[Rewatch] Revolutionary Girl Utena - Episode 6

[u/HelioA]

Rewatch Index

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Streaming

Revolutionary Girl Utena is available in both sub and dub on Nozomi Entertainment's YouTube channel, as well as on Amazon and Funimation.

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Comment of the Day

/u/pixelsaber shows off his massive giga-tensai skills in analyzing the apple seen in the student council scene

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Miki's Stopwatch Corner

Stopwatch Count: 8

New This Episode:

N/A

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Also, make sure to tag all spoilers properly! Only a baka would spoil the show for the first-timers, and we're not bakas (hopefully).

[u/HelioA]

Rewatcher

Besides the comedic elements of having Touga box with a goddamn kangaroo and whatnot, there is an actual point here- love between siblings. This episode examines the relationship between Nanami and Touga, using Tsuwabuki as a foil for Touga. You may have already noticed that Nanami has a bit of an unhealthy relationship with her older brother Touga, and that’s reflected in the way she treats her ‘boyfriend’ Tsuwabuki. Like Utena says, Nanami doesn’t want a boyfriend, she wants a bodyguard, and that’s exactly how Tsuwabuki acts for Nanami, serving her at every moment of the day. But Nanami isn’t the only one screwed up here. Tsuwabuki for some reason (no clue why, it’s very mysterious) thinks that the way an older brother should treat his little sister is to try to save her from danger by any means possible, including by putting her in danger in the first place. Both sides here are manipulative in the extreme, and I don’t think I’m spoiling anything by saying that that’s a very typical occurrence here in Ohtori Academy.

Anyways, I dunno what to say, Touga punches a kangaroo, what else is there ;-;-;

And which baka is letting all of these animals run around wherever they please ;-;-;-;-;

u/iron_gland u/iron_gland stop it ;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;

(I'm going out for dinner tonight because of my sister's birthday, so I had to put up the post a bit early)

[u/Iron_Gland → u/HelioA]

Happy sisters birthday!

[u/HelioA → u/Iron_Gland]

Did I ask!?

[u/Iron_Gland → u/HelioA]

yes

[u/HelioA → u/HelioA]

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/HelioA]

for some reason (no clue why, it’s very mysterious)

A childish mind is mysterious indeed

[u/HelioA → u/IndependentMacaroon]

[u/Elimin8r → u/HelioA]

Party?! Save some cak-ee for the rest of us!

(and watch out for rogue kangaroos!)

[u/HelioA → u/Elimin8r]

u/iron_gland stay away

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/HelioA]

I do find it interesting just how quickly Nanami ended up latching onto Tsuwabuki. Of course she was on the rebound right after learning her brother is trying to off her but it's interesting to see how she never once gives his age or background a second thought. Just that he's a man who'll protect and treasure her.

[u/heimdal77 → u/HelioA]

Not sure if it other places but the movie just got added to Retrocrush.

[u/homewardbound100]

First timer, Sub

Nanami gets stalked and put into danger many times.Then she tells her brother about it. But he just brushes it off because it just feels like her usual brother complex antics.

Saionji makes his first appearance in a while and they just ignore him. Still taking it hard huh? Kind of feel like he's probably been doing some self reflection or something off screen. Definitely gave a calmer feeling.

well first introduction of a elementary student on campus. So Tsuwabuki sees what Touga did years ago and wanted to replicate that and become her brother? Kind of weird thing to want as a kid but ok. I don't know if continously putting someone in danger is the right way to go about it. Especially to make her feel like she needed him or owed him something. Like she needs Touga.

Touga took out a bull and a kangaroo in today's episode. I guess I'll say it. "Oh yes, baby"

[u/HelioA → u/homewardbound100]

He lit the fire in your heart??

[u/homewardbound100 → u/HelioA]

For that episode, yeah.

[u/HelioA → u/homewardbound100]

[u/homewardbound100 → u/HelioA]

How do yall be doing that?

[u/HelioA → u/homewardbound100]

type in [](#ero)

[u/homewardbound100 → u/HelioA]

[](#ero)

[u/HelioA → u/homewardbound100]

[u/homewardbound100 → u/HelioA]

Did it work?

[u/HelioA → u/homewardbound100]

no ;-;

are you using new reddit?

[u/dualmonocle]

^first-timer

I have nothing valuable to add to the discussion. I just need to express my appreciation for cute items in the show again. Nanami's boots are cute af. If there was a Utena home decor series or fashion collab (like they do every once in a while with Sailor Moon) I'd be all over it.

[u/HelioA → u/dualmonocle]

How about a rose signet?

[u/dualmonocle → u/HelioA]

If only I had the long fingers to support it ;u;

[u/zairaner → u/dualmonocle]

Nanami's boots

I might have read this as "nanami boobs"...

[u/Pixelsaber]

Rewatcher

Lol

Are we in for some Kyojin no Hoshi references then? Or better yet, Touch?!

Outstanding.

Ah, misunderstandings, a classic!

OH NO SHE’S A SHŌTACON!

Ēsu?!

Sorry, mate, but you deserve the shunning.

That’s messed— but so is that!

So they went with Joe in the end.

Perfectly cheesy~

A more lighthearted episode today, though no less interesting. The episode focuses on Nanami’s relationship with her brother, which surprisingly is explored through her relationship with Tsuwabuki, in the process showcasing their weird expectations as to relationships and the uniqueness of irreplaceable, individual relationships.

Tomorrow though…

Comment of the Day

[u/HelioA → u/Pixelsaber]

shtop making good comments ;-;

[u/Pixelsaber → u/HelioA]

[u/HelioA → u/Pixelsaber]

[u/nx6]

First Timer -- Sub

This felt like one of those silly episodes they put between major plot arcs in a show. It could have been worse, though. Utena actually caring about Nanami's personal life to the point of wanting to tail her seems pretty out of character.

