is Versailles no bara (ベルサイユのばら, The rose of Versailles).
Other famous works include Oniisama e... (おにいさまへ…, Dear Brother) and Orpheus no mado (オルフェウスの窓, The Window of Orpheus) that won an Excellence award at Japan Cartoonists Association Award in 1980.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 2, 2024
This was just a spin off book from the main story line. The main story line ended in book four. This manga revolves around a new character LouLou. Honestly I wished they picked another character like Oscar, or Andre or even Hans to have for the spin off stories. That would be interesting and insightful. I didn’t care for LouLou. She didn’t add anything, and she is really an after thought. I didn’t like her character design. However the rest of the art design in the book is beautiful.
Read
August 27, 2025a fun set of side stories that honestly i would read more of--ikeda honestly has a gift for comedy AND for developing complicated schemes that reveal something about the corruption in pre-revolutionary france
December 12, 2023
Simply one of the best comics ever drawn
November 10, 2025
Just spin-off from the main story that ended in book four...Sadly not really intrested especially after such an emotional ending in the fourth part...
February 12, 2023
This final volume contains four short stories set in The Rose of Versailles universe. As with the one bonus story in Volume 4, these tales are adventure stories featuring Oscar's rambunctious niece Loulou, though these four were first published around a decade after the contents of the earlier volumes. They're set in the more innocent pre-revolutionary period of the early part of The Rose of Versailles, and so, while there are bits of foreshadowing here and there, these stories are more adventure-focused than concerned with emotional drama. It's nice to be able to spend a bit more time with these characters in a happier period in the Jarjayes household.
September 8, 2021
Side Stories: The Great Detective Loulou we’re fine, I can’t say I cared about them that much but it was a pleasant read.
June 22, 2022
Loulou is actually the best
Read
January 4, 2024Series review.
The Rose of Versailles was originally serialized in Japan in the 1970s, with multiple spinoffs, an anime adaptation in the late '70s/early '80s, and--perhaps most famously--a Takarazuka Revue musical. The manga, which followed Osamu Tezuka's The Princess Knight and preceded stories such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, influenced the direction of the shōjo manga genre as well as Japan's perception of and fascination with France. (Riyoko Ikeda's life and ideologies are also worth looking into, as both influenced the series as much as audience feedback did.) Certain cosmetics brands also still feature the iconic art style as part of their marketing.
The series features two female protagonists, Oscar François de Jarjayes (fictional) and Queen Marie Antoinette (historical). The plot follows them as they come of age and gain--or lose--awareness of French society in the years leading up to the French Revolution, combining history and fictional elements to create a romantic, historical melodrama. Oscar, AFAB, is raised as a son by her father because all his other children are daughters and he longs for a son and heir. Due to this unique upbringing, Oscar is later assigned as head of the Royal Guard for Marie Antoinette when she arrives in France to marry then-Dauphin Louis XVI. As the series goes on, Oscar becomes more aware of societal inequality and unrest among France's Third Estate (commoners, as opposed to the First Estate (nobility) and the Second Estate (clergy)). At the same time Oscar and Marie Antoinette are drawn into a love tangle, with Swedish noble Axel von Fersen (historical), Oscar's manservant/companion André (fictional), and noble-born Parisian commoner Rosalie (fictional). The series is celebrated for its feminist elements and exploration of gender and sexuality (very new for the context in which it was first serialized).
Having read the English translation and watched the anime, here are my takeaways:
- Although chronologically reversed, this series feels made for the Takarazuka Revue; it has the perfect ratio of drama, detail, romance, and marketability (not to mention gender malleability) that Takarazuka strives for.
- In some ways, I felt the anime was easier to follow, though the manga sometimes gave more context. Ikeda's art is extremely detailed (and sparkly), which sometimes makes the panels feel too busy, compared to some contemporary, more simplistic styles.
- Having been published in a time before the internet and drawing on complex history, it is also a more text-heavy series. This is not a series to binge--spread it out. Also, imo, it's slower in the first half and picks up the pace once the Revolution draws closer. If it were serialized for the first time now rather than in the '70s, I'm guessing it would be much shorter and faster-paced.
- While I'm usually somewhat neutral on remakes, I'm curious about this one. The Rose of Versailles was *ahem* revolutionary for its time, but I would be interested to see what more overt explorations of gender and sexuality (especially in a queer/trans/nonbinary lens) could be done in a contemporary remake of this series. One could argue this would result in a completely different story, but the thought experiment remains, especially for the Oscar/Rosalie and Oscar/André relationships.
- Aspects of Oscar's character and plot line were also reminiscent of Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness Quartet, but that could just be my personal nostalgia.
