The Rose of Versailles Manga Volumes: Full Guide

The Rose of Versailles (ベルサイユのばら) is one of the most important romance manga ever created — and collecting it in English requires some navigation. The short answer: 14 Japanese volumes and 5 English hardcover omnibus editions that cover the original story. Below, we’ll break down every volume, what’s available in English, and what’s still Japanese-only.

Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the series tells the story of Oscar François de Jarjayes — a woman raised as a man to serve as commander of the Royal Guard — and her deep, evolving bond with André Grandier, alongside the tragic fate of Marie Antoinette. Created by Riyoko Ikeda (池田理代子), this series helped define what shoujo manga — manga aimed at a young female audience, known for emotional depth and character-driven storytelling — could be. Sweeping historical drama, political intrigue, gender identity, sacrifice, and one of the most heartbreaking romances in manga history.

But figuring out how to actually collect it in English? That’s where things get a little confusing. The Japanese edition has 14 volumes. The English edition has 5. Some material has never been translated.

How Many The Rose of Versailles Manga Volumes Are There?

The short answer: 14 Japanese volumes total, and 5 English hardcover omnibus editions (an “omnibus” collects multiple smaller volumes into one larger book) that cover the original story.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Volumes 1–10 (Japanese): The original manga, which ran chapter by chapter in the magazine Weekly Margaret — a weekly manga magazine published by Shueisha, one of Japan’s biggest manga publishers — from 1972 to 1973. This is the core story: Oscar, André, Marie Antoinette, the French Revolution, all of it. These 10 volumes contain chapters 1–82 plus bonus side stories and represent the complete original saga.

• Volumes 11–14 (Japanese): Called the “Episode” storyline, these were published decades later, between 2014 and 2018. They contain side stories and epilogue material that expand on the original cast. Think of them as a companion set rather than a direct continuation of the main plot.

• English Deluxe Hardcovers (5 volumes): Published by Udon Entertainment, these omnibus editions cover the content of the original 10 Japanese volumes — chapters 1–82 plus side stories. Each hardcover collects roughly two Japanese volumes’ worth of material into a single, larger book. That’s why there are only 5 English volumes instead of 10 — same story, fewer physical books.

The Episode storyline (volumes 11–14) has not yet appeared in English. Udon Entertainment has licensed them for English release as a two-volume hardcover omnibus series, but as of this writing, no volume has been released. Check Udon’s announcements for the latest availability.

The series is fully complete. The original manga wrapped up in 1974 with the end of volume 10. The Episode companion storyline concluded in 2018 with volume 14. There are no new volumes forthcoming.

So if you’re collecting in English, your target is straightforward: five hardcover books, and you have the entire original story.

The Easiest Way to Collect the Full English Set

The 5 Udon Entertainment deluxe hardcover omnibus editions are the definitive way to read The Rose of Versailles in English. There’s no competing paperback line or digital-only release to choose between — these hardcovers are it.

A few things worth knowing before you start buying:

These are premium collector editions. We’re talking oversized hardcovers, not pocket-sized paperbacks. They look gorgeous on a shelf. They also carry a higher list price than typical manga volumes — each volume has an MSRP noticeably above a standard manga paperback, and a full set of five represents a meaningful investment. This is a collector-grade presentation for a classic series, and the pricing reflects that. Check current retail listings to confirm exact pricing, as it can vary.

Each volume collects approximately two Japanese volumes’ worth of content. So you’re getting a substantial amount of story per book. Five purchases and you’re done with the complete original run.

Availability can fluctuate. Because these come from a smaller specialty publisher — rather than one of the massive manga publishers like Viz Media or Kodansha (the companies behind most of the manga you’ll see on bookstore shelves) — individual volumes sometimes go in and out of stock at major retailers. If you spot all five available at once, that’s a good time to grab them. If a particular volume is temporarily unavailable, checking back periodically or looking at secondhand markets usually turns one up.

All five together give you the complete original story — from Oscar’s youth and Marie Antoinette’s arrival at Versailles through the fall of the Bastille (the pivotal 1789 storming of a royal fortress that marked the beginning of the end for the French monarchy) and its devastating aftermath. Nothing from the core narrative is missing.