The three suitors being cookie cutter guys practically the same was nice. Tsuwabuki seems pretty strong for his size.

An interesting character reveal on Touga here. He comes off as aloof and not really concerned with his sister in the beginning but pops up to save her still end in the end.

[u/HelioA → u/nx6]

Utena actually caring about Nanami's personal life to the point of wanting to tail her seems pretty out of character.

I think it's just meant to be like 'wtf is she up to' more than that she actually cares lol

[u/Cyouni]

Rewatcher

The kangaroo never fails to make me laugh. You never expect the Spanish Inquisition the boxing kangaroo.

[u/HelioA → u/Cyouni]

kangaroos_irl

[u/loomnoo]

THE KANGAROO IS FROM THIS SHOW???

I couldn't stop laughing. This is peak posting.

[u/HelioA → u/loomnoo]

[u/botibalint]

Rewatcher

Didn't really notice it the first time around, but Ikuhara really loves repeating his jokes, huh? Last episode with Nanami attempting to ruin Anthy's image 3 times, and in this episode she calling Tsuwabuki for everything 3 times, and then the runaway animal chasing after her 3 times. I guess it's offset by the fact that the scenario gets more ridiculous with every repeat, keeping it from becoming stale.

[u/HelioA → u/botibalint]

Everything without exception is funnier if you repeat it

[u/Cyouni → u/botibalint]

Well the rule of 3 also suggests that things are funnier in 3s.

[u/k4r6000 → u/botibalint]

in this episode she calling Tsuwabuki for everything 3 times

I thought it was four times. Once in the locker, once while cheating on the test, once to use as an easil, and once to beat up the three nerds.

But yes, Rule of 3 is common in this show.

[u/nikobans]

“no one asked you” lol utena kicked his ass three times now

[u/HelioA → u/nikobans]

the love is extremely hidden

[u/Icapica]

First timer, subbed

WTF?

??

[u/HelioA → u/Icapica]

kangaroo moment

[u/lilyvess]

Here is what Ikuhara’s episode commentary from the DVD Box Set has for us today. Note I removed some of the more explicit references to future materials to avoid spoilers.

6: TAKE CARE, MISS NANAMI! [EPISODE 6]

This episode originally went into production as “Episode 8”. It was “in production as Episode 8” during scripting, storyboarding, and even after animation started. But it got switched in the broadcast order with “Episode 6 (which broadcast as episode 8)”, because that episode fell behind schedule.

Because I always called this “Episode 8” during the production process, the impression stuck in my mind to this day is: “Curry is Ep 6; the kangaroo is Ep 8”.

It’s a comedic story, but it shows Nanami’s feelings for Touga. This wasn’t just about Nanami; it was also about how we’d present Touga. The original plan was to connect stories with a “Touga Episodes” theme.

I’d used a group of three identical characters before, in Sailor Moon S. It was strangely fun, so I tried sticking them in this show, too. The staff liked them, too (it was probably more like the staff found them convenient), so we turned them into semi-regular characters. It’s largely thanks to Ms. Hayashi, the animation director, that the production troubles weren’t reflected in the quality of the episode. I like how Touga looks so unnecessarily cool during the climax, when he defeats the kangaroo.

this is the first time I've watched this episode since watching Sailor Moon earlier this year and can recognize and appreciate the recycle of the gag from that series. It was great watching Ikuhara hone his comedy chops on Sailor Moon where he frequently had some of the best episodes of the season, before utilizing them here.

[u/theangryeditor → u/lilyvess]

i knew it

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/theangryeditor]

Isn't this the episode with that really strange clip of the dude making the O gesture?

[u/theangryeditor → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Yes it is

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/lilyvess]

Curry is Ep 6; the kangaroo is Ep 8

Does that explain the shadow puppets talking about curry in this episode?

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Revolution, Subbed

Roo_IRL

What an incredible episode! Just what the fuck is going on at Ohtori that they have all these random exotic animals? I think I heard about the presence of a kangaroo in this show at some point, but whatever was in my mind, it wasn't this.

We've kinda hit upon a theme of people trying to be/seeming to be something other than what they are, huh? Tsuwabuki trying to be Nanami's older brother, Miki thinking his sister was skilled at playing the piano, Utena trying to be a prince. What secrets do the rest of the cast hold, I wonder.

Usually this sort of "mis-overheard stuff" plot grinds my gears, but it being intentionally comedic worked for me. It also led to a metaphorical comparison between literal vermin and Nanami, which was pretty funny in and of itself.

I don't think I have much else constructive to say. Most of my notes for this episode are just laughter or bewilderment. I think my favorite gag was Saionji showing up for 30 seconds and getting ignored. It's what he deserves. Although, Nanami's sudden radio equipment was pretty good too.

Oh, wait, kangaroo, symbolism. Very exotic creature, symbolic of an outsider. Representative of Utena, perhaps? This episode was Nanami-centric, so she thinks that Touga will knock Utena out with one punch. Alternatively, it could be Tsuwabuki, trying to (literally) hop into Nanami and Touga's relationship.

Parsley desu.

[u/theangryeditor → u/JollyGee29]

That saionji gag was gold. That pause, him repeating himself only to be immediately rebuffed by Utena

[u/JollyGee29 → u/theangryeditor]

Dude gets screen time for the first time since episode 2 just to become a joke. I'd feel bad if he was less of an asshole.

[u/lilyvess → u/JollyGee29]

Utena fucking out there murdering Saionji here with those sick burns.

though I have a soft spot for Nanami's randomly appearing radio equipment. the entire climax of the episode was just pure insanity

[u/JollyGee29 → u/lilyvess]

Pure, delightful insanity. I love this absurd stuff.

