Alain de Soisson is a strong-willed member of the French Guards, featured in both Lady Oscar: The Rose of Versailles and Eroica: Glory of Napoleon. Though born a noble, he grew up in poverty and resented the upper class. Alain is deeply protective of his sister and struggles with anger, especially after being demoted for standing up for her. His relationship with his captain, Oscar François de Jarjayes, is complicated—ranging from rivalry to deep respect, and even unspoken love. Alain is a skilled swordsman and fiercely loyal to his friends, often acting as a dependable support during difficult times. Across different adaptations, his background and personality shift, but he always stands out as a key survivor and storyteller of the French Revolution.
Alain has a strong and rugged look, reflecting his tough life. In some versions, he is drawn very masculine and bold, while in others, his appearance matches the original comic closer. He often stands with confidence and shows a sense of responsibility in his eyes.
Alain is stubborn and passionate, often acting out because of his feelings about justice and loyalty.
He believes men are stronger, but this is mainly because he wants to protect those he cares about, like his sister.
He is impulsive, sometimes letting his emotions explode, but he is not a bad person—he values friendship and is willing to put himself in danger for others.
Alain sometimes struggles to express his true feelings, especially about love and respect.
Alain was born into a noble family but lived with more hardship than most commoners.
He joined the French Guards after graduating from the military academy.
He was once a lieutenant, but he punched a superior officer who tried to harm his sister, Diane de Soissons, causing him to be demoted with no way to return to his old rank.
Alain is a very talented swordsman.
He is so good that even Oscar François de Jarjayes, one of the best swordswomen, respects his skill.
Alain is also tough and able to take on dangerous missions during the French Revolution.
Alain deeply cares about his sister, Diane de Soissons, and is willing to fight for her safety.
His emotions towards Oscar François de Jarjayes are confusing—even as he resists her leadership and teases her, he actually develops respect and a hidden crush.
He often quarrels but eventually becomes Oscar’s loyal supporter.
Alain is a close friend and drinking companion to André Grandier, often helping André through hard times.
"Oscar and André... In another way, they were lucky. At least, they didn’t have to witness the ugly aftermath of the revolution..."
Trouble with Authority and Demotion
Alain was originally an officer, but when a superior tried to take advantage of his sister Diane, Alain punched him in anger.
Because of strict army rules, he could never regain his old rank, and he grew bitter.
Meeting Oscar and Struggles in the Guards
When Oscar François de Jarjayes became captain, Alain challenged her, believing she was just a spoiled noble girl.
He was defeated in a duel, proving Oscar’s skill.
Frustrated, Alain convinced his friends to rebel, even trying to drive Oscar out by threatening her, though it is unclear if he truly meant it because of his sister’s past.
André Grandier intervenes, and after many ups and downs, the other guards start to respect Oscar.
Alain still refuses to fully accept Oscar, especially because he starts to see her not just as a leader, but also as a woman.
He steals a kiss from Oscar during a private moment, which upsets her, and only André’s understanding stops a fight.
Loyalty, Battles, and the Revolution
Despite all this, over time Alain becomes a true member of Oscar’s team.
When the storming of the Bastille comes, he risks his life to protect Oscar from gunfire, showing his bravery.
After the revolution, Alain decides to leave the military and return to his seaside home.
There, he works quietly as a farmer and takes care of his mother’s and sister’s graves.
In Different Anime Adaptations
In the 1979 TV anime, Alain’s past as a noble is changed, making him a commoner and a simple, rough guy with lots of loyalty and strong feelings.
He does not fall in love with Oscar but becomes André’s best friend and helps him join the Guards.
After the storming of the Bastille, Alain disappears and lives as a hermit, caring for the graves of his family.
In this adaptation, he is one of the few survivors and acts as a storyteller about the hardships after the revolution.
In Eroica: Glory of Napoleon
Alain appears again, this time with Bernard Chatelet, attempting and failing to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte.
He is shot and killed, a fate decided very early on, though originally, if Lady Oscar: The Rose of Versailles had continued, Alain would have survived as the last of the French Guards and become a one-armed general.
Modern Anime Adaptation
In the 2025 movie, Alain looks more like his comic version. Diane does not appear, but his demotion for hitting a superior officer is mentioned.
He starts off resistant to Oscar’s leadership but grows to respect him as a captain.
Alain’s romantic feelings are not clearly shown in the movie, though promotion materials hint that he may have feelings for Oscar, similar to other characters who loved Oscar.
The original creator, Riyoko Ikeda, was surprised by Alain’s peaceful farming life shown in the old TV anime.
She later brought him back for Eroica: Glory of Napoleon because she was moved by his fate there.
Alain stands out as one of the few major survivors of the revolution, making his viewpoint important for understanding the aftermath.
Alain’s theme song in the 2025 movie adaptation is “Never surrender,” showing his stubborn spirit.
Each version of Alain, from comic to anime, shows a slightly different side of his character, but he is always loyal, brave, and very human.
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