"The Rose King" is based on William Shakespeare's historical dramas, "Henry VI" and "Richard III," which are based on real events. The story centers on a fierce battle for the throne between two houses, and its anime adaptation, scheduled to premiere in January 2022, has garnered much attention. The author's dramatic and epic story, based on historical dramas, leaves many curious to discover who conceived and wrote it. In this article, we'll introduce the author and share information about his other works!

What is the story of "The Rose King"?

The Rose King anime poster

The story is set in medieval England. Richard, the third son of the House of York, was scorned by his mother and called the devil's son, but was favored by his father. Richard's wish was for his father, the Duke of York, who showered him with love, to ascend to the throne. However, Richard's wish turned England into a battlefield for the throne. Furthermore, Richard possesses both male and female characteristics, essentially a "hermaphrodite," but keeps this a secret from those around him. Richard, too, becomes embroiled in the battle while harboring a secret.

Author: Aya Kanno

Richard Image Poster

The author of "The Rose King" is Aya Kanno. She is a female manga artist born on January 30th, 1980, from Tokyo, and has blood type AB. She has been active as a manga artist since 2001, and was an assistant to Asamoto Masashi, whose notable works include Kunimitsu no Masa and Shibatoru. Kanno's debut work was Soul Rescue, which was serialized in the manga magazine Hana to Yume. She continued to focus on serialization in the same magazine, but in recent years has focused on serialization in Bessatsu Hana to Yume.

About Kanno's Other Works

Otomen Cover

Among Kanno's other works, "Otomen" is perhaps the most well-known. This popular manga, serialized from 2006 to 2013, depicts a high school boy who possesses a feminine heart but also masculinity. It explores themes of masculinity and femininity, and raises questions about their meanings with a touch of satire. In 2009, it was adapted into a TV drama starring Masaki Okada and Kaho as the heroine. In "The Rose King," Richard possesses both male and female characteristics, so I think the main character's characteristics are similar to those of "Otomen."

Kanno Celebrates His 20th Anniversary!

Kanno, who debuted in 2001, will celebrate his 20th year as a manga artist in 2021. To commemorate the 20th anniversary, a commemorative exhibition will be held at Tower Records in Shibuya in January 2022, right around the time the anime premieres. Original drawings from his masterpieces, such as "Otomen" and "The Rose King," will be on display.

About Mr. Kanno's Face Image

Question Mark

I searched the internet for Mr. Kanno's face, but no images of anyone resembling his were found. Searching for Mr. Kanno's name brings up several images of women. However, it's difficult to confirm that they are Mr. Kanno, and since I can't post images of other people, I've left them as unknown. Unlike actors and singers, manga artists don't always reveal their faces. Eiichiro Oda, the creator of "One Piece," also appears with his face hidden when appearing in the media. It seems that many artists avoid revealing their faces in order to protect the image of their work.

Kanno as an Illustrator

Illustrator

Kanno is also active as an illustrator. He is responsible for the illustrations in "After School Pedal," the official anthology of the popular cycling manga "Yowamushi Pedal," serialized in Weekly Shonen Champion. He also created illustrations for the anthology edition of the browser game "Touken Ranbu-ONLINE-," which gained attention for its anthropomorphization of famous Japanese swords.

Summary: Introduction to the Author of "Requiem of the Rose King"

Here's a brief introduction to the author of "Requiem of the Rose King." Kanno's works explore gender issues, such as masculinity and femininity, in light-hearted and sometimes serious ways. While The Rose King's main focus is the struggle for the throne, I think the issues surrounding masculinity and femininity, as well as the struggles of the protagonist, who is ambivalent, are also major points. I'm looking forward to seeing how these will be portrayed in the anime! That's all for today. Thank you for reading.

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