The popular manga 'Roses of Versailles' has made its way to the national 'Common Test,' a new standardized university entrance examination in Japan. This marks the first instance of an anime or manga being included in the test. Introduced as part of a shift to a more comprehensive college entrance exam system, the intention is to gauge students' analytical skills using popular culture references in addition to traditional academic subjects.

Manga and anime are integral parts of Japanese culture, widely influencing various spheres of life in Japan. Including a manga theme within official exams reflects a shift in Japanese educational values, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and analytical skills over rote memorization. This mirrors an acceptance of more modern forms of literature, highlighting a significant cultural trend within Japan.

Unlike in Japan, the US or EU don't usually include pop culture items, such as comics or animations, in their standard academic tests for university entrance exams. However, there is a growing trend in these regions to utilize more unconventional methods of teaching and assessing students, such as using popular culture as teaching aids. This could potentially lead to a similar inclusion in the future.