Revolutionary Girl Utena

[Ashley]

Originally posted by Archan

TITLE: Revolutionary Girl Utena

Basic Story Summery:
The main Heroine of this anime (Utena Tenjou) has the disconfort of her parents dying when she was a little girl. However a prince them comes and somewhat saves her from her situation. This mysterious prince then gives her a rose crest ring and tells her that he will come back for her someday. Utena was so infatuated with this prince and so impressed that she herself wanted to bacome a prince and save damsels in destress. Now a couple of years later she is grown up and studies at the Ohtori Academy where she still holds her self-proclaimed image as a prince and wears her own version of the boys uniform. She then witnesses another girl (Anthy Himemiya) being abused by the Academys top deulist (Saionji Kyouichi). Trying to keep true to her burning abition to save damsels in distress Utena challenges Saionji to a duel where it is found out that Anthy is actually what is called the Rose Bride and whomever is the victor of the duel will recieve Anthy as the prize. Well, Utena wins and Anthy them become her bride. The rest of the series is built upon Utena and Anthys non-conventional relationship and Utena searching for her prince.

What's the Fuss:
There is homosexual subject matter. Plain and simple. Although Utena and Anthy are technically not in a homosexual relationship I have to admit that after seeing some screen shots and art.....as well as reading other reviews and episode syniopsis', it is pretty suggestive and subject to debate in my own eyes. However there is a character whom is homosexual in this series, I think it is Chida Mamiya whom is a male that is conspiring to replace the position or Rose Bride with himself (for obvious reasons I would think). Also there is some content concerning incest in which another character (Kiryuu Nanami) is in love with her brother (Touga Nanami).

Personal Opinions:
Okay....the whole little girl thing and wanting to save other damsles in distress I have no problem with. And I will admit is a good pitch to start an interesting plot and series......also I will also admit that the art altogether as well as the shot direction and everything is beautifully done. It's just the darn Homosexuality that ruins it. It's like it's everywhere and everyone seems to be troubled in the head in one way or another. And say what you want concerning the relationship with Utena and Anthy, there are wayyyyyyyy too many subtile (and not so subtile) signs pointing in the same direction. Also I've visited a couple of other sites and galleries and well, some of the images more then speak for themsleves. One thing to conider though when pondering Utena and Anthy's relationship is that in the Bible Daniel and King Saul's son Jonathan also had a rather strong relationship which is stated in I Samuel 20:17 (Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.) However it never says that they desired each other in such a way and when I read about Utena and Anthy I do see Utena somewhat desireing Anthy and vice versa. Although suttle, it's still there. So one must make a judgment call concerning Utena and Anthy's relationship.....either to label it or give them the benifit of the doubt. However concerning Chida Mamiya's character, I find nothing subtle about it. He wants to be the Rose Bride for cryin' out loud! What does that tell ya? Then there's the whole other situation concerning Touga and Kiryuu, in which I find troubling. So I for one woudln't see this anime or reccomend it. Although it has it's good qualities, the subject matter is still there. I just find it a darn shame that such a wonderful anime was ruined because of this, and no doubt could have been more wondeful if the Yaoi/ Yuri were left out. *Pout* Cant win em' all I guess.

Explicit Subject Matter:
Homosexuality (Yaoi/Yuri) and incest.

WARNING-
Some of the links below may contain suggestive subject matter and images concering views which are opposed by all of us here at C.A.A. Parental moderation suggested.
http://www.duellists.tj/
ttp://www.projectanime.com/series/shouj ... tena.shtml
http://www.animetric.com/qrs/rgu.html
http://www.atpictures.com/utena/ (Gallery)

[Shao Feng-Li]

Yeah, looking at those pics, its nothing less than homosexuallity.

[shooraijin]

Let's not proceed any further on that topic, please. It doesn't add anything substantial to this discussion.

[PotBelliedCow]

I've been thinking about watching this series...thanks Ashley

[Kawaiikneko]

The manga wasn't that bad, much less homosexual hints I think. So if you don't want to watch the anime, but are still interested, well, read the manga

[Kenchii]

My friends a HUGE Utena freak. He would give you more of a in side scoop on all things Utena if you like. I seen the movie, it looks good. Except some things here and there. otherwise .. well.. im getting him !!

[Vash is a plant]

The manga differs a lot from the anime, the story line is condensed and there are a great deal of characters that appear in the anime but weren't in the manga, like Nanami. The story with Mamiya was a side story in the very last volume of Utena... Like Kawiikneko said, if you are still interested in Utena, read the manga.
Oh and don't watch the movie, there is blatant homosexuality in it...

ja! ^.^

[Archan]

Hummmmmmmm.....