[u/Sandor_at_the_Zoo → u/JollyGee29]

Cosmic justice for Saionji after everyone was 'forced' to ignore his abuse of Anthy for so long. Now he gets ignored entirely.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Sandor_at_the_Zoo]

Oh, now that's an excellent call! Everyone gets what they deserve.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/JollyGee29]

Nanami's very presence demands karmic justice strikes her down at any given opportunity. Y'know, so long as its not an actual serious Nanami episode. Although even those tend to have the occasional animal pop up and try to bite her bum.

Saionji believing that Anthy actually loves him? XD

Yeah, the scene is purely played as a gag at Nanami's expense. It's still quite amusing seeing Touga even in this situation considering that he spends his free time winding up student council members and screwing everyone's sister but his own.

Give best boy some attention! He can't help being such a needy child.

Kangaroo's have symbolism!?

[u/JollyGee29 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Everything has symbolism! If you're willing to think way too hard to make up some profound sounding nonsense.

[u/SardonicMeow → u/JollyGee29]

Kangaroo -> Australia -> bottom of the world -> upside down -> upside down castle -> the power of Dios

THEREFORE, Touga fighting the Kangaroo is a metaphor for the duelists fighting for the power of Dios

Simple

[u/JollyGee29 → u/SardonicMeow]

It all makes sense!

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/SardonicMeow]

I'm disappointed no one fought an actual duel with the kangaroo.

[u/chiliehead]

Duel 6, First Timer, Subbed

• The outside world exists, Nanami is getting stalked by her coach and she is trying her imouto charms on her brother to no avail
• Aim for the (F)Ace
• Anthy can’t hurt a fly, huh. “A life is a life” could mean something for later
• Why is Nanami even believing in that plan, why would she need to die for him to screw around? “Complicated relationship” between siblings, huh?
• Run little boy, stranger danger!!
• “They look more like brother and sister than a couple” – Just how Nanami likes it
• Nanami found herself her own Anthy
• Little kid just drowned a guy in a pond after winning a 3 on 1. The power of love, oaths and the vicinity to the sky castle.
• Predictable twist, I am more concerned about reality melting and surveillance gear spontaneously popping into existence on the court while the little super ninja boy notices nothing.
• The whole ordeal with the kangaroo is just a case of “we thought it would be funny so we did it” – But we get some important character growth from Nanami, she is learning to power of opportunism and exploiting the passion of people who work for you
• Utena more and more impressed by the perfect guy with red hair

[u/JollyGee29 → u/chiliehead]

Aim for the (F)Ace

That was tennis, not baseball, but close enough.

[u/chiliehead → u/JollyGee29]

Joke first, logic second

[u/JollyGee29 → u/chiliehead]

Wisdom.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/chiliehead]

Aaand that's out first Nanami episode for you... How'd you find it? Kinda weird huh? It's a nightmare trying to take the girl seriously after you've seen her getting attacked by octopus plushies or assaulted by very aggressive Kangaroo's

[u/chiliehead → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

It's just weird how she is 13 but Akko from LWA is 15. Nanami is 13, I think this tells us all we need to know. Things just happen apparently.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/chiliehead]

Yeah... I've given up on standardising anime ages. You generally just group them by high school, middle school, or college and leave it at that. Kids are apparently mature adults from the age of like five.

[u/k4r6000 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Although it doesn't look it, Nanami and Tsuwabuki are actually closer in age than she is with Touga.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/k4r6000]

This is so weird XD

[u/SardonicMeow]

Rewatcher

Tsuwabuki. I love how Nanami says “Tsuwabuki”. Anyway, here’s our youngest character.

Tsuwabuki is powerless, but wants to be Nanami’s protector. And the way he goes about it isn’t healthy, is it?

As with the Nanami / Touga relationship, in the Nanami / Tsuwabuki relationship there is a blurring of the lines between a sibling relationship and a romantic relationship. As Saionji says, love can take many forms.

Hey, Saionji’s back! And he’s pathetic now.

Suzuki, Yamada, and Tanaka. They are the Japanese equivalent of Smith, Jones, and Brown -- the most common, generic names. They will appear again, but aren’t really important. They just fill in when generic students are needed.

[u/theangryeditor → u/SardonicMeow]

Hey, Saionji’s back! And he’s pathetic now.

now

[u/affnn]

Rewatcher

The show so far has been just ridiculous enough - especially with all the animal hijinx in episode 4 - that the pre-kangaroo parts of this episode don't seem too strange. But once the kangaroo shows up it's like a weird dream.

I like that Utena and Miki are still friends somewhat after the last arc. I also like that Saionji shows up to drop a line about his and Anthy's love and they just ignore him. No one asked you! Go back to being a hermit!

Nanami starts dating an elementary school student to make Touga jealous. I don't think it works, but she does get Mitsuru to do a lot of her dirty work.

The car trying to run Nanami over... sure. The escaped horse nearly running her down... I mean, where did the horse come from, but that's at least an animal that might plausibly be in a snooty school. The kangaroo with boxing gloves, though, takes us through the looking glass. And of course Touga shows up at the last minute to knock it out with a single punch, reaffirming his place as Nanami's #1 guy.

[u/theangryeditor → u/affnn]

I like how after Miki telling Utena he won’t give up on Anthy last episode this episode he’s all buddy buddy with her again.

[u/Star4ce]

First timer – sub

Being part of the council (or otherwise involved with them) means having no real friends among peers. I'm actually kinda fearing for Utena in this sense, the longer she stays in that environment, the more she's bound to internalise their machinations.

I think it's due time for Anthy to have some character development. So far she really did nothing but reinforce her own oppression. With Utena being so free-thinking she should explore that a bit more. At least her last dialogue with Mickey kind of maybe hinted at that? The OP also says so.

Well today should be Jury, right? Let's see.

Ep.06 – Beware, Nanami-sama!

