The overarching theme of Anthy and Utena's relationship in this film is the struggle of two young women pigeonholed into stereotypes overcoming those stereotypes and becoming real people, defying heteronormativity that holds them back and, metaphorically speaking, finally laying the Prince to rest.
"Heteronormativity", you feminists are the ones who demand that a male take hormones if he wants to wear makeup as a politician, behind the counter, at the office, etc.
Here's the reason I enjoy conversations about interpretive media: they offer an excellent opportunity to learn not about the media, but the person you're having the conversation with. Essentially, the media acts as a Rorschach test, and what the person takes away from it helps one understand the person.
No, you see it was symbolic of his immortalization and the defeat of all his competition of the industry. Now, why he also turned into a car earlier in the film? Fuck if I know.
You cold also take the car as a representation for the fact that utena is LITERALLY THE VEHICLE FOR ANTHYS FREEDOM. They took the more metaphorical vehicle and turned it into a literal one.
This movie is a lot like reading Shakespeare. Neither are anywhere near as hard to understand as people say if you just allow it to talk TO you instead of constantly forcing it to spoon feed you. They could dumb it down in baby terms, but why? Isn't it better when enriched with creative imagery and beautiful poetics? Edit: You are the FIRST REVIEWER I'VE SEEN to get the car thing right!!! As a queer person, thank you!!! She turned into a car because she is a 'vehicle' needed help Anthy (and herself) out of a toxic environment. Anyone who has escaped toxicity with the aid of another knows that you take turns acting and navigating, supporting each other to give the strength to take these difficult steps to freedom. The climax is insanely accurate to how this feels.
Utena was a major moment in my teenage years. I didn’t know who I was and felt that a good idea was to be someone else, act like someone else and pretend to fit in. Utena came at a time when I was starting to think for myself and getting a taste for movies and shows that we’re more than just spectacle and silliness. I started watching the show because of my teenage hormones telling me that lesbians are hot. This show made me grow out of that. One episode, the black rose episode for Wakaba, altered the way I understood entertainment because I started to interpret works. I understood the subtly and inferences in that episode without being told. I felt Wakaba’s pain and could identify with it. After that episode, I started to watch the previous episodes to understand what was happening, the themes, the metaphors, and visual story telling. It was like a new sense had opened for me. After that, I felt that the show was about growing up and that each character represented a personality type exhibited by teenagers (like those around me). When I realized that, I saw why Utena was the “revolutionary girl” and she became a hero to me and a model to me. The movie was a more condensed version of that story with more excitement and it’s own beautiful imagery. It remains my favourite anime movie and something I’m proud to bring up when someone asks for recommendations. It helps to understand the show when coming into the movie, but I feel it’s not necessary if you have the skills to interpret and digest visual stories. Sage, this review also gave me a greater depth as I didn’t know about the cultural significances of some of the visuals. Thanks to you, I’m eager to watch this outstanding movie again. Thank you, Bennett.
I like your new review style, Sage. It's a lot more insightful and interesting compared to the many one-sided rantsonas that still permeate UA-cam today, rather than realizing that such overbiased script stopped being funny years ago. I'm glad you've evolved from that more polarized format into something more along the lines of a discussion.
.Hack The anime that requires you to watch the four-episode OAV that comes in single episode installments with each of the games, then watch the actual anime, then play the games you got the OAV disks with, to actually understand everything thats going on. Especially in the final episode. Thank goodness the sequel game had the good sense to include the anime segments withing the actual game
Nice review, but I’d love to see you even try to review Revolutionary Girl Utena...... Wait... In all seriousness, the series has always been a name for me up until now. I’ve always been under the impression that it was something I couldn’t possibly comprehend or wasn’t intended for me to view. It’s very encouraging for me as writer and reviewer of media seeing you take a crack at interpreting a work that seems so daunting. It gives me hope that I can eventually get around to all the unapproachable film and literature I’ve been putting off getting to. I always appreciate your unique perspective on the anime and films you review for Anime Abandon. Keep up the grind.
You don't need to understand _everything;_ you only need to understand _enough,_ and I found the show did enough to ensure you had a story to latch onto even without diving into the symbolism. If you enjoy it, then you can worry about plumbing its depths on rewatches; I found it rewarding in both modes.
What the last guy said! I watched Utena when I was about 12, and took everything literally. As I grew older I started to understand some of the more obvious metaphorical stuff, the school being a metaphor for a society, and Akio being a metaphor for the power an adult can have over a vulnerable individual like Anthy and eventually Utena. But what's so cool about Utena is that all of that stuff is subjective and you can also make your own meaning. You could disprove everything I just said. But yeah, it's also a really beautiful show with awesome fights Tl;dr it makes me feel things man, it's really good, you'll probably get the feels if you watch it too
Technically this story doesn't contain problematic subject beside really soft romance between girls. It is worth to mention that historically girls did have male titles, in case of feudal orders where female inheritance wasn't regulated but did occurred (female titles usually don't inherit rights, until law allow that). For example two Polish kings were female: Jadwiga of Poland and Anna Jagiellon.
