Lady Victorian


Lady Victorian is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoko Moto. It was serialized in Princess magazine from 1998 to January 2007 and published as 20 volumes by Akita Shoten. Set during the Victorian era, the story follows the adventures of Bluebell Lily Everrose, nicknamed Bell, a young girl who travels to London to find a job as a governess.

Synopsis

When Bell comes to London, she hopes for a bright future. But fate plays a trick on her. While she is working for an unpleasant family, a dead body is found in her bag and she is arrested. Fortunately, she is rescued by the kind Mr. Noel Scott and Lady Ethel, whom she discovers later to be a man. After the incident, she comes across numerous events, which are either hilarious, dramatic, or romantic.

Characters

; Bluebell Lily Everrose
; Lady Ethel Constantia / Argent Gray
; Noel Scott
; Lord Martin
; Marquis of Leicesterberry
; Silverthief

Publication and story nodes

Lady Victorian was published for 20 volume tankōbon in Princess comics. The manga work contains several story motives or nodes. The motives are:
  1. The future of Bluebell Everrose. What ending will be brought to her career as a governess.
  2. In addition, does Bluebell marry. With whom does she marry, if she marries.
  3. The future of Argent Gray. He surely cannot continue to be Lady Ethel. How does this situation conclude.
  4. Does Argent continue to be a novelist.
  5. Why was he an orphan, if he wasn't abandoned by his parents. And then, who are his real parents.
  6. Where will the tale which Bluebell's father told to Argent in a workhouse reach to.
  7. The future of Noel Scott and his publishing house.
The manga story goes on through various episodes and human relations, along with these story nodes and questions, till the last, 20th volume.

Synopsis for each volume

Introductory information Volume 1
  • '''Volume 2'''

Reception

Ariko Kawabata mentions Moto that she is the artist who has been publishing the manga works set in Victorian era. Kawabata and Murakami talks "dark-side" Victorian manga. But there are also light-side manga for common girls. Moto Naoko is this type of manga artist, known for the various works, but which are historical stories in England. And Lady Voctorian is the representative work of Moto. This works is mentioned or analyzed by several peoples for its features.