A wonderful Anime - Julie Et Stephane (Honoo no Alpen Rose)

Manga

As previously mentioned this shojo manga [japanese comic book aimed for girls] was created by its mangaka [author] Michiyo Akaishi. Unlike its anime version, this 1983 publication was never released outside of Japan. It featured 9 volumes. Like many other older mangas, it was republished later on. Fans of the anime are still awaiting the precious day the books will be translated, however for now we'll just have to be content with importing and simply looking at the pictures (or learn japanese).

Anime

Since my main experience was with the anime, this is where I'll write about this series. This story is about a girl who is found after a plane crash by a boy, Stephane. While they do become friends, she has no memory of her past - so Stephane gives her the name of Julie. Years later Julie and Stephane go on an adventure to find her past, even though there are people after her, on account of her only memory - A song called The Alpen Rose.

Unlike the manga, this anime was released in Japanese, French, Italian, and Arabic. Finding Arabic episodes online is rather easy; French episodes can also be found from time to time; episoes in Japanese or Italian are nearly impossible to find.

Stephane, a young boy, finds a little girl and her pet bird in the woods somewhere in Belgium. Little does he know she is there because of a plane crash. While he does tend to her, nothing seems to bring her memory back. She can't even remember her name so he gives her one - Julie. These two children become really good friends but are eventually separated when Julie is taken to become a nurse. Years later, Stephane comes to visit her and Julie runs to go see him upon receiving his letter of arrival. While Stephane was waiting though, he was accidentally shot by a passing hunter - a French Aristocrat called Ct.Gourmont.

Julie arrives just seconds later and naturally gets mad at the Count for shooting Stephane. However all he sees is an impertinent young girl - one who reminds him of another woman he had once loved who never loved him back. Because of this, he orders her captured and brought back to his Castle. Stephane rescues her but now they can no longer stay in the hospital because it is no longer safe.

That is when they decide to go on a journey to find Julie's past - ideally a haven for her would be found there.

VHS 1

Episode 1: Le Grand Depart The Grand Departure

[continuing the sypnosis] After insulting the Comte de Gourmon, Julie is then kidnapped while Stephane is left behind and cannot catch up because of the pain from the gunshot in his shoulder.

While imprisoned, Julie spends her time playing on the flute Stephane had made her as a child and the Count decides that she should play it on his upcoming ball. However due to shock when seeing the Nazi bands on some of the guests she becomes too emotionally unstable to play and is instead asked to Waltz - and realizes that she knows how to! Some memory of dancing with someone as a child comes back.

Meanwhile Stephane has finally caught up to the Count's mansion and is spying through a window. However a false step ends up making more rustle than he could bear and the Count, upon hearing, fires upon him yet again.

Episode 2:Le cadeau merveilleux - The Wonderful Gift

Due to the disturbance caused by the Count's shot, Julie finds an opportunity to run away in the Castle's gardens. Stephane finds her and they run together - after she tends to his wound a bit first.

However while on the run they are surrounded by the Count and his men and proceed to run the only way they can - back into the Castle! After being chased and reaching a cul-de-passe on the balcony they realize that the only way out is to jump over and into the river.

Our protagonists then hide away in a little cottage they found for the night. Once day breaks they resume their escape while the Count's men resume their search. They are aided by the Countess who hides them under an enormous amounts of grapes in the trunk of her car. The Count however is warned and intervenes, but thankfully Julie and Stephane had jumped off far before and ran for the border. Once they are back at the hospital, Nurse Katarina (Julie's mentor) tells them to hide while she chases off the coming Count and his men by reminding them that this hospital is neutral ground and can serve as an asylum.

VHS 2

Episode 3:Un torrent de regrets - A Torrent of Regrets

Episode 4:Le piège imminent - The Imminent Trap

VHS 3

Episode 5:Le jardin qui connaît le passé - The Garden that Knows the Past

Episode 6:La rose rouge - The Red Rose

VHS 4

Episode 7:Le chant du courage - The Song of Courage

Episode 8:La fuite éperdue - The Profound Escape

VHS 5

Episode 9:Le chevalier au sabre - The Sword-Armed Knight

Episode 10:Les souvenirs - Memories

VHS 6

Episode 11:L'ambition - Ambition

Episode 12:Une autre Alicia - Another Alicia

VHS 7

Episode 13:La forteresse inébranlable - The Unshakable Fortress

Episode 14:Les adieux - Goodbyes

VHS 8

Episode 15:Le piano brisé - The Broken Piano

Episode 16:Une aide précieuse - A precious Help

VHS 9

Episode 17:Un crime monstrueux - A Monstrous Crime

Episode 18:Un chant d'amour - A Song of Love

VHS 10

Episode 19:La liberté - Freedom

Episode 20:Les ailes du rêves - The Wings of Dreams

Japanese

You can use the DVD trailer video (on my Youtube section) to listen to the song.

