Running Time 325 Mins.
Format: DVD MOVIE
Customer Reviews:
A Black Rose is nothing like a Red Rose.......2005-01-30
I was forced to watch the incredibly "pretty" Red Rose Saga of Utena. Berserk being my favorite anime, everytime a rose came up on the screen I wanted to throw something at the TV (which happened at least once every two or three minutes). However, I'd like to note that the first Juri battle is worth anyone's twenty minutes, despite that it's in the Red Rose Saga.
Then I got to the Black Rose Saga. In the first episodes a girl basically has a mental breakdown in an elevator and is stabbed in the heart with a black rose. The Black Rose Saga is DARK. This is when the creators of Utena finally start with all the deeper philosophical, symbolic, and psychological aspects that make Utena such an amazing anime. It goes from happy flowers flying through the air and petty high school crushes to incest, questioning one's sexuality, becoming an adult, and more obvious symbolism. The last episodes were so dark and depressing that I almost wanted to stop. If you like anime on any level, Revolutionary Girl Utena is MUST.
Utena... I love Utena..........2004-12-11
I have all the Utena DVD's; all 39 episdoes and let me just say, this anime is AMAZING!! It is by-far my favorite anime... If you were debating over wheter to get this anime or not, get it. It's fabulous!! BUY IT NOW!!
Prepare yourself--this ain't Disney.......2003-06-27
After reading the review below, I thought I'd better write in to clarify the sexual politics of Revolutionary Girl Utena. If you don't care one way or the other about this issue, read no further. If you do, I hope this will be a guide to help you think about the show.
Revolutionary Girl Utena is 39 episodes long, but for several years only the first 13 episodes have been available in the States. There are three reasons for this. First, the sex. We see teenage characters who are sexually active in some way, even though we don't see what they do. Second, and more important, there are some pretty obvious displays of gay sexuality, including one character who is a lesbian and knows it. Third, there are open discussions of brother-sister incest, including a younger girl who has a hopeless crush on her older brother.
Let's handle these three things one at a time.
1. The sex. In terms of its frankness about teen sex, Utena is more graphic than any US-based cartoon for tweens but far less so than Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So, if Buffy doesn't bother you, this show might not either.
2. The gay themes. This show never judges people for being gay, and the entire series is clearly about finding out what you want and staying true to your own ideals and desires. The main character, Utena, seems to like only boys at first, but she also kind of wants to BE a boy--strong, assertive, and able to defend other girls who are being persecuted or pushed around. In short, this is not a show about traditional family values.
3. The incest stuff. Incest is NEVER presented in a positive light in this show. Quite the contrary, is is portrayed as a tragic reality that is neither imaginary nor safe. The show's insights into the dynamics of family desire are very, very radical, and if you don't even want to THINK about these isues, don't watch the show. However, if you want to see a show that takes the issue seriously and will give you food for thought about what incest MEANS, you are in for a revelation.
[Note--The Black Rose Saga also has hints of teacher-student sexual relations, and these are handled similarly. The reality of such relations is acknowledged, but there no sense of sexiness, much less of approval]
This middle segment of the show, The Black Rose Saga, is the least interesting one. It's sort of a lengthy pause between the first arc, which handles the development of Utena as a "prince," and the last arcs, which deal with two basic questions: what does it really mean to be a "prince," and what would it take to revolutionize the world? However, even though it's a pause, it's still an interesting portrait of some minor characters and their own struggles, which are often different from Utena's.
In terms of its overall take on sexuality and desire, Utena is more radical than ANY show in the US, including Xena, OZ, Queer as Folk, etc. In terms of its sexual politics it just might be the most radical TV show, ever. By the time the series is over, the show has pretty much completely revised the whole idea of how men and women are supposed to relate to each other and what it means for them to desire each other. From the simple image of a prince on a white horse, an entire new fairy tale emerges that suggests women, and men, are headed toward a very new future. I can't say more without spoiling the show.
I write all this becuase US fans of Utena often attempt to downplay these issues and say that the characters aren't "really" gay, etc. Fine--but the characters aren't "really" straight, either. They are complex, powerful, and often tragic individuals who are trying to figure out what they want in life. I think we need more shows like this, both for teen viewers and for the rest of us. But make no mistake, this isn't just some adventure cartoon with cool fight scenes, and it will try to make you ask questions about your own desires.
The second season of the greatest anime of all time........2003-05-18
The release of the second arc/season of Utena is a big deal-a very big deal for us in the states. The Black Rose arc is far from being the best Utena series, but is still better than most series. It's fighting sequences are better than that of the first season, but it dosen't focus on character relationships the way the 1st does, but gives us a good insight on the secondary characters of the show, such as:: Kanae, Kozue, Shiori, Tswuabuki, Wakaba & her Onion Price, and Keiko. It also introduces us to the so called "villians" of Utena, Mikage and Mamiya. The relationship between the two has scared some off from this series but please, there aren't any real fruity scenes between the two. It never goes farther than Mikage kissing Mamiya's fingers- so if you're homophobic, you'll still enjoy this series. Mikage is a very interesting character with a dark past that will give this series quite a shocking season finale. Don't pass up the series that shocked Japan and is flying off the US racks.
Contains episodes 14-26
***Aside from the Black Rose, this also contains the first two episodes of the highly anticipated 3rd Saga- Akio.***
Description
The final Utena story arc! Utena is about to solve the mystery behind her best friend's enslavement, the secret duels, and the forces that have manipulated her life from the beginning! Contains episodes 27-39
Customer Reviews:
Psychologically terrifying...or thrilling.......2006-06-30
I really want to curse right now however I won't instead...
