Richard, the ambitious third son of the House of York, believes he is cursed, damned from birth to eternal darkness. But is it truly fate that sets him on the path to personal destruction? Or his own tormented longings? Based on an early draft of Shakespeare’s Richard III, Aya Kanno’s dark fantasy finds the man who could be king standing between worlds, between classes, between good and evil.
An uprising draws King Edward, with Richard at his side, to battle. The aftermath could result in a new king. But who will take the throne? If Richard has anything to say about it, it will be neither of his brothers.
Aya Kanno (菅野文; Kanno Aya) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist.
Former assistant of mangaka Masashi Asaki of Psychometrer Eiji fame, she made her debut in the January 2001 issue of Hakusensha's magazine "Hana to Yume" with Soul Rescue. Her works include Otomen.
This series continues to be sooo good! It follows history and the Shakespeare plays but takes big liberties here and there but this time I don't mind because it is so interestingly done. Full of plotting and counter-plotting and betrayals like the real deal. Of course the drama is amped up to the maximum.
There aren't many purely "good" characters in this, except Anne (who must be protected at any costs! ♥), most are willing to do dirty deeds to advance their agendas and many of them aren't given redeeming qualities really (like Elizabeth Woodville, here she's portrayed revenge-hungry and constantly scheming and that's it). Well, Henry VI is also a virtuous character but he's incompetent as a ruler.
It's all deliciously dark and dramatic and a fine addition to the retellings of Wars of the Roses.
Yla estoy viendo porqué todo el mundo se vicia tanto con esta serie: es tan adictiva como el mejor de los culebrones. Me mantengo en que la parte de politiqueos es una pasada, Richard y sus idas de olla me parecen geniales y, aquí, la parte romántica, mejor, mucho mejor.
Como tuviera el resto de tomos me los leía del tirón.
Oh no! Richard and Henry are beginning to realize each other's identity! King Edward is starting to go full Robb Stark! Warwick is starting to go Tywin Lannister!
The plot thickens! Warwick is looking for a puppet to control and George is just dumb enough to fall for it. It's kind of absurd how Richard and Henry haven't figure out each other's identities yet. I doubt Henry cares, but it'll definitely be a shock for Richard. We also see Richard's short-lived friendship with Anne Neville. The scene where they take Whitey the boar out ice skating is so cute. While Richard is right to suspect Warwick's motives, he ultimately lets his intense self-loathing get in the way of genuine connection.
Aquí la trama ya toma ese cariz de juego de tronos que la gente comentaba, es lo que tiene que ambas obras estén inspiradas en el mismo hecho histórico (la guerra de las dos rosas). Me da curiosidad también saber más de ese hecho histórico y lo que pasó.
So many political maneuverings. I may have fallen in love with Warwick and his schemes! Henry VI is still prettiest ikemen but Catesby is a close second.
Requiem of the Rose King, Volume 4 By Aya Kanno Reviewed June 21, 2022
Here we are, already up to volume 4 in this series, and things just keep getting better and better.
Warwick, angered at Edward’s choice of a wife, plots against the man he once helped gain the throne. Just like in real life, this Kingmaker goes to France and enlists the aid of the French king and Margaret of Anjou. Margaret tells him that she will accept him into the Lancastrian circle only if he marries his daughter, Anne, to her son, Edward.
Back at Middleham, Richard and Anne form a tentative relationship. But Richard, with his conflicted feelings about himself, hesitates to fully accept that she could truly like him for who and what he is. Later, Anne’s father informs her she is going to have to marry Edward of Lancaster (who has formed a strong fascination for Richard).
The uprising by Warwick and Lancaster ousts Edward from the throne. Secretly, Elizabeth is pleased. Richard, who was fighting at his brother’s side, is nearly captured himself but escapes by disguising himself as a woman, and an old comrade – Catesby, who had left service with the Yorks to become Lord Hasting’s man.
During all of this, Richard ponders who, in his opinion, would be the better king. His conclusion? It’s not Edward, and it’s not his other brother George. Yup, we’ve got the beginnings of raw ambition making itself known.
Also, in this issue, we are introduced to young Harry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham. Having recently read several novels that feature Bucky as a main character, it will be interesting to see how Aya Kanno handles Buckingham’s initial support of and then rebellion against Richard.
Here we have another action filled installment in this epic retelling of Shakespeare’s Richard III, close enough to the original to enable someone familiar with the story to follow along without much difficulty, yet with enough twists and turns to keep it from being stale.
As for the cover art for this one? That’s Edward IV, and it looks like there could be some bondage involved! But no, not really. Yes, Big Ed is taken prisoner and chained up, but not quite like this in the book. In this case, I think the cover is a big tease, meant to entice potential readers to buy the book. There is, however, an attempted rape that is not too terribly graphic but left me feeling uneasy for the character involved all the same.
This will probably be my last reading in this series for at least a little while, not because I don’t like it. I do!!! But because I’m going to have to wait until next month’s pension check to buy the next couple of issues.
