This Week in Anime

Utena's Revolution

Coop
Steve, do you know about the all-time classic television series Revolutionary Girl Utena?

It's probably a good thing considering I've just wrapped up my first viewing of the series! It's been a long time since I've felt this way about a show. The last time was roughly 12 years ago when I'd just finished a little show called The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Comparing this to Macross, I know it's one of a kind. That's not a comparison I make lightly.

I might have favorites, but Utena stands in a league of its own alongside Macross. It's one of the best stories I've ever seen put to screen.

Despite being so many things at once, I've rarely seen a series so masterfully tied all those elements together. Even if it's a seemingly one-episode gag like those elephants, you better believe it'll come up again... Hell, it might be integral to a later arc. If any character, symbol, or gag is put on-screen, it's for a calculated reason.

Before we get carried away exploring the dark corners of Ohtori Academy, what's Utena all about for folks just hearing of this classic for the first time?

Oddly enough, I can't help but compare it with my first experience with the original Macross again, Steve! For the last few years, I've had more than a few friends telling me to watch Utena and it quickly became a title that shot up my watchlist. Long before that, I remember watching Jacob Chapman's review in which he made it clear that a certain chairman is bad news. I didn't retain anything about it other than that.

Despite my curiosity about Utena in recent years, I've had more than a few false starts with the series. It wasn't until I bit the bullet and nabbed the first Blu-ray set (The Student Council Saga) last December. Not long after I threw that disc in my PS5, Utena finally started clicking with me. It was probably the sense of unease that struck me in Episode 5—when I got my first big hint that something unsavory was going on just off-screen.

Touga saying "Just ask your sister, Miki" made me sit straight.

My jaw was on the floor while nabbing screenshots for this column. There are so many minute elements that'll punch you in the teeth once you're aware of what they're foreshadowing. That alone almost made me want to watch it again right away.

Knowing that you've seen Utena more than a few times, how did you first happen upon it, Steve?

I get that feeling, anime isn't something you randomly find out in the wild anymore—especially on television. Call me sappy, Steve, but that's a beautiful story. The only experiences I'd have to compare to that are discovering Macross Plus on Sci-Fi or randomly coming across the original Patlabor OVA series on ImaginAsian's cable channel. They're both favorites, but I wouldn't say those series are as close to my heart as Utena is to yours. Stumbling upon your absolute favorite like that is a sensation like nothing else. Thank you so much for sharing.

Also, you made me want to watch Adolescence of Utena even more. Those visuals are stunning.

I agree, especially because I find Utena to be a series that is best-savored. Whether the audience is aware of it or not, every episode throws so much at you that you'll be overwhelmed while trying to binge it. Outside of the final arc's (The Apocalypse Saga) conclusion, I made a point of only watching a few episodes at a time.

On a similar note, I'm thankful that Utena has the occasional gag episode to lighten the mood because it gets heavy. Not to mention the expertly executed clip shows, which bring forgetful viewers up to speed while moving the story forward at the same time. I love that none of these clip show episodes are normal.

Nanami sees some shit, man...

You know, I might agree with you if I wasn't a devoted cat lover. I won't forget these things.

Welp, when you get to know her brother... Maybe it all starts making sense.

And no, he's not totally normal.

It's funny you mention Shiori, because Juri's arc is probably my favorite in the series. She has a pragmatic and refreshingly frank attitude about the Rose Bride business at first, but she eventually arrives at an impasse and doesn't care one bit about these duels. For Juri, it's all about the relationship she does or doesn't have with Shiori.

The entire arc can be summed up with this little song I've heard all over the radio...

She might be seemingly all smiles, but Anthy has a sharper tongue than most people would assume...and for good reason. This exchange makes me think a lot about the progression of the core relationship between Utena and Anthy. The wannabe prince is just another duelist to Anthy at first, but she slowly warms up to Utena.

I think the biggest reason for that shift is because Utena treats her like an actual person, and not an object to be won. But over time I feel Anthy's frustration with Utena boils over occasionally because she's walking into a trap. Our pink-haired heroine is still a kid and is largely oblivious to those off-screen horrors—especially the ones going on in the chairman's house.

Oh boy, you're talking me into a rewatch soon... It just might happen. That reminds me, we should probably mention what it might be like getting your hands on the series right now. I have a feeling that Utena is in something of an in-between period when it comes to home video and streaming. As an example, it's so hard to get your hands on RightStuf's now out-of-print 2017 Blu-ray release of The Apocalypse Saga, I was lucky when I found a decently priced copy of the 2011 DVD set.

The Student Council Saga seems still readily available, but The Black Rose Saga is going fast. You REALLY DO NOT want to look at those aftermarket prices. If you're not looking to spend an arm and a leg on these, your best bet might be nabbing Anime Limited's 2022 Region B Blu-rays and repurposing an old game console. If I remember correctly, Utena was one of the big titles people were going out of their way to buy after RightStuf ceased to be in 2023.

The booklets that come with those DVDs are so good... I'm honestly tempted to grab the other 2011 set at some point for those alone. I'm there with you on the Utena's current streaming situation, especially with the series' departure from Crunchyroll in the past year or so. Adolescence of Utena (or its very metal original Japanese title, Adolescence Apocalypse) is currently on RetroCrush.

It's all a little disappointing because Utena is such an important title—one that deserves to be easily available at all times. However, that's not exactly a realistic take given that licenses can float around to different companies every so often. Fingers crossed that Utena floats its way to a new North American home sooner rather than later.

I admit that these end-of-disc credits always hit me like a ton of bricks. We say it a lot, but you're truly missed, RightStuf.

I was already a black box theatre kid, to begin with, but you've sold me. Though it didn't take too much to sell me, Utena already did most of the heavy lifting. Talking about Seazer's contributions, I love how the iconic track, "Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku," is remixed and reimagined into a bespoke version for each saga.

The Black Rose Saga's industrial rendition is probably my favorite, but each version really sets a tone for its specific arc.

I believe that established routine sings later on as it provides something for the audience (and Utena's cast) to anchor themselves with once things go off the rails...or into a little red Corvette.

I haven't dug through all of Empty Movement's interviews yet, but you can't tell me that Ikuhara ISN'T a Prince fan.

It just works TOO well.

I just remembered that Anthy visits him on Saturday night... I wouldn't be surprised if that's a lyrical reference, too.

Without getting into the specifics, it sure was sweet to see Akio get his just desserts.

As you alluded, Revolutionary Girl Utena's characters and world continue to be relevant because they shine a light on serious systemic issues, both external and internalized. Instead of just pushing the uncomfortable truth to the side, it's important to face it as best you can. As hard as it can be sometimes, just cracking open the door and taking that first step is so important.

You've said it better (and with more clever references) than I ever could. As you might've been able to tell given our rather spirited conversation, Revolutionary Girl Utena is one of a kind and most assuredly worth your time.

Zettai unmei mokushiroku...