The black rose saga is one of the better arcs, in my opinion. Lots of stuff about human psychology in it! Also it reminds me of a videogame I played recently. Repression and denial, check and check.
You know, the thing about Utena is that it's often ridiculous, but I think so fondly on it because it's full of ideas. And it's all very feminist, too, which I do appreciate.
Ooh, I love repression and denial! I'm looking forward to seeing more of this arc.
I am quite fond of the ridiculousness, I have to admit. And also the ideas, and the characters, and the screwed-up relationships, and the music, and basically I am a bit in love with everything.
I just watched the cowbell episode, which is possibly the most ridiculous, on-crack episode of anything I have ever watched, and Nanami's dream sequence in that still managed to break my heart, so I must applaud her powers of heartbreaking.
Oh my gosh yes. The imagery in Utena is so, so gorgeous, and used so well. I'm not sure I've ever seen a series that was so spare in its animation and so effective at the same time. There are scenes that just give you volumes of information and backstory and character development in just a few quick stills.
Curried High Trip makes me SO HAPPY just for this! And for the fact that it is a bodyswap episode, and a bodyswap episode that actually tells you important stuff about the characters that leads into upcoming plot things! Just! So awesome!
Tiny Saionji! Insane tiny Nanami! Augh aughaugh.
Yes! Utena losing Anthy and what it tells you not just about Anthy but about Utena herself and her beliefs and her relationship with Anthy akfjakjfkladjksgk.
If you're anything like me, you may also need to prepare a room for Wakaba.
Oh, thank you so much for the image! (By which I meant the 'love triangle' image, but I also very much appreciate the 'UTENA BEING AWESOME IN ANTHY'S BODY YES CAPITAL LETTERS ARE REQUIRED' image. BECAUSE AWESOME. I do love bodyswap episodes.)
I'm now around episode nineteen, and I think the 'losing Anthy to Touga' scene is my absolute favourite so far. Oh, oh, Utena.
Wakaba is adorable. I really loved her when she was determined to drag Utena out of her post-Anthy-loss depression.
Ooh, the Black Rose arc is where the series takes a turn for the dark and insanely cool. Definitely my favorite arc of the series. I hope you keep posting your reactions, it's always fun to see someone else watching something you love for the first time.
i don't know if anyone else has mentioned this, but after you finish the series, go watch the movie. The movie is also awesome, but in an entirely different way, because it's like a really intriguing remix of the series. (Also, there will be at least one transformation that will leave your jaw hanging.)
I am loving the unsettling darkness of the Black Rose storyline madly. And it's nice to meet this Akio fellow I've heard so much about, although thus far he hasn't done much beyond sprawling on a sofa, being charming and possibly incestuous.
I shall try to hunt down the movie when I've finished watching; thank you for the advice!
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You know, the thing about Utena is that it's often ridiculous, but I think so fondly on it because it's full of ideas. And it's all very feminist, too, which I do appreciate.
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I am quite fond of the ridiculousness, I have to admit. And also the ideas, and the characters, and the screwed-up relationships, and the music, and basically I am a bit in love with everything.
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Then again, just about every character makes my heart ache in some way or another. THIS IS A POSITIVE THING.
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I call it "Operation Nanami's an incredibly hard working girl who needs a compass in her pencilbox"
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Curried High Trip makes me SO HAPPY just for this! And for the fact that it is a bodyswap episode, and a bodyswap episode that actually tells you important stuff about the characters that leads into upcoming plot things! Just! So awesome!
Tiny Saionji! Insane tiny Nanami! Augh aughaugh.
Yes! Utena losing Anthy and what it tells you not just about Anthy but about Utena herself and her beliefs and her relationship with Anthy akfjakjfkladjksgk.
If you're anything like me, you may also need to prepare a room for Wakaba.
Reply
I'm now around episode nineteen, and I think the 'losing Anthy to Touga' scene is my absolute favourite so far. Oh, oh, Utena.
Wakaba is adorable. I really loved her when she was determined to drag Utena out of her post-Anthy-loss depression.
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i don't know if anyone else has mentioned this, but after you finish the series, go watch the movie. The movie is also awesome, but in an entirely different way, because it's like a really intriguing remix of the series. (Also, there will be at least one transformation that will leave your jaw hanging.)
Reply
I shall try to hunt down the movie when I've finished watching; thank you for the advice!
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