View source for Princess Knight

{{Short description|Japanese manga series by Osamu Tezuka}}
{{About|the [[Osamu Tezuka]] manga|the [[Nickelodeon]] series|Nella the Princess Knight}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name            = Princess Knight
| image           = Princess Knight-1.jpg
| caption         = The cover for the first volume of ''Princess Knight'' from the Osamu Tezuka Manga Complete Works edition
| ja_kanji        = リボンの騎士
| ja_romaji       = Ribon no Kishi
| genre           = [[Fantasy (fiction)|Fantasy]]<ref name=orig/><!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| author          = [[Osamu Tezuka]]
| publisher       = [[Kodansha]]
| publisher_en    = 
| demographic     = ''[[Shōjo manga|Shōjo]]''
| magazine        = [[Shōjo Club]]
| first           = January 1953
| last            = January 1956
| volumes         = 3
| volume_list     =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| title           = The Twin Knights
| author          = Osamu Tezuka
| publisher       = Kodansha
| publisher_en    = {{English manga publisher|NA=[[Vertical (company)|Vertical]]}}
| demographic     = ''Shōjo''
| magazine        = [[Nakayoshi]]
| first           = January 1958
| last            = June 1958
| volumes         = 1
| volume_list     =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| author          = Osamu Tezuka
| publisher       = Kodansha
| publisher_en    = {{English manga publisher|NA=Vertical|JP=Kodansha <small>(bilingual)</small>}}
| demographic     = ''Shōjo''
| magazine        = Nakayoshi
| first           = January 1963
| last            = October 1966
| volumes         = 5
| volume_list     =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| author          = Osamu Tezuka
| illustrator     = Kitano Hideaki
| publisher       = Kodansha
| publisher_en    =
| demographic     = ''Shōjo''
| magazine        = [[Shōjo Friend]]
| first           = April 1967
| last            = April 1968
| volumes         = 1
| volume_list     =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| director        = {{br separated entries|Osamu Tezuka|Chikao Katsui|Kanji Akabori}}
| producer        = {{br separated entries|Tadayoshi Watanabe|Kazuyuki Hirokawa}}
| writer          =
| music           = [[Isao Tomita]]
| studio          = [[Mushi Production]]
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee|NA=[[Crunchyroll]]{{efn|Through [[Right Stuf Inc.|Nozomi Entertainment]].}}|UK=Movie Makers<br />Tasley Leisures<br />Starlite Group|AUS=Hanabee Entertainment}}
| network         = [[Fuji TV]]
| network_en      = {{English anime network
| AU = [[Seven Network]]
| UK = [[The Children's Channel]], [[Sky One]]
| ZA = [[Bop TV]]
| IN = [[StarPlus]]
}}
| first           = April 2, 1967
| last            = April 7, 1968
| episodes        = 52
| episode_list    = List of Princess Knight episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = film
| director        = [[Masayoshi Nishida]]
| producer        = {{br separated entries|Minoru Kubota|Sumio Udagawa}}
| writer          = Mayumi Morita
| music           = [[Tomoki Hasegawa]]
| studio          = [[Media Vision]]
| licensee        =
| released        = 1999
| runtime         = 8 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
'''''Princess Knight''''', also known as '''''Ribon no Kishi'''''{{efn|''Ribon no Kishi'' is originally written リボンの騎士, which is translated by Schodt (1996) as "A Knight in Ribbons",{{sfn|Schodt|1996|p=253}} Gravett (2004) as "Knight in Ribbons",<ref name=gravett/> and by Power (2009) as "Knight with a ribbon".{{sfn|Power|2009|p=113}}}} is a Japanese [[manga]] series written and illustrated by [[Osamu Tezuka]]. This manga follows the adventures of Sapphire, a girl who was born accidentally with a blue heart of a boy and a pink heart of a girl. She pretends to be a prince to prevent the evil Duke Duralumin from taking over the kingdom through his son, Plastic. The gender-bending main character was inspired by the all-female musical theater group [[Takarazuka Revue]] in which women performed both female and male roles.

The story was ordered by one editor of [[Kodansha]]'s magazine ''[[Shōjo Club]]'' who wanted Tezuka to produce a manga aimed towards a female audience that could replicate the success of his former boy-aimed stories. The author then created ''Princess Knight'', originally serialized in that magazine from 1953 to 1956. The manga's popularity resulted into a [[radio drama]]tization in 1955, three other serializations between 1958 and 1968, and a 52-episode television [[anime]] series by [[Mushi Production]] that aired on [[Fuji TV]] from 1967 to 1968. It has also influenced several [[stage musical]]s since the 1980s and inspired remakes of the work by other authors.

The series' arrival in the English-speaking market was delayed by [[NBC Enterprises]] executives' perception that it could be interpreted as "sex switch". However, still in the 1970s, the television series got a dubbed version produced by [[Joe Oriolo]]. Renamed ''Choppy and the Princess'', it was released to American, Australian, and British television audiences, with [[home video]] releases to follow. The manga would only reach the anglophone public years later, in 2001 when [[Kodansha International]] published a bilingual edition of ''Princess Knight'', which was followed by a newer version by [[Vertical (company)|Vertical]] in 2011.

One of Tezuka's most famous works and widely regarded as a classic, ''Princess Knight'' has been very influential in the manga and anime industry. Its portrayal of [[gender roles]] is ambiguously interpreted by critics; some claim it has pro-[[feminist]] ideals and others think it expresses [[misogynist]] ideals of the 1950s–60s Japanese society. Nonetheless, it would start a tradition of androgynous-like heroines and establish several trends in the ''shōjo'' genre. In fact, it is considered to be one of the first works in this genre that was narrative-focused and that portrays a female superhero.

==Plot==
Taking place in a [[Middle Ages|medieval European-like]] [[fairy tale]] setting, ''Princess Knight'' is the story of Sapphire, who must pretend to be a male prince, so she can inherit the throne of Silverland as women are not eligible to do so. As she is born, her father, the King, announces his baby is a boy instead of a girl. The reason for this is that the next-in-line to the throne, Duke Duralumin{{efn|Originally known as {{nihongo|"Duke of Duralumin"|ジュラルミン大公|Jurarumin Taikō}},<ref name=anime/><ref name=anime2>{{cite web | url=http://tezukaosamu.net/en/anime/35.html | title=Princess Knight: Animation/Film | website=tezukaosamu.net | publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref> the name "Duralumin" was preserved in the English translation of Vertical.<ref name=silverman/><ref name=tcj/> In the Right Stuf release, the character was named "Duralumon".<ref name=dong/><ref name=fandom>{{cite web | url=http://www.fandompost.com/2013/08/27/princess-knight-part-1-anime-dvd-review/ | title=Princess Knight Part 1 Anime DVD Review | author=Rose, John | date=August 27, 2013 | publisher=The Fandom Post | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref> He is also sometimes referred to as "Jeralmin".<ref name=encic/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2013/08/17/classic-anime-princess-knight-coming-to-dvd/ | title=Classic Anime Princess Knight Coming to DVD | date=August 17, 2013 | publisher=SciFi Japan | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref>}} is an evil man who would repress the people if his son, Plastic, were to become king. Duralumin and his henchman Baron Nylon often scheme to take over the kingdom and attempts to prove that Sapphire is really a girl. Sapphire can keep the façade because, when she was born, she received the blue heart of a boy as well as the pink heart of a girl. Because of this, God sent Tink,{{efn|Originally known as {{nihongo|"Tink"|チンク|Tinku}},<ref name=anime/><ref name=anime2/> the name was preserved in the English translation of Vertical.<ref name=silverman/><ref name=usa/> In the anime versions, both in Joe Oriolo's first translation and the Right Stuf release, the character was named "Choppy".<ref name=dong/><ref name=encic/>}} a young [[angel]]-in-training, down to Earth to retrieve Sapphire's extra heart. Sapphire would not let Tink remove her boy's heart, however.

