Detailed review and recommendation of The Requiem of the Rose King Overview "Requiem of the Rose King" is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Aya Kanno, which aired from January 9 to June 24, 2022. This work is a dark fantasy that depicts the suffering and growth of Richard, the third son of the House of York, against the backdrop of the War of the Roses in medieval England. Richard is called the "child of the devil" by his mother, and while he closes his heart, he continues to fight with his love for his father and his ambition for the throne in his heart. He also has a secret: he has two genders, male and female, and this conflict adds depth to the story. Broadcast information "Requiem of the Rose King" was broadcast on TOKYO MX, BS11, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, AT-X, etc. The specific broadcast schedule is as follows: - TOKYO MX: January 9, 2022 to June 26, 2022, every Sunday from 22:30 to 23:00
- BS11: January 12, 2022 to June 29, 2022, every Wednesday from 0:00 to 0:30
- KBS Kyoto: January 9, 2022 to June 26, 2022, every Sunday from 23:30 to 0:00
- Sun TV: January 9, 2022 to June 26, 2022, every Sunday from 23:30 to 0:00
- AT-X: March 4, 2022 to August 12, 2022, every Friday from 23:00 to 23:30
It was also available online, and was available on a variety of platforms, including unlimited viewing and pay-per-view. Unlimited viewing was available on Animehodai, ABEMA, au Smart Pass Premium, J:COM On Demand, TELASA, d Anime Store, dTV, Netflix, Bandai Channel, Hikari TV, Hulu, milplus, U-NEXT, and other platforms, while pay-per-view streaming was available on Prime Video, J:COM On Demand, TELASA, DMM.com, Niconico Channel, Hikari TV, HAPPY Video, Bandai Channel, Video Market, milplus, music.jp, Movie Full, Rakuten TV, and other platforms. There was also a streaming version with audio commentary, which allowed viewers to enjoy commentary by the cast. story During the Wars of the Roses in medieval England, the third son of the House of York, Richard, was born as the House of York and the House of Lancaster fought for the throne. His mother Cecily shunned him as the "child of the devil" and he closed his heart, but he lived with love for his father, Richard, Duke of York, and ambition for the throne in his heart. Richard's pure wish brought a storm of war to England, and he became caught up in the battle while hiding the secret that he was dual-gendered. Experiencing the warmth of love and the pain of despair, Richard set out down the path of "evil." Commentary "Requiem of the Rose King" is a work that depicts despair in the light and desire in the darkness. In the battle for the throne of medieval England, Richard is led by a cruel fate to confront his own darkness. The original work is "Requiem of the Rose King" by Aya Kanno, serialized in Akita Shoten's "Monthly Princess". In the anime adaptation, the wanderings of Richard's soul are beautifully depicted against the backdrop of the battle between York, the white rose, and Lancaster, the red rose. The director is Kentaro Suzuki of "Angels of Death", the series composition is by Yuki Uchida of "Merc Storia - Apathy Boy and Girl in a Bottle", and the animation was produced by JCSTAFF. cast The voice actors for the main characters are as follows: - Richard: Mitsuki Saiga
- Henry VI: Hikaru Midorikawa
- Tyrrell: Hikaru Midorikawa
- Richard, Duke of York: Sho Hayami
- Edward: Kosuke Toriumi
- George: Yasuaki Uchitomi
- Earl of Warwick: Satoshi Mikami
- Catesby: Satoshi Hino
- Cecily: Aya Hisakawa
- Buckingham (first season): Riho Sugiyama
- Buckingham (2nd season): Tomokazu Sugita
- Richmond: Akira Ishida
- Hastings: Atsushi Imaruoka
- Anne: Sayumi Suzushiro
- Edward of Midlam: Yuka Nukui
- Isabel: Ayumi Mano
- Margaret: Sayaka Ohara
- Elizabeth: Shizuka Ito
- Anthony: Haruki Ishitani
- Elizabeth of York: Manaka Iwami
- Prince Edward: Kohei Amazaki
- Louis XI: Hidefumi Takemoto
- John Gray: Chiaki Kobayashi
- Jack: Yuya Murakami
- Young Henry: Natsumi Kawaida
- Somerset: Taro Kiuchi
- Warwick's father: Tadokoro Hinata
- Warwick childhood: Emiko Takeuchi
- Prince Edward as a child: Mayuko Kazama
- Two Princes (older brother Edward): Hirose Yuki
- Two Princes (younger brother Richard): Aimi Tanaka
- Dorset: Atsushi Tamaru
- Gray: Junichi Toki
- Stanley: Hiroki Maeda
- Howard: Koji Okino
- Northumberland: Yasuto Saka
- Bishop of Ely: Koichi Souma
- Forest: Shota Yamamoto
- Oxford: Hiromichi Tezuka.