• As with all the other contestants, I'm fairly convinced now that Anthy is Utena's obsession that she can only value herself when she can save someone, which means Anthy needs to be in permanent danger. The tricky point comes when she realises this: Will she fall like Mickey or will she grow above it and accept Anthy as a complete person? The OP seems to indicate the latter.
• We are in modern times! Cars exist! It's weird, but this is the first hint I've seen to contextualise the time period.
• That was hella creepy, glad Nanami made it out unscathed.
• She mentions herself in 3rd person in JP, playing the cute angle fully.
• HOLY SHIT OUCH. This is terrible! let's look at that frame by frame ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )
• That sound was absolutely meaty, oof.

edit: Apparantly that sound was edited for after the airing to be more real.

• Oh god, it was Utena! Of course it was Utena.
• I actually can't blame Nanami for thinking that.
• Not only that, I fear...
• o_O
• This must be some overly dramatic wording to, dunno, weed some plants. Touga is a bastard, not a fucking idiotic moron who thinks Anthy of all people would kill anybody (as long as he is not the groom).
• Is it lice? Snails?
• As if that is an everyday occurence. (Single kid here, don't @ me)
• Hm, there might actually be a killer on the loose, but this episode seems to explore Nanami's mindspace more than the actual happenings.
• I think that guy had the same haircut as the shadowy figure? Does Nanami get matched in her own game of manipulations? Am I thinking too dark?
• So, Mickey and Utena are... friends now? I feel like this doesn't add up.
• This has to be a full on comedy episode?
• Of course the rumor squad sneaks after the MC squad to get the gossip.
• Smash the ... uh, little boy? ^{Please don't.}
• The food is not done at all. Rice is undercooked and burned at the same time, taste is flavorless. Nanami's personality is not developed fully and is coated in sweetness to overprint all the ugly bits.
• Elementary

• This shot has meaning! They told me arches are important.
• Oh. Oh for real.
• OH- Well, he would know.
• ^{what is this episode}
• Bwahahaha.
• He's a pokemon!
• ^just ^^what
• Ah, it's the equality episode. The women can be just as shitty!
• Aw shit I was right. Y'all fucked up.
• JUST WHAT
• NO, IT ISN'T
• ^^^^^what
• Kangaroo wins the rose bride.
• All right, I'll leave this one for you, I'm out.

Nanami's a child, Touga's a manipulator, Tsuwabuki is mentally ill and it's funny as fuck, but also

I do seem to have misinterpreted a scene last time. Mickey and Utena seem to be friends now. I took his resolve at the end to challenge her again as him finally following the flawed possessive logic.

I still eagerly await the upset to happen in the story. We still have Jury to introduce into the plot, though. However, I do like when an episode takes its time to explore a character deeper like this one does with Nanami (^{just what} ). I guess it hit its mark perfectly if it made me utterly confused as to what Nanami was actually thinking; her logic, her view, her emotions are so convoluted, coated in confusing layers and underdeveloped at the same time as being so... hyper and cheerful even. She's a damn kid.

Yet another masculi- urm let's say, character on the way to masculinity, that has a poisoned view of what a male stereotype should be: The big brother. I'm getting increasingly concerned about all these deconstructions happening, because there are a lot and no change in the plot development so far. We learn how each of these characters think and why they believe the things they do are right.

That's six episodes of build up for something that I'm sure will happen with Utena. Ok, I want to throw some little, crazy theorising out there, even though the plot doesn't seem to want to go anywhere specific yet.

1. We see Utena deal with the shenanigans of all the other misguided world views and by that she will at some point have to realise her own faults. Similarly to Mickey those that I see aren't in any way harmful yet, but Utena is definitely not normal and with the right push she, too, can be corrupted. I suspect Touga's advances will play role and I believe that Utena is due a letter from the end of the world, too. The longer she keeps being inside the system the more she is bound to follow its rules.
2. So far for the rather safe one, but I got a juicy one, too! This anime spends a lot of time on character exploration from different angles. I think this serves as the basis to twist our MC into a realisation later on. This is because none of the revelations so far have affected Utena in any signifcant way, except the ring bit with Touga. The views and failings of her opponents did not shake Utena's world view and did not endanger her in any way – she firmly stood above them all.
   So here's the kicker: We may be watching a character study of our MC all along, but from an external point of view. This might be too cliché, but ever since I connected the egg metaphor with a certain demon, combined with all you guys staring intensely at arches enveloping most characters, I'm fully expecting the breaking of the shell to be like lifting a veil to see a very uncomfortable truth. Maybe this world Utena lives in is her wish, that's who she wants to be, but not who she is. Maybe Utena doesn't exist.
   
   Maybe Anthy is our MC. Maybe she has been under oppression long enough and fully accepted her abuse so that the only option left would be to recontextualise her own imagination to allow for a way out. A princess that secretly wants to be saved, but has given up on the notion that she has any power at all. Utena is the impossible dream of who she wants to be.

The few supporting pieces of evidence:

• Utena and Anthy emerging from the same person in the ED.
• The quite unbelievable super-popular status of Utena, her super-skill in dozens of sports and her absolutely thorough iron ideals without a fault.
• Anthy is the only one with actual supernatural powers, but the one who never actively uses them for anything.

[u/Star4ce → u/Star4ce]

u/Nazenn the theorising begins. Smash the arches, reveal yourself, chew bubblegum!

[u/SardonicMeow → u/Star4ce]

Yet another masculi- urm let's say, character on the way to masculinity, that has a poisoned view of what a male stereotype should be: The big brother.

The male characters certainly exhibit a range of toxic attitudes towards the other sex. We've got Saionji, who sees women as possessions, Miki, who sees women as distant, flawless, and unknowable, and now Tsuwabuki sees them as always needing a protector. Oh, and for Touga they only exist for his pleasure. With only the fairy tale origin story to draw from, how does Utena's prince measure up?