I remember this thread being ALOT bigger with more responses. Ah well. Guess something else happened while I was away. I always keep missing the good stuff....*wimper*

God Bless,
Archan

[Mangafanatic]

We're not trying to hurt anyone's feelings. The purpose of this review is to give people an idea of what Utena is and what in it they might object to. I personally would want to know that there is some gay sentiment before I sit down and watch it when at any time one of my younger sibs might waltz in. Furthermore, an anime being "great", does not mean it's good for me. There are a great many "great" anime's that many of us don't watch.

In the end, it's all about personal conviction. Thanks to Ashley-chan for writting this review so I can make that decision.

[Angel37]

The manga and first season are good. Black Rose Duelist saga and Akio Car Saga, from what I hear, are not. The movie has more blatant yuri. (although it is really pretty).
-Angel

[Gypsy]

Hello, ATrueReview. I've been busy with work lately, so this is the first chance I've had to meet you. While it's not really pertinent to this particular thread, I'd like to explain a couple things that might help you understand our review process a little better.

As a reviewer for CAA, my top concern is to evaluate content first. That's what 99% of the members are concerned about most. It's been my observation that members of CAA are most interested in content (age ratings), genre, and then story quality, art, etc. respectively. Since I also prioritize using this pattern, naturally I try to accommodate to this line of thinking. That is why most reviews usually go right to the nitty gritty of the matter. If someone has a problem with the content, they usually don't care less about the story quality or the ingrained lessons and themes.

We’re not here to write unbiased reviews – you can find those anywhere. I’ve read many that are beautiful and honest tributes to the respective anime, but why on earth re-write something that’s already all over the internet and anime magazines? Our reviews are unique because they’re from a Christian perspective. It’s what our members expect and appreciate, and we’re more than happy to help.

I respect that you have your own opinion. Members will read both the review and your comments, and like Mangafanatic said, draw their own conclusions.

[freerock1]

Wow, went searching for this one. Anyway, I saw AZN was running the Utena movie tonight, and I had thought about taping it. I'll refrain from posting my decision (which hopefully will help prevent a flamefest), but I will say this review helped me decide what I wanted to do.

So thanks to Ash and the CAA crew for keeping this stuff up.

[faithfighter]

I watch some of it the other day...way to much nudity for me...and it was terrible boring. *yawn*

[Gypsy]

Hopefully at some point we'll get an official review of this one up - not that I'm encouraging anyone to watch it. Also, please be aware of the different Utena titles. They have very different levels of content.

[Lilac#18]

I remember seeing the movie a few years back. I didn't see the whole movie, I dont remember everything and I don't remember all the characters, but I remembered Utena and Anthy. It was between these two characters that bothered me. this anime is not for me.

[Shao Feng-Li]

So basically, 1-25 of the TV anime is appropriate over all? Is that like the first season?

[Tsukuyomi]

I've seen the movie and some of the anime series. I would definitely that the series is much more light hearted o.o Ti's really humorous if I really think of it Sure, there are some episodes that are.. iffy, but some like episode 27 (I think it was) where..

[spoiler]Nanami thought she layed an egg[/spoiler] was pretty funny There was also when..

[spoiler]Nanami ordered this cow bell and wore it around her neck as if it were some fashion statement XDD[/spoiler]

The series is much.. safer (?) then the movie due to fact that in the movie they are more then "just friends" >_> While in the series they are "just friends" o.o

[chibiphonebooth]

yay for gravedigs!

[Maledicte]

The first season definitely could be considered "safe," with the darker themes coming in during the Black Rose Saga onward. However dark the plot becomes, though, it seems the anime is warning against rather than condoning such behaviors as:

-Incest. From Nanami's infatuation with her older brother, to Miki's overbearing twin sister Kazu, all the way to Akio and Anthy, this behavior is frowned upon. Only grief comes from this.

-Homosexuality. While not shown in a completely negative light, the characters in this sort of relationship are in it for their own gain (Touga and Akio) or are left heartbroken (Juri).

-Pedophilia. Kazu's overbearing attitude actually protects her brother in this case. And Akio's influence corrupts Mikage's once-fatherly feelings toward a sick young boy.

Remember, content does not equal condoning. Still, if such content makes you uncomfortable, you might not want to watch it. I found it to be a very deep and layered show, and enjoyed it immensely.

[ShiroiHikari]

I actually want to see this show pretty badly.

[Sheenar]

http://www.christiananime.net/showthread.php?t=4946

Please remember that this is a "Do not discuss" title. You guys should probably take discussions to PM. I don't want anyone to get in trouble.

[ShiroiHikari]

Oh yeah, I forgot all about that. :x