I must say right off the bat, the way you describe people talking about art might be true for other things, but I have found Utena to be exactly the opposite. Everyone gets something different out of it, and that "something different" has to my experience always been something I think is worth talking about and diving deeper into, even when it contrasts wildly with other worthwhile interpretations. Maybe it's just the English major in me, but I love hearing anybody talk about RGU.
I remember going shopping once with a friend (from Chinese descent) and she wanted to get a hair pin for a date. I handed her a white flower pin and she was like "uhm...ok this is a cultural thing, and it is pretty, but wearing a white flower in your hair is equal to being in mourning over someone" and I was there like "forgive me for being a cultural barbarian" but we could laugh about it. But it was apparent to me in that moment, that small things like that, could mean the world of difference to someone from a different culture or background
I love Utena! All three main iterations! The anime, movie, and manga! Each for different reasons, because each of their stories are different! Yet they are all great in their own way! You could even see them as different time loops of the stories ending with the movie as the final loop.
Fun fact; Rose of Versailles was the main inspiration for Utena's premise. (The two leads being inspired by Uranus and Neptune [Ikuhara's favorite characters from his work on Sailor Moon])
I love Princess Tutu, it's such an overlooked show. I blame it's title, general synopsis, and so so first few episodes. When the story REALLY gets going it's one of my favorite shows of all time.
Looking at an anime, movie, book, game, etc. to figure out what goes on the mind of the director, or whoever is basically makes the most important decisions, is itself fascinating.
I'm glad you held off till now to review Utena, fantastic job! Really appreciate the angle you approached this from, and hearing your sincere take. Ikuhara has a lot going on and so there's often a focus on the low hanging fruit of some of the more wtf aspects of his works.
Good on ya, Sage. I liked the movie myself, mostly for the spectacle and how crazy it was, but seeing you talk about the messages of finding oneself in the film makes me think about it in another light. Either way, it's a _very_ interesting watch and a lot of fun to behold. The crazy ending alone is enough to turn heads.
I remember watching this back in the day and I was following it for the most part up until the part where Utena turned into a car which just left me with a "wtf did I just watch?" impression after. Glad to get some clarity on that scene all these years later.
Okay everyone: here's your homework: Watch the Utena series and "The Prisoner" series back to back and note the similarities. Both are about people escaping the restrictions placed on them by society at large and both (may be) entirely allegorical. As I recall, the Prisoner also ended with its main character escaping a prison ("The Village") in a fantastic vehicle. Now that I think about it, the parallels between the two series are pretty strong.
I am so happy that you finally reviewed this! Utena is an anime/movie I revisit about every 5ish years, since 1999. And every time I watch it I get something different out of it.
Really dug this review. I saw the movie about ten years ago, but still haven’t finished the TV series. I definitely want to go back and rewatch/finish both someday.
I didn't take the time to watch Utena before the review as I didn't think it would be my sort of thing because of the character designs. But hearing that the dub was over seen my the director and seeing how beautiful the backgrounds and the panning of still frames which I miss about older anime so its now on the list. Really enjoying how much you get to dig into the titles you've covered in the last few months.
I thought this was a pretty good analysis. Under the Scope has a really good analysis of this movie as well, 'Killing the Prince in Revolutionary Girl Utena.' I love seeing analysis of Utena because most people walk away with having found their own meaning in the story.
Fuck yeah! This is one of the Main reasons I watch anime abandon. I have seen the memes, heard jokes, spoken to the hardcore fans and naysayers alike, but none if that actually made me want to watch it. Even if it was just to be part if a conversation, I myself have never felt motivated to give this a go. After watching this episode i am going to. I may have been disappointed with some if the anime I've watched because of sage but never the reason why I had an interest in the first place. Keep up the good work my friend.
YES! .Hack//Sign! I love that show despite the fact that I know everyone hates it. I'm sure you will too but I am still looking forward to you talking about it.
I realize I'm now 2 years late to the party, but there is one thing I would bring up about the whole turning into a car thing. I don't mean to take away from the carriage angle that Sage brings up because it is very apt - the carriage taking the princess to her happily ever after, as well as being a literal vehicle for Anthy's character arc - but I do feel like there's more to the choice of making it a car specifically over some other form of transportation. After all, a horse would serve the same fairy tail thematic motif (/motions at the opening of the show), but the car specifically was chosen because of the characters' age, and the at least token contemporary time frame and setting what with VHS tapes, cars, and other trappings of 90's Japan being visible. After all, to a teenager, the ultimate symbol of freedom is a car, at least in the states. I don't want to say the same for Japan considering Japan's better public transit and city planning being more conducive to bikes and whatnot, but given the more Western fairy tail motif, I do think the car was chosen for that purpose. Utena offers Anthy an escape from her abusive situation, becoming a vehicle and the very symbol of freedom in the process.
