Revolutionary Girl Utena

Revolutionary Girl Utena (少女革命ウテナ; Shōjo Kakumei Utena) is a manga by Chiho Saito and anime directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara. The manga serial began in the June 1996 issue of Ciao and the anime was first broadcast in 1997. A movie, "Adolescence of Utena" (Japanese: Adolescence Mokushiroku, literally "Adolescence Apocalypse") was released in theatres in 1999.

Related Topics:
Manga - Chiho Saito - Anime - Kunihiko Ikuhara - Ciao - 1999

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The main character of Utena is an androgynous teenaged female, Utena Tenjou, who was so impressed by a kind prince in her childhood that she decided to become a prince herself, and cross-dresses as a male. She attends Ohtori Academy, where she rooms with a student named Anthy, who in turn is in an abusive relationship with another member of the Academy. Utena fights to protect Anthy, and is pulled into a series of sword duels with the student council, all of whom fight for Anthy as the key to a coming revolution, and whom they refer to as "the Rose Bride," as the winner of each duel receives her as their prize.

Related Topics:
Androgynous - Cross-dresses - Sword

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The series itself is highly unusual, to the point of being outright metaphysical. Though the plot is relatively straightforward, everyone's motives are obscure (initially, at least). The series is best taken on the metaphorical level, as the latter half of the series (and movie) becomes very obtuse if taken on the literal visual (especially the so-called 'Nanami episodes') due to what the director admits is a mix of metaphor, borrowed visuals from Takarazuka theater, classic shōjo, mythology, and a large amount of "stuff that just looks really cool."

Related Topics:
Metaphysical - Takarazuka - Shōjo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The anime and manga were created simultaneously, but, despite some similarities, they progress in different directions.

Related Topics:
Anime - Manga

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~