Sapphire and Tink experience a variety of adventures, including encounters with Satan,{{efn|Originally known as {{nihongo|"Devil Mephisto"|魔王メフィスト|Maō Mefisuto}},<ref name=anime/><ref name=anime2/> the name "Satan" or "King Satan" have been used for both the manga and the anime in English.<ref name=fandom/><ref name=baw/><ref name=seq4>{{cite web | url=http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=2415 | title=Gender-Bending in Princess Knight Part Four: Discovering Herself | date=April 29, 2013 | author=McNeil, Sheena | website=Sequential Tart | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref>}} a warlock who wants to steal Sapphire's special two-hearted soul and take over the kingdom. However, he is always frustrated by Tink and his fear of angels, and by his own daughter, Hecate,{{efn|Originally known as {{nihongo|"Hekate"|ヘケート|Hekēto}},<ref name=anime/><ref name=anime2/> in Vertical's translation the character name is "Hecate".<ref name=seq4/>}} a demonic-shapeshifting witch who at first she appears to be evil like her father, but who covertly helps Sapphire foil her father's plans. Sapphire also dons a [[Zorro]]-style mask at night, fighting crime as the Phantom Knight, and gets involved with Franz Charming, the young prince of neighboring Goldland. Their relationship is multi-faceted; Franz is familiar with Sapphire as three entirely different people and has different feelings toward each. He is good friends with Prince Sapphire, in love with the unnamed princess, and despises the Phantom Knight, whom he believes is a rival for the Princess's affection.

As the story progresses, Duralumin stages a [[coup d'état]] to conquer Silverland, following the orders of Mr. X, a large man clad entirely in boxy red armor and the ruler of the X-Union, a neighboring, proto-fascist federation of nations that wants to conquer the three kingdoms (Silverland, Goldland, and Charcoal-land). The King and Queen are captured, but help Sapphire to flee. Duralumin is about to proclaim his son king and himself as [[regent]] when he is assassinated by Nylon, who has been driven near-insane by the Duke's constant abuse. The mentally deranged Nylon proclaims himself and welcomes Mr. X and his armies to Silverland. Mr. X, though, soon makes it clear that he has no intention of letting Nylon rule, even as a puppet monarch, and merely keeps him around as a churlish buffoon.

Sapphire and Franz try to prevent the King and Queen from being executed, but they are too late and the King and Queen are dropped in the sea. This culminates in the final battle, as Sapphire heads off to Silverland castle to confront Mr. X with the aid of three magic balls. Given to Sapphire by her parents, the balls represent the three kingdoms and are supposed to save Silverland: they are used at first to ring the kingdom's bells, magically giving to the people the will to fight the invaders.

Sapphire has the balls melted to form a magic ax, which she uses to rout Mr. X's troops, break up the castle's walls, and confront X himself. Sapphire ends up dueling Mr. X, with the help of Franz, and manages to wound him. Just as the enraged Mr. X is about to chop Sapphire and Franz in half, Tink calls on God for help, and a lightning bolt strikes X. As Sapphire seems to triumph, Mr. X rises from his apparent death and begins smashing the castle with his bare hands, eventually causing it to collapse onto himself. Nylon, who was swaying through the halls like a raving madman, is also crushed to death. Sapphire escapes the collapsing castle and stands triumphant in the sunlight. Tink has been mortally wounded by the castle's breakdown, and tells God that he is ready to sacrifice his life should Sapphire's parents be brought back from the dead. God then accepts to bring back the King and Queen to life, as Tink dies.

Sapphire and Franz end up getting married. Tink's spirit returns to heaven, where he has finally earned his wings.

==Production and style==
[[File:Akino, Katayama and Miyajim.jpg|thumb|left|Takarazuka Revue's performances were Tezuka's main influence to create ''Princess Knight''|262x262px]]
During the 1950s, [[Osamu Tezuka]] was already popular having written ''[[Kimba the White Lion]]'' (1950) and ''[[Astro Boy]]'' (1952).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://tezukaosamu.net/en/museum/11491.html | title=TOMM the 6th Exhibition: Tezuka Osamu and Girls' Manga Exhibition | website=tezukaosamu.net | publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=January 5, 2018 | archive-date=January 7, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107232925/http://tezukaosamu.net/en/museum/11491.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> In late 1952, a ''[[Shōjo Club]]''{{'}}s editor asked Tezuka if he would be able to create a work similar to his previous ones but aimed toward girls.<ref name=men&masc>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QteAAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA72 | title=Men and Masculinities in Contemporary Japan: Dislocating the Salaryman Doxa |author1=Roberson, James E. |author2=Suzuki, Nobue | page=72 | publisher=[[Routledge]] | isbn=9781134541621 | year=2005}}</ref> Tezuka agreed and his first idea was to transpose the all-female musical theater group [[Takarazuka Revue]] into manga.<ref name=men&masc/>{{sfn|Drazen|2002|p=90}} Takarazuka's "aesthetic is on full display in ''Princess Knight''", argued Natsu Onoda Power, in her book ''God of Comics''.{{sfn|Drazen|2002|p=90}}

Born in [[Osaka]], Tezuka lived in [[Takarazuka, Hyōgo|Takarazuka City]] between five and twenty-four, and with a mother who was fan of the revue, he often watched its performances during his childhood and youthhood.{{sfn|Power|2009|p=116}}{{sfn|Schodt|1996|p=254–255}} Takarazuka's costumes, sets, and lyrics,{{sfn|Power|2009|p=115}} as well as its gender representation and sexual politics were used by Tezuka on creating ''Princess Knight''.{{sfn|Power|2009|p=118}} Sapphire is based on the ''dansō no reijin'' ("beauty in male dress") of Takarazuka, and Franz is modeled after one of the main actresses, Yachiyo Kasugano.{{sfn|Power|2009|p=116}} [[Nobuko Otowa]] as [[Puck (A Midsummer Night's Dream)|Puck]] in Takarazuka's version of ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' influenced Tink's character.{{sfn|Power|2009|p=116}}

Early [[Disney films]]' animation technique influenced Tezuka's art style, especially his way of drawing childlike features and eyes.<ref>{{cite book | author=[[Colleen Doran|Doran, Colleen]] | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=osyNHJdockQC&pg=PA7 | title=Girl to Grrrl Manga: How to Draw the Hottest Shoujo Manga | publisher=Impact | year=2006 | isbn=9781581808094 | page=9}}</ref> The very large eyes were also inspired by Takarazuka's performances.<ref name=gravett/> The coloring and layout was influenced by the film ''[[The Tales of Hoffmann (film)|The Tales of Hoffmann]]''.<ref name=orig/> Some aspects of ''Princess Knight'' are also reminiscent of his previous [[shōjo manga|''shōjo'' manga]], ''Kiseki no Mori no Monogatari'', which featured a feathered hat and men in white maillots as well as adventure-driven storylines.{{sfn|Power|2009|p=115}} It was also influenced by Western literature,<ref name=sizemore/> Christianity, Greek mythology,{{sfn|Schodt|1996|p=253}} and European fairy tales<ref name=dacey/>—because of this it has been described as a "trippy pop culture pastiche".<ref name=dacey2>{{cite web | url=http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2010/07/19/the-reading-pile-what-were-reading-this-week-july-19/ | title=The Reading Pile: What we're reading this week (July 19) | author=Alverson, Brigid | date=July 19, 2010 | website=School Library Journal | publisher=[[Media Source Inc.]] | access-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref> Reviewers have perceived influences from ''[[Cinderella (1950 film)|Cinderella]]'',<ref name=tcj/><ref name=sizemore/> ''[[Fantasia (1940 film)|Fantasia]]''{{'}}s "Pastoral",<ref name=sizemore/><ref name=dacey>{{cite web | url=http://mangabookshelf.com/35763/manga-artifacts-princess-knight/ | title=Manga Artifacts: Princess Knight | author=Dacey, Katherine | date=December 19, 2010 | publisher=Manga Bookshelf | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref> ''[[Pinocchio (1940 film)|Pinocchio]]'',<ref name=sizemore/> ''[[Sleeping Beauty (1959 film)|Sleeping Beauty]]'',<ref name=silverman/><ref name=tcj/> ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White]]'',<ref name=silverman/><ref name=sizemore/> [[Betty Boop]],<ref name=silverman/> ''[[Captain Blood (novel)|Captain Blood]]'',<ref name=sizemore/> ''[[Dracula]]'', "[[Eros and Psyche]]",<ref name=dacey/> ''[[Hamlet]]'',<ref name=sizemore/><ref name=dacey/> "[[The Sorcerer's Apprentice]]",<ref>{{cite web | url=http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/08/11/coming-in-october-the-return-of-princess-knight/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125143833/http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/08/11/coming-in-october-the-return-of-princess-knight | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 25, 2011 | title=Coming In October: The Return Of Princess Knight | author=Alverson, Brigid | date=August 11, 2011 | publisher=MTV Geek. Viacom International | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref> ''[[Swan Lake]]'',<ref name=sizemore/><ref name=fpost/> ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'',<ref name=dacey2/> and [[William Tell]].<ref name=sizemore/>

