I've been reading The Rose of Versailles manga, which I feel has become a sort of required reading as a SMT4 fan lol. And actually I can see how this manga helped shape the game's story and worldbuilding, as well in guiding Isabeau's own decision-making and ultimate stance.
This is obvious but, Mikado is in a way parallel to 18th century France. Both have nobles who are more concerned with their leisurely lifestyles and climbing the aristocratic ladder than to concern themselves with the growing plight of the lower class, instead leaving them to bear the brunt of their frivolities. Both see a growing unrest among the embittered labourers, including the emergence of intellectuals among them who question the status and even need for nobles. Both experience tension that is rapidly reaching a violent tipping point.
But then there's also Lady Oscar.
Oscar was born into a life of luxury and privilege -- no different to Isabeau herself -- but unlike most other nobles, Oscar is actually acutely aware of the class differences and addresses them.
She recognizes the growing unrest in Paris and gives Marie Antoinette counsel for the good of the country. She becomes aware of her own privileged upbringing and lifestyle and, rather than cling onto this and look down upon those of lesser means, she levels herself with them. She realizes that the royal guard is packed with "pretty puppets", who earned their celebrated positions through no more than their looks and birthright (there's similarities to this with the Mikado Samurai), and chooses to step down and transfer to a lower guard.
I still have only read up to volume 2 of 5 so far. But nonetheless, Oscar leads by strong morals and never shirks her beliefs for what is just, and I can easily see how Isabeau would look up to her as a guiding figure and as someone she could see herself in. Especially when Isabeau is scared and uncertain of the rapidly destabilizing climate around her. The Rose of Versailles helped her navigate that.
Sure it might be a little ridiculous for the neutral rep to come to her terms through reading a shoujo manga about 18th century France, but how many of us have also had our worldviews be challenged and changed by engaging with a piece of fiction? This is actually a good thing. And it wasn't as if Isabeau wasn't seriously contemplating all the things going on around her before reaching her conclusion.
Putting SMT4 aside though, The Rose of Versailles is a beautifully written and illustrated historical fiction in its own right with plenty of sociopolitical commentary that are still just as relevant today as they were during its original publication. As well as being a crucial piece in shoujo manga history whose influence can still be felt. It is well worth a read (or even a watch if you prefer anime) that I can't recommend enough.
