Difference between revisions of "Revolutionary Girl Utena"
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Some people will tell you to watch Utena because of the symbolism and deep story. These people have no idea what they are talking about. The symbolism is so overdone that the story often becomes more about trying to have some dumb symbolic message about growing up than the characters. The story meanders around too much in the middle and doesn't get really good until like the last four episodes or so. Utena also suffers horribly from having way too big a cast, to the point where it's hard to really care about anyone other than the main characters. | Some people will tell you to watch Utena because of the symbolism and deep story. These people have no idea what they are talking about. The symbolism is so overdone that the story often becomes more about trying to have some dumb symbolic message about growing up than the characters. The story meanders around too much in the middle and doesn't get really good until like the last four episodes or so. Utena also suffers horribly from having way too big a cast, to the point where it's hard to really care about anyone other than the main characters. | ||
| − | You should watch Utena because it is a solidly done, very entertaining show. The best episodes are the filler episodes that have nothing to do with weird metaphorical swordfights (surfing elephants, etc). The characters are entertaining even if it's hard to take any of them even remotely seriously, but aside from a few plot-heavy episodes Utena never really takes itself all that seriously in the first place. The art style is fairly solid, but the animation often relies too heavily on stock animation footage or still-frames for my tastes. The over-reliance on stock animation is somewhat mitigated by the song that plays during Utena's ascension to the duels in every episode because it rad as hell. | + | You should watch Utena because it is a solidly done, very entertaining show. The best episodes are the filler episodes that have nothing to do with weird metaphorical swordfights (surfing elephants, etc). The characters are entertaining even if it's hard to take any of them even remotely seriously, but aside from a few plot-heavy episodes Utena never really takes itself all that seriously in the first place. The art style is fairly solid, but the animation often relies too heavily on stock animation footage or still-frames for my tastes. The over-reliance on stock animation is somewhat mitigated by the song that plays during Utena's ascension to the duels in every episode because it is rad as hell. |
| − | Overall, Utena is an above-average show that's worth the time it takes to watch it. I'd recommend [[Star Driver]] if you enjoyed this, as it's a much better example of Enokido | + | Overall, Utena is an above-average show that's worth the time it takes to watch it. I'd recommend [[Star Driver]] if you enjoyed this, as it's a much better example of Enokido's work and has much better animation. By which I mean Star Driver takes itself even less seriously and absolutely revels in absurdity, which is what Enokido is best at doing. |
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
*[http://ohtori.nu/ Empty Movement] The web's largest Utena fansite; terrifying forums, but amazingly comprehensive information about the series. | *[http://ohtori.nu/ Empty Movement] The web's largest Utena fansite; terrifying forums, but amazingly comprehensive information about the series. | ||
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2001-04-22 ANN's interview with Kunihiko Ikuhara] Guaranteed to answer absolutely no lingering questions. | *[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2001-04-22 ANN's interview with Kunihiko Ikuhara] Guaranteed to answer absolutely no lingering questions. | ||
Revision as of 08:40, 20 August 2011
| Revolutionary Girl Utena | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Original Manga | Chiho Saito |
| Director/Artist | Kunihiko Ikuhara |
| Format | Anime (TV), Anime (Movie), Manga |
| Made By | J.C. Staff |
| Episode Length | 24 minutes |
| # of Eps/Volumes | 39 + Movie (Anime) 5 (Manga) |
Contents
Genre
Drama, Romance, Magical Girl, Shoujo
Sum it up in a Sentence
A complex, character- and symbolism-driven take on the magical girl genre set in a high school, where students duel to control the mysterious Rose Bride.
Main Description
TV Series
In her youth, a handsome prince saved Utena Tenjou's life. Ever since, she dreamed of becoming a prince herself. Now attending the prestigious Ohtori Academy, she challenges an upperclassmen to a duel to protect her friend. To her surprise, winning earns her the hand of Anthy Himemiya, a quiet, enigmatic girl known as the 'Rose Bride.' Now she faces enemies from all directions, for it is said that whoever possesses the Rose Bride will gain the power to revolutionize the world.
Movie
"I want to see a beautiful girl turn into a car." --Director Kunihiko Ikuhara
If You Liked This, You Might Like...
More anime written by Yoji Enokido:
Magical Girls:
Surreal Symbolic Storytelling:
Personal Opinions
jonjonaug
Some people will tell you to watch Utena because of the symbolism and deep story. These people have no idea what they are talking about. The symbolism is so overdone that the story often becomes more about trying to have some dumb symbolic message about growing up than the characters. The story meanders around too much in the middle and doesn't get really good until like the last four episodes or so. Utena also suffers horribly from having way too big a cast, to the point where it's hard to really care about anyone other than the main characters.
You should watch Utena because it is a solidly done, very entertaining show. The best episodes are the filler episodes that have nothing to do with weird metaphorical swordfights (surfing elephants, etc). The characters are entertaining even if it's hard to take any of them even remotely seriously, but aside from a few plot-heavy episodes Utena never really takes itself all that seriously in the first place. The art style is fairly solid, but the animation often relies too heavily on stock animation footage or still-frames for my tastes. The over-reliance on stock animation is somewhat mitigated by the song that plays during Utena's ascension to the duels in every episode because it is rad as hell.
Overall, Utena is an above-average show that's worth the time it takes to watch it. I'd recommend Star Driver if you enjoyed this, as it's a much better example of Enokido's work and has much better animation. By which I mean Star Driver takes itself even less seriously and absolutely revels in absurdity, which is what Enokido is best at doing.
Links
- Empty Movement The web's largest Utena fansite; terrifying forums, but amazingly comprehensive information about the series.
- ANN's interview with Kunihiko Ikuhara Guaranteed to answer absolutely no lingering questions.