- Jane: Yuko Kaida
- Dowton: Tetsuro Noda
- Boy Catesby: Kotomi Aihara
- Richmond's mother: Mika Kanda
- Joan of Arc: Aoi Yuki
- Narration: Yoshitada Otsuka
Main Staff The main staff are as follows: - Original story: Aya Sugano "Requiem of the Rose King" (serialized in Akita Publishing's "Monthly Princess")
- Based on: William Shakespeare's "Henry VI" and "Richard III"
- Director: Kentaro Suzuki
- Series composition, script: Uchida Yuuki
- Character design: Hashizume Chikara
- Art Director: Kentaro Izumi
- Color design: Mayumi Tanahashi
- Director of Photography: Akihiro Takahashi
- Sound Director: Miwa Iwanami
- Music: Sachi Otani
- Music Production: Lantis
- Animation Production: JCSTAFF
- Produced by: Requiem of the Rose King Production Committee (Bandai Namco Filmworks, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, Akita Shoten, Bandai Namco Music Live, JCSTAFF)
Main Characters The details of the main characters are as follows: First season- Richard: The third son of the House of York. Growing up, he was shunned by his mother Cecily as the "child of the devil," so he has a tightly closed heart and is often haunted by visions of the French witch Joan of Arc. He adores his father, Richard, Duke of York, and more than anyone else, he hopes that his father will ascend to the throne. During the battle with the House of Lancaster, he meets a mysterious young shepherd and finds peace of mind he has never felt before. He keeps his dual gender identity a secret, a secret that is not even known to his siblings.
- Henry: A mysterious young man whom Richard, who was held captive by the Lancaster family, met in the forest. He calls himself a shepherd and lies happily on the fallen leaves, saying, "Here, unlike under the canopy, I have no terrible dreams."
- Henry VI: A young man whom Richard, who was captured by the Lancaster family, met in the forest. His true identity was the head of the Lancaster family, King Henry VI of England at that time. A devout Christian, he was too kind to live in an age of war. Despite not liking fighting, he was dragged by his wife, Queen Margaret, into fighting against the House of York. He told Richard that he was a shepherd, and they parted ways without knowing each other's true identities.
- Richard, Duke of York: Father of three brothers. Kind and dignified, he was a "light in the darkness" to his son Richard, who inherited the same name. He decided to fight alongside the Earl of Warwick to regain the throne that had been usurped by the House of Lancaster.
- Edward: The eldest son of the House of York. He charms those around him with his cheerful, positive personality and outstanding beauty. He has a weakness for women. During the battle with the House of Lancaster, he becomes aware of his role as the eldest son of the House of York and deepens his bond with the Earl of Warwick.
- George: The second son of the House of York. He has a straightforward personality and is kind to Richard, but he can also be a bit shallow. He finds himself walking an unexpected path in the midst of political struggles.
- Earl of Warwick: A strategist for Richard, Duke of York. He supported the war against the House of Lancaster, and then worked hard to make his eldest son Edward king, becoming deeply involved in the war between the House of York and the House of Lancaster as a kingmaker. He has two daughters, Anne and Isabel.
- Catesby: Richard's caretaker since he was born. He works behind the scenes to protect Richard. He is one of the few people who knows the secret of Richard's body.
- Queen Margaret: Queen of Henry VI and mother of Prince Edward. She does not like fighting and looks down on her husband who lacks the spirit of a king, and takes command of the war against the House of York. The relationship between the couple is cold.
- Prince Edward: Henry VI's son. Unlike his introverted father, he has a self-centered but lovable personality. He meets Richard in a way that is different from Henry's and is attracted to him, which leads to a major change in his fate.
- Anne: The eldest daughter of the Earl of Warwick. Although she has a quiet personality, she is skilled in hunting and horse riding, rivaling any man. She met Richard when she was young and developed a slight crush on him, but her feelings were at the mercy of an irresistible fate.
