Innocent Omnibus Volume 3

イノサン [Innocent] #7-9

by Shin'ichi Sakamoto

Change is on the horizon as Marie-Joseph ascends the block!

In this omnibus edition collecting volumes 7–9 of the original manga series, Shin’ichi Sakamoto masterfully fictionalizes the true life of Charles-Henri Sanson, the "Gentleman of Paris," who performed nearly three thousand executions in 18th century France.

The rivalry between Charles-Henri and his sister has hit a peak. With Charles-Henri accepting his position as head of House Sanson and Marie-Joseph rejecting all convention, the conflict threatens to shatter the family legacy. Meanwhile, Charles meets a young prince who invites him to the Palace of Versailles, but this is no place for an executioner...  

Available in English for the first time and presented in a special omnibus edition collecting the final volumes 7–9 of the original Japanese manga series!

Genres: Manga, Historical Fiction, Comic Book, Graphic Novels

656 pages, Paperback

Published December 3, 2024

About the author

Sakamoto Shin'ichi (坂本眞一) is a Japanese mangaka.
He is mostly famous for his series Innocent and Innocent Rouge.
He is currently working on #DRCL midnight children based on the classic by Bram Stoker.

Reviews

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

the final volumes do hold up to the earlier ones.
though the creator seems to like to wander off into flights of fancy/fantasy..to enhance the story.
it doesn't really ..but the art is so amazing who cares?

[Krk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I still don't quite know what to make of this series. I was especially surprised and mildly, perplexed, with the "musical interlude" chapters. However, the inclusion of experamental chapters and use of seemingly incongruous/metaphorical imagery make the series and reading experience more interesting. If/when the sequel series Innocent Rogue is published in English, I'll be picking it up.

I do wish that these volumes were printed in bigger editions or as hardback. The image gutter loss is really bad and ruins the larger/panoramic illustrations that cove multiple pages.

[Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well. Definitely want more more more of this. So beautiful and twisted. Also, really liked the musical numbers in this! Very clever. Also horrific. Just fabulous.

[Sullivan Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shin’ichi Sakamoto’s Innocent Omnibus 3 concludes the haunting and evocative story of the Sanson family, the royal executioners of France. Building on the previous volumes, it continues the stark juxtaposition of Charles-Henri Sanson and his sister, Marie-Josèphe Sanson, as their clashing passions and duties come to a head.

In this volume, the fiery feud between the siblings reaches its climax when Charles-Henri removes Marie-Josèphe from her position as Exécuteur de la Haute Justice de Versailles. This act is spurred partly by a dramatized, historically unverified romance between Marie-Josèphe and Marie Antoinette, the crown princess of France and famed Austrian royal.

The story concludes in a way that is both satisfying and deeply frustrating. Through the relentless emotional toll of his role, Charles-Henri becomes the very man he once vowed never to emulate: his father. By physically abusing his son and ousting Marie-Josèphe, partly because of her gender, Charles effectively buries the idealistic dreams he held in Volume 1, transforming into the cold and distant patriarch of the Sanson lineage. Meanwhile, Marie-Josèphe’s arc ends on a poignant and ambiguous note. The death of her childhood love, whose ideological differences foreshadow the coming Revolution, leaves her in profound grief. The reader is left to ponder her fate: will she channel her pain into rebellion and continue her defiant life as an executioner, free thinker, and woman unbound by societal expectations? Or will her grief consume her, leaving her a shadow of her former self?

This final installment features less reliance on shock value than the previous volumes. While violence and sexual content persist, they are toned down significantly, allowing the characters and narrative to take center stage. This proves that Sakamoto doesn’t need gratuitous elements for his compelling storytelling and stunning artwork to shine.

Historically, Innocent remains a fascinating blend of fact and artistic license. While some events, like the romance between Marie-Josèphe and Marie Antoinette, are purely fictional, the intricate depictions of clothing, nobility, and historical figures lend the story an air of authenticity. The grim imagination of Sakamoto infiltrates history, creating a world that feels simultaneously grounded and surreal.

Innocent is a breathtakingly grim tale of duty, family, honor, and gender, illustrating how two people from the same background can evolve into starkly different beings. For fans of French history, manga, or simply beautiful artwork, Shin’ichi Sakamoto’s Innocent is an absolute must-read.

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is told in a very strange way and the effect is that you don't really sympathize with the characters and tension is not built up in an effective way. The art is very good though and that was enough to keep me going, but it often felt like an abridged version of the story that was missing huge chunks of context to make you care about the characters and the plot developments.

Not sure if I'd read more from Sakamoto but I am interested in the Climber, if I treat this as sort of an art book I enjoy it more but that's not really what I go to this medium looking for.

[Aidan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first omnibus was kind of fun, I was into the art and the eroticism of the story (an interest of mine is male nudity in art and the homoerotic). I lost all interest when Marie became so central and I felt like her character went off the deep end. I liked her relationship with her brother, and kind of hoped that they would work together in some capacity. Obviously that never happened and I just lost all interest in the series.

Just a meh series with some cool art.

[ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5. gotta say this was probably the most confusing out of all of the volumes, like when did charles-henri get married, have kids, and completely switch up on his values that he was devoted to ?? it was additionally devastating to see him continue the cycle of abuse.
i do have a soft spot for marie joseph and her microbangs and marie antoinette and her eyebrows. also gustav klimt reference so 4.5 !!

[Reyne Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story for what it was, it’s setting the groundwork for the French Revolution. I liked the characterisation of all the characters, and I think going forward it will become very interesting. I just hope future instalments even out the story between the siblings as this one felt very Marie heavy.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this volume. It focuses on Marie Sanson and Marie Antoinette's (fictional) relationship and the artwork is freaking amazing. Charles takes a backseat to their story.

Can't wait for Innocent Rouge!

[nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

friendship with charles henri is OVER now his sister marie joseph who had gay sex with marie antoinette and showed up to a duel with her trans girl second IS MY BEST FRIEND!!!!

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can smell the stank through the pages

[romeo. · Rating 5 out of 5]

a work of art. i was very happy to see lgbtq+ characters, and the character arc charles go through is heartbreaking. i need more.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful and such a historic tour de force.

[Letizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Farissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5