Kiss of the Rose Princess

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Kiss of the Rose Princess is a manga by Aya Shouoto. It ran in Monthly Asuka from June 24, 2008, to January 25, 2012, and has 9 volumes. An English edition was released by Viz Media, starting with the first volume on November 4, 2014.

The story follows high-school girl Anise Yamamoto. She wears a rose-shaped choker given by her father, said to be a protective amulet. When she loses the choker, she gains four colored cards. If she kisses a card, a knight appears. These Knights are four boys from her school who become her protectors and helpers. Anise is the Rose Princess who commands them to fight the Devil that was sealed long ago. The choker’s disappearance also risks revealing her true identity.

Anise’s life grows complicated when her childhood friend Haruto Kisugi transfers to the same school. He is secretly Schwartz’s spy and a former Knight known as Yellow Rose. Haruto’s life force helped create the Devil’s Seal, and his actions bring more danger. Seiran, the Knight tied to the Blue Rose, is revealed to be a homunculus created to replace Haruto and could be sacrificed if the Seal breaks. Schwartz’s plan is to destroy the Seal and unleash the Devil, while the choker hides Anise’s true identity.

To stabilize the Seal, Anise makes a True Contract with the four Knights, boosting their powers and allowing three awakenings through their bond with Anise. They search for Arcana Cards to restore the Seal. Along the way, they meet counterfeit versions of themselves sent by Schwartz: Orange Rose Idel Suzumura, Lime Rose Yakoh Hazusaki, Grey Rose Yocteau (Mutsuki’s older brother), and Mikage Hiiragi, who poses as Cinderella and the fake Rose Princess. Mutsuki regains his memories and confronts Yocteau.

After gathering all the Arcana Cards, the Knights gain awakenings with Anise. Anise’s past is explored, and Schwartz is shown in a more sympathetic light. The story ends with the group returning to high school life. Anise no longer wears the choker, instead wielding the cards, and she grows closer to Kaede.