==Themes==
Multiple critics have provided many possible interpretations on the presence of [[gender]] ambiguity and [[androgyny]] on ''Princess Knight''. Patrick Drazen, author of the book ''[[Anime Explosion!]]'', stated the androgyny in the series is "deceptive" as it addresses gender instead of sex, and more "specifically, [[gender role|gender-role expectations]]."{{sfn|Drazen|2002|p=91}} "Tezuka's ''Gekiga'': Behind the Mask of Manga"{{'}}s [[Philip Brophy]] summed up it as: "With its visualization of masculinity and femininity within one body it was able to depict conflicting selves within one-sexed body under pressure for social conformity, hence literally embodying the quest for identity and subjective agency".{{sfn|Johnson-Woods|2010|p=139}} Ed Sizemore of Manga Worth Reading says Tezuka's central idea critiques "the [[false dichotomy]] that society creates among male and female."<ref name=sizemore/> Rebecca Silverman of [[Anime News Network]] (ANN) and Sheena McNeil of Sequential Tart both wrote that Tezuka put [[feminist]] positionings on it{{efn|Both Silverman and McNeil use as an example Sapphire's nurse saying "You, sir, are a terrible misogynist! The law stating a woman can't rule is ridiculous. I can't believe a learned man such as yourself would hold such prejudices."<ref name=silverman/><ref name=seq1>{{cite web | url=http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=2374 | title=Gender-Bending in Princess Knight Part One: Raised as a Prince | author=McNeil, Sheena | date=February 18, 2013 | website=Sequential Tart | access-date=October 23, 2018}}</ref> This is said when Sapphire's doctor and nurse have an argument over the policy that prohibits female rulers.<ref name=seq1/> Silverman dubbed it as one of the "feminist statements" of the manga,<ref name=silverman/> while McNeil called it "a feministic slap in the face right off the bat".<ref name=seq1/> The latter further argued that the nurse's indifferent reaction to their break up because of the fight makes her "all the more inspiring as a character, especially during this time period".<ref name=seq1/> }} and Chris Mautner of ''[[The Comics Journal]]'' highlighted the presence of Friebe, "a swashbuckling" swordswoman, as another depiction of women in a non-subservient position (in contrast to the usual depiction).<ref name=tcj/>

{{quote box|align=right|width=34em|style=max-width:40%
|quote=At first glance, it appears Tezuka is asserting traditional gender roles. Looking more closely, we discover that Sapphire is not responding to which heart is more dominant. [...] Instead, Sapphire is acting as the people around her perceive her. If she is seen as a boy, then she is able to be strong and fierce. If she is seen as a girl, then she is frail and submissive. Tezuka is critiquing the false dichotomy that society creates among male and female. Sapphire needs to learn to be true to herself and not let others dictate who she is or what she can do.
|source=—Ed Sizemore of Manga Worth Reading<ref name=sizemore/>
}}
On the other hand, Silverman affirmed it shows gender stereotypes and "some of the more [[misogynist]] ideals of 1960s Japan," as exemplified by the fact her boy's heart gives her physical strength.<ref name=silverman/> Mautner also found "some" [[sexism]] in the work, given as an example the fact she loses her swordsmanship ability when she is without her boy's heart.<ref name=tcj/> Drazen and Mautner stressed that the manga had broken with some gender expectations but did not abandon them, as Sapphire marries Franz in the end.<ref name=tcj/>{{sfn|Drazen|2002|p=91}} Power stated that by this attitude Sapphire shows "her true happiness comes from being in a traditional female role."{{sfn|Power|2009|p=121}} For [[Paul Gravett]], it demonstrated she "was no feminist rebel after all" and he wrote in ''Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics'' that Tezuka "created an exquisite world of indecision."<ref name=gravett/> Power concluded that "The image of Sapphire must have sent complex, if not conflicting, messages" to readers.{{sfn|Power|2009|p=122}} This conflicts led Brophy to say "It may be more accurate to depict her characterization as schizophrenic rather than androgynous".{{efn|As an example, Brophy mentions "a scene wherein Sapphire, wearing a dress, is happily weaving a garland of flowers for her mother but then at nine o'clock must become a 'prince'. Although at first softly lamenting her incomplete wreath, Sapphire in her prince attire – with a male facial expression and using male speech – takes her sword and destroys the wreath without hesitation."{{sfn|Johnson-Woods|2010|p=140}}}}

Snow Wildsmith of ICv2 described the series as having "younger characters [who] do not want to stick to the roles their parents proscribed for them and most of the women are tired of being told that they are the lesser sex."<ref name=icv2/> Mautner wrote that "if there's a central theme in ''Princess Knight'', however, it's not that of sex roles but of parental expectations and filial duty".<ref name=tcj/> Drazen also exposed that the series deals with "another classically Japanese pair of opposites: duty and desire."{{sfn|Drazen|2002|p=92}} Drazen said "she doesn't resent her duty" of having to be a boy and have fun with it, but that "only in private does she live out her feminine desires."{{sfn|Drazen|2002|p=92}} Mautner expressed a similar view, affirming that even if she likes to be a boy "possesses a strong desire to indulge her female side."<ref name=tcj/>

==Publication==
There have been four manga serializations of ''Princess Knight'' in Japan. The first serialization ran from January 1953 to January 1956 in [[Kodansha]]'s magazine ''Shōjo Club'',<ref name=orig>{{cite web|url=http://tezukaosamu.net/en/manga/559.html |title=Princess Knight [Shojo Club <Girl's Comic>] |website=tezukaosamu.net |publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> and was followed by a three ''[[tankōbon]]'' volumes release<ref name=50sandfukko/> between December 30, 1954 and June 25, 1958.<ref name=works>{{cite web | url=http://en.tezuka.co.jp/manga/backlist/ri01/index.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030827023549/http://en.tezuka.co.jp/manga/backlist/ri01/index.html | archive-date=August 27, 2003 | title=Back Edition Princess Knight list | work=en.tezuka.co.jp | publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> It was followed by several reissues; two volumes were published on October 11, and November 13, 1979 under the Osamu Tezuka Manga Complete Works line;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=1086855 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 少女クラブ版 (1) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212749/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=1086855 | archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=1086863 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 少女クラブ版 (2) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212749/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=1086855 | archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> on April 17, 1995 under KC Grand Collection line,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3134121 | title=リボンの騎士 少女クラブ版 (KCグランドコレクション) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212749/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3134121 | archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> and on November 12, 1999 under Manga Bunko line.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=2606569 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 少女クラブ版 (漫画文庫) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000242/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=2606569 | archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> In 2004, [[Geneon Universal Entertainment]] released a ''[[kanzenban]]'' edition of the manga that was republished by Fukkan.com in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/comic/news/76048 | script-title=ja:「リボンの騎士」少女クラブ掲載のオリジナル版で復刻 | date=September 8, 2012 | publisher=Natasha, Inc. | website=[[Natalie (website)|natalie.mu]] | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref> It was also released in a three-volume {{Nihongo|Kanzen Fukkoku-ban|完全復刻版||lit. "Full reprint"}} edition on January 13, 2009,<ref name=50sandfukko>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=364748X | script-title=ja:完全復刻版 リボンの騎士（少女クラブ版）(1) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714222646/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=364748X | archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3647501 | script-title=ja:完全復刻版 リボンの騎士（少女クラブ版）(3) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000442/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3647501 | archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> followed by a "Special Box" on January 14, 2009,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3647463 | title=完全復刻版 リボンの騎士（少女クラブ版）スペシャルBOX | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714133524/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3647463 | archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> and in an Osamu Tezuka Bunko Complete Works edition on February 10, 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3738213 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 少女クラブ版 (手塚治虫文庫全集) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714235603/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3738213 | archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

