Innocent (manga)

Set in 18th-century France, the story follows the final decades of the monarchy and the impending arrival of the French Revolution. The story follows Charles-Henri Sanson, the fourth-generation head of the Sanson family, who are appointed as the royal executioners of Paris. Kind, sensitive, and deeply conflicted, Charles-Henri recoils from the violence required in his inherited role, yet ultimately accepts his fate as Monsieur de Paris in order to preserve his family's status. As he carries out executions in the name of royal justice, he struggles to reconcile his personal ideals, vowing to become the last Sanson to bear the burden of executioner. As the narrative progresses, the focus expands beyond Charles-Henri to encompass his family and the turbulent era around them. In particular, his younger sister Marie-Joseph Sanson emerges as a central figure: cold, rebellious, and defiant of gender norms, she seeks power and autonomy in a patriarchal society. Her ambition to participate in executions and her entanglement with figures such as Marie Antoinette put her in danger as the unrest in France reaches a boiling point. == Characters ==

• Charles-Henri Sanson • Marie-Joseph Sanson (younger sister of Charles-Henri Sanson) ==Media==

Manga Innocent is written and illustrated by Shin-ichi Sakamoto. The manga was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Young Jump from January 31, 2013, to April 16, 2015. Shueisha collected its chapters in nine volumes, released from June 19, 2013, to May 19, 2015. Shueisha collected its chapters in twelve released from October 19, 2015, to February 19, 2020. In February 2025, Dark Horse Comics announced that it had acquired Innocent Rouge. The first 3-in-1 omnibus volume was released on October 21, 2025. == Reception ==

In 2013, Innocent was one of the Jury Selections of the Manga Division at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival Awards. In 2014, it was nominated for the 18th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Reader Award. Innocent Rouge received an Excellence Award at the 24th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2021. It was nominated at the Japan Society and Anime NYC's second American Manga Awards for Best Continuing Manga Series in 2025. == References ==