I never noticed the horses in the Car... My mind is blown 10 years down the line! God i love this movie! I have to add that the music for both the Utena series and anime is pretty awesome! I still play the soundtrack cd's so many years later. And i still have no idea what genre most of the music in this would be. Also Man, this was one of your best reviews! You have earned your Chipotle =C
Contrast this to the near-lost episode of Brows Held High featuring JesuOtaku and Kyle Kallgren. Actually, I have to wonder if a comparison to that past review is being subtly invited by Ben's use early in this episode of arthouse films that Kyle either had reviewed or expressed a liking for.
@@JazzStation95 A lot of that projected prejudice was done for the sake of exaggerated comedy; the now even more lost commentary for that episode and Kyle's later works have since revealed that he does hold animation, including anime, in high regard. It's also worth noting that Kyle was actually the one who primarily wrote the BHH: Revolutionary Girl Utena episode; JO had considerable input, both for her own character and in helping Kyle better understand anime, which was still very new to him at the time, but by and large what was said by both characters was Kyle's words. While Kyle's been resistant to doing another anime-centered episode since, this has largely been due to various reasons, including general resistance to giving in to "fan" pressure (as seen with his recent Gnomeo & Juliet fiasco), but not due to a lack of respect for the medium. If his presentations alone are anything to go by, Kyle's as much a gaming and anime fan as anyone.
Hack!! Wooow... thats been ...what? my primary school time....? First time access to computers and finding these small magical pictures of hack...and witch hunter robin... memories! 0.0 Looking forward to it! Very much liked the Utena Review too :) Question: What about 12 Kingdoms? Was that a thing for you? Personally I absolutley love it and even read all the (light?)novels I could find online, 11 by now i think. (All praisevthe translater internet gods at this point!) But i don't know if it was ever big in the states? My country got it via france back in the day, for horrendous prices.
I've been waiting for this for so long. The movie was my foray into the anime deep end over 18 years ago. Your review exceeded expectations, thank you!
When I went back and watched "The Other" .hack// series, I couldn't help but find all the stuff between the main protag and his sister to be weird and cringey.
Oh are you talking about Legend of the Twilght? Yeah, that series has some cringey stuff, at least the opening and the entire soundtrack kicked ass though. .Hack always has amazing music
I first watched the series on Winamp, back when there were shoutcast stations playing bootleg anime. I loved the series, and I never felt like it got the attention it deserved. You, sir, have earned a new sub.
I really do miss the old format of the show where you summarized the film/shows you covered but I do love the way you are discussing and breaking down the elements of the series you covered since your return.
I never thought you would someday tackle .hack//SIGN! The .hack franchise was a huge part of the last year of my highschool life/moving out on my own. For this reason it still holds a special place in my heart. I still have the .hack//SIGN wallscroll poster hanging on top of my TV in my living room all those years later, even though I haven't given the show a proper watch in more than 10 years! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this show, for better and for worse. ;)
Great review...to be honest, I really didn't understand the series or movie of Utena first time around. Either I was spoiled by blatant exposition in other media or the 'artistic' style just wasn't my thing back then--the contrast of red, white & black actually makes more sense to me now. Can't wait for the next Anime Abandon...dothack is another 'multi-media' series that I had a love-hate relationship with [mostly because I felt the need to try and play all the PS2 games at the time... but stopped after disk 3 due to frustration].
I remember trying to watch this. It was one of my first anime, came highly recommended and I found it incomprehensible in that “what does it mean? What does it mean?” joke kind of way (ironically, something it don’t get from Tarsim’s work). I remember knowing that it was a reboot of a series and fans telling me it stood on its own, but I don’t really think it did. It was full of moments that felt like the Cromarty High School anime’s gag where it tells you to read the manga. At least with Tarsim I know that I’m only supposed to interpret it based on what’s actually presented. Anime movies often have that problem, I guess, but they usually aren’t reboots either. On the plus side, the car thing reminds me of Moonwalker, which is a good thing for me.
In the commentary they mentioned that Kyle's primary contribution to the script was the first thing he texted Jacob after watching the film for the first time: "Why is the pink haired bitch a car?"
I remember somewhere near the year 2000 I was just getting into anime and saw this movie at my first convention ever. My teenager mind was blown. Everything was so crazy and visually impressive! It's clearly one of the reason I continued being an anime fan for so long When I saw it again a good a good 10 years later I realized that eh, it might not actually be all that deep meaning, but my initial memory of it is still the same.
I remember this show... never got it. My guess the one they fight for purple hair girl was like prophet. But not how it would happen. Then and some point they stoped makeing it cuz they never when into it more then that. At least i know it was more of a art piece.