At first I checked out this series and was WOWED by interesting duels, the dream-like atmosphere, the seduction, and the mysterious yet realistic characters. Thus i continued to watch wanting to find answers to many of the complex themes, especially about "utena's decision/choice" (whatever). Now i have NO problem with homosexuals I quite admire Jury, and we SEE very clearly at some point WHO jury is. This is not so with the main character Utena which is why i am disappointed with her "decision;" it leaves me CONFUSED as to what was conveyed of her from the start of the series. In the beginning Utena wants to be a "prince" to "save" Anthy; she also wants to find "her prince" (bisexual?). Then around the middle she falls in love the devil_sorry Akio (straight?). Finally in the end...lets just say I wished her to "save" Touga.
This Anime WILL scare some, not in a "chucky" aspect, but in a weird psychologically freaky way. BE WARNED Utena begins innocently then becomes really intense. Definately not a "romantic" fairy tale this among other symbols is used for effect AND as a tactic to entice YOU to watch.
WHAT I DO LIKE about the series as originally stated in the beginning are the sword fights, mystery, seduction, the complex characters, and the comedy. The only drawback is the confusing ending.
Shoujo Kakumei Utena.......2006-01-02
The roses, an excess of pink, incredibly feminine designs for all the characters (including the male ones), and its rather distinct artistic style may turn some viewers away from Utena. It almost kept me from watching it, at first. But for some reason I bought the first DVD, and I have never regretted it.
Utena is a weird show. You realize that within the first episode. It is surreal, dreamlike, and yet though it may seem random at times, there is method to the madness. It begins with a girl who met a prince when she was young. He gave her a ring that would lead her to him when she grew up. So impressed was she by him, that she decided to become a prince herself. Now that girl, Utena, dresses in a boy's uniform and attends a school where all is not what it seems.
The real strength of Utena lies in its characters. There is a large cast, and each character's motivations and emotions are explored in different episodes. These are not the cardboard cutouts you find in a lot of anime; they are complex people, and their individual tales are often poignant. Utena also boasts one of the best villains I've ever seen in anime, rivaled only by Berserk's Griffith. It is a smart show, with a lot of depth. There's also some humor in it, and for people who like battle (like me), there are duels every episode or so. Usually these fights are fairly predictable, but they're still fun to watch.
The last arc of the show has one of the best finales in any anime. It may leave the viewer a bit confused; but the dreamlike quality of the show is used to very good effect here. For anyone who likes well-developed characters, something a little different from usual, a good storyline with real substance to it, Utena is an excellent anime.
Utena Is Inspiring..........2004-12-11
I have all the Utena DVD's; all 39 episdoes and let me just say, this anime is AMAZING!! It is by-far my favorite anime... If you were debating over wheter to get this anime or not, get it. It's fabulous!! BUY IT NOW!!
Revolutionary Girl Utena-The Apocalypse Saga Delivers!.......2004-07-25
The final four disc in the Utena storyline continue the unique tale of our hero Utena while further developing the other characters as well. While not containing some of the funnier moments embedded in The Black Rose Saga, the Apocalypse series focuses on bringing the viewer deeper into the history of Utena and it's deeply involved mythology. The story line can become a little confusing near the end but the series wraps up in a touching and ultimately satisfying end. The Apocalypse Saga will leave you glad for the experience and the best part, it will leave you wanting more of this excellent saga.
Amazon.com
This movie version of the Japanese television show takes the entire series plot and streamlines it into 80 minutes, pushing the characters into an alternate universe. For those who have seen the series, the action and characters will feel familiar: Utena learns to be a duelist and fight against a righteous faction at her school. But director Kunihiko Ikuhara revises the series in details both small (the duels take place in a rose field, not a stadium) and large (the bizarre finale). The gender-bending relations between Utena and Anthy--a friendship in the series--now take on lesbian overtones. The film will certainly be remembered for its finale as Utena becomes a racecar--literally. The end result should polarize fans yet bring new anime enthusiasts onboard. (Rated 13 and older; mild violence and nudity) --Doug Thomas
Description
Utena duels her classmates to protect her friend Anthy, who is the key to a magical power that could make her dream - to become a prince - come true. But Anthy hides a terrible secret, and Utena must face the truth about herself and those she loves and learn what it means to be a true hero. Anamorphic widescreen format!
Customer Reviews:
Affection, Incest, Jealousy, and Innocence Lost...........2006-02-24
I think for some who watch the original 1st season of Revolutionary Girl Utena would be disappointed because they thought it was all going to end quickly with just a movie. But, I strongly recommend that you watch the previous seasons of "The Black Rose Saga" and "The Apocalypse Saga". From what I've seen in this movie, the colors are brilliant comparing to the TV series. The music is beautiful and nostalgic. "This Rose is Our Destiny" song was beautiful, whether you're a j-pop fan or not you'll love it. There were parts in the movie that can be confusing like the character's new modified looks, the setting, and story. Well, just think of it as a retelling the Utena series in a whole new way. You may think that the previous 1st series was just all teenager pheremones and stuff. But, this does deserve the title "Innocence Lost". Even Utena let's loose her anger on Anthy because of her childhood boyfriend. In The 1st series she never considered Touga as a boyfriend but a "playboy" (which is true, speaking the fact that he was messing with other girls).
