Customer Reviews

Revolutionary Girl Utena - Crest of the Rose [VHS]

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"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!

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.

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.

It was very difficult for me to decide how to rate this video and what to write about it. On the one hand, it is probably not for everyone, not even for all anime fans. However, ultimately I must tell you about how much I liked it myself.

I'm not even sure I can do that. To describe how much I like Revolutionary Girl Utena is probably impossible. It is, quite simply, the finest fictional work I have ever come across. No book I've ever read, no movie I've ever seen, no video game I've ever played has affected me as deeply as this. My hobby for fifteen years was collecting comic books. Recently I have moved more towards Japanese animation. Most recently of all, Revolutionary Girl Utena has become almost a hobby by itself. It is absolutely addictive, and once you get into the series you will go nuts trying to see all of it. The source of this madness is the simple fact that you will root for the two main characters, Utena and Anthy, more than anything you can imagine. You cannot help but want them to happy at the end of the series (which by the way has 39 total episodes), and you will be driven to see whether they are.

As for this first tape, it brilliantly sets up all that is to follow. There are four episodes, which introduce almost all of the major characters. There is drama and romance aplenty, and one of the funniest episodes in the series. I cannot recommend enough that you at least try out this first tape. After that, you will be hooked, and there is no going back.

Though by the same director as the famous "Sailor Moon", Utena is very much different, though the idea of a young female student fighting battles is still present. The show is very fast paced, with complex storylines, and original twists that include fantasy, romance, battles, deception, and ordinary school life. Many other shows that center around fighting battles spend too much time focusing on the punching and the glory, while the fighting in Utena centers more around old fashioned dueling, with much more put into the story behind the duels rather than the actual fighting itself. Though it might seem to be a child's fantasy story at first, as you get more into the first tape, it becomes obvious that it is just as much about realistic situations and people, as it is about mythical powers. If you like stories that involve many different kinds of situations, that include both fantasy and reality, and don't mind situations and relationships that some might consider to be unconventional, then you will almost definitely enjoy Utena. Here's a brief summary of what it includes. A girl, Utena, has the memory of being comforted about her parents' death by a prince on a white horse. She wears a ring signet that he gave her, which is her only proof that she ever met him. A new term is beginning at the Ohtori Academy, the school which she attends, and where ever aspect of student life is dominated by the shady student council, who secretly fight duels between eachother. Through unrelated circumstances Utena becomes involved in their dueling, which leads to an accidental engagement and many new unwanted complications in her life.

If you're about to see Utena for the first time be warned that symbolism lies heavy in here... Anyway, we join Utena Tenjou at Ohtori Academy on the search for him, hoping to be more like him by participating in boyish activities such as Boy's Basketball (and beating the whole team solo). Eventually her friends', Wakaba, heart is broken after a love letter is posted and the love doesn't care at all. Utena challenges him to a duel and that's where the excitement begins. In the second episode we are introduced to Anthy Himemiya (formally) and the rules and power of the student council with the help of a duel. In the third episode we are introduced to Nanami Kiryuu, a coniving little wench set out to be the only object of affection in her brother's (Touga's) life. And in the fourth, is a one-part of a two-part episode showcasing the intro to Miki Kaoru, the student council secretary and (usually) reluctant duelist. The artwork is rather well for inexperiance with the charcters and the four episodes show case beautifully with out letting a lot of the plot leak out. It's a must see for detectives in plots.

This isn't your everyday anime. It's plot is well developed and it's so original. I just love the music and the duels. I like the rules of the duels. And who ever heard of being engaged to the rose bride when you're a girl yourself? How oringinal is that? Buy it now or regret your mistake.

I must say I was very impressed with the first volume of Revolutionary Girl Utena. Utena is a truly inspiring character; smart, confident, capable, and strong enough to issue an old-school beat down where it's needed.

This series is intriguing, with an aura of mystery about it that draws in the viewer. The dubbing is also done well- Rachael Lillis is a good Utena, and Crispin Freeman's Touga is excellent. An excellent buy for any shoujo fan, or any anime fan in general.

I just saw this video and I must say I was very impressed. The animation, story, and music was wonderful. I especially enjoyed the opening theme. I can't wait to see how this interesting story develops. If I were you, I would try my hardest to get a copy.