Zid96 Explaining Revolutionary Girl Utena is incredibly difficult. The 1997 anime series is a lot more subtle. But the movie is a lot more blunt, it's basically hitting you over the head with the point. So, if I could try and summarize Utena's main themes. Anthy is in an abusive and sexual relationship with Akio, who used to be a selfless prince but is now a cynical creep. Anthy was given Akio's punishments and takes a million swords every day, representing mankind's hatred. Akio, now free to be a creep to more girls, grooms Anthy, a bunch of other girls, and later even Utena into loving him. Utena wants to be a prince, because she saw how Anthy was constantly being forced to take those swords. Utena tries to "save" Anthy, but ultimately Utena cannot. Anthy has to save herself. But Anthy is able to save herself in the end of the series and finally leaves Akio.
great to see this as a lover of the show and who didn't quite get the movie I really appreciate this like you I'm glad I watched it cause the visual direction is so unique that it was at least worth watching once for the sake of the visuals alone but having watched this video I can't help but think a lot of the visual storytelling and symbolism went over my head despite seeing the whole show prior like I should have honestly seeing this video just makes me want to rewatch both the show and the movie again just to see if I can get even more out of it and see if I still like it like I did the first time
Yay! I am so happy. A friend introduced me to Utena in the mid 2000's. I wouldn't consider myself the demographic of this title but I was hooked and couldn't stop watching. I just wanted to try and understand it more.
Review- Grey Digital Target. I think you will have some fun with this classic anime. I believe Turbo Kid , pays homage to the main heros in a way. Also look into LensMen. My favorite Classic anime !!
Great video (: Hope one day you will take look at Ikuhara's Yurikuma Arashi. Would really like to hear your thought about the show. It has all the lesbians. And bears. And I don't know if I'm too dumb to understand the metaphors or if it's just up its own ass.
The overarching theme of Anthy and Utena's relationship in this film is the struggle of two young women pigeonholed into stereotypes overcoming those stereotypes and becoming real people, defying heteronormativity that holds them back and, metaphorically speaking, finally laying the Prince to rest.
"Heteronormativity", you feminists are the ones who demand that a male take hormones if he wants to wear makeup as a politician, behind the counter, at the office, etc.
Utena is the vehicle for Anthy's escape...da dum tis
Nell Garver at least Anthy get to ride her
I see what you did there...
Haaaaah
“Goodnight everybody!”
anthy just really wanted to ride utena, like darling in the franxx without the mechs :)
Here's the reason I enjoy conversations about interpretive media: they offer an excellent opportunity to learn not about the media, but the person you're having the conversation with. Essentially, the media acts as a Rorschach test, and what the person takes away from it helps one understand the person.
Sage's growth as an intellectual and a person has been incredible to watch. Seems like a good dude.
the Utena car might make a sick-looking Hot Wheels.
Takara TOMY exclusive transformers crossover. With lesbian mini figure to ride her.
So does she actually turn into a car or is that all symbolic?
If I would describe Revolutionary Girl Utena in one word, it would be unforgettable.
Unforgettable... that's what you are...
Wow, now I have to search for an Utena AMV with that song.
Absolute absurd art
No matter what you may say about Utena turning into a car it still makes more sense than Michael Jackson turning into a robot in Moonwalker.
No, you see it was symbolic of his immortalization and the defeat of all his competition of the industry. Now, why he also turned into a car earlier in the film? Fuck if I know.
You cold also take the car as a representation for the fact that utena is LITERALLY THE VEHICLE FOR ANTHYS FREEDOM. They took the more metaphorical vehicle and turned it into a literal one.
Suave creaking forward in his chair is my favorite part.
Nah, for me it was him yelling "Shut up and let me hate you!"
This movie is a lot like reading Shakespeare. Neither are anywhere near as hard to understand as people say if you just allow it to talk TO you instead of constantly forcing it to spoon feed you. They could dumb it down in baby terms, but why? Isn't it better when enriched with creative imagery and beautiful poetics?
Edit: You are the FIRST REVIEWER I'VE SEEN to get the car thing right!!! As a queer person, thank you!!! She turned into a car because she is a 'vehicle' needed help Anthy (and herself) out of a toxic environment. Anyone who has escaped toxicity with the aid of another knows that you take turns acting and navigating, supporting each other to give the strength to take these difficult steps to freedom. The climax is insanely accurate to how this feels.
Utena was a major moment in my teenage years. I didn’t know who I was and felt that a good idea was to be someone else, act like someone else and pretend to fit in. Utena came at a time when I was starting to think for myself and getting a taste for movies and shows that we’re more than just spectacle and silliness. I started watching the show because of my teenage hormones telling me that lesbians are hot. This show made me grow out of that.
One episode, the black rose episode for Wakaba, altered the way I understood entertainment because I started to interpret works. I understood the subtly and inferences in that episode without being told. I felt Wakaba’s pain and could identify with it.
After that episode, I started to watch the previous episodes to understand what was happening, the themes, the metaphors, and visual story telling. It was like a new sense had opened for me.
After that, I felt that the show was about growing up and that each character represented a personality type exhibited by teenagers (like those around me). When I realized that, I saw why Utena was the “revolutionary girl” and she became a hero to me and a model to me.
