is a Japanese manga

Manga

Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...

 written and illustrated by You Higuri

You Higuri

is a Japanese shōjo and yaoi manga artist who has made several appearances at anime and manga conventions in the United States, as well as in Germany. Her first U.S. appearance was at the initial Yaoi-Con in San Francisco in 2001...

. It is licensed in North America by Digital Manga Publishing

Digital Manga Publishing

Digital Manga is a company that licenses and releases, in English, Japanese anime, manga, and related merchandise. The company has several subdivisions: Digital Manga Publishing, which publishes Japanese manga, novels and instructional and illustration books in North America with multiple imprints,...

, which released the first volume of the manga on 10 June 2009, and the second on 23 September 2009. It is licensed in France and Germany by Panini Comics

Panini Comics

Panini Comics is an Italian comic book publisher. A division of Panini Group, best known for their collectible stickers, it is headquartered in Modena, Italy...

, although it is now out of print

Out of print

Out of print refers to an item, typically a book , but can include any print or visual media or sound recording, that is in the state of no longer being published....

 in France. It fictionalises the story of Ludwig II of Bavaria

Ludwig II of Bavaria

Ludwig II was King of Bavaria from 1864 until shortly before his death. He is sometimes called the Swan King and der Märchenkönig, the Fairy tale King...

.

Reception

Holly Ellingwood, writing for Active Anime, enjoyed how You Higuri brought historical facts into her story. Casey Brienza, writing for Graphic Novel Reporter, described Ludwig II as being "an updated Rose of Versailles", due to its "bold lines, asymmetrical layouts" and European setting, describing it as being less about the history than about the personalities in that time. Katherine Dacey enjoyed Higuri's "sensual artwork — her languid character designs, sumptuous interiors, and Wagnerian imagery", but disliked the sexual torture of the king's lover, Richard Hornig. Leroy Douresseaux, writing for Comic Book Bin, felt "You Higuri’s use of romantic entanglements, sex, and political machinations makes for an excellent, engaging read." and also enjoyed the artwork, noting Higuri's use of toning and sparkling techniques around Ludwig to symbolise the "enchanted fantasy world he wants to inhabit". Melinda Beasi, writing for PopCultureShock, felt that the plot could have been closer to real life, but noted that the "palpable loneliness" of the real Ludwig II does not fit well into the boys love genre.