Requiem of the Rose King
Synopsis
Richard Plantagenet has dedicated his whole life to becoming strong enough to fight alongside his father, the Duke of York. Together they have waged war to reclaim the right to the throne of England from King Henry VI and the House of Lancaster. However, the young Richard hides a secret—one that his mother scorns him for, which the cruel voices in his head never fail to remind him of. Even amid his personal turmoil, he is fortunate to find solace in the light of his father's love. But when the War of the Roses takes a turn for the bloodier, the fervent ambitions of Richard grow while his old loyalties splinter, threatening to taint his family's path to glory. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is divided, with many praising the underlying story and themes but heavily criticizing the poor animation quality and rushed adaptation. Some appreciate the attempt at LGBTQ+ representation, while others feel the narrative execution falls short. Overall, the anime is considered a disappointing adaptation of a potentially compelling manga series, leading to a polarized reception.
Strengths
- The story is compelling and tragic, drawing viewers in despite flaws.
- The voice acting is well-done and the soundtrack is good.
- The anime attempts to represent intersex character Richard III
- The art style, particularly the backgrounds, is unique and aesthetically pleasing.
Weaknesses
- The animation quality is very poor, often relying on still frames and lacking detail.
- The story feels rushed, with significant content cut from the manga adaptation.
- Character designs are generic and uninspired.
- The pacing is inconsistent, making it difficult to follow for viewers unfamiliar with the source material.
- Significant changes from the play.