The movie was a more condensed version of that story with more excitement and it’s own beautiful imagery. It remains my favourite anime movie and something I’m proud to bring up when someone asks for recommendations. It helps to understand the show when coming into the movie, but I feel it’s not necessary if you have the skills to interpret and digest visual stories.
Sage, this review also gave me a greater depth as I didn’t know about the cultural significances of some of the visuals. Thanks to you, I’m eager to watch this outstanding movie again.
Thank you, Bennett.
"If it cannot break the eggs shell, the chick will die before being born."
I like your new review style, Sage. It's a lot more insightful and interesting compared to the many one-sided rantsonas that still permeate UA-cam today, rather than realizing that such overbiased script stopped being funny years ago. I'm glad you've evolved from that more polarized format into something more along the lines of a discussion.
I bealive Sage has always been insightful, and his narration style is the Best amongs every former Awsome Chanel critics
.Hack
The anime that requires you to watch the four-episode OAV that comes in single episode installments with each of the games, then watch the actual anime, then play the games you got the OAV disks with, to actually understand everything thats going on. Especially in the final episode.
Thank goodness the sequel game had the good sense to include the anime segments withing the actual game
Liminality is hardly required to understand .Hack
Dont forget the prequel, interquel, and sequel mangas and light novels (about 12 or so, published stateside by Tokyopop)
I never did finish that game...I got to the third game and then just stopped midway for some reason...
@@pr0xy87 I'd like to seem review Megazone 23
Nice review, but I’d love to see you even try to review Revolutionary Girl Utena......
Wait...
In all seriousness, the series has always been a name for me up until now. I’ve always been under the impression that it was something I couldn’t possibly comprehend or wasn’t intended for me to view. It’s very encouraging for me as writer and reviewer of media seeing you take a crack at interpreting a work that seems so daunting. It gives me hope that I can eventually get around to all the unapproachable film and literature I’ve been putting off getting to. I always appreciate your unique perspective on the anime and films you review for Anime Abandon. Keep up the grind.
You don't need to understand _everything;_ you only need to understand _enough,_ and I found the show did enough to ensure you had a story to latch onto even without diving into the symbolism. If you enjoy it, then you can worry about plumbing its depths on rewatches; I found it rewarding in both modes.
What the last guy said! I watched Utena when I was about 12, and took everything literally. As I grew older I started to understand some of the more obvious metaphorical stuff, the school being a metaphor for a society, and Akio being a metaphor for the power an adult can have over a vulnerable individual like Anthy and eventually Utena.
But what's so cool about Utena is that all of that stuff is subjective and you can also make your own meaning. You could disprove everything I just said. But yeah, it's also a really beautiful show with awesome fights
Tl;dr it makes me feel things man, it's really good, you'll probably get the feels if you watch it too
Must watch before it gets demonitized!
Technically this story doesn't contain problematic subject beside really soft romance between girls. It is worth to mention that historically girls did have male titles, in case of feudal orders where female inheritance wasn't regulated but did occurred (female titles usually don't inherit rights, until law allow that). For example two Polish kings were female: Jadwiga of Poland and Anna Jagiellon.
Got two ads
@@TheRezro The story has incest, grooming, and r*pe.
@@yosemite1142 I could have bad memory TBH.
@@TheRezro Akio was the one that did all those things.
1:53 "What does a scanner see?"
Love that reference to A Scanner Darkly. Great book, great film.
I must say right off the bat, the way you describe people talking about art might be true for other things, but I have found Utena to be exactly the opposite. Everyone gets something different out of it, and that "something different" has to my experience always been something I think is worth talking about and diving deeper into, even when it contrasts wildly with other worthwhile interpretations. Maybe it's just the English major in me, but I love hearing anybody talk about RGU.
Utena had the horsepower, but Anthy had the key needed to put the engine in motion. Only together could they escape that world. Great review, Sage.
I remember going shopping once with a friend (from Chinese descent) and she wanted to get a hair pin for a date. I handed her a white flower pin and she was like "uhm...ok this is a cultural thing, and it is pretty, but wearing a white flower in your hair is equal to being in mourning over someone" and I was there like "forgive me for being a cultural barbarian" but we could laugh about it. But it was apparent to me in that moment, that small things like that, could mean the world of difference to someone from a different culture or background
I love Utena! All three main iterations! The anime, movie, and manga! Each for different reasons, because each of their stories are different! Yet they are all great in their own way! You could even see them as different time loops of the stories ending with the movie as the final loop.
Utena’s black and white outfit looks awesome. 😍
Went into Uthena expecting Rose Of Versailles. I'm a sad old man.
Fun fact; Rose of Versailles was the main inspiration for Utena's premise. (The two leads being inspired by Uranus and Neptune [Ikuhara's favorite characters from his work on Sailor Moon])
*Sees the next review.*
...Yes! An anime I've actually watched before seeing Sage review. And it is my favorite one!
