Customer Reviews

Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 1: To Till

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm not sure how I heard about his story, but when I saw it in the bookstore, I decided to pick it up and see how it was. I was in for a surprise!! I never imagined how beautiful executed the story would be.
Utena is different from pretty much all other "magical girl" type stories in that Utena is nothing special...she never changes into some kind of superhero, she never pitches corny attacks at absurd villains. Utena is just a girl looking for her prince and desiring to be one herself...I was drawn to this manga because here I saw a strong girl willing to battle her way through life to make her dream come true.
Utena's character is very well-rounded, as are the others. Anthy's girliness is perfect to Utena's courage, Touga is mysterious and alluring, Saionji is willful and determined. Everyone flows together so perfectly. You have to get this manga if you're sick of all the Sailor Moon stuff circulating these days!!
By the way, I already have the second book. Why can't I write a review for it? It's out already.

I've always been a huge Utena fan. From the moment I picked up vol. 1-3 just at the interesting cover design over at Densetsu Manga (Legendary Manga) in Yokohama, Japan I loved it. It is a seemingly simple story at the beginning which quickly develops into a beautiful masterpiece of a manga. It has a deep philosphical message that is presented a bit more in the backround so it doesn't get in the way of the enjoyment of the story (unlike some series which have to lecture you during the last two epiosdes..*COUGH* NEON GENESIS EVANGELION *COUGH*...actually I love Eva and the last two eps. were amazing, so don't get mad at me..^_^;;). The story presents to you characters who are bound by their own insecurites, unable to truly live lives, stuck in the past, obsessed with the future, bound by jealousy or arrogance. The school itself (Ohtori Academy) is the physical embodiment of greed and human selfishness, the students who go there (the main chars. at least)are metaphorically facing their own selfishness. When they talk about "cracking the shell of the world" they are discussing the idea of breaking away from their insecurites and finally being able to actually LIVE. They duel to reach that "outside world" the place where the can be human again...the power to "revolutionize the world". Utena's bonds were broken by her prince, and that is why she is different from the rest of the duelers and also so highly coveted by Kiryuu, Touga. Well...that was my interpretation of the plot at least..anyway...

I can't begin to tell you how enthusiastic I am about the UTENA manga. Having been a fan of the anime series and the wonderful movie, I have to admit to entering this reading experience with a bit of bias--but I think my expectations have been exceeded.

First up, if you're also a fan of any of the animated versions, you should be aware that the comic is as different to them as the video series is to the movie. What we have here is something akin to the NEON GENESIS EVANGELION manga--an expanded version of the story from the longer video series. The first volume focuses first on Utena's life before going to the Academy, and the bizarre things she discovers when she gets to the Academy. Really, the story is just getting revved up, and we have only seen a small scratch on the surface. Utena is very much a character in development, who is exploring something new and fantastic, and the great thing about the manga is we get to discover along with her.

To be honest, if you're an Utena fan, what this book (and the ones that follow) will likely do for you is give you a deeper insight into the characters you already love. And if you've never seen or read anything about this series before, in any form, well, as a newbie, you're in for a treat. No prior knowledge is necessary, this really starts on the ground floor.

Chiho Saito's art in this book is exceptional. She is really unique among the manga artists--utilizing both sharp, angular lines and smooth, round surfaces at the same time. There is also a very hard to describe quality to her work--she makes things sparkle. That's the only way to say it. It's all quite lovely. There is a real sensual quality to the Utena tail, and she brings it across with flair. (The flashback to Utena meeting her "prince" is of particular note.)

Storywise, the themes are familiar--self-discovery, both in terms of inner strength, gender issues, and as an individual within a society. Heavy stuff, without ever being overtly the focus, never getting in the way of a good tale.

Really, one of the top manga series to come to the states in several years.

This is a series like no other. Deeply symbolic, nearly every person, object, and incident means something else on a higher level in addition to the face value. The characters are not just human--they *represent* humanity, both good and bad. They highlight our weaknesses and emphasize our strengths. In this world, power means everything and concepts such as friendship, devotion, and love mean almost nothing. In the pursuit of power and prestige, families and friends are sacrificed for desires. And the life and happiness of one girl are bound to the power to change the world.

This is a controversial series dealing with life, death, change, love, betrayal, belief, truth, and more material concepts such as sex, attraction, and adventure. It messes with your reality, rights it, then scrambles it up again.

