Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. announced its latest acquisition today: shoujo anime classic The Rose of Versailles. The complete series will begin streaming in the United States and Canada on Viki in December, with two limited edition DVD sets to follow in 2013. 

The Rose of Versailles is based on the manga created by Riyoko Ikeda (Oniisama e, Dear Brother), which ran in shoujo anthology Margaret from 1972-1973. The 40-episode anime adaptation features the direction of Tadao Nagahama (Kyojin no Hoshi, Ulysses 31) in its first half, with Osamu Dezaki (Ashita no Joe, Golgo 13: The Professional, Space Adventure Cobra) picking up the rest.

Nozomi Entertainment is currently taking fans' questions for an upcoming Q&A with series creator Riyoko Ikeda. Questions can be submitted via the official series website.

Series description via Right Stuf's press release: 

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 has inspired a number of other adaptations beyond anime, including a short story collection written by Ikeda, a French-Japanese live-action film, and various musicals staged by Japan's Takarazuka Revue. 

© Riyoko Ikeda • TMS

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Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. His blog can be found at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter at @Moldilox.