Summary

When excogitate on theanimeindustry ’s rich history , there are some serial that have handle to withstand the run of time , and go away a permanent sign on not just the industriousness , but on the creatives that fire it . Many spot to series likeAstro Boy(1963),Akira(1988 ) orNeon generation Evangelion(1995 ) for how they fundamentally bear on modern anime , but there is one serial publication that , regardless of how many age go by by , remains a monolithic creative influence for animators and writers around the earth – cementing it as one of the greatest Zanzibar copal ever produce .

observe its 27th natal day in 2024,Revolutionary Girl Utena , created by Be - Papas , a originative supporting players composed of Kunihiko Ikuhara ( Sarazanmai , Mawaru - Penguindrum ) , Chiho Saito ( Grand Amour , Sarazanmai Anthology ) , Shinya Hasegawa ( Sailor Moon , Neon Genesis Evangelion ) , Yoji Enokido ( Evangelion 1.0&2.0,Bungo Stray Dogs ) and Yuichiro Oguro ( Dragon Ball , Azumanga Daioh ) , in collaborationism with J.C. Staff produced the series , which would go on to earn critical eclat and extolment from around the globe , and for good reasonableness .

Creating One of the Most Influential Anime Ever Made

Revolutionary Girl Utena’s production was a labor of love – and creative frustration

Earlier in his career , Kunihiko Ikuhara had been credited for his work as a film director onanother shojo favoritefrom the nineties – the original anime adaption ofSailor Moon . It ’s been reported that Ikuhara grew frustrated with the lack of restraint he had when conform manga for animation , and , after leaving Toei Animation in 1996 , Ikuhara typeset out to begin cultivate on his own original series . The creative team that Ikuhara assembled for the projection , referred to as Be - Papas , consisted of many member that had worked together previously , with many of the group members having been employed byToei spiritedness during the production ofSailor Moon .

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ThoughRevolutionary Girl Utena , at a glance , contains many of the same staple motifs seen in shojo from this earned run average , Ikuhara eventually began making the world and narration more experimental . Unsurprisingly , Revolutionary Girl Utenadraws its divine guidance from a figure of classics , including Osamu Tezuka’sPrincess Knightand Riyoko Ikeda’sRose of Versailles ; these inspiration can be seen inUtena ’s aesthetic and theme , pee it find as though the series is a critical analysis and deconstruction of classic pansy tales and the shojo demographic in its integrality . Revolutionary Girl Utenaalso unapologetically harness conversation surround gender and sexuality , with conspicuous depictions of LGBTQ themes throughout the serial . While these depictions were n’t unnecessarily uncommon during this geological era in the Zanzibar copal industry , Revolutionary Girl Utenahandled these story line with a level of grace and poignancy that still hits home for modern audiences .

Close up image of Mira from The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies

How Well Does Revolutionary Girl Utena Hold Up Today?

Despite being 27-years-old, Utena’s core message is still just as important today as it was in 1997

Revolutionary Girl Utenafollows its deed part , Utena Tenjou , who was give a cryptic signet ringing with a pink wine - engraving during her puerility after a chance take on with a " prince"who rely to the young girl that they would encounter again someday . Enamored by the experience , Utena vow to become a prince herself , and upon becoming a adolescent , is inscribe in an subtle boarding school called Ohtori Academy . Shortly after enrolling into the honorary society , she gets pulled into a strange sword - fighting tournament against the school day ’s student council member . Each of these members , mysteriously , all wear rings that are monovular to Utena ’s .

Eventually , Utena learns what the prize for victory is – the deal of a young adult female titled the Rose Bride , who is rumored to possess the power to revolutionise the earth . After winning her first duel , and being grant Anthy as her fiancée , Utena decides to continue push to protect Anthy from the other penis of the student council , and begins to ravel the mystery hidden just beneath the surface of the school .

" lure into the twisted duel of Ohtori Academy , can Utena become the prince she ’s been waiting to touch ? " – Viz Media

Collage style image featuring the main character from Skip Beat, Kamisama Kiss, and Ouran High School Host Club.

ThroughoutUtena ’s main plot , each penis of the incompatible student council – as well as the titulary Utena and her Rose Bride , Anthy – is given the public eye to dive into and analyze their personal psyches , and what has result them down whatever way of life they ’re on when the duels begin . Each persona in the series has their own motives as to why they desire to have Anthy and her powers in their possession , andsomething thatRevolutionary Girl Utenadoes highly well is showing off just how deep obsession can runwhen somebody is in the avocation of life sentence - changing power .

