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Title (English) Revolutionary Girl Utena

Title (Japanese) Shojo Kakumei Utena

Advertising
Fantasy Novel

Notes Creators: Chiho Saito and Kazuko Tadano; A shoujo anime.
Genre(s): high school, fantasy, martial arts, romance

Classification shoujo

Synopsis It's set in a very fantastical sort of school. The heroine, Utena, wants to be a Prince, and in the first episode she fights a duel over another girl and wins her as her bride!

Review Utena is creating something of a stir, especially in shoujo fan circles. Despite the popularity of the series, I have to confess that I took an instant dislike to it, partly because it seemed too contrived and disagreeably decadent ("think of several shoujo cliches and put them all in a hit TV series") and partly because I found the cruelty displayed towards one of the female characters was unpleasant.
The art is quite striking, however. (G.Cowie)
I guess, the reality is that so far, neither the characters, the stylism, the mystery, the music nor the humor have "grabbed" me. So unless "Utena" changes significantly this looks like it will be another series like "Maison Ikkoku" or "KOR" that I watch for the sake of completeness. Although in fairness, there hasn't been anything in Utena so far to irritate me the way that the characters and situations in MI and KOR irritated me. Well, maybe Anthy. (Dave Baranyi)
Dave, Thanks for your first impression of Shojo Kakumei Utena.. I already found out that you need a certain experiment in your childhood and need a knowledge of the 'rules' of shojo manga/anime to enjoy shojo stuff. And with those experience and knowledge, you can enjoy Utena, according to and breaking to the 'general shojo rules'. Yes, Utena was certainly fair snobbish show for matured audience. But as you know more about above stereotypical rules, the show will become more and more interesting and fun. It might not fit to your taste, but watching 'so-called' classic is not a waste of time. As you mentioned, you will find your taste more, and will be able to find your favorite stuff. I will guarantee that Shojo Kakumei Utena was one of the epock-making anime series. Please follow the story simultaneously, and learn what the director wished to mention in the series. That will be quite an experience.
According to the timeline when Utena was released, it was the answer from the 'real professional', Ikubara Kunihiko answering to the 'poor amateur' Anno Hideaki... Ikubara showed what pro should do, and I applaud him very much. I think Lain's ending wasn't that bad, as Evangelion did (g). (CALCI)

Credits Producer(s): Kyoko Kobayashi and Shinichi Ikeda
Series Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara.
Writer(s): Kunihiko Ikuhara, Yoji Enokido
Character Designer(s): Shinya Hasegawa
Music:Shinkichi Mitsumune, J.A. Caesar,
Voice Actors (regular characters): Tomoko Kawakami (Utena Tenjou), Yuriko Fuchizaki (Anthy Himemiya), Takehito Koyasu (Touga Kiryuu), Yuri Shiratori (Nanami Kiryuu), Kotono Mitsuishi (Juri Arisugawa), Aya Hisakawa (Miki Kaoru), Takeshi Kusao (Kyouichi Saionji), Yuka Imai (Wakaba Shinohara), Akiko Yajima (Mitsuru Tsuwabuki), Hiro Yuuki (Dios), Maria Kawamura (Shoujo A-ko), Satomi Koorogi (Shoujo B-ko), Kumiko Watanabe (Shoujo C-ko)

Episodes 39

Release US:DVD, US:VHS

TV Showing See the whole series for free? This series may be syndicated to regional cable, satellite or terrestial TV stations. For Europe click here.

Date 1997 April 2 - 1997 December 24

Production J.C. Staff

Broadcaster

Animation

References & Help Look up the latest data on this title at:
Richard Llewellyn's Animated Divots, or
Anime News Network (see Encyclopedia section) ,
or in "The Anime Encyclopedia" (Clements & McCarthy, Stone Bridge Press, 2001).
Help & further information.

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Information
Title (English)	Revolutionary Girl Utena
Title (Japanese)	Shojo Kakumei Utena
Advertising Fantasy Novel
Notes	Creators: Chiho Saito and Kazuko Tadano; A shoujo anime. Genre(s): high school, fantasy, martial arts, romance
Classification	shoujo
Synopsis	It's set in a very fantastical sort of school. The heroine, Utena, wants to be a Prince, and in the first episode she fights a duel over another girl and wins her as her bride!
Review	Utena is creating something of a stir, especially in shoujo fan circles. Despite the popularity of the series, I have to confess that I took an instant dislike to it, partly because it seemed too contrived and disagreeably decadent ("think of several shoujo cliches and put them all in a hit TV series") and partly because I found the cruelty displayed towards one of the female characters was unpleasant. The art is quite striking, however. (G.Cowie) I guess, the reality is that so far, neither the characters, the stylism, the mystery, the music nor the humor have "grabbed" me. So unless "Utena" changes significantly this looks like it will be another series like "Maison Ikkoku" or "KOR" that I watch for the sake of completeness. Although in fairness, there hasn't been anything in Utena so far to irritate me the way that the characters and situations in MI and KOR irritated me. Well, maybe Anthy. (Dave Baranyi) Dave, Thanks for your first impression of Shojo Kakumei Utena.. I already found out that you need a certain experiment in your childhood and need a knowledge of the 'rules' of shojo manga/anime to enjoy shojo stuff. And with those experience and knowledge, you can enjoy Utena, according to and breaking to the 'general shojo rules'. Yes, Utena was certainly fair snobbish show for matured audience. But as you know more about above stereotypical rules, the show will become more and more interesting and fun. It might not fit to your taste, but watching 'so-called' classic is not a waste of time. As you mentioned, you will find your taste more, and will be able to find your favorite stuff. I will guarantee that Shojo Kakumei Utena was one of the epock-making anime series. Please follow the story simultaneously, and learn what the director wished to mention in the series. That will be quite an experience. According to the timeline when Utena was released, it was the answer from the 'real professional', Ikubara Kunihiko answering to the 'poor amateur' Anno Hideaki... Ikubara showed what pro should do, and I applaud him very much. I think Lain's ending wasn't that bad, as Evangelion did (g). (CALCI)
Credits	Producer(s): Kyoko Kobayashi and Shinichi Ikeda Series Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara. Writer(s): Kunihiko Ikuhara, Yoji Enokido Character Designer(s): Shinya Hasegawa Music:Shinkichi Mitsumune, J.A. Caesar, Voice Actors (regular characters): Tomoko Kawakami (Utena Tenjou), Yuriko Fuchizaki (Anthy Himemiya), Takehito Koyasu (Touga Kiryuu), Yuri Shiratori (Nanami Kiryuu), Kotono Mitsuishi (Juri Arisugawa), Aya Hisakawa (Miki Kaoru), Takeshi Kusao (Kyouichi Saionji), Yuka Imai (Wakaba Shinohara), Akiko Yajima (Mitsuru Tsuwabuki), Hiro Yuuki (Dios), Maria Kawamura (Shoujo A-ko), Satomi Koorogi (Shoujo B-ko), Kumiko Watanabe (Shoujo C-ko)
Episodes	39
Release	US:DVD, US:VHS
TV Showing	See the whole series for free? This series may be syndicated to regional cable, satellite or terrestial TV stations. For Europe click here.
Date	1997 April 2 - 1997 December 24
Production	J.C. Staff
Broadcaster
Animation
References & Help	Look up the latest data on this title at: Richard Llewellyn's Animated Divots, or Anime News Network (see Encyclopedia section) , or in "The Anime Encyclopedia" (Clements & McCarthy, Stone Bridge Press, 2001). Help & further information.