What is Innocent?#
Set in the 18th century, Innocent takes readers into the heart of the French Revolution—a pivotal era defined by the pursuit of freedom and equality that laid the groundwork for modern French society. However, instead of focusing solely on the political uprising, the story centers on a man living within the darkness of that era: Henry Charles Sanson. As the fourth generation head of the Sanson family, Henry carries the heavy burden of being the executioner of Paris.
If you are looking to experience this gripping historical tale, you can buy the Innocent manga to begin your journey.
Is the Story Finished?#
For those wondering if the story reaches a satisfying conclusion, the answer depends on where you stop. The narrative is split across two primary manga series. The original series, Innocent, concluded its serialization in April 2015. However, the story continues directly into a sequel series titled Innocent Rouge.
If you only read the first series, you will not have the full picture. To get a complete and satisfying conclusion to the saga of Henry Charles Sanson, you must proceed to Innocent Rouge, which officially ended its run in January 2020. Because both the original series and its sequel have concluded, the entire story is now available for completionists.
Audience and Appeal#
Innocent is best suited for readers who enjoy deep historical dramas and stories that explore the psychological toll of duty and morality. Its primary appeal lies in its unique perspective—exploring the French Revolution through the eyes of the man tasked with carrying out the state’s executions. The themes of darkness, family legacy, and the contradiction of seeking “innocence” while performing death make it a compelling read for those who appreciate mature, atmospheric storytelling.
If you enjoy high-quality historical art and storytelling, you might also be interested in Innocent merchandise to commemorate the series.
Recommended Order for Completionists#
To ensure you don’t miss any of the narrative development, we recommend following the order outlined in our relationship tree.
The Ideal Order#
- Innocent: Start here to understand the origins of Henry Charles Sanson and the early days of his tenure as the executioner of Paris.
- Innocent Rouge: Read this immediately after the first series. As a direct sequel, it completes the historical arc and provides the final resolution to the plot.
Whether you are a casual reader or a dedicated completionist, following the release order is the most logical way to experience the evolution of the Sanson family legacy.
Since we spend a lot of time investigating these series to save you from committing to unfinished stories, consider supporting us on Ko-fi to keep the site running!
Additional Information#
Beyond the manga, the Innocent franchise has expanded into other media. For fans looking for more ways to experience the story, a stage musical based on the manga was produced in November 2019. Additionally, for those in North America, Dark Horse has licensed both Innocent and Innocent Rouge, making the written material more accessible to English-speaking audiences.
You can find the Dark Horse releases of Innocent Rouge here.
Innocent • manga • 2013-01-31 to 2015-04-16 (serialized in Young Jump, 2013 #13-2015 #20)
└─(sequel)→ Innocent Rouge • manga • 2015-05-20 to 2020-01-08 (serialized in Grand Jump, 2015 #12-2020 #3)
