Kiss of the Rose Princess | |
![]() Cover of the first volume | |
薔薇嬢のキス (Bara jō no Kisu) | |
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Genre | Romance, supernatural[1] |
Manga | |
Written by | Aya Shouoto |
Published by | Kadokawa Shoten |
English publisher | Viz Media |
Magazine | Monthly Asuka |
Demographic | Shōjo |
Original run | June 24, 2008 – January 25, 2012 |
Volumes | 9 |
Kiss of Rose Princess (薔薇嬢のキス, Bara jō no Kisu) is a manga series created by Aya Shouoto. The manga was published by Kadokawa Shoten and serialized in Monthly Asuka magazine on June 24, 2008. The English translation is published by Viz Media; it is the first volume released on November 4, 2014.[2]
High-school girl Anise Yamamoto is a normal teenager, save for a mysterious rose choker around her neck gifted to her by her father Schwartz, claiming that it was a protective amulet and if she ever took it off a "punishment" would be granted. A turn of mysterious events causes her to lose the choker, and in turn gain four coloured cards. With the help of her teacher Narumi Itsushi, she is introduced to the Rose Rhode Knights, four handsome knights that emerge when called by a kiss on their respective cards: red, black, white and blue. Anise is named the Rose Princess, the master of these knights, who are revealed to be her schoolmates Kaede Higa, Mutsuki Kuruma, Mitsuru Tenjō, and Seiran Asagi. As the Rose Princess, she was once tasked with commanding the Rhode Rose Knights to defeat the Devil that was once unleashed upon the world at the cost of her blood's strength (since the knights operate using it). As the Devil had already been sealed away, Anise utilises their power to help her find her rose choker before Schwartz finds out. Through these petty missions, she gradually develops close relations with each of them, each with their own differing personalities.
Anise's childhood friend Haruto Kisugi soon transfers into their school, but he is actually a spy for Schwartz and a former Knight with the title of Yellow Rose until his life force was used to create the Devil's Seal that locks away the Devil. Wrecked with jealousy and love for Anise, he informs Schwartz about her loss of the choker and the recent turn of events, causing the former to immediately return home. Seiran's identity as the Blue Rose is questioned as he reveals himself to be a homunculus created to replace Haruto after he had been betrayed by the remaining three Knights, and also to be the next sacrifice should the Devil's Seal ever crumble, which it has since Haruto had regained life mysteriously. The reason is later shown to be Schwartz's doing, and his aim is to destroy the Devil's Seal and unleash it, whilst the choker was designed to prevent Anise's identity as the Rose Princess from showing.
After convincing Seiran not to sacrifice himself, Haruto decides to sacrifice himself instead willingly to atone for his sins of previously trying to become the True Rose, the only Knight that will overpower the rest. To temporarily stabilise the Devil's Seal, Anise performs the True Contract with the four Knights, which increases each of their abilities and will continue to do so without using up blood through three "Awakenings" formed from the strength of each's Knight's bond with Anise. To restore the seal, they set out in search of fragments that were blasted away, in the form of Arcana Cards. Through the quest, they meet their new adversaries posing as the artificial replicas of each of them sent by Schwartz: idols Idel Suzumura and Yakoh Hazusaki, the Orange Rose and Lime Rose respectively; Mutsuki's former older brother Yocteau, the Grey Rose; Mikage Hiiragi, or Cinderella as their fake Rose Princess. Mutsuki also recovers his lost memories and faces Yocteau, the person he once loved the most.
After restoring all the Arcana Cards, the Knights also gain their own Awakenings with Anise, mostly to the third out of four stages or so. Anise's past is also shown as Schwartz is displayed in a more positive light. Returning to high school life with each of the boys, Anise no longer wears the rose choker, but wields the cards proudly and develops a romantic attraction to Kaede.