The second serialization, a follow-up to the ''Shōjo Club'' version, ran in ''[[Nakayoshi]]'' from January 1958 to June 1958.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://tezukaosamu.net/en/manga/428.html | title=Twin Knight | website=tezukaosamu.net | publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> The title was changed to {{nihongo|''The Twin Knights''|双子の騎士|Futago no Kishi}} for publication in book form, but the serialization's name was still ''Princess Knight''.<ref name=orig/> It was first compiled by Suzuka Shuppan and released in a single ''tankōbon'' on May 15, 1960,<ref>{{cite book | url=http://iss.ndl.go.jp/books/R100000002-I000000833394-00 | script-title=ja:双子の騎士 (鈴木出版): 1960 | publisher=[[National Diet Library]] | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja| year=1960 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/ja/item-Mani-vin1791.html | script-title=ja:鈴木出版 手塚治虫漫画全集/手塚治虫『双子の騎士（カバー付・非貸本）全2巻セット』 | publisher=[[Mandarake]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714190815/http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/ja/item-Mani-vin1791.html | archive-date=July 14, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref> which was republished by Mushi Pro Shōji on July 15, 1971.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/ja/item-Mani-vin576.html | script-title=ja:虫プロ商事 虫コミックス/手塚治虫『双子の騎士』（初版） | publisher=Mandarake | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714184305/http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/ja/item-Mani-vin576.html | archive-date=July 14, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref> Kodansha published it in different lines and formats; on July 28, 1978 under the Osamu Tezuka Manga Complete Works line;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=1086537 | script-title=ja:双子の騎士 (手塚治虫漫画全集) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202030/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=1086537 | archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> on June 4, 1995 under the KC Grand Collection line;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=313413X | title=双子の騎士 (KCグランドコレクション) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714213154/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=313413X | archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> on November 12, 1999 under the Manga Bunko line;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=2606577 | script-title=ja:双子の騎士 (漫画文庫) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714113718/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=2606577 | archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> and on May 12, 2010 under the Osamu Tezuka Bunko Complete Works line.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3737543 | script-title=ja:双子の騎士 (手塚治虫文庫全集) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000717/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3737543 | archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref>

The third serialization was a rewriting of the ''Shōjo Club'' version and ran from January 1963 to October 1966 in ''Nakayoshi'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://tezukaosamu.net/en/manga/560.html | title=Princess Knight [Nakayoshi <Girl's Comic>] | website=tezukaosamu.net | publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> and was originally published into five ''tankōbon'' volumes by Kodansha<ref name=nakaandfukko/> between August 15, 1964 and June 15, 1966.<ref name=works/> It was followed by several rereleases and reissues; three volumes were published by [[Shogakukan]] in pocketbook format between March 10, and May 10, 1969;<ref name=works/> three volumes were published between June 13, 1977 and January 11, 1978 under the Osamu Tezuka Manga Complete Works line by Kodansha;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=1086049 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 (1) (手塚治虫漫画全集) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714140635/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=1086049 | archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=1086065 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 (3) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714181335/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=1086065 | archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref> in June 1982 it was published by [[Holp Shuppan]];<ref>{{cite book | url=http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA62356646 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士（ほるぷ出版） | title=CiNii | year=1982 | publisher=[[National Institute of Informatics]] | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref> on December 14, 1994 it was released under KC Grand Collection line;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3137058 | title=リボンの騎士 (1) (KCグランドコレクション) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715005727/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3137058 | archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3137066 | title=リボンの騎士 (2) (KCグランドコレクション) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715011030/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3137066 | archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref> on October 9, 1999 under Manga Bunko Line;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=2606402 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 (1) (漫画文庫) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715023303/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=2606402 | archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=2606410 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 (2) (漫画文庫) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715001221/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=2606410 | archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref> and on October 9, 2009 under the Osamu Tezuka Bunko Complete Works line.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3737136 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 (1) (手塚治虫文庫全集) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000308/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3737136 | archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3737144 | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 (2) (手塚治虫文庫全集) | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715015949/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3737144 | archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref> A Kanzen Fukkoku-ban edition, along with a "Special Box", was published on May 29, 2009.<ref name=nakaandfukko>{{cite web | url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3647722 | title=完全復刻版 リボンの騎士（なかよし版） スペシャルBOX | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=July 7, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000452/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3647722 | archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref>

The fourth serialization was a [[science fiction]] story originally written by Tezuka, with the drawings done by Kitano Hideaki.<ref name=orig/> It was serialized in the magazine ''[[Shōjo Friend]]'' in 1967, concurrently with its broadcast on television as animation.<ref name=orig/> Kodansha encapsulated its chapters into two volumes released on May 3, 1967, and June 3, 1967.<ref name=works/> A [[tie-in]] to the anime series, Tezuka himself admitted that it was "a commercial flop, an ill-conceived" version.<ref name=dacey/>

Six volumes of ''[[Nakayoshi]]''{{'}}s 1963 ''Princess Knight'' were released between May 18, and July 27, 2001 in the United States in a bilingual (English/Japanese) edition by [[Kodansha International]].<ref name=works/><ref name=firstrans/> A preview of the 1953 manga was released in the July 2007 issue of [[Viz Media]]'s magazine, ''[[Shojo Beat]]''.{{efn|''Shojo Beat''{{'}}s third volume and seventh issue contained a 25-page excerpt of some chapters and a contextual essay.<ref name=dacey/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-04-18/pw-comics-week-interviews-shojo-beat | title=PW Comics Week Interviews Shojo Beat Editor-in-Chief | author=Koulikov, Mikhail | date=April 18, 2007 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://shojobeat.com/manga/25.php | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012203127/http://shojobeat.com/manga/25.php | archive-date=October 12, 2007 | title=Shojo Beat Vol. 3, Issue 7 | website=Shojobeat.com | publisher=Viz Media | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref>}}<ref name=firstrans>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-17/viz's-princess-knight-is-first-translation-of-original-run |title=Viz's Princess Knight is First Translation of Original Run | author=Loo, Egan | website=Anime News Network |date=May 17, 2005 | access-date=April 21, 2014}}</ref> At the 2011 [[San Diego Comic-Con]], [[Vertical (company)|Vertical]] announced that it had licensed the 1963 version{{efn|Specifically, Vertical translated the 1977 reprint published under the Complete Works Edition line.<ref name=yuricon/>}} for an English-language translation in North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-01-27/vertical-adds-princess-knight-drops-of-god-manga |title=Vertical Adds Princess Knight, Drops of God Manga (Updated) | author=Manry, Gia | website=Anime News Network |date=September 11, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref><ref name=comicon>{{cite web | url=http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2011-Comic-Con-Best-And-Worst-Manga.03.htm | title=2011 Comic-Con Best and Worst Manga Panel | author=Aoki, Debora | date=2011 | work=About.com | publisher=InterActiveCorp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123035839/http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2011-Comic-Con-Best-And-Worst-Manga.03.htm | archive-date=January 23, 2012}}</ref> Vertical published it in two parts; the first on November 1, 2011, and the second on December 6, 2011.<ref name=vertical1>{{cite web | url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/212675/princess-knight-part-1-by-osamu-tezuka/ebook | title=Princess Knight, Part 1 by Osamu Tezuka | publisher=[[Penguin Random House]] | access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/213776/princess-knight-part-two-by-osamu-tezuka/9781935654315 | title=Princess Knight, Part Two by Osamu Tezuka | publisher=Penguin Random House | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722100138/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/213776/princess-knight-part-two-by-osamu-tezuka/9781935654315 | archive-date=July 22, 2015}}</ref> In the following year, Vertical licensed ''The Twin Knights'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-12/vertical-adds-tezuka-twin-knight-kyoko-okazaki-helter-skelter-manga | title=Vertical Adds Tezuka's Twin Knight, Kyoko Okazaki's Helter Skelter Manga| author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn | date=October 12, 2012 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=April 21, 2014}}</ref> which was released on July 30, 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/226513/the-twin-knights-by-osamu-tezuka/ | title=The Twin Knights by Osamu Tezuka | publisher=Penguin Random House | access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> Both series were rereleased by Vertical in [[ebook]] format; first, ''The Twin Knights'' on July 22, 2015,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/532233/twin-knights-by-osamu-tezuka/9781942993230 | title=Twin Knights by Osamu Tezuka | publisher=Penguin Random House | access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> and then both ''Princess Knight'' volumes on August 12, 2015.<ref name=vertical1/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/532212/princess-knight-part-2-by-osamu-tezuka/ebook | title=Princess Knight, Part 2 by Osamu Tezuka | publisher=Penguin Random House | access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref>