- Isabel: The second daughter of the Earl of Warwick. She has a proactive personality, the polar opposite of her quiet older sister Anne. The changes in her father's circumstances will have a major impact on her life.
- Elizabeth: A woman who is favored by Edward. She appeals to Edward directly to return her late husband's lands to him, which is when he notices her. However, her true aim is to destroy the House of York in order to avenge her late husband.
- Cecily: Wife of Richard, Duke of York, and mother of three brothers. She calls her youngest son Richard the "child of the devil" and hates him as someone who brings misfortune. Her words and behavior are eating away at Richard's heart.
- Buckingham: Duke. He meets Richard at a party and becomes interested in him. He is good at reading the political situation and tells Richard, "It would be interesting if I were your kingmaker."
- Joan of Arc: A French witch who was burned at the stake for "dressing as a man." She is said to live deep in the forest, and often appears before Richard as a ghost, beguiling him with words that seem to see into his heart.
2nd season- Richard: The third son of the House of York and Duke of Gloucester. He distinguished himself in the war against the House of Lancaster, and is currently the ruler of the north of England, entrusted to him by Edward IV. He has one son, Edward, with his wife Anne, but they are not related by blood. He was neglected by his mother Cecily as he grew up, and was deeply hurt in battle, so he has closed his heart tightly. After witnessing the decadence of his brother Edward IV and the weakness of George, he begins to determine where his own destiny lies. He keeps the fact that he has two genders a secret.
- Edward IV: After winning the war against the Lancastrians, Edward IV established his position as King of England. He has a daughter, Bess, and two young sons with his wife Elizabeth, but he remains a womanizer by nature. An ominous reading from a fortune teller casts a large shadow over his future.
- George: The second son of the House of York and Duke of Clarence. His wife, Isabel, is Anne's sister and is currently pregnant. They have one son. He is unhappy that his lands were reduced by Edward IV and given to Richard, and he spends his days drinking heavily.
- Catesby: He served as a caretaker to Richard when he was a boy. He currently works at the royal court as a subordinate to Hastings, an aide to Edward IV, but is loyal to Richard and the House of York. He is one of the few people who know the secret of Richard's body.
- Anne: Richard's wife. She lives a peaceful life with Richard, but that's just on the surface. Although she cares deeply for Richard, she lives her days with a deep sense of resignation.
- Isabel: Anne's younger sister. She marries George and has a son and a daughter. Her determination to follow George even at the cost of betraying her father, the Earl of Warwick, determines her destiny.
- Elizabeth: Queen of Edward IV. She gave birth to two sons with Bess. As she witnesses Jane's change of heart in the king's favor, she fears that her own power may decline, but as long as she has two sons, she no longer needs the king's favor.
- Cecily: Wife of Richard, Duke of York, and mother of three brothers. She calls her youngest son Richard the "child of the devil" and hates him as someone who brings misfortune. Her words and behavior are eating away at Richard's heart.
- Buckingham: An ambitious man who becomes Richard's kingmaker. When Richard orders him to lend him his strength, he demands that he swear that he has nothing to hide. They carry out various schemes together to realize Richard's ambitions, and are bound by an irreplaceable bond as a community of shared destiny.
- Joan of Arc: The ghost of a French witch who was killed for the crime of cross-dressing. She hadn't appeared before Richard for a long time...
- Tyrrell: A mysterious assassin with a scar over his left eye. No one knows his real name.
- Jane: She uses her seductive charms to ingratiate herself with Edward IV and corrupts the court with her use of dubious drugs.
- Richmond: A surviving Lancastrian. Although he acts like a clown, he secretly plots to become king, stirring up trouble in England.
- Edward of Midlam: Child of Richard and Anne. Actually the son of Anne's ex-husband, Prince Edward.
- Bess: Daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth. She hates being called by her mother's name, so she makes everyone around her call her "Bess." She has a cheerful and fearless personality. She can also be reckless, like sneaking out to commoner towns. She is attached to Richard.
- Two Princes (Older brother Edward and Younger brother Richard): Sons of Edward IV and Elizabeth.
- Anthony: Elizabeth's younger brother.
- Dorset: Son of Elizabeth and John Grey. Grey's brother.