Alot of things well be unveiled in different plots and shocks. The special feautures were the best part including my favorite theatrical trailer of "La Fillette Revolutionaire UTENA" w/the Gravitational Mix "Absolute Destiny of Apocalypse". Kunihiko Ikuhara in his "Behind the Scenes" and commentary explained alot of what's going on and the movie's new meaning.
So check it out! And be in awe with a world without innocence.
get it.......2005-07-27
I love the series it has 39 episodes and I love the movie. I would rate it pg-13. The animation is just average but I still love this movie it has drama, comedy, action, and some mature themes.
I am obbsessed with Utena!!.......2004-12-11
I have all the Utena DVD's; all 39 episdoes and let me just say, this anime is AMAZING!! It is by-far my favorite anime... If you were debating over wheter to get this anime or not, get it. It's fabulous!! BUY IT NOW!!
Awsome.......2004-11-11
Yes, I am a big fan of the series and the manga. Look, some utena fans may not like it because they either never seen the MOVIE MANGA or they just couldn't understand it.
I highly recommend the movie. Watch it and see if you can figure out the symbolism there...or if you are just lazy then go look at a site that tells you. XD
The movie really does follow the MOVIE manga, I recently bought it from Viz. The few things that are a bit different between the movie manga and the animated movie itself is that (Warning, movie manga SPOILERS):
- Utena and Anthy didn't dance, they looked at the stars, which was still a cute moment. ^^
- Utena dueled Touga, not Juri.
- Utena did NOT turn into a car. XD
There are others as well but you get the idea.
The music is awsome, the voice acting is good (except for Movie Akio...they changed it! Poor series/manga Akio...X_X), the animation is pretty. And you KNOW you like Toki ni Ai wa (At Times, Love is).
Revolutionary Girl Utena-The Movie - not like the series........2004-08-20
Having been a fan of the entire series of Revolutionary Girl Utena I would advise any like-minded fan to avoid this movie. Granted the artwork is beautiful and a serious collector would likely be interested in owning it. However, many things have changed from the original series. The relationship between Utena and Anthy has turned dark and calculating and the other stories are too rushed and somber for this film. Plus you only get to witness a few duals with very little "sword magic" and the ending will leave you completely wondering why you wasted money on this and why the director wasted his chance to make a movie based on his truly wonderful series.
Amazon.com
A logical step for the young fan of anime is this series from the creator of the popular crossover hit Sailor Moon. The story line skews slightly older, not for its violence but for its complexity. The theme is modern mythology, not intergalactic warfare, so it's more interesting and less violent than in Sailor Moon. And less bubble-headed. Our heroine, Utena, is admired by classmates who share Sailor Moon's giddy hysterics, but Utena herself is solid, noble, and strong. Saved by a prince as a child, Utena dresses in the men's uniform of the expansive Ohtori Academy. Her goal is to be prince, and in this introductory disc (seven episodes, nearly three hours of material), she shows signs of becoming one. The scheming student council allows her into the mysterious forest arena, where she wins a sword duel (not played for blood) and wins the devoted loyalty of Anthy, the mysterious Rose Bride. They become a team, discovering the riddles of the arena forest and fending off challengers (while excelling in classes to boot). While some Westerners may read far too much into the sexual politics of the series, it's very old-fashioned at its core: Utena's affections are girded toward a duelist who just may be the prince who saved her years before. Some mild domestic violence and oddly subtitled songs ("Absolute Destroy Apocalyptic," "Paleozoic Era in the Flies") will ruffle some parents, but for ages 9 and up it's engaging entertainment. Utena delivers for girls what Star Wars did for boys: a never-ending series of adventures that one can imagine themselves in, whether daydreaming or playing in the backyard. The DVD comes in both subtitled and dubbed formats. --Doug Thomas
Customer Reviews:
Utena Vol 1.......2007-03-08
The artwork is very good. The problem is that the story reuses video segments over and over again to fill time. The series does not have a strong story line.
WOW!.......2006-05-18
When I first heard of this series I wasn't sure If I would like it or not. But after borrowing a tape my friend recently bought and watching a few episodes on it, I KNEW I had to see the rest of this series. The animation and character design is very beautiful, The sword fights are a sight to see, and the songs are so lovely (even the metal is awsome to hear). All in all, so far I have really liked this. Can not wait to see the rest (I want to see the dark stuff heh heh).
Utena Is Amazing..........2004-12-11
I have all the Utena DVD's; all 39 episdoes and let me just say, this anime is AMAZING!! It is by-far my favorite anime... If you were debating over wheter to get this anime or not, get it. It's fabulous!! BUY IT NOW!!
An Good Start to an Intriguing Series.......2004-12-05
Revolutionary Girl Utena is an anime that's both empowering and intriguing. It takes place in a boarding school where the students hold power over their teachers, the entire female population has a crush on a girl, and the school has a dueling arena with and upside-down floating castle. In the first collection, we're introduced to this world, as well as to Utena, an unlikely shojo heroine. Unlike the ditzy, lazy Sailor Moon, Utena has aspirations to become a heroine, and to save others like she has once been saved. We also meet the "princess" Anthy Himemiya, the Rose Bride, and the student council.
I haven't seen the whole series, but I like Utena for tantalyzing its viewers - for giving hints of a deeper story beneath the "duel-of-the-day" formula. Also, the villains of Utena are three-dimensional. Saionji is an abusive [...], but at times he shows genuine love for Anthy. Miki would be the "nice one" in the group, but one can see that he also duels for his own self-interest.