This level of graphic symbol analysis seen throughout the series is often shown in howUtenadiscusses its magnetic core themes : gender , sex , and coming - of - historic period . For object lesson , the serial publication ' titular protagonist , Utena , retell throughout the story how much she desires to be a prince . While this is n’t Utena being actual by verify a alteration in identicalness or gender , she is instead expressing a deeply - rooted desire to exhibit qualities related to what she perceive as being inherently " prince - like " , i.e. , courage , pity , and strength . This directly contrasts with Anthy , who is initially consider as a " princess " – harboring trait related to impuissance , as well as how she is blatantly objectified by members of the pupil council throughout the story . Of course , by the timeRevolutionary Girl Utena ’s original anime reaches its climax , itbecomes clean that the two womenare two tragical side of the same coin .

In gain to its exploration of gender , Revolutionary Girl Utenais famous in part due to its very open and proud depictions of LGBTQ characters and paper . In an interview direct by Popverse in 2020 featuring Ikuhara and Chiho Saito , Ikuhara confessed that he had always require the series to have this sentiency of diversity , and it works in favor of the narrative , which explores the true import of personal freedom . Utena and Anthy ’s romanticism throughout the serial can be representative of a number of idea for audiences , and the strength of their human relationship is still impactful for mod women and LGBTQ multitude , who can see pieces of themselves in the two characters .

Sakamoto Days imagery

The Lasting Impact of Revolutionary Girl Utena

Utena’s legacy will be felt in the anime & manga industries forever

Revolutionary Girl Utenais truly revolutionary , and has leave a lasting impact on creatives in the gum anime and manga industriousness . Aside from the series barrack a telephone number of spin - offs , including a number of alive - action melodic version adapt the original story for the stage , two light novel and even a visual novel with go steady sim element follow a self - insert style protagonist that transfers into Ohtori Academy , Be - Papasavant - gardeshojo masterpiece ’s energy can be felt even now .

A few notable example of Almighty andworks that have been influenced byRevolutionary Girl Utenainclude : Princess Tutuby Ikuko Itoh , Puella Magi Madoka Magicacreated by Magica Quartet , and the late , critically acclaimed entry into theGundamfranchise , The Witch From Mercury . The series has n’t just influenced gum anime , though , with Rebecca Sugar , the creator ofSteven Universestating on multiple occasions how much the series has influenced their originative process , and Noelle Stevenson , the Maker behind the popularShe - Rareboot , She - Ra and the Princesses of Power , previously drawing crosswalk fanart in a 2018 Twitch flow placing two reference fromShe - rainfall a major moment fromUtena .

Thanks to its timeless fine art style , avant - gardepresentation , and message that transcends each authorise decade , Revolutionary Girl Utenais genuinely something special , and has left its mug on the diligence as one of the most important gum anime ever make . The franchise ’s unapologetic characterization of gender issuance and LGBTQ characters and themes , in gain to the series ' ability to beautifully tackle sensitive subjects like trauma and maltreatment make it powerful and impactful , even now , 27 days after its original liberation .

Collage style image featuring official art work from the Revolutionary Girl Utena anime series of Utena and Anthy hugging one another, as well as two illustrations from the Utena manga behind them

Image Created by Anna Williams

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Source(s):Uranime ( archive ) Interview With Kunihiko Ikuhara , Viz Media , Popverse

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Revolutionary Girl Utena is a Nipponese reanimate series created by Kunihiko Ikuhara . The story follows Utena Tenjou , a teenage lady friend who aspires to become a prince . Utena enrolls at Ohtori Academy , where she becomes tangle in a series of cryptical duel to protect her classmate Anthy Himemiya . The series explore themes of personal identity , sex roles , and the pursuit of nobleness .

Revolutionary Girl Utena promotional art from the anime depicting Utena and Anthy mirroring one another as they go in for a kiss.

Revolutionary Girl Utena is a Japanese animated series created by Kunihiko Ikuhara. The story follows Utena Tenjou, a teenage girl who aspires to become a prince. Utena enrolls at Ohtori Academy, where she becomes embroiled in a series of mysterious duels to protect her classmate Anthy Himemiya. The series explores themes of identity, gender roles, and the pursuit of nobility.

Revolutionary Girl Utena manga art featuring Utena and Anthy sleeping.

Revolutionary Girl Utena manga art by Chiho Saito of Anthy and Utena reaching out to one another, while Anthy’s brother mirrors Utena in the background.

Revolutionary Girl Utena

Revolutionary Girl Utena is a Japanese animated series created by Kunihiko Ikuhara. The story follows Utena Tenjou, a teenage girl who aspires to become a prince. Utena enrolls at Ohtori Academy, where she becomes embroiled in a series of mysterious duels to protect her classmate Anthy Himemiya. The series explores themes of identity, gender roles, and the pursuit of nobility.

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