Did ya play through all 4 of the PS2 games?....If not get yourself an emulator and start crackin'
Speaking of deconstructed fairy tales.......
Princess Tutu please 🦆
Yes
Magic Knight Rayearth as well.
I love Princess Tutu, it's such an overlooked show. I blame it's title, general synopsis, and so so first few episodes. When the story REALLY gets going it's one of my favorite shows of all time.
Yes fucking please!
Tutu is the original Puella Magica Madoka
My siblings and I binged this series over the summer, so color me excited for this particular Anime Abandon
Looking at an anime, movie, book, game, etc. to figure out what goes on the mind of the director, or whoever is basically makes the most important decisions, is itself fascinating.
please make a shirt that says "shut up and let me hate you"
I literally remember watching this and thought it was a fever dream I had from eating too much ice cream
"Quick, Morty, you gotta turn into a car!"
"Oh, Rick. I don't know if I can pull a sword out of your chest."
I'm glad you held off till now to review Utena, fantastic job! Really appreciate the angle you approached this from, and hearing your sincere take. Ikuhara has a lot going on and so there's often a focus on the low hanging fruit of some of the more wtf aspects of his works.
*notes that in shinto weddings brides wear red and white kimonos and change into red after the ceremony, so it's a bit on the nose of a wedding motif*
Utena fucking rocks. It's clear as mud, but it fucking rocks
Good on ya, Sage. I liked the movie myself, mostly for the spectacle and how crazy it was, but seeing you talk about the messages of finding oneself in the film makes me think about it in another light.
Either way, it's a _very_ interesting watch and a lot of fun to behold. The crazy ending alone is enough to turn heads.
Dude, I've been waiting for this one!
I remember watching this back in the day and I was following it for the most part up until the part where Utena turned into a car which just left me with a "wtf did I just watch?" impression after. Glad to get some clarity on that scene all these years later.
Sage can you please review Magic Knight Rayearth. Its a great deconstruction of the save the princess story.
YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!
The TV series or OVA?
@@egxtra if I wanted the OVA I would have just put Rayearth. Instead of the full name. As the OVA is just called Rayearth.
Sage please do it!
Not really a deconstruction. The ending just has a simple plot twist that isn't nothing new.
Okay everyone: here's your homework: Watch the Utena series and "The Prisoner" series back to back and note the similarities. Both are about people escaping the restrictions placed on them by society at large and both (may be) entirely allegorical. As I recall, the Prisoner also ended with its main character escaping a prison ("The Village") in a fantastic vehicle. Now that I think about it, the parallels between the two series are pretty strong.
As a side note, I love the ending teaser. It's subtle but keeps you watching till the end, and makes me excitedly wait for the next notification.
Still need to check out this series - been looking forward to this vid! :D
Good news: it's on UA-cam
.hack up next!? Fuck yes! I love you! I just hope you're not too hard on it :).
I am so happy that you finally reviewed this! Utena is an anime/movie I revisit about every 5ish years, since 1999. And every time I watch it I get something different out of it.
Really dug this review. I saw the movie about ten years ago, but still haven’t finished the TV series. I definitely want to go back and rewatch/finish both someday.
I didn't take the time to watch Utena before the review as I didn't think it would be my sort of thing because of the character designs. But hearing that the dub was over seen my the director and seeing how beautiful the backgrounds and the panning of still frames which I miss about older anime so its now on the list. Really enjoying how much you get to dig into the titles you've covered in the last few months.
I thought this was a pretty good analysis. Under the Scope has a really good analysis of this movie as well, 'Killing the Prince in Revolutionary Girl Utena.' I love seeing analysis of Utena because most people walk away with having found their own meaning in the story.
OK you've given into audience pressure to review utena. Now Rahxephon?? Please. For me.
Fuck yeah! This is one of the Main reasons I watch anime abandon. I have seen the memes, heard jokes, spoken to the hardcore fans and naysayers alike, but none if that actually made me want to watch it. Even if it was just to be part if a conversation, I myself have never felt motivated to give this a go. After watching this episode i am going to. I may have been disappointed with some if the anime I've watched because of sage but never the reason why I had an interest in the first place. Keep up the good work my friend.
YES! .Hack//Sign! I love that show despite the fact that I know everyone hates it. I'm sure you will too but I am still looking forward to you talking about it.
I'm quite excited for the next review!
