Nozomi Ent. to release classic anime as limited-edition DVD sets in 2013 and to conduct fan Q&A with creator Riyoko Ikeda; Viki to begin streaming series in December 2012.

GRIMES, Iowa, Sept. 12, 2012 – Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to announce the acquisition of The Rose of Versailles anime series from TMS Entertainment. Also known as Berusaiyu no Bara and Lady Oscar, The Rose of Versailles will be released via Right Stuf’s Nozomi Entertainment as two limited-edition DVD box sets in 2013. The series will also be streamed, beginning in December 2012, and made available exclusively to fans in the United States and Canada on Viki (viki.com), as part of the site’s growing anime lineup. This will be the first time the entire anime series will be available to English-speaking audiences in North America.

Additionally, Nozomi Entertainment wants fans’ questions for an upcoming Q&A interview with Riyoko Ikeda, the creator of The Rose of Versailles. Please submit questions, via the form located at the official series site (rov.rightstuf.com), by 4 p.m. CDT on Thurs., Nov. 1, 2012.

Right Stuf’s President and CEO Shawne Kleckner said, “The Rose of Versailles is one of anime and manga’s truly legendary and iconic stories. It is an honor and privilege to bring this beloved series to DVD, via Nozomi Entertainment, and work with TMS and Viki to introduce our English-subtitled translation of the anime inspired by Ms. Ikeda’s masterwork to North American fans. ”

“We’re thrilled to work with Right Stuf to bring The Rose of Versailles to fans in North America and add this famous title to our growing library of classic anime,” said Razmig Hovaghimian, Viki CEO. “The Rose of Versailles has been released several times in multiple formats in many European and Asian countries until now, but was never released in North America for the English-speaking audiences. I would like to thank the team at Right Stuf and Viki for making the North American The Rose of Versailles DVD and online release possible. When it comes to amazing shows, you never get tired of watching them, and I believe The Rose of Versailles is one of these shows. It would be a pleasure if the North American fans enjoy The Rose of Versailles as much as I have,” said Katsuki Masai, Deputy Manager of TMS Entertainment USA, Inc.

Set during the years preceding the French Revolution, The Rose of Versailles is a tale of romance and political intrigue that centers around Oscar François de Jarjayes, a young woman whose father has raised her as a man – and trained her to be an elite and skilled soldier – so she can succeed him as the commander of the palace guards.

The Rose of Versailles is based upon the best-selling manga (comic) by Riyoko Ikeda (Dear Brother, a.k.a. Oniisama e…), which was originally serialized in Shueisha’s shoujo (girls’) anthology magazine Margaret, from 1972 through 1973, and later collected into 10 volumes. In addition to its anime adaptation, it inspired a short story collection (also written by Ikeda), a French-Japanese live-action film, and multiple musicals staged by Japan’s famed Takarazuka Revue.

This 40-episode anime adaptation of The Rose of Versailles originally aired on Japanese television from October 1979 through September 1980. It features animation by TMS Entertainment, as well as direction by Tadao Nagahama (Romance Robot Trilogy) and Osamu Dezaki (Nobody’s Boy – Remi, Dear Brother, Aim for the Ace!).

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