The Rose of Versailles was originally serialized in Japan in the 1970s, with multiple spinoffs, an anime adaptation in the late '70s/early '80s, and--perhaps most famously--a Takarazuka Revue musical. The manga, which followed Osamu Tezuka's The Princess Knight and preceded stories such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, influenced the direction of the shōjo manga genre as well as Japan's perception of and fascination with France. (Riyoko Ikeda's life and ideologies are also worth looking into, as both influenced the series as much as audience feedback did.) Certain cosmetics brands also still feature the iconic art style as part of their marketing.
The series features two female protagonists, Oscar François de Jarjayes (fictional) and Queen Marie Antoinette (historical). The plot follows them as they come of age and gain--or lose--awareness of French society in the years leading up to the French Revolution, combining history and fictional elements to create a romantic, historical melodrama. Oscar, AFAB, is raised as a son by her father because all his other children are daughters and he longs for a son and heir. Due to this unique upbringing, Oscar is later assigned as head of the Royal Guard for Marie Antoinette when she arrives in France to marry then-Dauphin Louis XVI. As the series goes on, Oscar becomes more aware of societal inequality and unrest among France's Third Estate (commoners, as opposed to the First Estate (nobility) and the Second Estate (clergy)). At the same time Oscar and Marie Antoinette are drawn into a love tangle, with Swedish noble Axel von Fersen (historical), Oscar's manservant/companion André (fictional), and noble-born Parisian commoner Rosalie (fictional). The series is celebrated for its feminist elements and exploration of gender and sexuality (very new for the context in which it was first serialized).
Having read the English translation and watched the anime, here are my takeaways:
- Although chronologically reversed, this series feels made for the Takarazuka Revue; it has the perfect ratio of drama, detail, romance, and marketability (not to mention gender malleability) that Takarazuka strives for.
- In some ways, I felt the anime was easier to follow, though the manga sometimes gave more context. Ikeda's art is extremely detailed (and sparkly), which sometimes makes the panels feel too busy, compared to some contemporary, more simplistic styles.
- Having been published in a time before the internet and drawing on complex history, it is also a more text-heavy series. This is not a series to binge--spread it out. Also, imo, it's slower in the first half and picks up the pace once the Revolution draws closer. If it were serialized for the first time now rather than in the '70s, I'm guessing it would be much shorter and faster-paced.
- While I'm usually somewhat neutral on remakes, I'm curious about this one. The Rose of Versailles was *ahem* revolutionary for its time, but I would be interested to see what more overt explorations of gender and sexuality (especially in a queer/trans/nonbinary lens) could be done in a contemporary remake of this series. One could argue this would result in a completely different story, but the thought experiment remains, especially for the Oscar/Rosalie and Oscar/André relationships.
- Aspects of Oscar's character and plot line were also reminiscent of Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness Quartet, but that could just be my personal nostalgia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2025
Right so. Now I’ve finished the last of the Rose of Versaille books!
And it was actually really good! Not quite as good as the previous ones, but still.
What stood out to me in this one was the artwork. These stories were written 10 years or so after the other stories. And you can really tell from Ikedas artwork.
And I will admit, I… did not like it. For sure, there’s more details and such, but the characters looked… soul-less. What stood out to me in the previous books was how Ikeda drew eyes on the characters, and the eyes here? Soulless. Nothing. Nope, I did not like that at all.
The stories though, how do they hold up? Well, pretty well, I’d say! LouLou, the Pippi Longstocking / Emil from Lönneberga character is in the center of it all here, and there’s a few different stories where she solves different mysteries together with Lady Oscar.
Well… Lady Oscar and André THINK they solve the mysteries themselves, but LouLou plays a key-part for the solution each time. And she’s brave too! I mean, she’s just a lil kid, but she’s brave, resourceful (what HAS she hid in that doll of hers, really?!?) and also very loyal to Auntie Oscar, as she calls her!
These are all traits that both Emil and Pippi have as well, apart from being somewhat chaotic. And LouLou is quite a chaotic character too! She has grown on me, I kinda like her!
My favorite story here involved the story with the mummified hand and the naughty nuns…. That was actually a really good story! And LouLou really got to show both her bravery and resourcefulness in that one! And she was an active part of a team, so to speak, with Oscar and André, even if the adults were a bit hesitant to it.
My least favorite was the last one with the oracle/healer/soughtsayer. That one was just weird. Although LouLou’s studies and tests did help to solve that mystery too. Too weird for me though. Did Ikeda start to lose interest in these side-stories by this point, I wonder?
There’s also a story about dolls and smugglers, which is a pretty decent story as well, I will admit.