==Anime adaptation==
{{main|List of Princess Knight episodes}}
The ''Princess Knight'' anime series was produced by [[Mushi Production]] and had Osamu Tezuka as executive director, and Chikao Katsui and Kanji Akabori as chief directors.<ref name=anime2/> The series of 52 episodes was originally broadcast in Japan on [[Fuji TV]] from April 2, 1967 to April 7, 1968.<ref name=anime>{{cite web | url=http://tezukaosamu.net/jp/anime/35.html | title=リボンの騎士: アニメ・映像wiki | website=tezukaosamu.net | publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=July 4, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mushi-pro.co.jp/data.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981202175827/http://www.mushi-pro.co.jp/data.htm | archive-date=December 2, 1998 | script-title=ja:虫プロダクション制作作品一覧 | publisher=[[Mushi Production]] | access-date=July 4, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref> In addition to the anime series, there is also 28-minute pilot film that was produced in November 1966 but was not broadcast on television.<ref name=encic/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://en.tezuka.co.jp/anime/sakuhin/pi/pi001.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030803123404/http://en.tezuka.co.jp/anime/sakuhin/pi/pi001.html | archive-date=August 3, 2003 | title=Princess Knight (pilot film) | work=en.tezuka.co.jp | publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> It was released as an extra when the series was released on [[LaserDisc]] in Japan.<ref name=encic>{{cite book | title=[[The Anime Encyclopedia|The Anime Encyclopedia, Revised & Expanded Edition: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917]] | page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=rZg4AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT689 689–690] | publisher=[[Stone Bridge Press]] |author1=[[Jonathan Clements|Clementes, Jonathan]] |author2=[[Helen McCarthy|McCarthy, Helen]] | year=2002 | isbn=9780786452576}}</ref> All episodes were released on LaserDisc by [[Pioneer Corporation|Pioneer]] on March 28, 1997.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000VVQTXU | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707110255/http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000VVQTXU | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 7, 2014 | title=リボンの騎士 LD-BOX | publisher=Amazon | access-date=July 4, 2014 | language=ja }}</ref> The episodes were also distributed in DVD format; [[Nippon Columbia]] released two box sets on December 21, 2001 and June 1, 2002.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://columbia.jp/dvd/011221.html | title=01/12/21 | publisher=[[Nippon Columbia]] | access-date=July 4, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://columbia.jp/dvd/020518.html | title=02/05/18 | publisher=Nippon Columbia | access-date=July 4, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref> A single box set was released by Columbia on July 23, 2008,<ref name=colum>{{cite web | url=http://columbia.jp/plist.php?event=query&sc%5Bg%5D=3&sc%5Bry%5D=2008&sc%5Brm%5D=07 | script-title=ja:商品検索結果 | publisher=Nippon Columbia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714140210/http://columbia.jp/plist.php?event=query&sc%5Bg%5D=3&sc%5Bry%5D=2008&sc%5Brm%5D=07 | archive-date=July 14, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref> and another was released by Takarashijima on October 29, 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mushi-pro.co.jp/2010/11/%E3%80%8C%E3%83%AA%E3%83%9C%E3%83%B3%E3%81%AE%E9%A8%8E%E5%A3%AB%E3%80%8D2%E6%9E%9A%E7%B5%84dvd-box%E5%A4%A7%E5%9E%8B%E6%9C%AC/ | title=「リボンの騎士」2枚組DVD BOX[大型本] | publisher=Mushi Production | access-date=July 4, 2014 | language=ja | archive-date=July 14, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714204427/http://www.mushi-pro.co.jp/2010/11/%E3%80%8C%E3%83%AA%E3%83%9C%E3%83%B3%E3%81%AE%E9%A8%8E%E5%A3%AB%E3%80%8D2%E6%9E%9A%E7%B5%84dvd-box%E5%A4%A7%E5%9E%8B%E6%9C%AC/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> A "Best Selection" DVD series was first released by Columbia on September 25, 2003,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://columbia.jp/dvd/mushipro/best/ribbonnokishi.html | script-title=ja:リボンの騎士 ベストセレクション | publisher=Nippon Columbia | access-date=July 4, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref> and rereleased on July 23, 2008.<ref name=colum/>

Mushi Production submitted the anime adaptation to [[NBC Enterprises]] that was declined because its executives felt the series theme could be interpreted as "sex switch."{{sfn|Ladd|Deneroff|2008|p=66–68}} Animator [[Joe Oriolo]], however, purchased the anime's distribution rights, and along with Burt Hecht dubbed its episodes into English.<ref name=encic/>{{sfn|Ladd|Deneroff|2008|p=68}} In 1972, after a limited release under the title ''Princess Knight'', Oriolo and Hecht edited three episodes and made it into a film titled ''Choppy and the Princess'' that was licensed to independent television in the United States and was syndicated in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref name=encic/>{{sfn|Ladd|Deneroff|2008|p=68}} In October 2012, [[Nozomi Entertainment]], a [[Right Stuf]]'s publishing division, acquired its distribution's rights for North America. Featuring an English-language and a Spanish-language dub, it used the edited and cut version broadcast in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-24/right-stuf-licenses-princess-knight-anime | title=Right Stuf Licenses Princess Knight TV Anime | author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn | website=Anime News Network | date=October 24, 2012 | access-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref> The first part was released on August 20, 2013 while the second one was published on October 22, 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-08-20/north-american-anime-manga-releases-august-18-24 | title=North American Anime, Manga Releases, August 18–24 | author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn | date=August 20, 2013 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=May 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-22/north-american-anime-manga-releases-october-20-26 | title=North American Anime, Manga Releases, October 20–26 | author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn | date=October 22, 2013 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=May 26, 2014}}</ref>

The show also aired in Australia in the 1970s,<ref name=australia/> and was released on home media in Australia and the United Kingdom. Movie Makers released seven episodes under the title ''The Adventures of Choppy and the Princess'' and three individual episodes without the title. The distributor Tasley Leisures released six episodes under the title ''Choppy and the Princess, Adventures 1-6''.<ref name=encic/> The Starlite Group released seven ''The Adventures of Choppy and the Princess'' DVDs in the United Kingdom in 2006, with the film also being available from the same company.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.starliteshoppingmall.com/cat.php?q=Animations-Cartoons | title=Animations-Cartoons | publisher=Starlite Group | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714163624/https://www.starliteshoppingmall.com/cat.php?q=Animations-Cartoons | archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ES046GC/ | title=The Adventures of Choppy And The Princess | publisher=Amazon | access-date=July 4, 2014}}</ref> In August 2013, Hanabee Entertainment licensed the series for an Australian release;<ref name=australia>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2013-08-10/hanabee-entertainment-licenses-princess-knight | title=Hanabee Entertainment Licenses Princess Knight | date=August 9, 2013 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=August 5, 2014}}</ref> it was first released on DVD into two parts on September 18, and October 6, 2013 respectively,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hanabee.com.au/products/princess-knight-part-1-dvd | title=Princess Knight: Eps 1–26 | publisher=Hanabee Entertainment | access-date=January 5, 2018 | archive-date=January 5, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105123207/https://hanabee.com.au/products/princess-knight-part-1-dvd | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://hanabee.com.au/products/princess-knight-part-2-dvd | title=Princess Knight: Eps 27–52 | publisher=Hanabee Entertainment | access-date=January 5, 2018 | archive-date=January 5, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105123219/https://hanabee.com.au/products/princess-knight-part-2-dvd | url-status=dead }}</ref> while a box set was released on September 6, 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hanabee.com.au/products/princess-knight-dvd-boxset | title=Boxset: Princess Knight | publisher=Hanabee Entertainment | access-date=January 5, 2018 | archive-date=January 5, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105123208/https://hanabee.com.au/products/princess-knight-dvd-boxset | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Theater===
At various times in his career, Tezuka worked on short original animation films, or "theater anime", which included some of the ''Princess Knight'' story.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://en.tezuka.co.jp/anime/classification/theater.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060704022853/http://en.tezuka.co.jp/anime/classification/theater.html | archive-date=July 4, 2006 | title=Theater Anime | work=en.tezuka.co.jp | publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> Samples of this work were shown in the "300 Inch Theater",<ref name=theater>{{cite web | url=http://en.tezuka.co.jp/anime/sakuhin/mv/mv024.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060708201314/http://en.tezuka.co.jp/anime/sakuhin/mv/mv024.html | archive-date=July 8, 2006 | title=Princess Knight | work=en.tezuka.co.jp | publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> which was held at Tezuka Osamu World in the [[Kyoto]] Station Building from July 1999.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/trend/hayari/20081021_06.html | title=手塚治虫生誕80周年 | date=October 21, 2008 | publisher=[[Oricon]] | access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> In this film, the Phoenix (from the [[Phoenix (manga)|eponymous Tezuka manga]]) plays the role of storyteller, and introduces two pictures. The first part tells the story of ''Princess Knight'', and the second part talks about [[Minamoto Yoshitsune]], who made his mark in the history of Kyoto as a person who became entangled in a struggle by another's wicked design in spite of his desire for peace just like Sapphire.<ref name=theater/>

