Reviews & Ratings for
"Girl Revolution Utena" More at IMDbPro »"Shôjo kakumei Utena" (original title)

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7 out of 7 people found the following review useful:

Let go of reality!

Author: chickskickass from Texas
4 August 2003

Some folks may find this show "bizaar", but I found this a deeply moving, thought-provoking, and at times absurdly hilarious show worthy of a watch by anyone who desires something a little bit more cerebral and twisted.

Set in a school covered in a rose motif, Utena is the tomboy protagonist, beloved by all, who finds herself suddenly enmeshed in the secretive dealings of the student council, and finds herself suddenly "engaged", to a girl, no less! And there's an upside-down floating castle, swords that pop out of chests--Freud would have a field day with this show--and surfing elephants. And explosive curry! So, um, suspend your disbelief for this show, because it truly is worth it.

The characterization of this show is what really sells it. You have kids playing at adulthood, and if you see Utena as a coming of age show, you can see between the lines of how all the characters are not trying to achieve a "revolution of the world" in that they're gonna start a civil war, but that they are actually just trying to reach adulthood, pressing beyond the threshold to the other side, which all but the heroine are unable to do.

Sound cerebral? It is. And it's very enjoyable, tugging at your heartstrings and then making you unexpectedly laugh at something that, when you think about it or try to explain to someone else, makes no sense. The music is overall wonderful, especially the background music--The Sunlit Garden is perhaps one of the best instrumental pieces I have ever heard on a Tv show, and is worth a DL any day--and the voice acting is done well, even on the English dub, which I generally think are foul, cursed things, but Software Sculptors, the American distributor, did an okay job.

This is a worthy series. Watch it! It's coming out on DVD! Rewatch it! You'll find something new every time, and it'll still be enjoyable even on third and fourth watches.

Oh, and though the box might say it's rated PG or PG-13, and that it's from the director of Sailor Moon, don't think that this is for kids. Though the first 13 episodes are all right, beyond that the show gets a little too hard to understand--though when you're a kid all that stuff makes sense--and also has some undertones that some of the more conservative might not like their children getting hints of(i.E. homosexuality and incest). In my opinion, if they're old enough to even understand what's going on--because these undertones are indeed only subtly hinted at--then they're old enough to deal with it.

6 out of 6 people found the following review useful:

The most surrealistic anime there is.

Author: Scortia
27 July 2000

Utena is one of the most remarkable anime there is. It has beautiful animation, wonderful storyline, character development, humor, and one of the chief reasons that this show doesn't have as big a following as it deserves, it's extremely surrealistic. There can be a lot read into this show and metaphors run rampant. If you don't like such an odd show, definitely do not watch the movie. Now THAT is weird. ^^;;

5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:

Bizarre? Yes. Smart? Most definitely.

Author: metatronica from United States
23 May 2008

I think people get too caught up in attempting to understand something foreign to realize that many elements in Revolutionary Girl Utena are not meant to be taken literally and at times, seriously. Yes, it is strange, but, the strangeness is purposefully achieved as a method of storytelling. If one can look past or even appreciate the strangeness, one can find a worthwhile story that's both entertaining and insightful.

The main character, Utena Tenjou, is a student at a boarding school. She meets Anthy Himemiya, a shy girl who is the Rose Bride, the key figure in a mysterious plot by the Student Counsel to "revolutionise the world". The main storyline revolves around Utena and her journey, through different trials and obstacles, to uncover this mystery. To support the main story, there are many subplots and filled with colourful supporting characters, who add drama, humour, and complexity.

The Student Counsel members often recite a poem with portions borrowed from Herman Hesse's Demian. Like the Demian, Utena is about the antagonist's personal journey uncovering truth within their world and within themselves, through the transitional periods of youth. Unlike in Demian, the hero's journey in Utena is highly metaphorical. Despite seeming childish and simple at first, this series is actually incredibly dark with themes that are both adult in nature and adult in meaning. It uses many traditional archetypes – like the charming prince, the wicked witch, the naive hero – but changes these elements' relationship with each other and within the story as the vehicle to drive these progressive elements. Some of the ideas touched upon are the meaning of gender, gender roles, the meaning of self, etc.