Volume-by-Volume Breakdown

English Deluxe Hardcover Editions

Here’s a spoiler-light overview of what each volume covers, so you know what you’re getting into:

Volume 1 opens the saga. We meet Oscar François de Jarjayes — raised from birth as a boy by her father, trained as a soldier, and appointed to the Royal Guard. Meanwhile, a young Marie Antoinette arrives in France for her arranged marriage to the future Louis XVI. The world of Versailles unfolds in all its beauty and cruelty, and the stage is set for everything that follows. Oscar’s childhood companion André Grandier is here from the start, and you’ll already feel the weight of the bond between them.

Volume 2 deepens the court intrigue. Oscar navigates the impossible tensions of duty, loyalty, and her own identity within Versailles’ power structure. Marie Antoinette’s naivety begins to collide with political reality. Real historical scandals — including the Affair of the Necklace, a notorious scheme involving a forged purchase of an extravagant diamond necklace that damaged the queen’s reputation — weave through the fictional narrative, and Oscar’s position becomes increasingly complicated, caught between the crown she serves and her growing awareness of France’s suffering.

Volume 3 is where the romance between Oscar and André moves to the foreground. Against a backdrop of escalating political tension — the bread shortages, the growing fury of the common people — their relationship deepens in ways that are achingly restrained and beautifully drawn. Ikeda handles their dynamic with such care: two people who have known each other their entire lives, slowly reckoning with feelings that neither protocol nor circumstance will easily allow.

Volume 4 is the saga’s climax — and it earns every bit of its reputation. The French Revolution crashes into the story with full force: the storming of the Bastille, Oscar’s most consequential choices, and the fates of Oscar, André, and Marie Antoinette all converge. Without spoiling specifics — this ending is legendary in manga history for good reason. It’s devastating, it’s beautiful, and it delivers on the promise of everything that came before. Bring tissues — this one hits hard.

Volume 5 rounds out the English collection with epilogue material. Rather than continuing the main narrative, this volume collects the 1984–85 side stories known as The Great Detective Loulou — lighter, standalone tales set in the world of the original saga. They’re a charming coda that offers one last window into this universe after the emotional intensity of Volume 4. The core story reaches its definitive ending in the previous volume; these stories are a bonus for readers who aren’t ready to leave.

Japanese-Only Volumes — The Episode Storyline (Vols 11–14)

Published between 2014 and 2018 — roughly four decades after the original run — these four volumes return to the world of Versailles with side stories and epilogue material. They expand on members of the original cast, offering new perspectives and filling in gaps.

These are companion pieces rather than a direct sequel. The original story’s ending stands on its own. The Episode volumes offer additional time in this world for readers who want more after finishing the main story — but your experience of the core narrative won’t be incomplete without them.

The important caveat: no English edition of the Episodes has shipped as of this writing, though Udon Entertainment has licensed them for English release as a two-volume omnibus. If you want to read them now, you’ll need to import the Japanese editions or find them through Japanese digital manga platforms. For readers who don’t read Japanese, this is a current gap in the English-language catalog — but an official English edition may be forthcoming, so check Udon’s release announcements for updates.

Out-of-Print Risks and Where to Find Copies

Because the English hardcovers come from a smaller specialty publisher (Udon Entertainment) rather than the largest manga companies, availability can be less predictable than what you’d get with a mainstream ongoing series. Here’s what that means for collectors:

New copies may go in and out of stock. Individual volumes sometimes show as temporarily unavailable at major retailers, then reappear weeks or months later. This is normal for this kind of collector edition — it doesn’t necessarily mean the book is permanently out of print, but it does mean you might need patience.

If you see all five available new, consider acting on it. Waiting for a “better time” can sometimes mean finding volume 3 out of stock when you come back. The complete set is much more satisfying than a partial one with gaps.

Secondhand and used markets are worth checking. Because these are hardcovers built to last, used copies tend to be in good shape. Online communities dedicated to buying and selling used manga — such as r/mangaswap on Reddit — along with used bookstores and major online secondhand sellers all regularly have copies circulating.