For breaking the mold and its tantalizing plotlines, I highly recommend Revolutionary Girl Utena.
an add-on to Sailor Moon's popularity.......2004-10-02
The first reason I got this DVD was because of the director. Otherwise, Utena stands on its own and is very different from Sailor Moon. The animation is a little older than Sailor Moon, but it deals with more mature issues than Sailor Moon. Utena fights bloodless duels where the loser has his/her rose knocked off their breastpocket. It's a confusing story that entwines romance, sensationalism, duels, and magic. All I have to say is don't really think too much but pay attention when you are watching this. There are seven episodes on this disc and four duels.
Amazon.com
The mysteries of Ohtori Academy unravel a bit more in this second collection of episodes. Our noble heroine, Utena, is drawn into a series of bloodless fencing duels, the winner receiving the loyalty of Anthy, the mysterious Rose Bride. Being the first winning female Duelist, Utena has some peculiarities to resolve, sometimes quite comically. Nevertheless, she wants to free Anthy of her obligation and allow her to be a regular student, much to the chagrin of the shadowy student council who dub themselves "End of the World." Director Kunihiko Ikuhara (the inferior Sailor Moon) adopts a variety of tones in this series. "Curried High Trip" is played for laughs while the next episode, "Castle Where Eternity Dwells," deals ominously with Utena's past when her parents died (offscreen) and she is brought hope by way of a prince's gift--a ring, the symbol of a Duelist at Ohtori. Several duels take place in these episodes as we see the sides more cleanly defined: Utena will have to face down the student council at some point. The final episode recaps the first 12 episodes and tantalizes us with a key development for future episodes (there's 39 in all). Some mild domestic violence and oddly subtitled songs ("Absolute Destroy Apocalyptic," "Paleozoic Era in the Flies") will ruffle some parents, but girls ages 9 and up accustomed to anime will find this engaging entertainment. --Doug Thomas
Description
From the director of Sailor Moon. Utena never wanted to be a Duelist. She came to the Ohtori Academy in pursuit of the mysterious prince from her past, not to fight for possession of the Rose Bride. But the President of the Student Council is also a Duelist, and he may be Utena's long-lost prince as well. Can Utena fight the man she's loved since childhood? Contains episodes 8-13.
Customer Reviews:
AWSOME!.......2006-05-18
WOW! This volume is better than the first. The first episode on this is VERY funny and lighthearted. The rest though dramatic really make you feel for the characters. Really can't wait to see more (black rose is next)!
Utena has me mezmerized... o_O.......2004-12-11
I have all the Utena DVD's; all 39 episdoes and let me just say, this anime is AMAZING!! It is by-far my favorite anime... If you were debating over wheter to get this anime or not, get it. It's fabulous!! BUY IT NOW!!
Intriguing Character Development..........2004-12-05
More of the same, but on a greater scale. After a fun filler episode where Utena and Anthy switch bodies, we're introduced to some downright weird but ultimately mystifying episodes tying together the pasts of Saionji, Touga and Utena. Nanami's insane personality takes a bit more sinister turn, and Touga, after possibly proving himself to be a "prince," turns into a master planner. After Utena falls for his trap, she is forced to re-examine her life.
Not only does Rose Collection 2 keep you glued to your seat (I watched the whole DVD in a day wheras I spread out the first one), but it also works as a great set-up for the second season. I haven't seen it and don't know what will happen, but after seeing that black rose seal, I can't wait to find out.
Sailor Geeks on Prozac with major mental issues?.......2003-12-31
This DVD needs to be rated with a negative number. While there are certainly some entertaining
and beautiful sequences, the vast, overwhelming majority of this series is almost indescribable.
This is a disturbing series set in a dream, fantasy atmosphere with a complicated, chaotic, and
pointless plot.
While it is true that I have not seen the first rose collection, I am confident that this series is not
supposed to make sense. The Sailor Moon series is far superior in every way, except for some
of the artistic sequences (much of which make no sense, are repeated over and over, or are
more aggravating rather than necessary for the story line).
A note on the characters, essentially there are no real characters except for Utena. All of the
others are shadowy, shallow and most certainly in some kind of daze. At least all of the
characters, including Utena, have some kind of heavy mental defect which makes them appear
more alive, albeit disturbing.
There is nothing real to grab on to in these stories. It's impossible to identify with the characters
or to tie any thing in the stories to the real world. On most levels, the school appears to be
completely in a fantasy dream world, but in one story, they go across our earth in search of
magic spice.
The first story is the best. The animation is poor, the editing is the worst I have seen, but it does
have insane elephants trying to stop the Sailor Geeks from reaching their magic spice, which
they are obsessed with finding to the point of risking their lives for no apparent reason. That part
was pretty funny and completely out of step with the rest of the series. It is very hard to
appreciate this due to the very choppy, nasty editing though.
All of the characters are very self-centered, except possibly for the Rose Bride. It is hard to
describe how psychotic they all are. The Rose Bride seems to be merely the sword sheath
brought to life and has the personality of a flower. Its purpose (as gender in this series is often
undefined, bent, smashed, blurred, etc) is to be totally mentally controlled by its owner. This
might be for good or evil, or for a bride or a friend, or to simply take sword wacks. The songs are
chaotic, disturbing, sometimes pretty evil, and certainly ominous.