Revolutionary Girl Utena is one of my favourite television series. Both the plot and the characters are highly developed. I actually greatly enjoy the surrealism, with over the top drama that both pokes fun of itself and other series within the shoujo (manga and anime for women and girls) genre. The fantastic story components along with highly stylized visuals full of symbolism paint an almost dream-like setting. It's a post-modern fairytale that's indefinitely unforgettable. You'll either love it or hate it, there's no in between.

5 out of 6 people found the following review useful:

One of the most mysterious animes I already watched!

Author: Lady Targaryen from Brazil
4 May 2006

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

"Shôjo kakumei Utena" is one of the most intriguing anime series I already watched. Sadly I couldn't finish all episodes, but I watched the majority of them and I already know how the whole series ends. A lot of mystery surrounds all the characters and many episodes seems quite surreal, but I guess this is what makes it original. (Like Touga fighting with a Kangoroo! LoL)People need to pay attention on the metaphors that is all the time present in this anime.

I think '' Utena''has one of the most amazing soundtracks already produced and it's not coincidence that I have three Cd's of it!

My favorite characters are Utena and Touga,by the way. Be aware with Anthy: She is much,MUCH more that she seems to be! ;) (This is one of the things I love in this anime...the amazing surprises and revelations that come with it! I need the last 4 episodes!)

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:

This is such a good series.

Author: Naomi M. Ruiz (anthy16) from New York, U.S
4 December 2001

I love this series! Not only is it visually pleasing and funny (in its own way sometimes, I must admit), it makes the viewer THINK in order to get the story behind the characters and their odd behavior, something most anime fans today are forgetting to do. One thing needs to be clear for those whose interest has been piqued... this is NOT Sailormoon, despite the fact that it is directed by the same (talented) man and despite the fact that it is a shoujo anime. Don't get me wrong, I love Sailormoon. But, Shoujo Kakumei Utena does have weirder (eerie) twists and mysterious (eerie) characters. So if you want something different, something not one-dimensional,like Dragonball, let's say, take a look at Shoujo Kakumei Utena. It's one of the best shoujo series around; after all, the girls in it all rule in some way or another.

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:

One of my favorite series/films of all-time.

Author: Bevin Brand from Washington State, USA
27 October 2001

A unique and dynamic series, absolutely unlike anything you've ever seen. One of the most amazing stories I've ever seen put to screen, and so much more than the bubbly, vapid romance series I was expecting. Heavy themes from both Christian stories and Greek mythology, but a lot of it masked by symbolism and implication. an incredible story, but you have to watch ALL 39 episodes to get the full-impact. Not really a show you can watch out of order. I'm personally not a fan of the dub, but dubs have to be pretty impressive to compare to the original Japanese actors, in my opinion. There's so much subtext and raw emotion in their voices that they create the characters more than the pictures. And these characters are so complex it's a shame to not experience them at their full potential. This is a series where you can watch it over and catch new thing every time. WELL worth your money and time.

4 out of 7 people found the following review useful:

The darnedest thing...

Author: IkuharaKunihiko from Croatia, Europe
9 June 2005

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

A long time ago a little girl called Utena lost her parents. But a prince gave her hope and so she decided to become like him when she grows up. As a teenager Utena was transfered to a strange school. There she won in a fencing duel and won Anthy, who is the rose bride...

"Utena" is the darnedest thing. I can't say it's excellent and yet I can't say it's not good either. The director Kunihiko Ikuhara ( always made the best episodes in "Sailor Moon" )is a wild genius that likes the surreal and so this anime looks much more like Hideaki Anno's "Shin Seiki Evangelion" or Jean-Luc Godards "Weekend" than an normal, romantic shoujo show. Some situations were gold. Like when Utena and Anthy changed their bodies ( Utena, being in Anthy's body, was given a love diary from Saionji and she used it to write that he stinks ) or when Utena was fencing with Jury( Jury threw Utena's sword in the air and it looked like she would win, but then the sword fell down and cut of her rose so she lost ). But there were too many supporting characters who took away too much time from Utena who was suppose to be the main heroine. So about 20 out of 39 episodes were revolving about supporting characters!