All in all though, this book was not at all as strong as the other four. The drama, romance, heartbreak and violence of the French Revolution is hard to beat, after all.
No one can take away the skill Riyoko Ikeda has as a storyteller and as an artist though. She excels in both.
It’s been a pleasure to read all of these books. THANK YOU my best friend for letting me borrow such gorgeous books!
And it was actually really good! Not quite as good as the previous ones, but still.
What stood out to me in this one was the artwork. These stories were written 10 years or so after the other stories. And you can really tell from Ikedas artwork.
And I will admit, I… did not like it. For sure, there’s more details and such, but the characters looked… soul-less. What stood out to me in the previous books was how Ikeda drew eyes on the characters, and the eyes here? Soulless. Nothing. Nope, I did not like that at all.
The stories though, how do they hold up? Well, pretty well, I’d say! LouLou, the Pippi Longstocking / Emil from Lönneberga character is in the center of it all here, and there’s a few different stories where she solves different mysteries together with Lady Oscar.
Well… Lady Oscar and André THINK they solve the mysteries themselves, but LouLou plays a key-part for the solution each time. And she’s brave too! I mean, she’s just a lil kid, but she’s brave, resourceful (what HAS she hid in that doll of hers, really?!?) and also very loyal to Auntie Oscar, as she calls her!
These are all traits that both Emil and Pippi have as well, apart from being somewhat chaotic. And LouLou is quite a chaotic character too! She has grown on me, I kinda like her!
My favorite story here involved the story with the mummified hand and the naughty nuns…. That was actually a really good story! And LouLou really got to show both her bravery and resourcefulness in that one! And she was an active part of a team, so to speak, with Oscar and André, even if the adults were a bit hesitant to it.
My least favorite was the last one with the oracle/healer/soughtsayer. That one was just weird. Although LouLou’s studies and tests did help to solve that mystery too. Too weird for me though. Did Ikeda start to lose interest in these side-stories by this point, I wonder?
There’s also a story about dolls and smugglers, which is a pretty decent story as well, I will admit.
All in all though, this book was not at all as strong as the other four. The drama, romance, heartbreak and violence of the French Revolution is hard to beat, after all.
No one can take away the skill Riyoko Ikeda has as a storyteller and as an artist though. She excels in both.
It’s been a pleasure to read all of these books. THANK YOU my best friend for letting me borrow such gorgeous books!
January 10, 2024
I realized that I rated every individual volume of 'The Rose of Versailles' 4 out of 5 stars, yet I'd consider this to be a 5 star series. Weird.
Anyways, the main narrative of 'The Rose of Versailles' ended last volume and this last omnibus is a collection of side stories starring Lady Oscar's crime-solving niece. Admittedly, that does sound like a joke, but it works surprisingly well! These stories manage to carry on with the main series' themes about classism, mainly how the aristocracy preys on the common folk, as well as Oscar's choice to rebel against them once she realizes justice within the system is impossible since the government is designed to protect nobles. I don't think any of these stories are as good as the main narrative, but they're a good excuse to spend more time with these characters. I also think this is probably the best looking book of the bunch. Ikeda's linework is beautiful and these are probably the best renditions of Oscar and Andre.
Overall, I loved the time I spent with this series. Lady Oscar is such a cool and inspiring and relatable character. Recommending a series in the review of its last book seems kinda dumb, but I highly recommend this series to anyone reading this and think it sounds even remotely interesting. It's a seminal work in the medium for a reason!
Anyways, the main narrative of 'The Rose of Versailles' ended last volume and this last omnibus is a collection of side stories starring Lady Oscar's crime-solving niece. Admittedly, that does sound like a joke, but it works surprisingly well! These stories manage to carry on with the main series' themes about classism, mainly how the aristocracy preys on the common folk, as well as Oscar's choice to rebel against them once she realizes justice within the system is impossible since the government is designed to protect nobles. I don't think any of these stories are as good as the main narrative, but they're a good excuse to spend more time with these characters. I also think this is probably the best looking book of the bunch. Ikeda's linework is beautiful and these are probably the best renditions of Oscar and Andre.
Overall, I loved the time I spent with this series. Lady Oscar is such a cool and inspiring and relatable character. Recommending a series in the review of its last book seems kinda dumb, but I highly recommend this series to anyone reading this and think it sounds even remotely interesting. It's a seminal work in the medium for a reason!