For those prudes and parents out there, be forewarned--this does contain incest (love between brother and sister), rape (can you call it that?--Anthy doesn't fight when it happens to her), and lesbianism. That's not to say that it is a bad series--just be warned that their are some controversial themes recurring in the story.

Read this manga or watch the TV show or watch the movie--you will never look at anime or manga the same way again!

It's really a lovely manga. I only started reading this because I saw the movie, and started watching the series. Now that I've watched all 39 episodes, I can't wait for the manga to continue here in the US. It's beautiful and well-done. The characters will draw you in during their struggles at breaking the world's shell. (my personal favorite is Juri). I love the story line of Utena wanting to be a prince to rescue princess from danger. You have to like her for this. She only wants good. But then there are *many* obstacles that get in the way. There is so much symbolism behind this, its uncanny, but it is just breathtaking to read and see unfold. I highly recommend it to anyone. It's well worth every penny. Its not wasting money, its an investment.

I have seen the series in its entirety, and the movie, and I have seen the Japanese manga. Finally READING the manga is a treat.

Having seen the series and movie (I'm praying that they translate the movie manga!), I was prepared for the extremely controversial themes that make this a milestone in the history of anime and manga. There is incest, which is where a brother and sister are a little bit closer than need be; rape (I call it that since Anthy just accepts it as a part of her duties as the Rose Bride ;she's not unwilling, and she's not willing--she's just there)and lesbianism (those of you who have seen the movie know what I am talking about). Death is abstract here; I can't tell you anything more without spoiling some major details of the story. Reality is twisted, as evidenced by the Castle of Eternity, which floats upside down in the air above the dueling arena. Love and friendship come up very rarely, and usually only when dealing with Utena. Power is the ultimate prize--indeed, a girl's life has been sacrificed for the pursuit of power.

The characters play upon each other's emotions, hopes, dreams, insecurities, and fears. Utena fights to protect Anthy, but wavers when Touga implies that he may mean more to her than she thinks. Miki's insecurities and fear drive him to challenge Utena, while Juri's jealousy and hatred are what cause her to raise her sword. Saionji is obsessed, and in his slight insanity, loses reason.

You need to read this series, if only to see what everyone is talking about.

This is awesome. I LIKED the Mr. Licky-lick part. It was sweet and bizarre and spiced up the manga making it different from the anime. Chiho Saito can't have enough compliments given to her for her gorgeous illustrations and heart wrenching story line. Anthi isn't a girly girl.... wonder what gave someone that idea. She's quiet and shy and I guess COMPARED with a tom boy like Utena ANYONE who wasn't a big tomboy would be a girly girl. Anthi's more of the quiet, submissive, weird, witch type. The fact of the matter is my freshly bought Utena manga already has the corners dogeared from my turning the pages so much and loving it! If you love Utena you must buy this... it says I gave it five stars... but I REALLY give it TEN! Wh00t!

I find that the manga of this series is a lot more entertaining and a lot more interesting than the infamous anime. The first volume is actually cool because Utena hasn't come to the academy yet; she and a friend of hers figure out clues she's been sent over the years to find that her 'prince' is at the academy. You find out that she has an aunt she's been living with up to then and that she's not a complete orphan. Then of course she goes to the academy and is thrust into this very strange and seperate world of duelings and winning the Rose Bride as a prize as a step towards "revolutionizing the world." The drawing can be a little wierd, people's faces for exampe are very long and even the women can look a little "mannish." Utena and Anthy as prince and rose bride have a very cute relationship together and along with Chu-chu Anthy's best friend and pet monkey it's all very adorable. As I said though, I like this manga mostly because I can actually make some sense out of it and the mysterious plot lines, unlike the anime which had me banging my head on the wall.

...she decides to search for him. And while searching for him she decides to do her best to walk in her steps and be the best Prince she can be. Well, something like that. She wants to protect others not just be protected. That is Utena, the main character.
It is a tad hard to explain the manga. Living swords? Castles? Hidden places? A school that is like a Fairy Tale. Even love triangles. But a dangerous Fairy Tale. Who is behind it all? What is going on? Will Utena fight...er found her Prince? Will Chuchu get a another cutie outfit? What is World's End and why roses?
Want these questions be to answered? Well, buy the manga and read on people!

This book is awsome! Has drama, action and somewhat funny parts. Bottom line Utena is searching for her prince . It leads her to a school. Good story for one volume . Wish I could read more.