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...Chiho Saitoh and Be-Papas have created a very imaginative modern day fairy tale, convincing in feeling.

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Revolutionary Girl Utena

The Adolescence of Utena

Review By: Jane D.

Story and art: Chiho Saito

Created by: Be-Papas

Company: Viz

Length: 184

Category: Fantasy

Rated: R (mild violence, nudity, homoeroticism, rape, sex).

EXTERNAL EXAM

Teenaged Utena Tenjou does not want to wait for her prince to come. Before she enters the ethereal and venerable Ohtori Academy, she crops her hair, puts on a boy’s school uniform and opts to be a prince of her own. When former boyfriend and Student Council President Touga Kiryuu sees Utena in this fashion, he gives her a replica of the rose seal ring on his finger, establishing her as a duelist like himself. As such, she is eligible to swordfight in the rose filled courtyard known as the Duelist’s Arena, for possession of the Rose Bride and to win the power to revolutionize the world.

The Rose Bride is Anthy Himemiya, fellow student and keeper of the courtyard. Eager to understand the meaning behind the magic and mystery of the duels, as well as their roles in them, Utena attempts to befriend her. However, Anthy is holding many secrets she is not ready to reveal, one of which concerns a past with Touga. Furthermore, her romantic interest in Utena begins to complicate things. In keeping with princely ideals, Utena decides to show Anthy how serious her offer of friendship is, even if it means dueling beloved Touga for her sake.

DVD VISION TEST

ARTWORK: The art is a combination of simple and ornate. A lot of detail was put into the roses in this book, and they are everywhere. As a mark of the school, many gardens abound in Ohtori Academy, and rose images are carved into the architecture as well as the duelist’s rings. The architecture of the academy itself is complex and very unique, with high towers, bridges, and lengthy staircases that all look larger than life. The characters have the typical anime and manga look to them, and that is where the simpler drawings come in.

As for pose shots, Touga is pictured lying naked in bed with a blanket just covering his privates. Another reveals Utena leaning over Anthy’s bent figure, pulling a magical sword from Anthy’s chest, a symbol of her love of Utena. In a third, Utena is triumphantly holding up the same magical sword of Dios as his image comes down from the inverted castle in the sky above Ohtori Academy, to join with hers.

SOUND EFFECTS: English sound effects are used in various places, but they work best for the sword fights to express steel hitting steel and the motion of blades against the air.

EDITS: I noticed no edits in the text.

EXTRAS: This book is divided into two parts, and at the start of each is a two-page spread of the main characters symbolically expressing their relationships to one another. In the first, Anthy is kneeling before Utena with her arms Utena’s waist, surrounded by a ring of roses. In the next, Utena and Anthy are reaching their hands toward each other, while Touga rests in Utena’s lap and Anthy’s brother, chairman of Ohtori Academy, lies in hers. There are also advertisements for other manga published by Viz at the back of the book.

WIDESCREEN REVIEW

STORY: Revolutionary Girl Utena, the Adolescence of Utena is about facing certain painful realities, whether they are in the form of ugly truths about others or oneself, as a condition of growing up and moving forward in life. The story is highly symbolic and though the main characters have an edge that makes it hard for a reader to initially warm up to them, that adds a realistic dimension and maturity to this text. In a nutshell, Chiho Saitoh and Be-Papas have created a very imaginative modern day fairy tale, convincing in feeling.

TRANSLATION: The translation does make the characters sound a bit like Americans as some American expressions are added, but otherwise, my guess is that it is literal as can be.

CHARACTERS: Utena Tenjou – Utena likes to challenge traditional gender roles by acting as a prince. She is brave, loyal, and very troubled after being abandoned by Touga, whom she loved.
Though not understanding everything about her, she tries her best to do what is right with regard to Anthy.

Anthy Himemiya – She is the Rose Bride people win in duels who develops an interest in Utena after she sees her on school grounds. Anthy does not like to talk about her past very much and this makes her appear very mysterious. Though a comfort to Utena, there is a cold streak that runs through her.

Touga Kiryuu – He likes to flirt with Anthy, but genuinely cares for Utena. Handsome and well groomed, he is what Utena most wants in a boy. He patiently allows his relationship with Utena to run its proper course.

FAN SERVICE: There is some mild girl on girl action in the book, for those of you who look for that sort of thing. Anthy likes to lavish kisses and affection on Utena whenever she gets the chance. Also, during one scene on school grounds, Anthy and Utena are seen in swimsuit bottoms that look like panties, which nicely show off Utena’s legs.

THE 2 VIEW

To avoid confusion, it is important to point out that there are four different versions of the Revolutionary Girl Utena fantasy story line, all done by Chiho Saito and creative team Be-Papas. This particular stand-alone manga is not a sequel, but the final variation of the series that, though very loosely based on the Revolutionary Girl Utena, the Adolescence of Utena movie, differs from it enough to qualify as a separate story. Familiar characters appear the same as in the film, but are quicker to involve themselves in adult matters. In addition, the character of Touga has a much more central role here since he responds to Utena’s love for him by trying to be her boyfriend again.

With regard to adult situations, what I find notable is the use of sexuality. Though there is jealousy, the main characters share a romantic interest among themselves and act on it. Anthy is markedly bisexual, and it can be amusing to watch how uncomfortable Utena gets at the thought of having sexual contact with another woman. She initially rejects Anthy’s advances, but then reluctantly allows herself to be kissed, perhaps trying to fulfill her role as a prince completely. Touga shows attention to Utena and Anthy, creating a temporary rift between the girls, and it is only afterwards that he and Utena declare their love for each other. The love triangle adds both depth and dramatic tension to the story and brings home the truth about how teenagers respond to their emotions and will sometimes experiment with their sexuality.

Also noteworthy is the story’s use of symbols. There is an upside down castle in the sky that the final victor of the duels can enter along with the Rose Bride. One can interpret the inversion to signify that life in the castle is ideal, since it is opposite to earth, and hence, consider the viability of pursuing certain goals. Next, the Japanese name Utena means “calyx,” the sepals of a flower that protect the bloom, and Anthy’s name is Greek for “flower.” These are perfect metaphors for the kind of relationship the girls have with each other in that Utena is the prince who makes it her business to save Anthy from harm. Finally, the idea of revolutionizing the world can mean many things to a reader and the significance of which, both internal and external, is not fully revealed until the last pages of the book.

Not only did I find this manga to be a joy to read, but thought that the poignancy that came from resolution made it absolutely unforgettable. The opening pages are intriguing enough, but the full power of the story is not felt until you realize the problems certain characters here face and become cognizant of their suffering. Once again I was made aware of the fact that people and events are not always what they appear to be and that allowing yourself to love someone is not without risk. These ecumenical lessons, I think, will help make this book popular among fans.

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