==Reception==
Widely considered a classic,<ref name=dong/><ref name=santos>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/right-turn-only/2011-11-22 | title=The Princess Diaries - Right Turn Only!! | author=Santos, Carlo | date=November 22, 2011 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=July 19, 2014}}</ref> ''Princess Knight'' was very popular with girls in Japan by the time of its original release.{{sfn|Ladd|Deneroff|2008|p=68}} One of the author's most popular works in Japan,<ref name=tcj/><ref name=comicon/> it has been labeled as "a fascinating piece of anime history ... that's withstood the test of time" by Bamboo Dong of ANN.<ref name=dong>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/shelf-life/2013-09-30#pk | title=The Flash - Shelf Life | author=Dong, Bamboo | date=September 30, 2013 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=July 19, 2014}}</ref> In 2005, Japanese television network [[TV Asahi]] conducted a "Top 100" online web poll and nationwide survey; ''Princess Knight'' placed 74th in the online poll and 71st in the survey.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime | title=TV Asahi Top 100 Anime | author=Macdonald, Christopher | date=September 23, 2005 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime-part-2 | title=TV Asahi Top 100 Anime Part 2 | author=Macdonald, Christopher | date=September 23, 2005 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref> In 2006, TV Asahi conducted another online poll for the top one hundred anime, and ''Princess Knight'' did not make the general list, but ranked 77th in the "Celebrity List".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-13/japans-favorite-tv-anime | title=Japan's Favorite TV Anime | author=Macdonald, Christopher | date=October 13, 2006 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref> After Vertical's statement that it would publish ''Princess Knight'', critics Chris Butcher and Deb Aoki deemed it as one of the most anticipated manga announced at Comic-Con.<ref name=comicon/> In the following year, it was considered one of the best new "kids/teen" manga by critics Carlo Santos and Shaenon Garrity at Comic-Con.<ref name=baw>{{cite web | url=http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2012-Comic-Con-Best-And-Worst-Manga.htm | title=2012 Comic-Con Best and Worst Manga Panel | author=Aoki, Debora | work=About.com | publisher=[[InterActiveCorp]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730023910/http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2012-Comic-Con-Best-And-Worst-Manga.htm | archive-date=July 30, 2012}}</ref> Aoki, for [[About.com]], selected it as the second best new ''shōjo'' released in 2011 after ''[[Sailor Moon]]'', stating it "can seem a little dated and quaint compared to its contemporary counterparts, but it's no less charming and fun to read."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2011-Best-New-Manga.htm | title=2011 Best New Manga | author=Aoki, Debora | work=About.com | publisher=InterActiveCorp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415031140/http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2011-Best-New-Manga.htm | archive-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref> Gravett included ''Princess Knight'' on his book ''1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.paulgravett.com/1001_comics/1001_detail/princess_knight | title=Princess Knight | publisher=1001 Comics mini-site | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref>

Its art has been well received by critics, including Sizemore,<ref name=sizemore>{{cite web|url=http://comicsworthreading.com/2011/11/03/princess-knight-book-1-recommended/ |title=Princess Knight Book 1 — Recommended |date=November 3, 2011 |author=Sizemore, Ed |work=Manga Worth Reading |publisher=Comics Worth Reading |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129205504/http://comicsworthreading.com/2011/11/03/princess-knight-book-1-recommended/ |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Joseph Luster of ''[[Otaku USA]]'',<ref name=usa>{{cite web | url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/Manga/News1/Princess-Knight-vol-1-4434.aspx | title=Princess Knight vol. 1 | author=Luster, Joseph | date=November 17, 2011 | work=[[Otaku USA]] | access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> Wildsmith,<ref name=icv2>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/reviews/21767.html |title=Review: 'Princess Knight: Part 1' and 'Part 2' TP (Manga) |date=December 20, 2011 |work=ICv2 |publisher=GCO |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129014340/http://www.icv2.com/articles/reviews/21767.html |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chris Kirby of The Fandom Post,<ref name=fpost/> and by Mautner, who stated, "Visually, ''Knight'' is a stunning achievement."<ref name=tcj/> On the other hand, Carlo Santos and Silverman of ANN said its art style may not appeal to modern readers, with Silverman deeming it a great "deterrent".<ref name=silverman>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-knight/gn-1 | title=Princess Knight GN 1 - Review | date=December 18, 2011 | author=Silverman, Rebeca | website=Anime News Network | access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref><ref name=santos/> Kirby wrote that ''Princess Knight'' is "a pleasure to look at, fun to read, and a piece of entertainment that excels at entertaining more than anything."<ref name=fpost>{{cite web | url=http://www.fandompost.com/2011/11/14/princess-knight-vol-01-manga-review/ | title=Princess Knight Vol. #01 Manga Review | author=Kirby, Chris | date=November 14, 2011 | publisher=The Fandom Post | access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> Sizemore praised it as it "constantly delivering thrills at each turn,"<ref name=sizemore/> contrasting to Wildsmith, who considered the episodic nature of the series "chaotic and unfocused".<ref name=icv2/> Although also commended the formula, Santos stated the story in overall "has its weaknesses" and "allows itself ... logical loopholes."<ref name=santos/> Luster asserted initially it focused too much in gags which "could easily become a tiresome formula", but the action in late chapters overcomes it.<ref name=usa/> Sizemore called it "fun" but "deeply flawed in its storytelling."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicsworthreading.com/2011/12/30/ed-returns-to-present-his-top-10-manga-of-2011/ |title=Ed Returns to Present His Top 10 Manga of 2011 |date=December 30, 2011 |author=Sizemore, Ed |work=Manga Worth Reading |publisher=Comics Worth Reading |access-date=July 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020122715/http://comicsworthreading.com/2011/12/30/ed-returns-to-present-his-top-10-manga-of-2011/ |archive-date=October 20, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Shaun A. Noordin of ''[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]'' asserted, "The memorable characters, adventure, drama and comedy (not to mention a framework for exploring issues such as feminism, gender equality and identity) are all there, but the barrage of story arcs made it difficult for us to be invested in the narrative."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Books/News/2012/01/13/Secret-identity/ | title=Secret identity | date=January 13, 2012 | author=Noordin, Shaun A. | work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref> 
<!--
Santos:
* "is a universal, modern-day fairytale for the ages ... loads up on complex ideas that will challenge kids and engage adults."
* "Prince Franz is so driven by blind devotion that it's a wonder anyone could find him appealing, while angel sidekick Tink pops in and out so arbitrarily that he basically functions as a 'help button' whenever Sapphire is in a pinch."
<ref name=santos/>

Silverman<ref name=silverman/>
* "deserves the acclaim it has gotten. It isn't perfect, but it is very much worth reading."

Dong:<ref name=dong/>
* "the irritating (and obnoxiously dubbed) Choppy"
* "Princess Knight is one of those standard, made-for-kids fares where every episode is packed with some kind of moral lesson"
* "It's one of those series—good for what it represents, but less so as a product intended for consumption."