Although I am sure some might think that these stories have serious lesbian overtones, it
appears that Utena is not really a lesbian, but is instead demented, and thinks she can be a real
prince. Towards the end, when this illusion is shattered, she gets confused, depressed, and I
think it's pretty clear that she decides that it is better to be a lesbian than a woman. Why did the
series feel it necessary to do that?
Some say that this series supports woman empowerment, but to me it just says that if you are a
woman, you are not as good as a man, so if you don't like it, be your own man. Is that woman
empowerment?
At the end we have a kind of revue of what is going on. Utena appears to be a tool in the conflict
of opposing sides (everything set against everything else). The dream world that they are in is a
type of hell trying to break through at the end the world to become the Apocalypse. In the
Apocalypse, evil will be defeated by good, and this appears to be the evil side living in an
insane, fearful dream world. This point is religiously repeated over and over again and sung in
songs as if they were the hymns of hell (literally). Of course this is a confused series, so it was
the pretty part of hell maybe...if that makes any sense!
My daughter, who is 14 thought it was very weird, strange, and even though she is an A student,
she could not figure it out. She lost all interest even though she loves cartoons and anime. I am
so glad that I decided to watch it with her, as I think it was necessary to explain and I believe that
this series is dangerous to a young mind (which I did not know at first). If she had been
interested in it, I would have quickly not allowed her to watch the rest. As it turned out, I would
not be able to force her to watch it.
Overall I would have to say that the series is confused, and very much like a pretty, but very
poisonous cake, without a reason or a point. This is for a mature audience, but is obviously
geared to young women. I cannot imagine any of the women I know, or who I have ever known,
liking these stories and letting their daughters watch it. I used to know of some guys who like this
type of anime and they scare me.
Amazon has much better anime to buy. If you like gender bending, get Ranma 1/2, if you like
fluff, get Sailor Moon, if you like action get Dragonball, if you like warm characters with crazy
ones, get Maison Ikkoku or Tenchi.
revolutionary anime.......2003-10-23
utena rocks! i rented the rose collection 1 on netflicks and was hooked by the first episode. what's nice about the rose collection 1 or 2 is that it has 7 episodes on it, so you can really get into the characters and the story. the character designs are great and the story is very mysterious. this is a very character driven show. i have seen a lot of anime and this is one of the best. other anime i love: evangelion, mobile suit gundam, gunbuster, macross.
Amazon.com
This movie version of the Japanese television show takes the entire series plot and streamlines it into 80 minutes, pushing the characters into an alternate universe. For those who have seen the series, the action and characters will feel familiar: Utena learns to be a duelist and fight against a righteous faction at her school. But director Kunihiko Ikuhara revises the series in details both small (the duels take place in a rose field, not a stadium) and large (the bizarre finale). The gender-bending relations between Utena and Anthy--a friendship in the series--now take on lesbian overtones. The film will certainly be remembered for its finale as Utena becomes a racecar--literally. The end result should polarize fans yet bring new anime enthusiasts onboard. (Rated 13 and older; mild violence and nudity) --Doug Thomas
Description
Utena duels her classmates to protect her friend Anthy, who is the key to a magical power that could make her dream - to become a prince - come true. But Anthy hides a terrible secret, and Utena must face the truth about herself and those she loves and learn what it means to be a true hero. Anamorphic widescreen format!
Customer Reviews:
Affection, Incest, Jealousy, and Innocence Lost...........2006-02-24
I think for some who watch the original 1st season of Revolutionary Girl Utena would be disappointed because they thought it was all going to end quickly with just a movie. But, I strongly recommend that you watch the previous seasons of "The Black Rose Saga" and "The Apocalypse Saga". From what I've seen in this movie, the colors are brilliant comparing to the TV series. The music is beautiful and nostalgic. "This Rose is Our Destiny" song was beautiful, whether you're a j-pop fan or not you'll love it. There were parts in the movie that can be confusing like the character's new modified looks, the setting, and story. Well, just think of it as a retelling the Utena series in a whole new way. You may think that the previous 1st series was just all teenager pheremones and stuff. But, this does deserve the title "Innocence Lost". Even Utena let's loose her anger on Anthy because of her childhood boyfriend. In The 1st series she never considered Touga as a boyfriend but a "playboy" (which is true, speaking the fact that he was messing with other girls).
Alot of things well be unveiled in different plots and shocks. The special feautures were the best part including my favorite theatrical trailer of "La Fillette Revolutionaire UTENA" w/the Gravitational Mix "Absolute Destiny of Apocalypse". Kunihiko Ikuhara in his "Behind the Scenes" and commentary explained alot of what's going on and the movie's new meaning.
So check it out! And be in awe with a world without innocence.
get it.......2005-07-27
I love the series it has 39 episodes and I love the movie. I would rate it pg-13. The animation is just average but I still love this movie it has drama, comedy, action, and some mature themes.
I am obbsessed with Utena!!.......2004-12-11
I have all the Utena DVD's; all 39 episdoes and let me just say, this anime is AMAZING!! It is by-far my favorite anime... If you were debating over wheter to get this anime or not, get it. It's fabulous!! BUY IT NOW!!
Awsome.......2004-11-11
Yes, I am a big fan of the series and the manga. Look, some utena fans may not like it because they either never seen the MOVIE MANGA or they just couldn't understand it.
I highly recommend the movie. Watch it and see if you can figure out the symbolism there...or if you are just lazy then go look at a site that tells you. XD
The movie really does follow the MOVIE manga, I recently bought it from Viz. The few things that are a bit different between the movie manga and the animated movie itself is that (Warning, movie manga SPOILERS):
- Utena and Anthy didn't dance, they looked at the stars, which was still a cute moment. ^^
- Utena dueled Touga, not Juri.
