[Sell Me On...] Revolutionary Girl Utena
- dokool
- Sir Gaijin Smash
- Joined: Wed Jul 31, 2002 9:12 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Contact:
[Sell Me On...] Revolutionary Girl Utena
I think it's time I actually put General Anime to actual use. My idea is that the purpose of a "Sell Me On..." thread is for people curious about a series who want to know whether or not it's worth the watch/buy/whatever. People who know the show can post replies basically trying to pimp the show out for whatever reason they see fit, etc.
Well, it may fail, but it's certainly more relevant to the forum than "anime boyfriend/girlfriend," the two or three "Who likes yaoi?" threads, and the five or six dozen Evangelion Live Action threads on the board.
Anyway, yes. Your assignment today is to sell me on the merits of Revolutionary Girl Utena. To this date my viewing count stands at two AMVs (The Two Shall Meet and Liberation of Memories Past), and all I know is that it has a pink-haired chick who can handle a sword and enough lesbian sub- and over-text to make practically every anime fan at Bryn Mawr College an Utena fanatic.
So, let's hear it. What makes the show so great, anyway?
-DOKool
Well, it may fail, but it's certainly more relevant to the forum than "anime boyfriend/girlfriend," the two or three "Who likes yaoi?" threads, and the five or six dozen Evangelion Live Action threads on the board.
Anyway, yes. Your assignment today is to sell me on the merits of Revolutionary Girl Utena. To this date my viewing count stands at two AMVs (The Two Shall Meet and Liberation of Memories Past), and all I know is that it has a pink-haired chick who can handle a sword and enough lesbian sub- and over-text to make practically every anime fan at Bryn Mawr College an Utena fanatic.
So, let's hear it. What makes the show so great, anyway?
-DOKool
- J-0080
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 7:37 pm
- Location: Mid-West Side Laying On: Fangirls
Re: [Sell Me On...] Revolutionary Girl Utena
dokool wrote:lesbians
paizuri wrote:There's also no need for introductions because we're generally a friendly bunch and will welcome you with wide open arms anyway.
- Zarxrax
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2001 6:37 pm
- Contact:
A couple years back I started watching the show from the middle of the series up to the end, and i was confused as hell, but I really enjoyed it. Over the past year or so I've been buying the series on DVD, and just recently finished off my collection. Years having passed since I originally saw (half of) it, I've seen a lot more anime with which to compare it to. As far as things like storyline, character developement, and the likes go, its not all that great of an anime. I mean, its good, but I wouldn't say its one of the best out there. Having that said, Utena is singlehandedly one of the most ARTISTIC anime I have ever seen. And let me tell you, I've seen a LOT of anime. The show abounds with artsy stuff and symbolism. Lots of times theirs stuff that doesnt even make sense, except that its some weird symbolism that looks cool. The movie takes all of this to the utter extreme. If you are into artsy stuff, I would recommend you take a look at the movie. If you enjoy it, then you will probably enjoy the series as well.
- AbsoluteDestiny
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2001 1:56 pm
- Location: Oxford, UK
- Contact:
I saw the first 14 eps... thought it was ok but wasnt hooked.
I then saw the movie and OMG is that just the most gorgeous awesome thing ever. I'd recommend that to anyone.
I then was interested enough to go back to the later parts of the series and really enjoyed it.
I think my advice would be this: try and watch some of the TV show just for a little taster and to get the basic premise. Then watch the movie. If you love the weirdness and artisticness of it then the series as a whole is probably worth a shot.
The TV series as a whole has more depth than the movie, but the movie is much more impressive. Very interesting series whichever way you cut it though.
I then saw the movie and OMG is that just the most gorgeous awesome thing ever. I'd recommend that to anyone.
I then was interested enough to go back to the later parts of the series and really enjoyed it.
I think my advice would be this: try and watch some of the TV show just for a little taster and to get the basic premise. Then watch the movie. If you love the weirdness and artisticness of it then the series as a whole is probably worth a shot.
The TV series as a whole has more depth than the movie, but the movie is much more impressive. Very interesting series whichever way you cut it though.
- UncleMilo
- Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2001 6:41 pm
- Location: Southern California
- Contact:
I happen to be very fond of the Utena series. When I first started watching it, I simply enjoyed the artistry and the unusual storyline... as the show went on, I became more and more impressed with the strength of the characters, the quality of writing and the complexity of some of the themes going on in the show.
Now, I am 6 eps away from finishing the title and I swear the show gets better with each episode. Utena is now one of my favorite titles (and the movie is gorgeous, though it is very different from the TV series)
Still... I can't say if you'll like it or not.
-Uncle Milo
Now, I am 6 eps away from finishing the title and I swear the show gets better with each episode. Utena is now one of my favorite titles (and the movie is gorgeous, though it is very different from the TV series)
Still... I can't say if you'll like it or not.
-Uncle Milo
There are two kinds of people in this world:
Those who divide people into two kinds of groups
and those who don't.
Those who divide people into two kinds of groups
and those who don't.
- J-0080
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 7:37 pm
- Location: Mid-West Side Laying On: Fangirls
- SarahtheBoring
- Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2002 11:45 am
- Location: PA, USA
- Contact:
Guys? I don't know what you've been hearing, but there's less lesbian action in the series than in the average episode of Pokemon. Everything is suggested indirectly, and there's no nudity to speak of. If that's what you're after, go for the movie; the animation is prettier, and you get your naked lesbian street luge.
Better yet, just go for some hentai.
Anyway, both of those vids are from the movie; you may be seriously disappointed by the series, as the animation is markedly different. IMO the animation improves from its starting point later in the series, but it's rarely if ever anything like the movie.
Generally I think this is probably one of those series that you have to try and see if you like it, as many have mentioned before. Be aware that the first several episodes are deceptive, in a way: the series starts out innocently and almost school-comedy-like, and ends up in a very different place from where it began, somewhere much more dark and ambiguous. That's one thing that I actually like about it, that arc of development, but it might turn some people off.
So:
- Interpersonal relationships (no, seriously - not just "omg cute guy hooks up with cute girl," everything has thought behind it...everything. The cast is large, and everyone has connections to everyone else in some way. Half of the series is taken up with subplots, which all tie together thematically.)
- Psychological intrigue, and later in the series, manipulation
- Enough symbolism to sink a battleship
- Patterns. By this I mean you know how most episodes are going to flow: introduction of subplot, Council meeting, challenge, duel, denouement. But inside that framework the actual subplots go on, and that's what's interesting if you like the series. But if you want to be really, really surprised by everything that happens in the series this is probably not going to be for you. There are some giant twists, but they only come in a few places.
It's a character-driven story, there is absolutely no doubt about that.
So. Cool visuals, stick to the movie; character-driven psychodrama, give the series a try and see if you like it or if it drives you to distraction.
I for one love it to pieces, obviously. I am a sucker for characterization, and there isn't one character in this series that makes me think they were a cheap knockoff of something else or designed just to pander to the audience, nor are its antagonists (except one) demonized or its heroes completely lionized. It all rings true despite the strange and stylized setting.
So somebody got me to ramble like hell about my favorite series at 1:30 in the morning. Oy. Stop me.

