Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

Requiem of the Rose King: When History Meets Pretty Boys

Peter Payne by Peter Payne
3 years ago
in Your Friend in Japan

While preparing my regular overview of what anime shows J-List will be paying attention to in the new season, I was happy to see Requiem of the Rose King, a manga based on the dramatic War of the Roses era of English history, was getting animated. Being an English major and fan of the works of William Shakespeare, I was happy to check out the show and see how this period of history would be translated into modern anime form.

Baraou No Souretsu The Requiem Of The Rose King

Requiem of the Rose King is the Richard III: The Anime

It’s the 15th century, and the houses of York and Lancaster are in fierce competition for the English throne. The story focuses on young Richard Plantagenet, the future Richard III, who urges his father Richard Duke of York to continue the fight for the throne of England, causing drama in his family. Where will they all end up?

The story departs from the familiar histories by Shakespeare in one important way: young Richard is an intersex character, neither entirely male nor female. As a result of this, he feels cut off from his family, and his mother despises him. The drama of Richard’s situation is quite intense and is a big part of why his story is interesting.

Requiem Of The Rose King

There was some fear that this aspect of the story might cause problems with certain corners of the Interwebs, though a quick gander at Twitter and Tumblr seems to show only positive responses to the story, which is good.  It should go without saying, but manga and anime are and should always be free to tell whatever stories they wish, just as fans are free to watch or not watch.

Baraou No Souretsu 1
Baraou No Souretsu 0
Baraou No Souretsu 3
Baraou No Souretsu 4
Baraou No Souretsu 5
Richard Iii From Requium Of The Rose King

You can’t tell a good story without good characters, and I find myself really liking Richard, as we see the struggles he’s up against. I’m looking forward to the complex story to unfold further, since this is the closest thing we’ll ever get to a BL version of Game of Thrones.

The Japanese Love to Study History Through Manga

Mrs. J-List believes she has an excellent grasp of history, because she read historical manga growing up, learning the details of the French Revolution through The Rose of Versailles, the era of Cleopatra and Mark Antony in Ouke no Monshou, and the tale of Genji Monogatari in Nante Suteki na Japanesque, which all make the details of history seem less difficult by blending them with interesting fictional tales. This strikes me as a great way to make history more accessible to as many people as possible

The Japanese also have a long history of jidai geki or period dramas, the most famous being the annual Taiga Drama, which takes an important era of Japanese history and turns it into a high-budget historical drama that runs all year. Viewership for each year’s Taiga Drama is very high, and always seems to bring Japan’s rich history closer to fans. I’ve always lamented that there are so few shows capturing the history of America.

(The big drama for 2022 is called The 13 Lords of the Shogun, and focuses on Kamakura Period in Japanese history, when Japan’s first military government was formed in the 12th century.)

Rose Of Versailles

Anime and Manga Have Always Featured Non-Standard Gender Roles

It’s always been a hallmark of anime stories to feature characters who break the traditional rules of gender or relationships. Some examples:

  • Oscar from The Rose of Versailles, who was born female but raised as a boy so she could take over as commander of the Royal Guards from her father.
  • Ranma from Ranma 1/2, who is cursed to change gender whenever he gets wet with cold or hot water. Ranma certainly opened a lot of minds back in the 80s.
  • The famous “cousins with benefits” from Sailor Moon, Haruka and Michiru.
  • Various shows, like Is This a Zombie? and Magical Girl Raising Project, give magical girl powers to boys, with interesting results.
  • Stories about people switching gender or body-swapping are also common, the most famous being Your Name, which caused some serious challenges when translating Japanese gender pronouns to English.

Really, there are so many examples of this kind of creativity in anime, it’s almost harder to come up with examples of shows that don’t feature some kind of twist.

Will You Be Watching The Requiem of the Rose King?

Thanks for reading this post about the new Requiem of the Rose King. Are you watching the show? Tell us below, or reply to us on Twitter!

Jlist Wide Adult Toys Jan14 Email

The J-List staff has been busy this week, posting fun new ero products to the site for you. We’ve got tons of new offerings, from official hentai toys based on your Imaizumi’s House Has Become a Hangout for Gals to “scented” products that make 2D girls real for you. Browse our fun new products here!

Tags: anime figuresanime magazinesDoujinshirequiem of the rose kingWilliam Shakespeare

More Posts Like This

The History Of Anime Figures Blog
Your Friend in Japan

The History of Anime Figures and J-List

by Peter Payne
12 months ago

J-List has been in business for an unbelievable 28 years, and the number of changes we've seen over the years...

Sample 59af6c20b39c8e3646b165584aeb3f88
Your Friend in Japan

10 Ideas For What to Get During the J-List $20 Holiday Coupon!

by Peter Payne
1 year ago

Christmas is finally here, and wherever you are in the world, J-List hopes you have a great special day with...

Caught Selling Bootleg Dakimakura Pillows?

Japanese Police Bust Bootleg Dakimakura Ring!

2 years ago
Most Embarrassing Otaku Moment

What’s Your Most Embarrassing Anime Otaku Moment?

3 years ago
The Top Anime Fan Service From Spring 2022 Season Blog

The Best Anime Fan Service of The Spring 2022 Season!

3 years ago
Nijojo Castle, Built In 1603

Tourism to Return to Japan! When Will You Plan Your Next Trip?

3 years ago
Next Post
You've Been In Japan Too Long When

The Ultimate 'You've Been in Japan Too Long When...' List!

Trending Today

Please Put Them On Takamine San PV2 5
News

The Power of No Panties, Please Put Them On, Takamine-san

3 months ago
Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime Web Cover
News

Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime and Where to Watch Them

2 months ago
Haite Kudasai, Takamine San Episode 4 Featured Image
Featured

Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san, Episode 4 — Choose Your Own Adventurous Lingerie!

3 days ago
Shock! Manga Artists Who Also Created Hentai
Your Friend in Japan

Shock! 15 Famous Manga Artists Who Also Made Hentai

1 year ago
Nin Koro Web Cover
Featured

NinKoro — How to Get Away with Murder Ft Busty & Kawaii Waifus

1 month ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
Happy News! J List's Fiscal Year End Sale Gives You The Best Anime Deals
Your Friend in Japan

Don’t Miss the Best Anime Deals in J-List’s Fiscal Year-End Clearance!

by Peter Payne
May 19, 2025

Fighting Words (and Spirit) Are Why You Should Watch Wind Breaker

Yandere Dark Elf, Episode 4 — Reverse Isekai Reunion Jams Up Love Nest!

Can Kowloon Generic Romance Awaken Nostalgia for a Past You Never Lived?

Criminals Beware Detectives These Days Are Crazy!

Makina-san a Love Bot?!, Episode 7 — I Swear It’s Eye Candy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.