- Utena did NOT turn into a car. XD
There are others as well but you get the idea.
The music is awsome, the voice acting is good (except for Movie Akio...they changed it! Poor series/manga Akio...X_X), the animation is pretty. And you KNOW you like Toki ni Ai wa (At Times, Love is).
Revolutionary Girl Utena-The Movie - not like the series........2004-08-20
Having been a fan of the entire series of Revolutionary Girl Utena I would advise any like-minded fan to avoid this movie. Granted the artwork is beautiful and a serious collector would likely be interested in owning it. However, many things have changed from the original series. The relationship between Utena and Anthy has turned dark and calculating and the other stories are too rushed and somber for this film. Plus you only get to witness a few duals with very little "sword magic" and the ending will leave you completely wondering why you wasted money on this and why the director wasted his chance to make a movie based on his truly wonderful series.
Amazon.com
This 1997 transvestite high school romance-adventure suggests a stilted mixture of Rose of Versailles, Escaflowne, and Project A-Ko. As the characters all have long hair, emaciated bodies, and syrupy voices, it's not surprising to see Utena dressed as a boy and a boy aspiring to become "Rose Bride." While Akio plots to destroy Utena, Anthy faces her older brother's jealous fiancée, Mickey nurtures a crush on Anthy (to his twin sister's chagrin), and Nanami turns into a cow (!). As he did in Sailor Moon, director Kunihiko Ikuhara makes extensive use of repeated footage: in almost every episode a character undergoes a psychological "appointment" and Utena climbs a CG staircase to the dueling ground. The sheer, breathless hokiness of Utena makes it ideal viewing for adolescent girls, who can elevate a crush and quarrel to the level of a world crisis. (Rated 13 and older: violence, suggestions of homosexuality and incest) --Charles Solomon
Customer Reviews:
volume 3.......2006-05-18
Still Really good. Getting creepier (though i like it). What can I say, This show is getting better and cooler to me, and has yet to dissapoint me (and don't think it will).
SUPERB!!!U GO UTENA!!!!.......2004-03-03
Utena is just great!!!U guys anime fan just gotta see this series.It's good...has deep messages and it's animation and songs are lovely..at least to me.Go and get its dvd guys..
Et in Arcadia ego.......2003-09-15
It is not here the place to "review" the series Shoujo Kakumei Utena, for such a writ would be more aptly an esoteric eschatology and alchemical equation than a discussion of the points of such obtuse and overemphasized elements as "plot", "story", and "character". Suffice it to say, only those with eyes to see and ears to hear may begin to walk the hermetic path which would allow the unveiling of what Shoujo Kakumei Utena actually is and what it actually means for oneself and for reality. Ergo, a more appropriate summation of this particular segment of the 39 episodes would be in its American execution of release.
Central Park Media has not succeeded in a great many things over the years. However, beginning with their Boetian furor of excitement vis-a-vis the American release of Adolescence Mokushiroku (a title, which indeed, was astonishingly absent from all press and packaging, opting for a more banal and easily digestible ridiculous epithet of "Utena: The Movie"; this nomenclature begs the ponderment of: do the individuals at Central Park Media so label all of their items? Is there a "Central Park Media's Office: The Stapler"? If you go to said office, have they "Central Park Media's Office's Building: The Fire Escape"? These questions must, alas, await another more suitable occasion), the New Yorkers in question began to craft Utena product much more carefully- truly, their effort has been more painstaking than any other DVD release that has been heretofore seen.
Unfortunately, even the most rudimentary, infantly logical elements of DVD release have been exercised in favor of redudancy. The menus take a ridiculous amount of time to load, and always there is loud, obnoxious samples from the insipid dub version being blared in accompaniment. There are, however, no hard-subs, the picture quality is (if such a thing is possible) above perfect, and time and care were clearly put into each release from this, Volume 3, onward.
Though The Fool immediately preceds The Magician, the latter shall always be out of reach.
Utena! Utena! My Love!.......2003-09-02
utena! utena! my luv!
how can you not fall in love with such a masqulin girl like utena? she kicks butt, is a great friend, and has... pink hair!
the black rose saga and so on is a bit on the wild side with it's twists and turns in the plot, but it's all there to keep the veiwers watching.
i was first turned off by the odd description from my best friend who- like me- luvs weird things. but out of curiosity i pluged it into my dvd player and coulden't turn it off! the next day, i had gone to the store and bought it.
it's not all oddness, but you have to definitely start at the begining to understand.curiosity is the key thing that made me see it in the 1st place, and i hope y'all like it too.
And why is homosexuality being placed as a warning.......2003-07-12
alongside INCEST for godssakes??
that's just insulting and weird!
also, is charles solomon even an anime fan??
Description
A surreal coming-of-age fairy tale from the Director of Sailor Moon. Utena is a spirited schoolgirl with an unusual dream: to become a heroic prince who saves damsels in distress! Although it seems impossible, her goal is closer than she can imagine. When Utena befriends a shy girl named Anthy, she unlocks a hidden word of swordfights, enchantment and danger!
Customer Reviews:
Utena Review.......2007-03-14
Of all the anime that exists, Utena is definitely not among the more normal types. The same themes that exist within others of gender-bending, reclassifications and relationship twists exists within this series as well. Another commonality is the awesome animation, storyline, and abundant creativity involved in creating this unique series. Each set is watchable on its own. But the best experience comes from watching all of them. This is the start of the adventure.