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Also, the symbolism is too heavy and pretentious. And often illogical. Just take this scene. Nanami is worried that someone might try to kill her. She leaves Tsuwabuki's sight. Tsuwabuki then says it's time to put her in danger again so he can save her. Suddenly Nanami is behind him and finds his hero attempt lousy. And then, all out of blue, a Cangaroo(!) appears from nowhere and attacks Nanami. And to top it all her brother Touga appears from nowhere too and starts boxing the Cangaroo! And don't get me started in that episode when Nanami want's to put snails and snakes into Anthy's closet but other animals appear from there too! Just too weird. Compared to that, Chu-Chu is cute and funny! Luckily, the style and the "normal" episodes are great. I guessed right from the start that Anthy's brother is the mysterious prince but I never imagined how puzzling the end would be. Could it be that Anthy and Utena are one person, living in fantasy and traumatized by incest?

All in all, "Utena" is a very good piece of intellectual anime but it wasn't what I expected. A tightened hand in story development would have been essential for a better grade.

Grade: 7/10

extremely layered and intellectually satisfying show

Author: emo lum from United States
23 August 2010

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I watched this show growing up, the first time liking it, thinking it was strange and eccentric for all its symbolism and over the top characterizations, and gradually appreciating its real meaning the more I grew up and experienced relationships in which events and personalities of people started overlapping with that of characters of the show.

It is very well thought out, almost every choice in concept, story and direction is intentional. I do think the Nanami episodes can be omitted largely. They serve as filler, humor, characterization stories, and breaks. The black rose saga, while it may appear to be an insignificant arc, sets up and expounds on important themes and ideas. This includes making connections between adulthood and staying in school, the idea of secret desires and jealousy that come with insecurity of youth, as well as the revealing of Mikage's own delusions that force him to graduate once they are self-realized.

The show is very heavy on taking intellectual concepts and making necessary or unnecessary connections between them. For example, there is a heavy car motif in the later part of Utena. Whether or not the car is necessary doesn't change the main message of the show but still tries to enhance it. The type of car Akio has, its color, the way people react to it, the notion of driving in a dark place by yourself, all these things could be examined, and makes statements that the show would never care to do explicitly.

In that sense, I feel the symbolism is pretty dispensable. Things that are important tend to focus more on personal growth, and it is heavily inter-weaved with converse ideas that prevent growth such as over-idealization, cruelty, cowardice, insecurity, power, indulgence, and the inability to let go.

There's really so much once could find in it if they ever cared to look, and I really encourage anyone who is capable of a degree of abstract examination who feels stuck in their lives to watch this show. It's offered to me a good reference and understanding of human behavior, and comfort in my own life when I felt like everyone else was closing their eyes to the obvious.

Wonderful for those of us who enjoy thorough plot lines

Author: Danielle B from United States
20 October 2006

Many people when they see this series for the first time take out the disk thinking, "what...was that?" These people are those who aren't thinking about what's going on. This is one of those shows that you need to pay attention to. You've got to notice the little things and remember them--if you don't however, it's okay, you just won't be able to understand the complete depth that this show has to offer.

This IS a controversial show--but ONLY when you DON'T look deeper into it. Every time you see this show, you'll notice something you missed before. No regrets on purchasing this at all! If you think that it's a little slow in the beginning, have no worries--it'll pick up right quick in no time. Although some may see it as somewhat pointless to the main plot line, the Black Rose Saga does wonders for understanding more about the minor characters. Then, you get led into the Apocalypse Saga and thats when it really becomes shockingly amazing.

Don't get caught up in its facade. This show is clearly for those who enjoy a bit of everything: action, comedy, romance, tragedy and above all, a refreshingly original plot line.

A totally awesome series!!! What can I say? ^__^

Author: DuoMaxwell (Lovablehiirou@aol.com) from The toilet in Ohtori Academy
10 July 2002

This is one of the best anime series out there. the only thing is, it may not be for everybody. PLEASE dont make the mistake of blowing this one off as a kiddie saturday morning cartoon-type-thing at first glance. This is most certainly NOT one for the little children!!^__^ The plot is full of symbolism, the story line is complex and can often touch onto twisted or morbid subjects, and the characters are deep. Dont be surprised if you need to take a couple of psychology courses to understand this series! Anyway, This is a GREAT series, personally, one of the top animes out there, in my opinion!!WAAAAAI!!!! MIKI KAORU RULES!!!!

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