Italian
Today marks the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille, considered the true beginning of the French Revolution, but for many it remains the day we said goodbye to Lady Oscar
March 1, 1982, it was an afternoon like many others when these historic words echoed in our homes: “Great celebration at the court of France, there is one more girl in the kingdom.” We were listening to the theme song of a new animated series sung by the Knights of the King, a musical group founded by Riccardo Zara in the 1980s, specialized in creating theme songs, which later became their most famous hit.
Since then, the French Revolution has not been so difficult to study, on the contrary. Riyoko Ikeda conducted very thorough research before writing the Manga, and all the characters and events mentioned actually existed except for the two protagonists, Oscar and André. For at least everyone born from the 1960s onwards, the historical period in which Queen Marie Antoinette lived is the most well-known. Figures like Du Barry, Polignac, but also Cardinal de Rohan or Duke of Germain are well described and analyzed. Not to mention the scandal of the necklace. In just 40 episodes, we have seen how and why the French Revolution began. It’s hard to say, but it has certainly left a stronger impression than many hours in school. It is etched in the hearts of many.
Lady Oscar (original title: “Berusayu no bara” – the roses of Versailles), later adapted by Mediaset as “A Sword for Lady Oscar”, had just entered our lives like a bolt from the blue. It was the era of giant robots and the first Japanese cartoons available on television. “Candy Candy” had been the first heroine of the Shōjo Manga (comics for girls) to captivate us and make us cry with her adventures. But, despite her thousand trials, injustices suffered, and losses of friends, she did not impact us as much as SHE did.
Oscar François de Jarjayes was different. The sixth daughter of a French general (who actually existed), she is raised as a boy to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a general of the Royal Guard. From the very beginning in the service of the future Queen Marie Antoinette, we follow her adventurous escapades, court intrigues, and first love. And let’s face it, like all the ladies of the French court, we have all (men, women, and children) fallen hopelessly in love with her.
She, alone against the Duke of Germain or against the queen’s attackers. She who risks her life to save from the King’s wrath “her André,” the childhood friend and inseparable companion (and obviously always in love with her). We face her unrequited love for the Count of Fersen, the ball dressed as a woman, the growth of Rosalie, the little Charlotte. We all grow every day with her, knowing that the revolution is approaching. And in the meantime, we run and fight, with her and her magnificent white horse.
In the Italian version, we lose the beauty and the spoiler of the original themes. “Bara wa utsukushiku chiru – The roses wilt in beauty” the opening theme already prepares us for the inevitable end, and we hear its notes in the most significant moments of the episodes. The ending theme, on the other hand, describes André’s unrequited love and his complete sacrifice for her. “Ai no hikari to kage – lights and shadows of love”, the leit motiv of our beloved and the most tragic scenes. And his heart-wrenching scream “Oscaaaaar!” still resonates in our ears.
Oscar was our first love, the first woman we were inspired by. She taught us that you can be strong while also feeling emotions. To fight for the things we believe in even if everyone thinks they are wrong. She showed us that you can and must go against the tide. And then there’s André, the maid’s son, always by her side. Incredibly handsome but of humble origins. He would give his life for his beloved, and she, blind, continues undeterred in her mission. Fooling us all a bit, because raise your hand if you’re not still looking for someone like him!
Finally, on July 12, 1789, Oscar gives in and realizes he has always loved him, and we are there, with them in the middle of that meadow with fireflies. However, the revolution looms, and there are no words to describe how, even now after 43 years, our greatest childhood trauma remains in those last two episodes. Moments of tears and endless sobs. We are with her walking in the rain, we are there leading the people towards the Bastille, there watching the sky before the gunfire. And this reminds us how difficult and harsh life can be, sometimes rendering us helpless, leaving us without strength or hope.
But it’s never too late to open up to love.
And as every July 14th, a thought goes to you and to all that you have given us.
Thank you Madamigella Oscar, thank you André.