Utena Boxed Set: The Rose Collection.......2006-05-23
This boxed set comes with the first thirteen episodes of the series and the movie. In the episodes, we start out differently from the original story in the manga, but it does tend to run parallel with it. The movie is a whole different story, almost literally. With stunning visuals and beautiful animation, The Adolesence of Utena offers a different approach to the whole story itself. The characters have obviously grown in different ways, but haven't changed completely. To some, the movie seems "weird", "stupid" and "unnecessary", but the very basic of ideas is to follow the symbolism, just as in the series. The movie explains some of the things that may have not been so clear in the series, and adds more to it in its own way (or continues an idea, such as Nanami!Cow). I've seen some personal reviews with their own ideas and explanations of the meaning of all the symbolism, and most of them thankfully add just that much more to the story.
On a personal note, I love the music throughout the series, but absolutely adore the movie soundtrack. I thoroughly recommend the manga, episodes, movie, and sountracks.
To add any and/or all of these to your current collection(s) is a very good idea, to those who aren't opposed to a few new (and open-minded) ideas...
Utena is brilliant .......2005-12-19
I love utena and the movie was abstract and not ment to taken litterally. Its a work of art that you can take anyway you want. I feel as thought I understand the movie for reasons I can't verbalize but I think it's truely amazing. Its a retelling in an alternate universe that boasts more symbolism then can be diciphered upon the first vewing. Also it helps to know the characters and their relations to eachother all in all I love this movie! It's deep and beautiful.
Movie blows, buy individual disks.......2005-07-10
Please, please, please, do not buy this boxed set. The movie will make you wonder where you money has gone to, perhaps Albuquerque? Anyways, it's a truly pointless movie, and your wasting your money if you buy the set, so please buy vol. 1 and vol. 2 instead. Animation is great, music is cool, if I see one more staircase scene with freaky chants in the background I'm gonna be sick, but otherwise, good show.
good stuff plus metaphorical movie.......2005-04-10
I think that the beginning of the series, included here, is the most widely liked portion of this anime. Later on the series becomes darker and (it is possible) stranger, and less appropriate for younger audiences.
I also loved the movie, but understand that those people who haven't seen the series seldom understand or like the movie. The reason is that here the movie is essentially the entire series metaphorically presented in less than two hours. If you don't know what's going on, you're not going to get it from the movie. That said I thought it was a fantastic (graphically and otherwise) way to present the story. It doesn't add to the storyline, nor does it try to do a full arc of the series in coherent movie format, it just presents it differently. (I also loved the car-thing, what a great way for her to rescue Anthy!)
Customer Reviews:
Utena Origins?.......2003-10-19
I have to admit, I'm a pretty big Utena fan. Just ask anyone who knows me. But the episodes contained on this disc are some of the best of the series. Some people complain about the drawn-out nature of the series, dueling people over and over again, and yes, it's true that you could probably skip the entire second arc and still be able to catch up with what's going on.
However, the three episodes on Utena: Revelations are gorgeous in themselves, a delightful look on the motivations of Utena (whether she fully remembers them or not) and the origins of Anthy and End of the World, complete with images both disturbing and wonderful that provide little glimpses into the souls of the most mysterious characters of the series, as well as provide a few delicious little twists.
A highlight not to miss is getting to see the Kashira Players out of the shadows, even if it's only the backs of their heads, and a lot of what almost seems to be "fan service" with the bad boys Akio, Touga and Saionji.
Amazon.com
Life at Ohtori Academy grows increasingly bizarre when Nanami finds an oddly marked egg in her bed. She decides she must have laid it, tries to care for it, and is heartbroken when it breaks. Ruka, the former captain of the fencing club, returns and wins a match from Jury. He also comes between her and Shiori (who seem to be more than friends) then returns to the hospital to die. Anthy's brother Akio makes a play for Utena, even though he has a rich fiancée and Utena insists she loves only her Prince. While these emotional threads tangle and untangle, the usual duels continue, although Anthy now draws the Dios sword from Utena's chest (rather than vice versa). The animation is growing more limited, with increasing numbers of still frames and reused movements. (Not rated: suitable for ages 14 and older: violence, suggestions of homosexuality) --Charles Solomon
Customer Reviews:
The saga continues..........2005-06-24
In this volume, the first in the APACOLYPSE SAGA, the final season of REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA, Ruka, Juri's old fensing captain, comes to the school, and the number one thing on his agenda is dueling Utena to find out about her true power. Along the way, he manipulates Shiori, a friend of Juri's, into falling in love with him, (being the handsome ladie's man that he is,) only to trample on her feelings later. I never thought there would be a character on this show I would come to hate more than Anthy's origonal "groom", but now I do. This guy really deserves to be utterly humiliated.
The first episode on this disk is my favorite. I have a favorite episode for each season of UTENA, all of them are more comedy-centered rather than serious. In the first season it's the episode where Utena and Anthy switch personalities, in the BLACK ROSE SAGA it's where Nanami gets an enchanted cow bell that begins to turn her into the animal it's usually worn by. Here my favorite episode is "Nanami's Egg". Nanami wakes up one morning to find an easter egg laying in her bed, and she starts freaking out, thinking she laid it. (It never occurs to her that just maybe Koga planted it there as a joke.) It's really funny to see Nanami go from being shocked and dreadful at the thought of doing something so unnatural, to suddenly developing maternal and protective feelings twords the egg. It also shows us a side of Nanami we haven't seen before.
