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Japan’s University Entrance Test Cites ‘The Rose of Versailles’ in World History

A major prep school says it is the first use of manga in the field, signaling a shift toward wider sources with a gender-focused lens.

Overview

  • The January 17 Common Test quoted scenes of Oscar questioning gender roles and leading citizens toward the Bastille.
  • The item required students to place the depicted episode alongside other French Revolution events in correct chronological order.
  • Kawaijuku reported that, including the former Center Test, manga had not previously been used in the world-history section.
  • Despite a new request from the exam authority not to post questions on social media, posts on X from presumed examinees circulated about the manga question.
  • Related history sections prompted analysis of women’s roles in Japan through figures such as Hōjō Masako and Hino Tomiko, reflecting broader diversification of exam materials.