The fourth volume of this manga, like the ones recreates an usual Richard, Duke of Gloucester, part monster and part sympathetic hero, playing a central role in a unique depiction the War of the Rose. Continuing the pattern of the first, second, and third books, Volume 4 is darkly beautiful, exciting, and laden with intrigue which feels very true to the time period.
As Richard sympathizer in love with the bromance I perceived existing between Edward IV and Richard, Duke of Gloucester, I found it hard to let that go. Costain’s histories have a strong hold on my vision of Richard and that relationship. It didn’t exist between Richard and his older brother in this manga. It’s between Richard and his father, shown in earlier volumes, developing and giving a direction to the darkness in this particular version of him. The romance between Richard and Anne Neville were all I could have wished for, tying in beautifully with the romance between Richard and Henry VI. The latter made me my jaw drop in shock, but I’m being drawn in, more and more.
Catesby was touchingly loyal, playing a particularly heroic role in this book. Warwick, George of Clarence, and Margaret of Anjou were all I’d imagined them to be, while Elizabeth Woodwille and Prince Edward of Lancaster continue to surprise me, yet remain strong and consistent in their driven, dangerous depictions.
Edward IV showed a sympathetic side in this volume which engaged me completely. The scenes between him, Warwick, and George were as tense and exciting as I’d ever enjoyed in historical biographies, bringing out the dramatic tension of those moments between Kingmaker and King, brother and brother. The manga-ka did a brilliant job of bringing to life one of the most exciting, dramatic, yet personal moments of the War of the Roses.
I’m captivated by this unique take on a period of history I’ve been enthralled with since I was 12 years old, using a medium I adore (shoujo manga with lots of yaoi and gender bending potential shimmering within the pages). I look forward to reading the next volume.
this one confused me. anne and richard had a cute moment then it was dismissed so quickly? I was enjoying that :/ the alliances Warwick formed kept changing and got confusing, tbh I think he's confused himself. Margaret although she doesn't have power truly likes to think to herself that she does. she is in no position to bargain yet she does lol.
from a political point of view this was really interesting, the alliances formed, who is going to be king uncertain.
what I didn't like was all these people having a crush on someone but not saying anything. the angst is killing me.
The fourth volume of this manga, like the ones recreates an usual Richard, Duke of Gloucester, part monster and part sympathetic hero, playing a central role in a unique depiction the War of the Rose. Continuing the pattern of the first, second, and third books, Volume 4 is darkly beautiful, exciting, and laden with intrigue which feels very true to the time period.
As Richard sympathizer in love with the bromance I perceived existing between Edward IV and Richard, Duke of Gloucester, I found it hard to let that go. Costain’s histories have a strong hold on my vision of Richard and that relationship. It didn’t exist between Richard and his older brother in this manga. It’s between Richard and his father, shown in earlier volumes, developing and giving a direction to the darkness in this particular version of him. The romance between Richard and Anne Neville were all I could have wished for, tying in beautifully with the romance between Richard and Henry VI. The latter made me my jaw drop in shock, but I’m being drawn in, more and more.
Catesby was touchingly loyal, playing a particularly heroic role in this book. Warwick, George of Clarence, and Margaret of Anjou were all I’d imagined them to be, while Elizabeth Woodwille and Prince Edward of Lancaster continue to surprise me, yet remain strong and consistent in their driven, dangerous depictions.
Edward IV showed a sympathetic side in this volume which engaged me completely. The scenes between him, Warwick, and George were as tense and exciting as I’d ever enjoyed in historical biographies, bringing out the dramatic tension of those moments between Kingmaker and King, brother and brother. The manga-ka did a brilliant job of bringing to life one of the most exciting, dramatic, yet personal moments of the War of the Roses.
I’m captivated by this unique take on a period of history I’ve been enthralled with since I was 12 years old, using a medium I adore (shoujo manga with lots of yaoi and gender bending potential shimmering within the pages). I look forward to reading the next volume.
Requiem of the Rose King follows Richard who is the third son of the Duke of York and living in a world where the Wars of the Roses is on the precipice of beginning. The way I am obsessed with this manga though. I love this manga so much. This is very much a manga for anyone who wants a mostly historically accurate depiction of the Wars of the Roses with its own spin on it. I love how the manga writer and artist has taken their own spin on this story. First off, I will always praise the art of this series. Look at the cover and you'll know how gorgeous the art is inside. The scenes are depicted so well that makes you feel as if you have been transported into the story. I really like where the story is going. It's following along with historical events very accurately with it's own twist with Richard and the semi-supernatural element of it. I really like seeing how this story is represented by the manga writer and artist. It makes this history so easily accessible and something you can fall into easily. You won't root for Richard as you know the bad things he does later in life but you do feel an interest in him. He's so intriguing to read about and while I feel for his character, I also am hesitant to say I like him since I know his future. I am loving how the manga writer is balancing that in this manga. Overall, I love this manga and I cannot wait to continue.
😱😱😱😱 🤩🤩🤩🤩 This is so good!! I love the character development. I am going to admit even being on the 4th volume there where a few times when I had to look in the beginning of the book to know which character was which...but that was only a few times!!! I LOVE THIS SERIES! Richard x Henry 🤣🤣 Maybe next volume??? But you know the Lancasters maybe killing his father would um affect that relationship...lol...I am little confused. Did he kill his father? HOPE NOT.