If you liked the series so far, you won't be disapointed.
Here we go again.......2003-08-07
...
Nanami's Egg is really a setup for later episodes, emotionally...it shows a different side of Nanami, while still blatantly exposing her naivette.
Whispering In The Dark gives us basically all of Ruka's character...and his duel, more than anything, is about Ruka seeing what a duel with Utena really is...and about the manipulation of the relationship between Juri and Shiori.
Azure Paler Than The Sky is about Ruka's emotional manipulation of Juri...and of course, as are all duels, the manipulation by the End Of The Earth of everyone involved.
The Barefoot Girl is about the beginning of the end, emotionally, for Utena...and the setup for her deciding who she really is.
Although the duels in this series are interesting, they don't take center stage. They're simply a medium to show what each of these characters is fighting for. This ISN'T Sailormoon...all of the other characters are integral parts to the story, with their own conflicts and problems; not just 'monster of the day'.
The 'reused movements' have a purpose too...they show how repetitive this is to Utena...as hard as she may fight, Utena never has anything but confidence in her swordfighting abilities.. but just how good is Utena? Does she have the type of ability it takes to make it all the way to the duel called 'Revolution'? And what would revolutionizing the world do to the people around her? Who does Utena REALLY love? And just WHO is the Rose Bride? Buy ALL the DVDs and find out!
By the way, the only reason this DVD didn't get 5 stars is the fact that there's only 4 episodes per DVD.
A bit of clarification..........2003-06-15
First, to clarify: Ruka is *not* the boy from Juri's past, featured in the flashbacks during episode 7. That was just a random boy who was not given a name. Ruka was Juri's fencing instructor who left the school on medical leave.
On to the review.
It is a bit vexing that we are only given four episodes, but nonetheless these episodes are some of the best of the bunch. Poignant, dramatic, surreal, and at times outright hilarious (Nanami's Egg), this show has something for everyone. If you like having your brain tickled and like a show that practically mandates multiple viewings, this series is for you.
My only complaint is that CPM continues to advertise, "From the director of SAILOR MOON" on each of their releases. It is almost like they are catering to a younger crowd, which Utena is not for. Also, Sailor Moon and Utena are nothing alike, so fans may be disappointed to expect another Sailor Moon and instead unwillingly delve into the Utena word. Oh well.
Not to far from Revolution.......2003-06-14
Oh this is really exciting. These are the episodes that lead to the finle of the show, yet agin you still have a long way to go.
Ok by this time you should know how werid this show can get, it only get's werider. The apperation of cars and strange Touga speechs increase as the show wraps up, and then Nanami has a strange dilma with an egg. And Anthy still has a problem with nameing her pets Nanami. I strongly advise you that this show has some strange things going on & it only gets werider. Don't by this if you thought the others were rather strange, but other wise watch at your own risk.
Oh yes. The rest of the series is on the way........2003-06-10
The rest of the series will be wrapped up in 4 DVDs, this one having 4 episodes and the rest having 3.
The first episode on this DVD involves Nanami finding an egg in her bed when she wakes up, and then hijinks ensue concerning the egg and the possibility of being a mother (or something)...
The second episode on the DVD involves the introduction of a character which will be important for the third episode. Well, if you've watched the series, you know how the situation dealing with Juri involved a triangle? This is the third person in the triangle. This person duels duels Utena only to lose after a hard-fought battle, but it seems that he did not return to Ohtori Academy to gain the power of revolutionizing the world for himself...
The third episode involves Juri more directly and shows the true intentions of the third person in the triangle and why he really returned to Ohtori Academy. Juri is eventually driven to duel Utena, but loses to Utena... but just like in the first Juri duel, not in the predictable way at all... This episode is not a happy one, but then again, it is Utena, so that's to be expected...
The final episode on the DVD, however, involves Akio and what he does to Utena (and, implicitly, what he wants to do to Utena) and the entire Academy in general. Akio's fiancee returns to the screen in this episode, and it seems apparent that she knows that something's not right, though what is not right about it is still out of her reach...
I know these are horrible non-spoiling synopses of the episodes on the DVD. However, I really recommend you buy the entire Akio and Apocalypse arcs if you've stuck with the series so far. The fireworks of the show are pulled out in this arc, and the viewer is made to realize what's really going on in Ohtori Academy.
DVD:
- Revolutionary Girl Utena - The Rose Collection Vol. 2
- Robotech - The Macross Saga - Legacy Collection 1
- Robotech - The Macross Saga - Legacy Collection 2
- Royal Space Force - Wings of Honneamise
- Rurouni Kenshin - Battle in the Moonlight, Vol. 2
- Rurouni Kenshin - False Prophet, Vol. 4
- Rurouni Kenshin - Heart of the Sword
- Rurouni Kenshin - Ice Blue Eyes
- Rurouni Kenshin - Legendary Swordsman, Vol. 1
- Rurouni Kenshin - Shadow Elite, Vol. 3
DVD
DVD
General
| Anime & Manga
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Revolutionary Girl Utena - The Apocalypse Saga Collection
Revolutionary Girl Utena - The Rose Collection Vol. 2
Revolutionary Girl Utena - The Movie
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Revolutionary Girl Utena, Volume 5: To Blossom (Revolutionary Girl Utena (Graphic Novels))
