Anime has many stock locations and settings, from general public spaces, like schools and offices, to specific real-world cities. For instance, it isn't uncommon to see anime series set in Tokyo or Osaka; and many series will have their characters take a trip to Osaka Castle or other famous tourist destinations. However, a surprising amount of shows are set in France.
Anime set in France, or an alternative version of the country, has a long and fascinating history, stretching back at least to the 1970s. One of the first major series to be set in France was Riyoko Ikeda's The Rose of Versailles, which told a fictionalized story following Marie Antoinette and one of Versailles' royal guards, Oscar François de Jarjayes in the days before the French Revolution. After this, many other series set themselves in historic France, like 2006's Le Chevalier D'Eon, 2011's Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth, and 2015's Maria the Virgin Witch. There have also been shows set in contemporary France, like 2001's Noir and 2008's Nodame Cantabile: Paris-hen.
Why Is France Such a Popular Setting?
A big reason for France's popularity in Japan is the political relations between the two countries. Japan and France have had frequent interactions throughout history, and while this relationship has had ups and downs, it's been generally quite friendly, meaning that people of both countries have often been exposed to and taken ideas from the other's culture. This is especially true in the visual arts, where French and Japanese artists have been inspired by one another's works, leading to the French Japonisme movement, which would, in turn, lead to the Impressionist movement.
In the post-war era, many Japanese magazines would talk about France and French products. Often suggesting that appreciating or owning these products was a sign of being cultured. As international travel was both restricted and costly, these descriptions of France were the only things most Japanese people knew of the country. Because of this, a trip to France became a massive status symbol, a sign you had really made it, once again linking France with success in people's minds.
This was coupled with parts of French culture becoming more accessible to Japanese citizens. French films and art started to get imported and presented to the public, further shaping people's perception of the country. But, the restrictive nature of media at the time meant that this was all people saw of France, leading to people developing a romanticized image of the country. In the same way, many Americans today believe in a highly romanticized version of Japan. Due to their exposure to and love of Japan's media. Thus, many creators set their anime in France as they can use the public's already existing associations to help convey a specific tone or make the story feel more exotic.
The Enduring Influence From Rose of Versailles
Another big reason for a good deal of anime being set in France is the influence from The Rose of Versailles. Ikeda and the other members of the Year 24 Group transformed shojo manga into a genre that could be used to tackle serious social issues, with The Rose of Versailles being the genre's first commercial success story. It was so popular that, near the end of its run, Ikeda received hundreds of letters begging her to continue Lady Oscar's adventures. The manga also spawned an equally popular anime, and a stage production that's still performed today in front of sold-out theaters.
Rose of Versailles introduced swathes of people to this romantic vision of France, giving it a pop-culture ubiquity that led to other creators being inspired and using the setting in their projects. Rose of Versailles' use of Rococo design elements to convey a sense of time left an indelible mark on the shojo demographic. These design details are a massive part of the Lolita fashion subculture, further cementing the idea of historic France as a romantic and fashionable era that is the perfect setting for certain stories. In fact, Ikeda was awarded the Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur in 2008 because her work boosted the Japanese public's cultural awareness of France to such a massive degree.
It is always fascinating to see how culture flows from place to place, transforming as it does. Anime's fixation on France is a fantastic example of this. While some of these images of France are based in reality, they always have a romanticized edge. One that shaves away France's rough edges and leaves only an idealized beauty. Because this image of France is so ingrained in Japanese culture, it can be expected to see plenty more anime series set in France in the future.