- Grey: Son of Elizabeth and John Grey. Brother of Dorset.
subtitle The subtitles and broadcast dates for each episode are as follows: - #1: Wars of the Roses (2022/01/09)
- #2: Father Is My Light (2022/01/16)
- #3: I Am the Shadow, the Darkness Behind the Light (2022/01/23)
- #4: I'm Afraid I'm Going to Lose the Answers I've Gotten and...Everything Else. (2022/01/30)
- #5: If I Don't Grab Your Hand, I Won't Have to Let Go. (2022/02/06)
- #6: A man who has no awareness as king... A man who is not qualified to be king... Neither of them is fit for the throne. (2022/02/13)
- #7: Even if I sin... (2022/02/20)
- #8: Even alone, it wasn't frightening. Rather...the loneliness has been kind ever since losing Father. (2022/02/27)
- #9: I remember when Christmas was approaching. The time when I lost Father. (2022/03/06)
- #10: My name is Richard Plantagenet. (2022/03/13)
- #11: That is my... my punishment... (2022/03/20)
- #12: Richard is dead, died alone in the woods that day. (2022/03/27)
- #13: After all, this body is just a prison of the soul... (2022/04/10)
- #14: Good night. Brother. (2022/04/17)
- #15: If you hide it, you won't feel sad. (2022/04/24)
- #16: The devil has the devil's way. (2022/05/01)
- #17: Because God has chosen this bloody demon. (2022/05/08)
- #18: Your name. (2022/05/15)
- #19: I will protect Edward. That child is my son. (2022/05/22)
- #20: The light is overhead. (2022/05/29)
- #21: It should still be in time now. (2022/06/05)
- #22: Use your head more, damn brat. Don't die even if you are weak. (2022/06/12)
- #23: Mother...... Goodbye. (2022/06/19)
- #24: Requiem of the Rose King (2022/06/26)
Related Titles The following works are related to "Requiem of the Rose King." - Requiem of the Rose King Season 1 Digest ~Meetings and Partings~
Theme songs and music The theme songs and insert songs are as follows: OP1- I am infatuated with roses
- Lyrics: Arika Takano (ALI PROJECT)
- Composer: Takuya Sakai (Arte Refact)
- Arrangement: Yasushi Kawai (Arte Refact)
- Vocals: Shin Furukawa
OP2- Thorn Rondo
- Lyricist: Yoshie Isotani
- Composer: Yasushi Kawai (Arte Refact)
- Arrangement: Yasushi Kawai (Arte Refact)
- Vocals: Shin Furukawa
ED1- nightmare
- Lyricist: ZAQ
- Composer: ZAQ
- Arrangement: Tomohisa Ishikawa
- Sung by: ZAQ
ED2- spiral
- Lyricist: Yusuke Shirato
- Composer: Yusuke Shirato
- Arrangement: Yusuke Shirato
- Sung by: Nowlu
Evaluation "Requiem of the Rose King" is a work that skillfully combines dark fantasy with a historical background. Richard's inner conflict and growth are carefully depicted, drawing the viewer in. In particular, the setting of Richard having two genders adds depth to the story and offers the viewer a new perspective. In addition, while faithfully recreating the atmosphere of the original work, the expressiveness unique to anime further enhances its appeal. The character designs and art are also very beautiful, and Richard's facial expressions and movements in particular visually express his inner thoughts. The voice actors are also impressive, and Mitsuki Saiga's performance as Richard expresses the character's inner thoughts in a way that resonates with viewers. Music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story, and the opening and ending songs further enhance the worldview of the work. The story unfolds at a good pace, so viewers will not get bored. In particular, the scenes where Richard's love for his father, his ambition for the throne, and the conflict that comes with having two genders intersect will move viewers' hearts. In addition, the relationships and psychological descriptions of each character are carefully drawn, deeply moving viewers. Recommendation Requiem of the Rose King is highly recommended for fans of dark fantasy and historical dramas. It is also recommended for those who like works that depict the inner conflict and growth of characters. The story of Richard will give viewers a lot to think about and will move them. In addition, the beautiful character designs and music will satisfy those who value the visuals and sound of anime. There are many ways to watch it, and it can be enjoyed on various platforms, including unlimited viewing and pay-per-view. In particular, the streaming version with audio commentary is recommended for those who want to understand the work more deeply, as you can enjoy the work while listening to the cast's commentary. Overall, Requiem of the Rose King leaves a strong impression on viewers with its deep storyline, beautiful visuals, and stellar cast and music. I highly recommend giving it a watch. |