[EDIT- after reading next volumes: I understand now..lol - currently on vol 7]
XD Richard is so awesome though I don't care who he likes <3 I am really curious about Joan of Arc (the ghost girl). She seems really cool but has only appeared a few times through these four volumes. I wonder how she's there and how Richard can see her. Is it because he's supposedly a demon child? This series is so intriguing! I have so many questions...IN A GOOD WAY. I also love the way that people are dividing and going against each other. I hope Henry is in more of the future volumes! This volume is a amazing 5 stars!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Woow nos metemos en líos y traiciones de lo lindo. Anne y Richard me parecían muy monos juntos, me da mucha pena que la amistad tan bonita que tenían se rompa por un gran malentendido cuando Anne lo que no quería era aprovecharse de su amistad con Richard, que para colmo sí le ama y Richard piensa que nadie podría hacerlo. Las escenas con Blanco son super cucas.
Por otra parte George se está metiendo en la boca del lobo, Warwick va al sol que más calienta y en cualquier momento podría volverse también contra él.
El final de tomo es muy bueno y te deja con ganas de más. Me encanta Catesby por cierto ❤️ el dibujo sigue siendo espectacular!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Comienza un nuevo conflicto para la casa York, y en este tomo podemos apreciar los inicios y las causas de este incidente. Una vez más, el trono está en juego y ambas partes haran lo que consideren necesario para arrebatarlo.
Aparte de esta rencillas, tambien hemos podido ver una pequeña evolucion en Richard. Y es que se encuentra en duelo consigo mismo, entre otras cosas, porque no cree que alguien pueda quererlo como es.
También ha habido secudarios, como Anne o Edward, que han jugado un papel fundamental en el desarrollo de este tomo, dandoles a ellos también el protagonismo necesario para su construcción.
Characters 4| Setting 4| Plot 4| Art 5| Enjoyability 5
Rating: 4.4
This volume popped off!! It was so good! I love when the political maneuvering starts happening and oh boy did this volume just zoom with it. I enjoy Warwick moving his chess pieces around.
I also find it funny that everyone wants Richard and then Richard thinks he has a friend and then nope it's gone.
This volume did have so many misunderstandings and that was a little annoying, but I can forgive it for how good this volume did.
Also just wanna say the art was so good and symbolism of dead Richard was so good. Chef's Kiss.
Also I loved that Richard had a little boar as his heraldry. It was so cute!
dang, aya kanno really said women aint shit huh? i feel like i should read the plays and see if that's coming from there or not because it's really something how literally every woman in this except anne is a snake 😬 who hurt you after writing otomen aya kanno? it didn't have this problem
also richard needs a good therapist to convince him that sexuality doesn't dictate gender identity, my good dude, you can still be a dude even if you're bi
A finales de la Edad Media, las casas de York y de Lancaster se enfrentaron por el trono de Inglaterra en una sangrienta sucesión de contiendas, más tarde conocida como la Guerra de las Rosas. Richard, el hijo más joven de la casa de York, está dispuesto a cualquier cosa por sentar a su padre en el trono. Pero sobre él pesa una cruel maldición: Traerá ruina y destrucción sobre todo lo que ama.(Sacado de ramen para dos).
these ppl are all crazy for power but im enjoying the ride so i can’t complain. and the miscommunication 😣😣 help
also WHITEY IS SO CUTE i love him his little pose when they were going skating oml so cute 😭😭 ….and i spoke too soon abt Warwick. aha I’ll stick to just being on richard’s side LOL 💀 and anne is such a good charac, i hope she gets a good ending 😤 >>its sad to see the flashback of the brothers having fun in their youth but now… ;-;
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Els embolics de la cort s'intensifiquen, però hi ha certa calma abans que tot esclati. FASCINANT ❤️ Ficció històrica de l'edat mitjana anglesa, durant tota l'època de disputes per al tron entre les dues faccions dels Plantagenet (els York i els Lancaster) prèvia a la dinastia Tudor. M'ha agradat molt l'equilibri entre acció, èpica i desenvolupament de personatges, molt interessants i carregadets de traumes.
If you want some dramaful drama with a side of drama, this is perfect. Gothy period high stakes battles for thrones and hearts. Complete and utter trash. I love it. There is some squishy not perfectly handled gender stuff going on, but for me, it's not at dealbreaker level. The art is stunning. Get your Shakespearean slashfic here.
Ni Edward ni George son aptos pal reino, sólo Richard, bai. El conde este es bien manipulador, caray, aunque le salió mal la jugada de casar a sus hijas con los York.
La cuestión del tiempo es algo abrupta porque en el volumen pasado apenas se habían casado Edward y Elizabeth (?) y ahorita ya van para el segundo hijo jajaja.
Las traiciones continúan, tanto entre viejos enemigos como entre los de la misma sangre. La mezcla entre los momentos tiernos (el patinaje con Anne) y los más viles le dan ese equilibrio shakespeariano entre el bien y el mal, y Richard está en la cuerda floja entre ambas como buen protagonista de esta clase de dramas.