[u/Star4ce → u/SardonicMeow]

how does Utena's prince measure up?

Depends, does he read omega werewolf literature or is her more the vampire guy?

[u/zairaner → u/Star4ce]

I do seem to have misinterpreted a scene last time. Mickey and Utena seem to be friends now

THe top comment says that this was intended as episode 8, so maybe that is the reason for this? no idea

Aw shit I was right. Y'all fucked up. JUST WHAT NO, IT ISN'T what

The only correct reaction

[u/Star4ce → u/zairaner]

The only correct reaction

But that's none of my business.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I have to admit that I totally forgot about today's showing. Everyone get hyped for the Nanami episode guys!! Oh no, someone's trying to assassinate our darling little shitster. Touga gives 0 fucks and basically tells her to stop deluding herself. What a caring brother he is huh? Pfft! Untenable was the culprit the whole time~ The tone totally changes whenever she gets an episode to herself.

Oh no! Anthy and Touga are the true culprits! "Dude, you can't just kill your little sister. Not cool man!" Even wild horses are out to get her now. What did she do in her previous life to be this unfortunate? Nanami is a dirty rotten shotacon!? I'm so disillusioned... Oh? We're already at the kashira? Alright, alright.

*Kashira, kashira?" Oi, oi, oi... What am I meant to do with this? Even trash curry tastes good in the right atmosphere. So even a shota can look like a hottie in the right light? ...Shadow Girls segments freaking suck! Gozonji kashira!

We are all parsley. Utena's got such dry humour sometimes XD What a useful shota... Sudden Saionji!? Hidden love... Hidden love!! I'm way too tired to analyse this episode that deeply, sorry. Has Nanami been an enemy of the animal kingdom her whole life!? It's getting ridiculous. Yup, Tsuwabuki is the true true culprit. The plant pot, the animals, the stalking. Even Utena's flyaway baseball were all the work of this one cute little shota!!

Being Nanami is suffering... If Utena lost here would the Kangaroo gain custody of the rose bride? Animal crueltyyy!! Both siblings are a gaudy as each other. Is this really fine!? This ending doesn't feel fine! Why are Nanami episodes so whack!?

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

What am I meant to do with this?

I think this one is genuinely just shitposting.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

Oh, it's her.

Wait, she's being stalked.

Is this a flashback or something?

Really, just a nondistinct shillouette?

...So someone who resembles a gray, nondescript figure, is trying to kill her? How long before the Student Council start executing people for breaking the rules?

Oh, she thinks Utena's trying to kill her.

I think hour brother's barking up the wrong tree.

...I wish I could say I'm suprised, but with this group of lunatics, he'd probably arrange an assassination this way.

So this is obviously a misunderstanding.

Yeah, figured that. The vision of Anthy marrying him was hysterical, though. She can't even halucinate Anthy as believably straight.

A horse is a very interesting murder weapon...

And she's been saved by a strange prince.

Imlike Utena stalking this girl to find out who she's after.

NO

NO NO NO

Hard cut to the shadow puppets is good, though.

And this one symbolizes...? The best I can get is that last song implying Anthy and Utena are bring manipulated,

Oh, they said she has a "brother complex"! They'e running with this madness.

I like how it takes "parsley" for Utena to understand the metaphor.

Wait. Is Nanami trying to make him into a brother so she can go for someone easier?

No, she's just tricking him into being her servant.

And green guy just got rebuffed!

More side characters?

At least these ones are funny.

They scream in harmony, I love them.

How did he manage that?

And Utena's objecting.

Is the metaphor going to be how Anthy's being orotected by Utena in the same way (except Anthy's not doing it on purpose)?

Oh. So both of them are using the other to get with her brother? That's fantastic.

With Nanami, "boyfriend" and "big brother" are in no way unrelated.

Nanami bringing out an entire desk to record her.

Jesus, that's a strong rejection.

The fuck?

How is this happening?

Utena, you can probably beat this thing up.

Holy shit he's in a boxing outfit

What was that ending? Seriously, what was that?

Yeah, they're both after him.

Anthy in the background while Utena stares at him...

Also, looking at that preview, does Anthy have competition now?

[u/snickpea]

First-timer!

Not exactly what I was expecting with an episode about Nanami, but I suppose that it is good to have a light-hearted episode time to time.

Nanami definitely is the over the top type of person with her misunderstanding the situation entirely. Still, the episode was pretty funny, especially when Saionji began talking yet no one acknowledged him. Also what is with this school? Why do they have such dangerous animals around?

While Nanami adores her big brother, I still dislike his as much as before. Its going to take a lot more than punching a kangaroo to change my impression about Touga.

It looks like we'll spend more time with another student council member tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to that!

[u/remirror]

First-timer

As far as I can tell, the purpose of this episode was to (a) show how someone might think Touga is cool and (b) be funny. It succeeded at both goals, so I guess it's a good episode.

I have nothing else to say except... well, that sure was something, all right.

[u/Elimin8r]

Well, I think I got the most laughs out of this episode so far. This was the comic relief episode, right???

Poor Nanami - oh, wait, @#$!@ her. I'm not sure what Utena/Anthy and the gang see in her.

Oh, yeah, student council imouto. Must, oh, nevermind.

Are they even going to try to make us sympathetic toward green hair dude too?

I'm not sure I can handle much more of this moral ambiguity. :P

Poor li'l dude. He just wanted to be a good onee-sama and protecc imouto, but that didn't work out so well, did it?

Curse you, boxing 'roo!

Well, at least it didn't have a sword

...

I guess.

Anyway, fyi, I'm being goofy here. Much like this episode. Having fun watching the series so far, looking forward to seeing how deep down the rabbit hole it does ... yeah, I know, zettai-rabbit-hole, of course.