Lmao, the thumbnail. That's the most shocked I've seen Anthy even more so then when she was stabbed
24:40 _Oh come on Suave!.._ He's soft-balling them in, and you don't even take a swing? xD
I realize I'm now 2 years late to the party, but there is one thing I would bring up about the whole turning into a car thing. I don't mean to take away from the carriage angle that Sage brings up because it is very apt - the carriage taking the princess to her happily ever after, as well as being a literal vehicle for Anthy's character arc - but I do feel like there's more to the choice of making it a car specifically over some other form of transportation. After all, a horse would serve the same fairy tail thematic motif (/motions at the opening of the show), but the car specifically was chosen because of the characters' age, and the at least token contemporary time frame and setting what with VHS tapes, cars, and other trappings of 90's Japan being visible. After all, to a teenager, the ultimate symbol of freedom is a car, at least in the states. I don't want to say the same for Japan considering Japan's better public transit and city planning being more conducive to bikes and whatnot, but given the more Western fairy tail motif, I do think the car was chosen for that purpose. Utena offers Anthy an escape from her abusive situation, becoming a vehicle and the very symbol of freedom in the process.
I started listening to this as something in the background but around 1/3 left, I was really hooked to it.
Great review.
I never noticed the horses in the Car... My mind is blown 10 years down the line! God i love this movie!
I have to add that the music for both the Utena series and anime is pretty awesome! I still play the soundtrack cd's so many years later. And i still have no idea what genre most of the music in this would be.
Also Man, this was one of your best reviews! You have earned your Chipotle =C
Contrast this to the near-lost episode of Brows Held High featuring JesuOtaku and Kyle Kallgren.
Actually, I have to wonder if a comparison to that past review is being subtly invited by Ben's use early in this episode of arthouse films that Kyle either had reviewed or expressed a liking for.
@@JazzStation95 A lot of that projected prejudice was done for the sake of exaggerated comedy; the now even more lost commentary for that episode and Kyle's later works have since revealed that he does hold animation, including anime, in high regard. It's also worth noting that Kyle was actually the one who primarily wrote the BHH: Revolutionary Girl Utena episode; JO had considerable input, both for her own character and in helping Kyle better understand anime, which was still very new to him at the time, but by and large what was said by both characters was Kyle's words. While Kyle's been resistant to doing another anime-centered episode since, this has largely been due to various reasons, including general resistance to giving in to "fan" pressure (as seen with his recent Gnomeo & Juliet fiasco), but not due to a lack of respect for the medium. If his presentations alone are anything to go by, Kyle's as much a gaming and anime fan as anyone.
Hack!! Wooow... thats been ...what? my primary school time....?
First time access to computers and finding these small magical pictures of hack...and witch hunter robin... memories! 0.0
Looking forward to it!
Very much liked the Utena Review too :)
Question: What about 12 Kingdoms? Was that a thing for you?
Personally I absolutley love it and even read all the (light?)novels I could find online, 11 by now i think.
(All praisevthe translater internet gods at this point!)
But i don't know if it was ever big in the states?
My country got it via france back in the day, for horrendous prices.
I've been waiting for this for so long. The movie was my foray into the anime deep end over 18 years ago. Your review exceeded expectations, thank you!
Yes! .hack// sign l. This was one of my first anime that I remember wanting to watch when it was on.
I was mad obsessed with it when it first came out. Played through all 4 of the PS2 games too...Mia for life!
It's rather timely, because I just rewatched the series earlier this year, and was replaying the games.
Mia and all the old cast are dope, I love the later series as well though, I love Quantum and it's mix of humor and action
When I went back and watched "The Other" .hack// series, I couldn't help but find all the stuff between the main protag and his sister to be weird and cringey.
Oh are you talking about Legend of the Twilght? Yeah, that series has some cringey stuff, at least the opening and the entire soundtrack kicked ass though. .Hack always has amazing music
I first watched the series on Winamp, back when there were shoutcast stations playing bootleg anime. I loved the series, and I never felt like it got the attention it deserved.
You, sir, have earned a new sub.
Well Sage! Well done! As you stated, this movie is really up for many interpretations, you did an amazing job with this!
this is a more in-depth analysis since JesuOtaku and Brows Held High crossover take on Utena the Movie. ^^ You really done your homework!
I really do miss the old format of the show where you summarized the film/shows you covered but I do love the way you are discussing and breaking down the elements of the series you covered since your return.
This was my show growing up! I was hooked by the opening theme alone.
I love your videos, this is the first time I've watched one of your videos and still had no idea what the movie was about.
Wish you had more views/subscribers.....you deserve it
Another great video, Sage. :)
You know, I honestly didn't notice the horse heads. And I laughed on more than one occasion. Dot hack sign is next? Yes, please! Thank you!
I never thought you would someday tackle .hack//SIGN! The .hack franchise was a huge part of the last year of my highschool life/moving out on my own. For this reason it still holds a special place in my heart. I still have the .hack//SIGN wallscroll poster hanging on top of my TV in my living room all those years later, even though I haven't given the show a proper watch in more than 10 years!
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this show, for better and for worse. ;)
Great review! Keep up the good work!
Very thoughtful presentation of a movie I loved watching, based on a series I'm a big fan of. I'm glad you liked it, too.
Great review...to be honest, I really didn't understand the series or movie of Utena first time around. Either I was spoiled by blatant exposition in other media or the 'artistic' style just wasn't my thing back then--the contrast of red, white & black actually makes more sense to me now. Can't wait for the next Anime Abandon...dothack is another 'multi-media' series that I had a love-hate relationship with [mostly because I felt the need to try and play all the PS2 games at the time... but stopped after disk 3 due to frustration].
