Ask John: What’s the Relationship Between Anime Guys and Roses?

Question:
What’s with all these guys who fight using some kinda rose weapon? I’ve got nothing against it, but I sometimes wonder why. I could see they give a rose weapon to the guy who’s suppose to a “ladies man” but I was wondering is there something deeper.

Answer:
I may be mistaken, but I’ve always believed that the significance of roses is little more than what it appears to be. Roses have always represented a natural duality. They’re beautiful, but also have harmful thorns. The rose is a symbol of elegance and refinement, but also a threat of pain. The rose is also associated with romance, and by extension in anime, the romantic, chivalric hero or beautiful villain. It’s difficult to imagine a better icon or weapon than a rose for heroes and villains who represent grace and class combined with cruelty or danger.