Requiem of the Rose King has premiered on Funimation, and it's quite different from what the 2020s anime scene has given us so far. Based on a manga marketed a shojo - an underrepresented demographic lately, at least when it comes to anime adaptations - it has an aesthetic that will take you back a few decades. In an era of CGI and computer animation, this can be refreshing, though opinions will likely vary.
Below, you will find everything you need to know about the new J. C. Staff project, including the release date and time of Episode 2, where to watch, and everything else you need to know about Requiem of the Rose King!
Requiem of the Rose King: What Is It About?
Based on a supernatural manga by Kanno Aya, Requiem of the Rose King unfolds in the backdrop of the War of Roses. While it is primarily a work of fiction, the manga and anime draw on historical themes, including the struggle for the English throne.
Rather than deformed, as in other versions, Richard Plantagenet is intersex here. While he identifies as male, those around him refuse to see him as a man. Richard is treated by his mother as a cursed demon and grows to only believe in his ability to fight and kill. His only solace is his loving relationship with his father, the Duke of York.
Richard is plagued by visions of Joan of Arc, who tells him he'll bring ruin to everyone around him - and given that Richard III met a tragic ending, you can just about believe her.
In the first episode, Richard urges his father to keep fighting for the much-contested English throne. To his mother, however, Richard's encouragement is only a demon's silvered words. With a muted color palette and a lot of still and surreal imagery, episode 1 did a good job at visualizing Richard's dark inner world. His body is a source of conflict for him, due to others' prejudices, but, it is not the only thing to know about him. His justified anger and great ambition seem like ingredients for a tragedy that will be intriguing to watch.
Episode 1 also introduces Henry IV, and Anne Neville - who married the historical Richard III - who will come to play an important role.
As an English major with a keen interest in Shakespeare, I'm probably not the best person to give an impartial review. I thoroughly enjoyed the episode, particularly its gothic aesthetics and nostalgic, vintage feel. Richard kept my interest throughout.
In comparison, the historical events seemed a little rushed; if you blinked, you might have missed something. The manga might be a good companion to get a full understanding of the Shakespearean retelling. For all its faults, it has my full attention.
Requiem of the Rose King Episode 2 Release Date
The release date for Requiem of the Rose King Episode 2 is Sunday, the 16th of January 2022, in both Japan and elsewhere. Those who don't have a Funimation account will be able to watch it on January 23 but there will be a few ads.
Requiem of the Rose King Episode 2 Release Time
We expect Requiem of the Rose King Episode 2 to premiere on Sunday the 16th of January at 10:30 pm in Japan. If this timeline remains correct, here's how it translates in different time zones for Funimation release:
- Pacific Time: 5:30 AM
- Central Time: 7:30 AM
- Eastern Time: 8:30 AM
- British Time: 1:30 PM
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Requiem of the Rose King Episode 2 COUNTDOWN
Requiem of the Rose King Episode 2 Countdown
Just 5 days to go before Requiem of the Rose King Episode 2 hits our screens! Other anime to check this winter include Miss Kuroitsu and Orient.
Requiem of the Rose King Episode 2 Where to Watch
The licensor for Requiem of the Rose King hasn't been announced yet. Crunchyroll has a few spaces left in its lineup for Winter 2022, so we would expect an announcement within the next few days at the latest. When we have definitive information as to where you can watch Episode 1 of the anime, we will update this post with more information.
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