Product Details

• Format: Animated, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Software Sculptures
• VHS Release Date: July 23, 2002
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305120986
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #651,397 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Creators of Sailor Moon. Utena has it all. Beauty. Confidence. She is the idol of her classmates at the exclusive Ohtori Academy. And yet, she is driven by a faded childhood memory of a prince on a white horse who comforted her when she was grieving over her parents' death, and who gave her a strange signet ring with a rose crest. This memory drives her to do the impossible: To become a prince herself who can protect a princess in need. Contains four episodes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best anime series ever!, March 15, 1999

By 

Nam Kim (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Revolutionary Girl Utena - Crest of the Rose [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"From the director of Sailor Moon!" That is what the box says, but this is far beyond the elementary school standard of Sailor Moon. When I first watched the first episode of this video, I thought this was little too girlish for my taste. But, when I watched through the entire first volume, I was hooked. I couldn't help but wanting to find out what happens next. It has very original story line, characters that have their own distinguished personality (how often does that happen?), brilliant color, beautiful music, and fabulous direction by former director of Sailor Moon. Speaking of direction, the scenes in this anime is full of symbolism and meanings. An example of this is in the opening scene, where Utena is walking among the boys, while Anthy is waliking among the girls to show the boyish nature of Utena and feminine nature of Anthy. There are occasional fencing duals, and while some of them may be too short, they are well animated and beautiful to watch. This title will attract people with Utena and Anthy's somewhat lesbianish (is that a word?) relationship, then have them hooked with its gorgeous scenery, unique storytelling, and interesting characters. Check this one out now!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your everyday anime., March 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Revolutionary Girl Utena - Crest of the Rose [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of the most subtle, intricate, and intreging shows that I have ever seen. So do *not* let the first episode temp you into thinking that this show is *fluffy*.

The story pivots around an incident that happened to Utena when she was young. She doesn't remember what really happened, but other characters have varying amounts of information about it, and use that to try to manipulate the outcome of the show. (Reading the true motives of the characters in this setting is next to impossible, and an almost demonic sense of manipulation and paranoia descends upon the cast as the show progresses.)

Friends who have seen the show in it's entirety tell me that everything clicks into a frightenly clear and desperate endgame when the show actually does tell the audience what the backstory is about. They also tell me that all of the clues needed to solve the mystery are there in the first episodes, but the odds of figuring it out ahead of time are next to nothing. Good luck. :)

Add to that a gorgeous art style, and deep character development, and mix well for an incredible series.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The more I think about it, the more impressed I am., February 29, 2000

By 

Irina Greenman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Revolutionary Girl Utena - Crest of the Rose [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of those series which must be watched more than once. As more is revealed about the characters and the mysterious world in which they live, the earlier parts of the series become more impressive. The detail work in this series is second to none. Only the first four tapes are currently available in the USA, but as one who has seen the whole series (39 episodes) I can say with confidence that this is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, anime series ever made. The first volume seems to be conventional shoujo anime, but that is just a surface impression. Every gesture, every line of dialogue, is carefully placed to prepare for the later parts of the series. It is true that the first volume, which contains the first four episodes (it is with the second that the series truly starts to shine) is the least amazing of the series, but it is still most definitely worth watching. I can't recommend the series highly enough.