December 21, 2025
3.5 stars for the entire collection
This is not a part of the original Rose of Versailles series, and you can opt out to read it, but I recommend it because LouLou is a dashingly fun character who goes on the most fun antics. There are also scenes with Oscar, Rosalie, and Andre during a time in the series when it wasn't so dramatic, so they are much more light-hearted and not traumatized yet. Some of these stories are better than others. Some of them are a bit too long, and some are not long enough. However, it's a light and fun read. You also don't have to read the original series to read these spin-off stories, so it's a good entry point for a manga reader who is not yet sure if they want to commit to the sweeping vastness of the historical epic that the Rose of Versailles is.
Ratings for Each Story:
4 stars: "LouLou and the Doll She Came With"
3.5 stars: "The Turkish Pirates and the Abess"
3 stars: "The Son of General De Jarjayes Appeareth?!?" and "The Devil's Toxin"
This is not a part of the original Rose of Versailles series, and you can opt out to read it, but I recommend it because LouLou is a dashingly fun character who goes on the most fun antics. There are also scenes with Oscar, Rosalie, and Andre during a time in the series when it wasn't so dramatic, so they are much more light-hearted and not traumatized yet. Some of these stories are better than others. Some of them are a bit too long, and some are not long enough. However, it's a light and fun read. You also don't have to read the original series to read these spin-off stories, so it's a good entry point for a manga reader who is not yet sure if they want to commit to the sweeping vastness of the historical epic that the Rose of Versailles is.
Ratings for Each Story:
4 stars: "LouLou and the Doll She Came With"
3.5 stars: "The Turkish Pirates and the Abess"
3 stars: "The Son of General De Jarjayes Appeareth?!?" and "The Devil's Toxin"
September 15, 2024
For fans of Rose of Versailles:
- Oscar & Andre
- Tribute
- Lady Oscar
And is finished , luckily there will be a new anime movie in 2025, cannot wait!
I loved this manga because it presented some serious and dark themes and also loved the romance between Oscar & Andre. I read also the little side stories and I totally loved them especially I liked the little niece of Oscar, she was so smart and witty.
Loved this scene that takes place before Andre loosing his eyes, those looks and tension, they are the bane of my existence:
Manga Page
- Oscar & Andre
- Tribute
- Lady Oscar
And is finished , luckily there will be a new anime movie in 2025, cannot wait!
I loved this manga because it presented some serious and dark themes and also loved the romance between Oscar & Andre. I read also the little side stories and I totally loved them especially I liked the little niece of Oscar, she was so smart and witty.
Loved this scene that takes place before Andre loosing his eyes, those looks and tension, they are the bane of my existence:
Manga Page
November 4, 2024
While this is just a collection of side stories, I was still happy to see our characters again, and sad to leave them. I can't believe I'm now done with this series... there will no longer be a new volume, and I'll never be able to experience this for the first time again *sobs*. I love Oscar so much, I wish I could get more of her.
The art style in this is quite different from the previous volumes, probably because there were about 10 years between them. I don't love it as much, but I could tell the artist had improved immensely in backgrounds - the settings were more detailed and prominent. The stories themselves were fun and engaging, but nothing too special. I like that they all involve a central mystery that we solve with the characters.
This feels like the end of an era, I'm sad. But I know I'll reread these books again, get more from the historical details and character interactions. Overall, I'm really happy I found this series this year, it's been such a joy to read it.
The art style in this is quite different from the previous volumes, probably because there were about 10 years between them. I don't love it as much, but I could tell the artist had improved immensely in backgrounds - the settings were more detailed and prominent. The stories themselves were fun and engaging, but nothing too special. I like that they all involve a central mystery that we solve with the characters.
This feels like the end of an era, I'm sad. But I know I'll reread these books again, get more from the historical details and character interactions. Overall, I'm really happy I found this series this year, it's been such a joy to read it.
August 31, 2023
A really sad volume, I cried throughout the whole story, but this volume really broke me. It's soo good you'll totally fall in love with The Rose Of Versailles once you read it. The way the fictional story is intertwined with the historic tragedy is just so beautiful, and you can easily learn about the French Revolution just by reading Oscar's sad, tragic and full of young love story. This exact series drove me into the current special interest I have for this Civil War that has occurred France LOL!
February 8, 2025
You can't help but shed a few tears reading this volume. I loved how Ikeda still managed to infuse poetic moments into this dramatic ending, but without ever descending into melodrama.
I'm really happy to have finally read this series. It is truly admirable how the author managed to insert fictional characters and storylines into the story of Marie Antoinette's life.
It is worth a lot both as a love story and as a historical work.
I'm really happy to have finally read this series. It is truly admirable how the author managed to insert fictional characters and storylines into the story of Marie Antoinette's life.
It is worth a lot both as a love story and as a historical work.
January 15, 2024
The actual story of The Rose of Versailles ends in volume 4. The collected short stories within this volume of manga focus mainly on the adventures of Lady Oscar’s niece, LouLou, and while it’s pretty cute and the art is lovely, I just wasn’t as interested in the stories.