John Rose of The Fandom Post http://www.fandompost.com/2013/08/27/princess-knight-part-1-anime-dvd-review/:
* "plot that is often very predictable in its set up"
* "Beyond that though while the whole may not appeal to all due to storytelling quirks there are still episodes within that are able to elicit an amazing emotional reaction" -->

==Legacy==
[[File:Princess Knight from Takarazuka, Hyogo (8678411614).jpg|right|thumb|Sightseeing ambassador at [[Takarazuka, Hyōgo|Takarazuka]], [[Hyōgo]], wearing a Princess Knight costume, 2012.]]
===Impacts on industry===
''Princess Knight'' marks the first time Tezuka used his "story comic" format—which uses a narrative structure and cinematic techniques—in a ''shōjo'' manga.{{sfn|Schodt|1996|p=253}}{{sfn|Power|2009|p=115}} The series changed the concept of ''shōjo'' from gag comics or strips teaching "good behavior" to narrative-focused works,<ref name=tcj>{{cite web | url=http://www.tcj.com/reviews/princess-knight/ | title=Princess Knight | date=March 13, 2012 | author=Mautner, Chris | work=[[The Comics Journal]] | publisher=[[Fantagraphics Books]] | access-date=July 20, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316040404/http://www.tcj.com/reviews/princess-knight/ | archive-date=March 16, 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Power|2009|p=122}} and thus is considered the first modern work of the genre.{{sfn|Schodt|1996|p=253}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2011/01/28/vertical-licenses-princess-knight/ | title=Vertical licenses Princess Knight | author=Dacey, Katherine | date=January 28, 2011 | work=School Library Journal | publisher=Media Source Inc. | access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> It also established elements that would be common in late works of the genre, including an idealized foreign (from a Japanese perspective) settings, a heroine with large eyes, and gender ambiguity with a certain amount of androgyny.{{sfn|Schodt|1996|p=253}}{{sfn|Drazen|2002|p=91}}<ref>{{cite book | author=Booker, M. Keith | title=Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels | year=2010 | publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] | isbn=9780313357473 | page=380}}</ref> In the 1970s, two trends were predominant in ''shōjo'' manga: the first featured "androgynous, masculine, or asexual protagonists searching for self and love" and the other had "more explicit romance involving an ordinary girl." Elements of both were already present in Tezuka's Sapphire.{{sfn|Johnson-Woods|2010|p=139}}

The manga is considered to have started the genre of female superheroes,{{sfn|Johnson-Woods|2010|p=96–97}} and regarded as a [[prototype]] for the [[magical girl]] genre.<ref name=gravett>{{cite book|last=Gravett|first=Paul|author-link=Paul Gravett|title=Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics|date=2004|publisher=Laurence King|location=London|isbn=1-85669-391-0|page=77|edition=2. print.}}</ref> Martin Theron of ANN affirmed the series' "influence ... is immeasurable, and in a real sense every lead action heroine who has followed is a direct or indirect spiritual descendant of Princess Sapphire/Prince Knight."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2014-01-06 | title=Anime in America: The Best (and Worst) of 2013 | author=Theron, Martin | date=January 6, 2014 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref> Indeed, Sapphire is one of the most recognizable heroines of Tezuka; between March 3–June 27, 2016, the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum sponsored an art exhibit focused on the "Heroines of Osamu Tezuka," highlighting Sapphire and Pinoko of ''[[Black Jack (manga)|Black Jack]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/02/23-1/heroines-of-osamu-tezuka-art-exhibit-debuts-in-march-of-2016 | title="Heroines of Osamu Tezuka" Art Exhibit Debuts in March of 2016 | author=Chapman, Paul | date=February 23, 2016 | website=Crunchyroll | access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref> She was also considered the most iconic heroine in anime history by Thomas Zoth of Mania.com.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mania.com/10-iconic-anime-heroines_article_120015.html | title=10 Iconic Anime Heroines | work=Mania.com | publisher=Demand Media | date=January 19, 2010 | access-date=3 June 2015 | last=Zoth | first=Thomas | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122050251/http://www.mania.com/10-iconic-anime-heroines_article_120015.html | archive-date=2010-01-22 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

This work expanded the scope of Japanese popular culture by opening up the possibility of exploring a wider range of sexual orientations, which goes beyond clear [[gender binary]] homo- or heterosexuality.{{sfn|Drazen|2002|p=92}} According to Brophy, "''Shōjo'' manga's rich potential for complex representations of the human psyche in diverse sociocultural contexts was essentially constructed by Tezuka's androgynous character Sapphire."{{sfn|Johnson-Woods|2010|p=139}} Featuring the first gender-ambiguous heroine,<ref name=dong/>{{sfn|Johnson-Woods|2010|p=163}} it influenced many works, specially ''shōjo'', such as ''[[The Rose of Versailles]]'',{{sfn|Schodt|1996|pp=256–257}}{{sfn|Drazen|2002|p=94}} which possibilited ''[[Revolutionary Girl Utena]]'',<ref>{{cite book | author=Clements, Jonathan | title=Schoolgirl Milky Crisis: Adventures in the Anime and Manga Trade, Volume 2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ce4uTsv-3e4C&pg=PA318 | page=318 | publisher=A-Net Digital| year=2010 | isbn=978-0-98-459374-3}}</ref> ''[[The Sword of Paros]]'' and ''[[Sailor Moon]]''{{'}}s [[Sailor Uranus]].<ref name=yuricon>{{cite web | url=http://okazu.yuricon.com/2012/01/12/princess-knight-manga-volume-1-english/ | title=Princess Knight Manga, Volume 1 (English) | author=Friedman, Erica | date=January 12, 2012 | website=Yuricon.com | access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref>

===Remakes===
A remake of the original ''Princess Knight'' manga called ''Sapphire: Princess Knight'' was written by [[Natsuko Takahashi]] and illustrated by [[Pink Hanamori]].<ref name=pink>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-02/sapphire-princess-knight-revives-1st-tezuka-shojo-work | title=Sapphire: Princess Knight to Revive Tezuka's 1st Shōjo Work | author=Loo, Egan | date=March 2, 2008 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=May 26, 2014}}</ref> Serialized from the May 2008 issue to the July 2009 issue in ''Nakayoshi'',<ref name=pink/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/magazine/index.php/01033/back/470 | title=なかよし7月号でラブ・サマーGET☆ | publisher=Kodansha | access-date=May 26, 2014 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024140218/http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/magazine/index.php/01033/back/470 | archive-date=October 24, 2010}}</ref> it was compiled into four ''tankōbon'' between September 5, 2008, and September 4, 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?isbn=9784063755534 | script-title=ja:サファイア リボンの騎士 (1) | publisher=Kodansha | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108224040/http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?isbn=9784063755534 | archive-date=November 8, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?isbn=9784063757828 | script-title=ja:サファイア リボンの騎士 (4) | publisher=Kodansha | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108223829/http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?isbn=9784063757828 | archive-date=November 8, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref>

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the series, a [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]] version of ''Princess Knight'' started to be published on the online manga magazine ''Puratto Home'' by Home-sha in July 2013. Called {{nihongo|''Re:Born: Kamen no Otoko to Ribon no Kishi''|RE:BORN 仮面の男とリボンの騎士}}, it is a collaboration with [[Tezuka Productions]] and is illustrated by Shōko Fukaki with [[scenario]]s by Atsushi Kagurazaka.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-19/osamu-tezuka-princess-knight-gets-new-remake-manga | title=Osamu Tezuka's Princess Knight Gets New Remake Manga | author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn | date=July 19, 2013 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=May 26, 2014}}</ref> It lasted forty-one chapters,<ref>{{cite web |
 url=http://puratto.homesha.jp/e/p.php?tag=dtn&wx=046 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315203726/http://puratto.homesha.jp/e/p.php?tag=dtn&wx=046 | archive-date=March 15, 2016 | title=RE:BORN 仮面の男とリボンの騎士 フカキショウコ | publisher=Home-sha | access-date=December 23, 2017 | language=ja}}</ref> that were later released on three volumes, of which the first was released on July 25, 2014,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.s-manga.net/book/978-4-8342-3216-5.html | title=RE：BORN～仮面の男とリボンの騎士～ 1 | website=S-manga.net | publisher=Shueisha | access-date=December 23, 2017 | language=ja}}</ref> along with a [[drama CD]] based on it,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/comic/news/114340 | title=フカキショウコが描くリボンの騎士、ドラマCDに水樹奈々ら | date=April 13, 2014 | publisher=Natasha, Inc.
 | website=natalie.mu | access-date=May 26, 2014 | language=ja}}</ref> and the last was published on January 23, 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.s-manga.net/book/978-4-8342-3228-8.html | title=RE：BORN～仮面の男とリボンの騎士～ 3 | website=S-manga.net | publisher=Shueisha | access-date=November 20, 2015 | language=ja}}</ref>