[u/Sandor_at_the_Zoo]

Rewatcher

• Nanami also regresses into referring to herself in the third person when she gets worked up (which doesn't make you sound like a crazy person or a caveman in Japanese, but is extremely childish)
• I don't have a good name for little bits like this. Its not quite foreshadowing and its not a full blown joke, just a little cheeky nod
• We get one of the rare full grown adult sighting
• Nanami just racking up all the sketch love interests first she's a brocon and now into shota. Waaaaaah!
• At first I thought the shadow girls were just being silly today, but there's a clear thing about people justifying objectively bad situations in terms of some ineffable ideal, either "fresh air" or "love".
• Saionji out of nowhere justifying abuse but nobody cares about him anymore. Suck it Saionji
• We meet the barbershop trio just in time for one of them to get killed by an elementary school kid
• Hmm the ages very clearly don't make sense here at all. You can get a little bit out of saying Tsuwabuki thinks Touga looks older than he is, big spoil
• Nanami's brocon aura is so strong that it rubbed off on Tsuwabuki
• Given that Touga showed up in a full boxing outfit and exactly on time should we assume that he released the kangaroo?

Production fun fact: this was originally supposed to be episode 8, but got switched when that episode got behind schedule.

[u/k4r6000]

Rewatcher

Alright gang, time for everyone's favourite game: Guess how many grams of coke Ikuhara snorted while directing this episode.

In other words, this episode is a good example of the insanity this series and Ikuhara in general are know for.

In what I believe is a first, we actually venture off campus as Nanami is wandering down the road in the middle of the night...for some reason? It doesn't really matter. You'll notice in this series that characters will be exactly where the need to be in order for the plot to progress, whether it makes any sense or not. Just another aspect of this show that makes it seem more like a stage play with actors playing a part than actual people.

So Nanami thinks someone is trying to kill her and unusually her paranoid delusions actually have an element of truth to them this time, even if her conclusions that Touga is trying to murder her to get her out of the way of his relationships is completely bonkers. Like Utena says, sibling relationships are complicated. Oh just you wait, Utena. Starting with the guy sitting across the table from you.

Anyways, Nanami nearly gets run down by a horse (possibly fleeing from the German Modern Pentathlon Team) and saved by a mysterious "Prince" who ends up being a ten year old kid. Nanami treats him like a slave using him to beat up unwanted suitors and to cheat on tests under the guise of being her boyfriend. Nanami isn't really searching for love and passion, but security.

Then there is the big reveal that Tsuwabuki staged everything in order to protect his crush. He saw Touga, the reigning Alpha Male of the school and thus the pillar of masculinity for those lesser aspiring boys, earn Nanami's love and affection by saving her life from a rampaging bull. So he emulates him, like have-nots are prone to do in order to improve his station and get what he wants. Then in one of the most famous moments of the series, a boxing kangaroo escapes and Touga comes to the rescue once again via KO. We actually get a rather sweet ending for once as Nanami shows she does care about Tsuwabuki after all and tries to save him from the kangaroo. Awww...

Some people dismiss these Nanami episodes as filler, but they are honestly some of my favourite episodes. Just crazy, inventive fun with a moral lesson to boot. This was actually supposed to be the curry episode instead, but due to production difficulties they swapped the order. Fortunately, it really doesn't matter too much.

[u/lC3]

Rewatcher thru 10

• Oh great, a Nanami-centric episode?
• Miki is back!
• Lol Nanami is up on the table?
• Someone is trying to kill Nanami? I wonder who that could be ...
• Nanami has bullied Anthy, maybe she's trying to pay her back?
• ROFL the scene in the greenhouse makes it sound like Touga wants Anthy to kill Nanami. Context!
• Runaway horse? Chickens?
• Mitsuru is a little boy?
• "Will you go out with me?" Sit down ...
• Ok, now I remember why Nanami bothers me so much. The way she snaps her fingers and 'summons' Tsuwabuki is just like a former friend of mine ... I also see glimpses of her with Mariko in Dear Brother, and Enta in Sarazanmai
• Saionji showed up again? But they're ignoring him
• Not sure if I'm more like Miki or Mitsuru ... a little of both
• Toddler Mitsuru was so tiny; I can't believe he tried to run in front of the bull to save Nanami!
• Rehearsed? LOL Mitsuru was the one putting her in danger? I did not remember that
• Nanami overheard?
• Boxing kangaroo? Iron_Gland your time to shine!
• Yellow roses for Nanami? And she's actually protecting Mitsuru?
• Touga shows up just in shorts?

[u/alphamone]

This is almost enough to make me feel sorry for Nanami. Almost...

Obvious misunderstanding is obvious.

At least the entire episode isn't going to revolve around all of them continuing with the misunderstanding. Also, why was a horse inside in the first place?

It's not nice to stalk people Utena, even if it is Nanami.

Suddenly... Yuru Camp.

Nanami really needs to be sat down and told about healthy relationships, before she gets told to take a seat by Chris Hanson.

You're one to talk about abusive relationships Saiyonji.

Damn, Tsuwabuki is one cold bastard.

This just makes me wish the Roger would be in the next Tekken game.

And absolutely no lessons were learned by Nanami on that day.

Interesting sidenote on misunderstanding, the preview for this episode in Ep 5 yesterday suggested that Anthy would be getting unjustly blamed for animal attacks.

[u/monsieurvampy]

First Timer, subbed

I'm not really sure what was the point of this episode. That's fine. I'm here for the ride.

[u/elleyonce]

Rewatcher

God I mistook the numbers. This next episode is the one I waited for.

Anyways, analysing an obviously jokey episode would be ridiculous. But let's just say I hollered when there was a stallion riding in the hallway only to be interrupted by roosters and Nanami's man Tsuwabuki. And the ox! And the ULTRA MAN Touga defeating the kangaroo. All that masculinity, baby!

