Customer Reviews

Revolutionary Girl Utena - Power of Dios [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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. This is the volume in which the series starts to become dark. It is also the volume in which the series starts to become upsetting, though it becomes both darker and more upsetting throughout the remainder. It is also the volume in which Revolutionary Girl Utena truly shows itself to be unconventional and unpredictable, with characters who are fallible human beings. This tape concludes the Student Council Saga in an intelligent and emotionally moving fashion, which allows you to empathize with all the characters. The last episode on this tape is comprised mainly of a sequence of flashbacks. However, watch carefully; the juxtapositions of the duel song lyrics with the images is what makes this episode important. This episode emphasizes the superiority of the subtitled version over the dub, which, while the story and characters are the same, could and should have been far better than it is. Unfortunately, this is the latest of the tapes to be released in the USA. The ending leaves the viewer intrigued and wishing for more. I can't recommend the series highly enough.

The first thing a new Utena fan might notice about this volume - the final chapter of the Student Council storyline, BTW - is what Utena's wearing on the cover. Instead of her usual "guy's" uniform, she's wearing the female version of the Ohtori Academy dress code - WAY out of character for her! The reason for this switch is an important plot point for these three episodes.

In the first, "Gracefully Cruel (The One Who Picks That Flower)", Student Council leader Touga has Utena convinced that *he* is the mysterious prince from her past... then challenges her to a Duel at her most indecisive moment - and *beats* her, thus winning Anthy away from her. Powerful moment here, as Utena learns the "truth" about the Rose Bride and her total(?) lack of free will. The next episode, "For Friendship, Perhaps", finds Utena still in numb shock over her loss, to the point where she's just decided to become a normal girl! It takes the unintentional prodding of her friend Wakaba for Utena to regain her lost confidence, and thus, she demands a rematch against Touga - not for Anthy this time, but for herself, to reclaim what she once was.

The third and final episode on this tape, "Tracing a Path", is kind of a letdown, as it's really just a "clip show" showcasing Utena's seven Duels to date. However, these clips reveal the themes *behind* each Duel, and introduces a character that will play a key role in episodes yet to be brought over...

This anime is *strongly* recommended to anyone who enjoys strong characters, a gripping storyline that just gets better eith each passing episode, and anyone with an interest in shoujo anime. Sailor Moon fans, especially, should get a kick out of this, even though - despite sharing a director - the two series are *completely* different.

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.

I saw the first tape of Utena, and was hooked. I waited and waited for each tape to come out, and the wait for this one was particularly agonizing. But then, it did, and was just what it should be. It wrapped up the immediate loose ends, but didn't resolve enough to end the series. I found the end of the third episode on this tape particularly grating, since it hinted at episode 14 (Which may or may not be released... Pleeeease Software Sculptors?). All in all, this is a great end to *this part* of the series. Now they just need to bring the rest over...

This is the last! The final of the first part! This video has Utena dueling her *prince*(actually Touga!) and duels him. Because of how he looks like her prince, she loses all her cofidence and loses. She then decides to wear the girls real uniform. Wakaba, disapproves Utena's behavior and keeps asking her what's wrong. Than, Wakaba tells Anthy its her fault Utena's sad. Than, Utena slaps Wakaba, than Wakaba slaps back! There's more, but be prepared to a ride of amazement!!!!!

First I just like to say that no matter how many glowing reviews Utena may get it is still not for everyone. I should know, I am one of those people. (But before all the Utena fans in the world jump on me and give me an unhelpful rating) Frankly, the "all men are evil and manipulative" thing is just not my cup of tea."
Not that I am a hateful person but people that are uneasy with such stories as I am should prepare themselves. I was able to pay it no mind since the comedy (Chuchu!) and Utera's love for her prince, soon overpowered everything else. You've gotta love Anthy's pet (oops, I mean "friend") collection:).The images that are always said as being dreamlike and easy to miss, were actually quite easy for me to understand. In one scene in the series where a student counsel member is practicing his swordmanship:
4 practice swords fall forward by themselves on each side of 2 swords in a middle bin. The two sets represent the 8 members of the student counsel, the two swords on their lonesome are Anthy and Utena, caught *in the middle*:). That is just one of the dream images in this series that, if you are use to interpreting dreams or have taken any college level film classes, are easy to spot. The animation re-uses some footage over and over, but I think the quality of picture is up there with my favorite Sailor Moon, or Fushigi Yuugi opening theme level (I love the art in that opening!) The music in the battles and before are very catchy, and each battle, while set to the same music, has different words that express the reason and soul behind the person fighting. They are not truly fighting for the Rose Bride IMHO, but for something they lost and wish to reclaim, be it an a person, a talent, a memory, an identity, or an ability to love.
I have only watched the US release episodes so far and am getting all the rest of them soon out of pure curiosity (and the fact that I love interpreting dreams).
Was Utena REALLY a princess? No one ever talks about it...
Why couldn't Utena just love the prince, not want to BE a prince?
Did that poor kitty Nanami threw into the river actually *sniff* die?
These questions will be answered! (I hope) When I finish watching them all I will write another review in the first volume review section of Utera. I have a sickening feeling I may know the plot twist to Utena (please say I'm wrong!):
.......The prince was the one that killed Utera's parents and he was only getting her to do his dirty work?
......Utena actaually IS the prince reborn in a different body?
Signed,
An anonymous girl anime fan

Everyone should see this anime. It's beautiful, complex, and interesting. They only dubbed/subbed only 13 of the episodes, but you can get the rest of the tapes subtitled at fansubs if you know where to look.

Try this series out. It's very confusing at first, that's why you should start at tape 1, Crest of the Rose. Otherwise, you'll be super confuzzled. Have Fun!

You see, this tape was very very good! Subtitled nicely, and shows up to episode 13! I adored this, because I could not find episode 13 anywhere else but this tape. This was a lucky find by my anime store where I live. But, did you know there are really 39 episodes of Utena?! 13 just ends this arc. I just wanted to make that clear. The tape itself, and the series is superb.

every one has to go buy utena! You finally get to see touga fight!you also met a new charater,Akio! i had to watch this many times to competely understand the last episode but it was worth every minute of it.

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.