I am so hyped for the next episode, i love .Hack//SIGN and the original 4 games games went along with it.
You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this. I stopped everything I was doing.
"Quick, U-*urp*-Utena, I... I need you to turn into a car!"
I remember trying to watch this. It was one of my first anime, came highly recommended and I found it incomprehensible in that “what does it mean? What does it mean?” joke kind of way (ironically, something it don’t get from Tarsim’s work).
I remember knowing that it was a reboot of a series and fans telling me it stood on its own, but I don’t really think it did. It was full of moments that felt like the Cromarty High School anime’s gag where it tells you to read the manga. At least with Tarsim I know that I’m only supposed to interpret it based on what’s actually presented.
Anime movies often have that problem, I guess, but they usually aren’t reboots either. On the plus side, the car thing reminds me of Moonwalker, which is a good thing for me.
Sage, first of all, wow, great review. Secondly I cannot wait for your thoughts on the next. That's one of my favorite anime.
anyone remember JesuOtaku and Oancitizen review of this film?
In the commentary they mentioned that Kyle's primary contribution to the script was the first thing he texted Jacob after watching the film for the first time: "Why is the pink haired bitch a car?"
I remember somewhere near the year 2000 I was just getting into anime and saw this movie at my first convention ever. My teenager mind was blown. Everything was so crazy and visually impressive! It's clearly one of the reason I continued being an anime fan for so long
When I saw it again a good a good 10 years later I realized that eh, it might not actually be all that deep meaning, but my initial memory of it is still the same.
💖Utena. One of the few animes that had some influence in my life. Could you please do Ronin Warriors/ Yoroiden Samurai Troopers?
Like the new border. Looks neat.
Hope it helps equally well against the copyright bots!
I do enjoy hearing your take on these
I remember this show... never got it. My guess the one they fight for purple hair girl was like prophet. But not how it would happen. Then and some point they stoped makeing it cuz they never when into it more then that.
At least i know it was more of a art piece.
Zid96 Explaining Revolutionary Girl Utena is incredibly difficult. The 1997 anime series is a lot more subtle. But the movie is a lot more blunt, it's basically hitting you over the head with the point. So, if I could try and summarize Utena's main themes. Anthy is in an abusive and sexual relationship with Akio, who used to be a selfless prince but is now a cynical creep. Anthy was given Akio's punishments and takes a million swords every day, representing mankind's hatred. Akio, now free to be a creep to more girls, grooms Anthy, a bunch of other girls, and later even Utena into loving him. Utena wants to be a prince, because she saw how Anthy was constantly being forced to take those swords. Utena tries to "save" Anthy, but ultimately Utena cannot. Anthy has to save herself. But Anthy is able to save herself in the end of the series and finally leaves Akio.
The movie is a work of art. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
great to see this as a lover of the show and who didn't quite get the movie I really appreciate this like you I'm glad I watched it cause the visual direction is so unique that it was at least worth watching once for the sake of the visuals alone but having watched this video I can't help but think a lot of the visual storytelling and symbolism went over my head despite seeing the whole show prior like I should have honestly seeing this video just makes me want to rewatch both the show and the movie again just to see if I can get even more out of it and see if I still like it like I did the first time
i've been waiting literally years for you to to talk about this
The beginning represents Bennet going on the internet for the first time and discovering porn
Love anime abandon and have for years, but that being sad, this new intro is utter dog shit.
HAHAHA
love love LOVE this review. i like this movie and the nuances it made for the show. well done.
Yay! I am so happy. A friend introduced me to Utena in the mid 2000's. I wouldn't consider myself the demographic of this title but I was hooked and couldn't stop watching. I just wanted to try and understand it more.
First Utena and next .hack. I LOVE YOU SAGE!!!!
Great review loved it. Please review princess tutu
Are you going to cover the Eva Rebuild films after the 4th one comes out next year?
Nice one. This was one good review.
I love the show, it and Cowboy Bebop are my two favourite anime series. I don't know if I should see the film when the show was so grate.
Fun fact: Red and black are considered bad luck colors for gift giving or holiday cards. Red is used for funeral notices and black is death.
So *that* is what people mean when they keep calling me "dense".
Review- Grey Digital Target.
I think you will have some fun with this classic anime.
I believe Turbo Kid , pays homage to the main heros in a way.
Also look into LensMen. My favorite Classic anime !!
Let's get Chipotle
Oh boy DesShinta will love to see your thoughts on that series.
Great video (: Hope one day you will take look at Ikuhara's Yurikuma Arashi. Would really like to hear your thought about the show. It has all the lesbians. And bears. And I don't know if I'm too dumb to understand the metaphors or if it's just up its own ass.
Ahh man.... I miss the old intro with KMFDM.