Anyway, both of those vids are from the movie; you may be seriously disappointed by the series, as the animation is markedly different. IMO the animation improves from its starting point later in the series, but it's rarely if ever anything like the movie.
Generally I think this is probably one of those series that you have to try and see if you like it, as many have mentioned before. Be aware that the first several episodes are deceptive, in a way: the series starts out innocently and almost school-comedy-like, and ends up in a very different place from where it began, somewhere much more dark and ambiguous. That's one thing that I actually like about it, that arc of development, but it might turn some people off.
So:
- Interpersonal relationships (no, seriously - not just "omg cute guy hooks up with cute girl," everything has thought behind it...everything. The cast is large, and everyone has connections to everyone else in some way. Half of the series is taken up with subplots, which all tie together thematically.)
- Psychological intrigue, and later in the series, manipulation
- Enough symbolism to sink a battleship
- Patterns. By this I mean you know how most episodes are going to flow: introduction of subplot, Council meeting, challenge, duel, denouement. But inside that framework the actual subplots go on, and that's what's interesting if you like the series. But if you want to be really, really surprised by everything that happens in the series this is probably not going to be for you. There are some giant twists, but they only come in a few places.
It's a character-driven story, there is absolutely no doubt about that.
So. Cool visuals, stick to the movie; character-driven psychodrama, give the series a try and see if you like it or if it drives you to distraction.
I for one love it to pieces, obviously. I am a sucker for characterization, and there isn't one character in this series that makes me think they were a cheap knockoff of something else or designed just to pander to the audience, nor are its antagonists (except one) demonized or its heroes completely lionized. It all rings true despite the strange and stylized setting.
So somebody got me to ramble like hell about my favorite series at 1:30 in the morning. Oy. Stop me.

- Jonathan02us
- Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2003 8:14 pm
- Location: Southern California
- Contact:
Re: [Sell Me On...] Revolutionary Girl Utena
That is a great idea, a thread that is used to ask about any anime series, and have other people suggest on weither or not to get that certain anime series and their reasoning. I will certainly do that, this is a great idea ...dokool wrote:I think it's time I actually put General Anime to actual use. My idea is that the purpose of a "Sell Me On..." thread is for people curious about a series who want to know whether or not it's worth the watch/buy/whatever. People who know the show can post replies basically trying to pimp the show out for whatever reason they see fit, etc.
Well, it may fail, but it's certainly more relevant to the forum than "anime boyfriend/girlfriend," the two or three "Who likes yaoi?" threads, and the five or six dozen Evangelion Live Action threads on the board.
Anyway, yes. Your assignment today is to sell me on the merits of Revolutionary Girl Utena. To this date my viewing count stands at two AMVs (The Two Shall Meet and Liberation of Memories Past), and all I know is that it has a pink-haired chick who can handle a sword and enough lesbian sub- and over-text to make practically every anime fan at Bryn Mawr College an Utena fanatic.
So, let's hear it. What makes the show so great, anyway?
-DOKool

-
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2001 11:20 pm
I only watch it to see the shadow girls.
Not really, but they were an interesting twist in storytelling.
I enjoyed the first release of 13 eps, but the subsequent Black Rose arc seemed tedious to me. Very repetitive, same episode plotline over and over. I still need to watch the last two DVDs; hopefully the story moves forward in those.
AD is right about the movie. Color, artwork, animation...it's some of the best looking anime you'll ever see. The story is more than a little bizarre, however.
It might be worth checking out some more AMVs, too. Utena is not over used (is it?), but it is used quite a bit.

Not really, but they were an interesting twist in storytelling.
I enjoyed the first release of 13 eps, but the subsequent Black Rose arc seemed tedious to me. Very repetitive, same episode plotline over and over. I still need to watch the last two DVDs; hopefully the story moves forward in those.
AD is right about the movie. Color, artwork, animation...it's some of the best looking anime you'll ever see. The story is more than a little bizarre, however.
It might be worth checking out some more AMVs, too. Utena is not over used (is it?), but it is used quite a bit.