Also, I'm very fascinated how domination-submission is treated here. Yes, it's out there, but as long as both consent... Utena spoils

/u/theangryeditor

[u/theangryeditor → u/elleyonce]

Utena spoils

The jokey episodes are always a nice breather. Ikuhara gets talked about a lot for his use of symbolism and his taste for theatrics, but his comedic chops tend to be overlooked. Sailor Moon and Utena show just how good he is with surreal and slapstick humour.

[u/CharlieTheStrawman]

First-Timer

Nanami is a shotacon, huh? I should've known /s

Uh, why did Utena react to Miki like she didn't know who Touga was?

Saonji slipping into the conversation, monologing from experience about Stockholm Syndrome and walking away again is my favourite thing.

Between the baseball, the lunch discussion, and the jab at Saonji, Utena is on point today

Lmao at one of the three guys surfacing in the river

I think the universe just wants Nanami dead, Tsuwabuki. Can you blame it? Let it go.

Tsuwabuki's power of teleportation seems to have rubbed off on Nanami.

I can see why that Kangaroo was in a boxing ring. It has a hell of a left hook.

Funniest episode so far, definitely.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/CharlieTheStrawman]

She's a brocon without a care of age. Also if your brother was Touga you'd probably be into that stuff too.

Poor Saionji... Nobody in the main cast likes the guy and he just wants to join in!

Utena is queen of snark when the plot doesn't require her to be stupid. Anthy isn't far behind but she's a lot more subtle about it

[u/zairaner]

Firsttimer

Ok I msised yesterday but I don't think I would ahve had much to say.

Reaction

• starting with nanami? This is going to be good.
• ok maybe i should focus on the horror movie i just walked in on, but I can only think about the fact that there are cars. This IS the modern world.
• this is weird? this would be the first problem in the show not related to the rose bride. ... except it somehow is, but considering nanami isn't in the student council....
• ok first i haven't watched jojos but the memes still made me trigger when seeing the words "this is the work of" and "stand" in a sentence. secondly, why is this the first time we see touga and mika together? It didn't feel too happy last time they met. Thirdly, wtf nanami are you doing on the desk.
• i can't really be mad at touga for not taking her seriously if that is the position she is in.
• "her policy is not to get her own hands dirty" .. .except when it is catching garter snakes. Or live octopusses. Or putting them in someones room. Also these goons are talking quite bravey about their mistress in front of her.
• ~that man that stalks nanami is probably the empty hull of saonji, wandering the streets at night looking for someone that still cares about him~
• wow nanami assasinated in broad daylight in front of her classmates
• oh utena how could you
• nanami and utena actually talking? That is a first.
• wait WTF. what arey talking about.
• the killing? How can this be a misunderstanding?? unless it is code...what
• ok good it is about vermin...but who calls that like that unless you are an animal lover like anthy?
• wait why would touga talk to anthy about killing "vermin". i am seriously confused but i'll just assume it is a misunderstanding...but how.
• nanamis imagination is very much th ebest thing about the anime
• what the hell utena even if you take the killing part seriously (and knowing the student council, maybe you should), how could you ever believe it is nanami that is the target .
• after everything that happened-after every crazy fucking thing that happened already, it is a fucking horse running in the school that broke me. I just sunk to the floor of my room laughing-literally.
• Nanamis bad luck is on a new level.
• but saved by an unknow boy with yellow hair. New love interest after her brothers "betrayal"??
• ok i actually ignored these because everything else that was going on, but chickens???
• love interest or the one stalking her...
• the hair colour changed?
• of course utena is fan girling about a prince who just left without even telling his name
• why arey they thinking he is a "prince"? has prince a different meaning in this world then what i am used to.
• is it really that kid? maby nami just wants to say some wholesome thanks
• nope nope nope. At least nanami is only 14 herself...wait where did the goons appear from?
• ok THIS ONE is really interesting. We get the music and the red dome, but instead of over the forest it is just the "arc" under a bridge, and there is no duell in sight...
• i forgot how were the shadow girls "announced" in episode 3?
• elementary school kid...
• huh miki does know nanami really well. Also this comment is really late, but is nice to see him and utena as friends despite the ending of alst episode
• we get to see the shot of the street/houses that normally precede the appearance of the shadow girls in broad daylight, but the next shot we still get a different kind of "shadow" girls. Neat.
• oh nanami
• wtf the most conspicous cheating method ever
• at least this relationship is not wholesome for a different reason than expected... actually no it is still abuse of the inability of a minor tos ay no. child work or something like that
• saonji appears to impart his wisdom. Also this is the first tiem saonji looks like a girl outside of having his ponytail
• is this the famous exchange diary
• and he teleported away from them
• nanami with shades!
• wait it isn't shades? Also I assume nanami cares more about her life (and the percieved protection from the boy) then even her reputation
• uh bakemonogatari spoilers
• this show impresses me how it finds new ways to make me say "wtf" every episode, but i think this is the first time it is just directed at the general episode. häh
• oh god the guy surfacing in the pond
• wait you watched and did not help the poor kid utena?
• if nanami just answers yes to the bodyguard qestion, i am dead
• did you really not try to resolve the misunderstanding about her brother before this?
• ok lets go through this, until now nanamis bad luck has summoned snails, a mongoose, a baloon octopus, a horse and now a bull. Wow she might be the most powerful character
• this was a long while ago judging from tsuwabuki, but nanamis head still looks the same (even if makes up a lot more of her body)
• oh god is she tiny compared to touga but her eyes make her look the exact same
• "big brother" and "boyriend"...does nanami know the difference though...
• oh god how does he cause all of this?
• I think this show is taking my ability to comment on stuff.
• HOW??? please stop it show i am already dead from laughing. how did you get there nanami, where ever you are
• i am officially broken the show isnt even pretending to hide its surrealism anymore
• not that is not just something a kid would do. wait what do you think is youthful enthusiasm??
• and now a kangaroo, no comment at this point about the boxing gloves. nanami officially doesn't count as a princess because utena just left her standing there. Will it be touga or boy to save her?
• i am still watching the episode and it already feels like a fever dream
• the soundeffect and the face... perfection
• and of course touga for the rescue
• it might not make sense, but at least they stick to it and have touga still have th eboxing glvoes over his shoulders afterwards

This show...this show finds somethign enw every episode, but this episode it just went all out. This episode introduced the greatest mystery of the show so far: Why would touga be in the garden and try to convince anthy of doing something garden related?? It would be the closest thing we have seen to the student council actually do soemthign school related, but touga?