Official Soundtrack

Actually the Japanese released a Soundtrack called "Alpen Rose" by Joe Hisaishi for this show. The first song of the soundtrack is the extended theme song.

Italian

The Italians just used the Japanese theme song and took off all vocals. It's great for karaokeing though. Once again my Youtube section has the italian opening theme.

Arabic

A bit weird for my taste but at least it's original. You can hear it at the beginning of the episode 1 video on my Youtube section.

French

The French TV theme song comes with a short version (for the opening and endings of the show) as well as a full version.

If you want to listen to the actual TV version (the short one) simply click on that youtube video called "Generique". Otherwise if you want to listen to the short version, merely click the following link

Lyrics: Short Version

Julie, petite Julie

Toute seule dans le feu de la guerre

Tu es perdue

Tu ne sais plus comment faire

Tu veux retrouver la paix, la lumière

Julie, petite Julie

Tu te bats comme tu peux pour gagner

Avec Stéphane qui viendra pour t'aider

Ta victoire s'appelle liberté

Oh Julie

Oh Julie, oh Julie ,oh Julie

Full French Lyrics

Dans ce monde un peu fou

Qui tourne autour de nous, il y a des agneaux et des loups

Mais il faut savoir dire non

Pourquoi le plus fort a toujours raison

Et quand on a compris ce que c'est que la vie

Et qu'il faut la défendre à tous prix

On a du courage On va sous l'orage Chercher le secours des amis

Julie, petite Julie

Toute seule dans le feu de la guerre

Tu es perdue, tu ne sais plus comment faire

Tu veux retrouver la paix, la lumière

Julie, petite Julie

Tu te bats comme tu peux pour gagner

Avec Stéphane qui viendra pour t'aider

Ta victoire s'appelle liberté. Oh Julie

Toute seule on ne fait rien,on a toujours besoin

De quelqu'un qui vient tendre la main

Et c'est tous ensemble, si on se rassemble

Qu'on tient la victoire pour demain

Julie, petite Julie

Toute seule dans le feu de la guerre

Tu es perdue, tu ne sais plus comment faire

Tu veux retrouver la paix, la lumière

Julie, petite Julie

Tu te bats comme tu peux pour gagner

Avec Stéphane qui viendra pour t'aider

Ta victoire s'appelle liberté. Oh Julie

Julie, petite Julie

Toute seule dans le feu de la guerre

Julie, petite Julie

Tu te bats comme tu peux pour gagner

Avec Stéphane qui viendra pour t'aider

Ta victoire s'appelle liberté Oh Julie

Oh Julie, oh Julie ,oh Julie...

Direct Translation Translated by me. No stealing!

In this slighly crazy world that turns around us

There are lambs and wolves

But we must know to say no

Why the stronger are always right

And when we've understood what it is that life is and that the we must defend it at all cost

We have courage

We go under a thunderstorm

To bring safety to our friends

Julie, little Julie

All alone in the fire of war

You are lost,you don't know what to do

You want to find peace, the light

Julie, little Julie

You fight how you can to win

With Stephane who will come to help you

Your victory's called freedom. Oh Julie

All alone we do nothing

We always have need of someone who comes give a hand

and it's all together if we gather that we hold victory for tomorrow

Julie, little Julie

All alone in the fire of war

You are lost,you don't know what to do

You want to find peace, the light

Julie, little Julie

You fight how you can to win

With Stephane who will come to help you

Your victory's called freedom. Oh Julie

Julie, little Julie

All alone in the fire of war

You are lost,you don't know what to do

You want to find peace, the light

Julie, little Julie

You fight how you can to win

With Stephane who will come to help you Your victory's called freedom

Oh Julie

Oh Julie, oh Julie ,oh Julie...

Localized Version Localized by me. No stealing!

In this slightly mad world that revolves around us some people are lions, some lambs but we must learn to say no why must all the strong force their will on us?

And when we understand what life really means and that we must save it at all cost

We find inner strength to go save our friends we fearlessly jump to their help

Julie, little Julie

All alone in the flames of war You feel alone, and your goal feels so far You must find that peace, your freedom

Julie, little Julie

You fight however you can to win and don't you worry, Stephane will come to you

Your victory has to shine through. Oh Julie

We can't achieve anything if we are not willing to accept those who offer their hand

But if we all gather if we come together

Victory will soon come our way

Julie, little Julie.

All alone in the flames of war

You feel alone, and your goal feels so far

You must find that peace, your freedom

Julie, little Julie

You fight however you can to win and don't you worry, Stephane will come to you

Your victory has to shine through Oh Julie

Julie, little Julie

All alone in the flames of war

You feel alone, and your goal feels so far

You must find that peace, your freedom

Julie, little Julie

You fight however you can to win and don't you worry, Stephane will come to you

Your victory has to shine through Oh Julie

Oh Julie, oh Julie, oh Julie ...