The Udon Entertainment hardcovers are the first official commercial English-language manga release of The Rose of Versailles. An earlier English-language version did exist — a translation by Frederik L. Schodt published in the early 1980s by Sanyusha — but it was produced as instructional material for Japanese readers learning English, not as a consumer manga release aimed at English-speaking fans. It is not an alternative edition for collectors. The Udon hardcovers are the definitive English edition.

For the Episode storyline (volumes 11–14), Udon Entertainment has licensed an English two-volume hardcover omnibus, but no volume has been released as of this writing. Check Udon’s release announcements for availability updates.

A practical tip for restocks: Many major online retailers let you set up notifications for when an out-of-stock item becomes available again. Free stock-tracking tools can also alert you when a listing goes live. It’s worth setting these up if a particular volume is hard to find — it saves you from having to manually check every few days.

Is the Series Finished — Will Your Collection Stay Complete?

Yes. Completely, unambiguously finished.

The original Rose of Versailles manga finished its magazine serialization in 1973; the final collected volume (volume 10) was published in May 1974. The story of Oscar, André, and the French Revolution reaches a definitive ending. There are no cliffhangers, no “read the sequel to find out what happens” situations. The narrative is whole.

The Episode companion storyline — those Japanese-only volumes 11–14 — also concluded in 2018. These were always conceived as supplementary material rather than an ongoing continuation, and they’ve wrapped up as well.

There are no new manga volumes forthcoming. Your collection of the 5 English hardcovers will remain the complete English-language set of the original story for the foreseeable future.

A 2025 theatrical anime film produced by MAPPA was released in Japanese theaters on January 31, 2025, and became available on Netflix on April 30, 2025. This is an adaptation project, not a signal that new manga content is being produced. The manga itself is done.

This is actually one of the great advantages of collecting The Rose of Versailles manga volumes — you’re not chasing an ongoing series where you need to keep buying volumes every few months. Five books and you’re finished. The story is all there, beginning to end, and it’s not going to change on you.

Who Should Collect The Rose of Versailles

You’ll love this if:

• You want classic shoujo romance at its absolute peak. The relationship between Oscar and André is one of manga’s most iconic love stories. It’s slow-burning, emotionally complex, and devastating in the best way. Few manga romances written in the decades since have matched it for sheer emotional weight.

• You enjoy romance woven into real historical events. This isn’t history with a romance subplot tacked on, and it isn’t a romance that happens to be set in the past. The personal and political are genuinely inseparable here — Oscar and André’s story is the French Revolution’s story, and vice versa.

• You appreciate beautiful classic manga art. Ikeda’s artwork is from the early 1970s shoujo tradition — sweeping page layouts, flowing hair, intensely expressive eyes, detailed period costumes. It’s a visual style that feels distinctly different from modern manga, and the oversized hardcover format shows it off beautifully.

• You want something to display. The hardcover editions are genuinely gorgeous physical objects. They make a striking shelf display and work wonderfully as a gift for someone who appreciates manga classics.

• You like your collections complete. No waiting for the next volume. No worrying about whether the series will get cancelled. Five books, one legendary story, done.

This might not be your pick if:

• You’re looking for a light, funny rom-com. The Rose of Versailles is epic, tragic historical romance. It’s got moments of warmth and even humor, but its emotional register skews toward drama, sacrifice, and heartbreak.

• You have zero patience for older art styles. The 1970s shoujo aesthetic is beautiful, but it is unmistakably of its era. If you find that style hard to connect with, you might struggle here. That said — many readers who thought they wouldn’t enjoy classic manga art found themselves completely absorbed once the story took hold.

• You want the entire Episode storyline in English right now. Udon Entertainment has licensed the Episodes for English release as a two-volume omnibus, but no volume has shipped as of this writing. The core story is 100% available in English and stands perfectly on its own. The Episode volumes are a bonus, not a requirement.

The Rose of Versailles isn’t just a landmark shoujo manga or a landmark romance manga — it’s one of the great manga, period. The Udon Entertainment hardcover English editions make it more accessible than it’s ever been for English-speaking readers. Five volumes, one unforgettable story, and a complete collection you can hold in your hands.