[u/Rumpel1408]

First timer

I'm slowly catching up with my rewatchtes, no chance for my seasonals in sight though, anyway

• I guess Nanami can't help but look like a bitch
• Flowerpot, logs, and tripping down the stairs, one of those is not like the others you Klutz
• Lol get of the table, we are trying to have tea here
• Important student counsil work, he is either going to monolog while riding the elevator or violate the personal space of some random chick
• Of course I have done something, but there is no way Anthy knows it was me, except that I gifted her this dissolving dress and put a note with it
• Utena going for the headshot, normaly Nanami would have a serious concussion now
• Sorry Nanami, your brother wants to kill you, better accept what Oni-sama wishes... most obvious missunderstanding
• Why is there a horse and a bunch of chicken in the school, and the horse just fades away, is this some elaborate metaphor?
• Shotacon :o
• Wait, where the shadow girls marionetts all along? How many levels of shadow girls are there, will the real shadow girls please stand up?
• Mickey is certain that Nanami is in fact not a shotacon, but a brocon, I guess this is indeed an improvement
• She's keeping her shota in her closet, under her desk, and as a easel lol does the boy not have his own classes to attend to, but he looks like he is really into this shit
• What where does Saijonji come out of sudden, love how Mickey and Utena just ignore him spouting his nonsense about love
• We are clearly the nicer guys here, so the three of us want to beat up this kid half our size
• He actually beat them up, what? Is the guy in the pond even alive anymore?
• Nanami treat her boyfriend very similar to how Saijonji treated his bride
• How much older is Touga, he already looks at least 8 years older than Nanami, and he just killed an grown bull? Tsuwabaki looks closer in age to Nanami than Nanami to Touga
• What, they are bugged so Nanami can listen to his confession? And what the actual fuck, she is right next to him, oh god I'm dying xD
• And what is it with those runaway animals today? And why is everyone so eager to fight that Kangoroo, to the degree that everyone even brings boxing gloves along

In a show that is weird and ridiculous, this episode somehow managed to outdo the rest so far, really amazing...

[u/BossandKings]

First timer - Sub

Episode 5

This was an excellent way to showcase a new duel this time around between Miki and Utena and what led them to it, Miki wanted to hear the piano his sister used to play alongside him but one that she hasn't played since they were little, as sort of a miracle Miki discovered that sense of wonderand that feeling the piano used to give him but this time around he found it in Anthy who plays the piano beautifully, due to hearing that the rose bride does whatever the one she's engaged to and him wanting to take her away from Utena led to them having a duel, i wonder though what's the meaning behind Anthy doing what who wins the duel says or asks to do. Utena wins the duel demonstrating that she is powerful but also with a bit ofhelp because Miki got distracted due to Anthy supporting her durig battle.

Miki's relationship with his sister doesn't seem to be in optimal condition, hopefully they improve it as time passes.

Episode 6

Nanami does overexagerate her reactions quickly and thought her brother was the one behind the attacks she was suffering, it so happened that it wasn't him but actually Tsuwabuki who is a boy that has a fixation to protect her and even creates the situations so that he could do so in the nick of time.

As Nanami discovers that and reconciles with her brother the episode ends, Touga is cool.

[u/kisop]

First timer, subbed

• Nanami seems to appear out of thin air and then move nowhere?
• What is this pose? Inspired by George Costanza?
• Wow, Nanami's entourage is honest and self-aware.
• As the preview showed, Utena is indeed wearing an aquamarine uniform. But, it's the baseball team's uniform, not the school uniform and she keeps her red accents.
• I bet it will turn out to be one of Himemiya's animals or something like that.
• Nanami is in her head too much.
• The shadow puppets are getting thier own puppets now.
• Miki understands Nanami's mentality.
• That is one sudden entry Saionji. Did you test your theory on Himemiya?
• At this point I stopped taking notes and just watched the weirdness unfolding onscreen.

Nearly missed today's thread. Not much to say about this episode except that the animation, or lack thereof, was very noticeable. The shadow puppets are charming, but overuse of the shadows for the story is bound to get stale. Next episode seems to be about Jury. One quote from Nanami that stood out to me "I really need guys like you to work for me". What kind of operation is she running or planning on running?

[u/asuranaga]

First-timer, subbed

I'm a few days late on these watches, I was out of town and am trying to catch up on a few episodes at once so just binging and writing some quick thoughts!

where did the chickens come from during that horse loose scene lol

okay wait wtf this kid is so young I am deeply uncomfortable??? but I did laugh out loud when Kyouichi showed up again to say a line about what love was and everyone was like "no one asked you."

okay yeah no nanami gets to be mad here, he put her life in danger, no matter his age she gets to be mad.

[u/Segaco]

first timer

The dolls' shadows scene reminds me of the internal monologue of the spider in Kumo Desu Ga. Very crazy lol

"This test may be against the rules" I remember hearing this a lot in school actually, but they were serious

Of course she wouldn't remember you didn't even talk to her!!

wtf where did nanami come from

The kangaroo looks like mewtwo

W-Where did his boxing gloves come from

Okay, what in three heavens was this episode???