===Other adaptations===
Because of the success of the first manga, a [[radio drama]]tization was created.{{sfn|Schodt|1996|p=256}} A serial drama, the ''Princess Knight'' adaptation was broadcast on [[TBS Radio|Radio Tokyo]] between April 4, 1955 and September 26, 1955.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tezukaosamu.net/en/about/1950.html | title=1950s : History : About Osamu Tezuka | website=tezukaosamu.net |publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=January 6, 2018}}</ref> Almost thirty years later, a theater adaptation of the manga was created by the company Dengeki, running from July 5, 1984 to July 17, 1983.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tezukaosamu.net/en/about/1980.html | title=1980s : History : About Osamu Tezuka | website=tezukaosamu.net |publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=January 6, 2018}}</ref> It played at Parco Space Part 3, was directed by Mitsumasa Shinozaki, written by Tsutomu Mukai, and starred [[Ran Ito]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.parco-play.com/web/program/000340/ | title=リボンの騎士 | publisher=Parco Stage | access-date=January 6, 2018}}</ref> Another musical came in 1998; it was directed by Shunsaku Kawake, written by Kensuke Yokouchi, and starred Yoshihiko Inohara, [[Sae Isshiki]] and [[Ranran Suzuki]].<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALcqAQAAIAAJ&q=%22%E3%83%AA%E3%83%9C%E3%83%B3%E3%81%AE%E9%A8%8E%E5%A3%AB%22+%22%E9%8A%80%E5%BA%A7%E3%82%BB%E3%82%BE%E3%83%B3%22 | title=國文學 | journal=Kokubungaku | year=1999 | publisher=Gakutousya<!-- per its official site: https://web.archive.org/web/20090430201427/http://www.gakutousya.co.jp/contents/list/index.html --> | issue=1–5 | page=167}}</ref> Yokouchi wrote another play and directed it himself; it was staged at Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center in 2011,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://tezukaosamu.net/jp/news/n_553.html |
 title=横内謙介・扉座による「リボンの騎士」神奈川で上演決定! | date=October 25, 2010 | website=tezukaosamu.net |publisher=Tezuka Productions | access-date=January 6, 2018 | language=ja}}</ref> and starred Mikan Asakura.{{efn|By the time of the production, "Mikan Asakura" was the actress' pseudonym,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tobiraza.co.jp/blog/entry-593.html | title=みかんといえば そうだった! | date=March 18, 2012 | website=tobiraza.co.jp | publisher=Kensuke Yokouichi official blog | access-date=January 6, 2018 | language=ja}}</ref> which later changed to "Nami" in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ameblo.jp/asakan/entry-11540022799.html | title=▷改名します。た。 | date=May 26, 2013 | website=[[Ameba (website)|ameblo.jp]] | publisher=Nami official blog | access-date=January 6, 2018 | language=ja | archive-date=March 7, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307221115/http://ameblo.jp/asakan/entry-11540022799.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>}} Yokouchi was also the screenwriter for two other stage adaptations in 2014 and 2016; both were directed by Masanari Ujigawa and staged at Rikkōkai Hall.<ref name=uman>{{cite web | url=http://www.umanpro.jp/ribbon/ | title=UMANプロデュース「リボンの騎士」 | publisher=Uman Produce | access-date=January 6, 2018 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006214245/http://www.umanpro.jp/ribbon/ | archive-date=October 6, 2018 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=uman2>{{cite web | url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/175267 | title=手塚治虫「リボンの騎士」を上演する演劇部描いた舞台、主演は鈴木裕乃 | date=February 6, 2016 | publisher=Natasha, Inc.
 | website=natalie.mu | access-date=January 6, 2018 | language=ja}}</ref> The former starred [[Haruka Katayama]] and [[Aya Kamiki]], while the latter featured Hirono Suzuki and Yui Itō.<ref name=uman/><ref name=uman2/>

In 2006, ''Princess Knight'' was adapted into a musical, {{nihongo|''Princess Knight: The Musical''|リボンの騎士 ザ・ミュージカル|Ribon no Kishi Za Myūjikaru}}, and performed in Japan by members of the popular idol groups [[Morning Musume]] and [[v-u-den]] with [[Ai Takahashi]] in the lead role. Directed by Shinji Ueda, with screenplay by Shinji Kimura and music by Masato Kai, it played at [[Shinjuku Koma Theater]] from August 1 to 27.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sankei.com/enak/2006/longinterview/jul/kiji/12kimuraShinji.html | title=Enak Long Interview Vol. 11: 演出家 木村信司 | work=Enak | publisher=Sankei.com | access-date=July 4, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707110256/http://www.sankei.com/enak/2006/longinterview/jul/kiji/12kimuraShinji.html | archive-date=July 7, 2014 }}</ref> The [[Up-Front Works]] record label [[Zetima]] released a music collection and a DVD of the musical on July 26, and November 29, 2006 respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.up-front-works.jp/discography/zetima/29/a_15/ | script-title=ja:「リボンの騎士 ザ・ミュージカル」ソング・セレクション | publisher=[[Up-Front Works]] | access-date=July 5, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714135723/http://www.up-front-works.jp/discography/zetima/29/a_15/ | archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.up-front-works.jp/discography/zetima/29/v_74/ | title=リボンの騎士 ザ・ミュージカル DVD | publisher=Up-Front Works | access-date=July 5, 2014 | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714143733/http://www.up-front-works.jp/discography/zetima/29/v_74/ | archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref> Later, on December 25, its television broadcast was done by [[BS Japan]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bs-j.co.jp/ribbon_061225/ | script-title=ja:スペシャル!リボンの騎士 ザ・ミュージカル | publisher=[[BS Japan]] | access-date=July 4, 2014 | language=ja | archive-date=May 23, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523221855/http://www.bs-j.co.jp/ribbon_061225/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2015, celebrating the 60th anniversary of ''Nakayoshi'' magazine, a musical directed by Yukio Ueshima, written by Sayaka Asai and with music composed by Shuhei Kamimura was staged.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.j25musical.jp/stage/74 | title=なかよし60周年記念公演 ミュージカル「リボンの騎士」| publisher=Japan 2.5-Dimensional Musical Association | access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref><ref name=musical15/> It starred [[Nogizaka46]]'s [[Erika Ikuta]] and [[Reika Sakurai]] as Sapphire and Hecate respectively, while Keisuke Kaminaga and [[Tsunenori Aoki]] completed the main four in the poster, playing Prince Franz and the pirate Blood respectively. From November 12 to November 17, it ran at Tokyo's [[Akasaka ACT Theater]] and it was followed by exhibitions at Theater Brava in Osaka from December 3 to December 6.<ref name=musical15>{{cite web | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-07/princess-knight-musical-visual-shows-main-cast-in-costume/.93872 | title=Princess Knight Musical's Visual Shows Main Cast in Costume | author=Pineda, Rafael Antonio | date=October 7, 2015 | website=Anime News Network | access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Anime and manga}}
* [[List of Osamu Tezuka anime]]
* [[List of Osamu Tezuka manga]]
* [[Osamu Tezuka's Star System]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book | last=Drazen | first=Patrick | title=[[Anime Explosion!|Anime Explosion! - The What? Why? & Wow! of Japanese Animation]] | pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=-s30AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA90 90–92] | publisher=[[Stone Bridge Press]] | year=2002 | isbn=978-1-880656-72-3 }}
* {{cite book | last=Johnson-Woods |first=Toni | title=Manga: An Anthology of Global and Cultural Perspectives | publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing USA]] | year=2010 | isbn=9781441107879 }}
* {{cite book | last1=Ladd | first1=Fred | author-link1=Fred Ladd | last2=Deneroff | first2=Harvey | title=Astro Boy and Anime Come to the Americas: An Insider's View of the Birth of a Pop Culture Phenomenon | page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=rubax5GQA7kC&pg=PA66 66–68] | publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] | year=2008 | isbn=9780786452576 }}
* {{cite book | last=Power | first=Natsu Onoda | title=God of Comics: Osamu Tezuka and the Creation of Post-World War II Manga | page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=dvaR1-9HE7YC&pg=PA113 113–122] | publisher=[[University Press of Mississippi]] | year=2009 | isbn=9781604734782 }}
* {{cite book | title=[[Dreamland Japan|Dreamland Japan: Writings on Modern Manga]] | last=Schodt | first=Frederik L. | author-link=Frederik L. Schodt | publisher=[[Stone Bridge Press]]| year=1996 | isbn=9781880656235 | pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Loug6sbKTvEC&pg=PA253 253–257] }}

==External links==
* {{ANN|manga|1340}}
* {{ANN|anime|452}}
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q3403478|id=tt0121655}}

{{Osamu Tezuka}}
{{Nakayoshi}}

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