March 22, 2023
Entertaining side stories that give us more Oscar, but I wasn’t overly invested in them like the main story. (More Oscar is never a bad thing.)
July 4, 2023
El peor de los 5 volúmenes. De hecho se trata de historias paralelas a la historia principal donde Lou Lou es la principal protagonista.
September 16, 2023
Side stories. Fun but later additions to the truly amazing original series in v.1-4.
January 3, 2024
Heartbreaking
March 3, 2024
The fifth and final volume contains some short stories, starring mostly Oscar's niece Loulou. They're OK but the overall spirit of those stories has nothing to do with the main series.
June 3, 2024
A collection of supplemental short stories taking place in medias res - oddly enough I found myself really enjoying these a lot. I wish Ikeda had done more of them!
September 20, 2024
3.5 - I’m glad I took a break from this series because the last book made me UPSET lol. These were nice, fun side stories that I had a good time with!
November 3, 2024
toda mi personalidad
February 22, 2025
I didn't expect to like Loulou so much but here I am. The style of drawing also changes since this was released way after the main story Line but I still loved it nonetheless.
February 13, 2026
my dumbass thought this would contain chapters of au or smthn ☹️☹️
February 8, 2021
Que mangázão incrível. Não é a toa que Oscar é lembrada até hoje como uma das grandes personagens femininas do mangá de todos os tempos. Ela é inspiradora e muito bem construída, assim como a obra em geral que me surpreendeu bastante.
O final trágico era esperado é claro, mas nem por isso menos emocionante. Todo o charme e força de Rosa de Versalhes vem da trajetória incrível da Oscar e (spoilers daqui pra frente!) ao vê-la morrer logo no início desse último volume, senti uma parte enorme da força narrativa se esvair. A partir daqui acompanhamos a rápida e cruel decadência da família real, que buscou todos os meios de escapar da revolução e não foi bem sucedida.
Até tive alguma empatia pelo sofrimento de Antonieta no final, mas não o suficiente para criar alguma compaixão diante do destino que a aguardava. No entanto, a autora foi bem sucedida em traduzir o drama e a agonia extremas que foram os últimos dias da família real, o que conferiu mais peso ao final da obra.
Enfim, Rosa de Versalhes é um clássico absoluto que traduziu com maestria um dos momentos mais emblemáticos da história francesa.
O final trágico era esperado é claro, mas nem por isso menos emocionante. Todo o charme e força de Rosa de Versalhes vem da trajetória incrível da Oscar e (spoilers daqui pra frente!) ao vê-la morrer logo no início desse último volume, senti uma parte enorme da força narrativa se esvair. A partir daqui acompanhamos a rápida e cruel decadência da família real, que buscou todos os meios de escapar da revolução e não foi bem sucedida.
Até tive alguma empatia pelo sofrimento de Antonieta no final, mas não o suficiente para criar alguma compaixão diante do destino que a aguardava. No entanto, a autora foi bem sucedida em traduzir o drama e a agonia extremas que foram os últimos dias da família real, o que conferiu mais peso ao final da obra.
Enfim, Rosa de Versalhes é um clássico absoluto que traduziu com maestria um dos momentos mais emblemáticos da história francesa.
February 14, 2022
Even though this installment isn't as dramatic as the previous ones I'm still giving it a high score due to the overall energy the series generated. This entire volume is side stories meant to take place in the series as a whole. It almost feels like an apology for the traumatic proper ending to the series (which was based partly on the French Revolution so it's not a spoiler to say things didn't turn out great for a lot of characters). Focusing on Loulou who seems to get into a bunch of trouble thanks to her mischievous nature, the stories allow her to get be a more comedic foil to Oscar and Andre and is part of the charm of the entire series. Having finished Rose of Versailles (I know there are a few more side stories but this is the main end to the collection), I can highly recommend anyone who is a fan of Manga and is looking to explore some of the more influential titles, needs to take the time to read all five volumes of this collection. You will not be disappointed.
June 11, 2021
The last volume of Rose of Versailles, and disappointingly, it's all side stories. I understand why these were collected separately. They were all published in 1984 and 1985, years after the original series had ended, and although they're set at a particular time, they have no bearing on the core story and barely reflect it. They also largely star Loulou, Oscar's very young, precocious niece, a character who can be just as annoying as fun. If you like Loulou or can just get past her, there are some decent mysteries here. The last one felt a little over the top in what the villain can accomplish, though. This volume is much shorter than the others, and the stories are pretty good, but if you skip reading this volume, you won't miss anything.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews