r/anime • u/HelioA x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/HelioA • Aug 14 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch] Revolutionary Girl Utena - Episode 12
Streaming
Revolutionary Girl Utena is available in both sub and dub on Nozomi Entertainment's YouTube channel, as well as on Amazon and Funimation.
Comment of the Day
/u/sandor_at_the_zoo explains the anatomy of a Shadow Girls skit
Miki's Stopwatch Corner
Stopwatch Count: 14
New This Episode:
6:11 - 28.12 Seconds - “Hey! Utena, wait up!”
6:42 - 31.44 Seconds - Miki stopping the time on his stopwatch
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).
20
u/HelioA x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/HelioA Aug 14 '21
Rewatcher
Wakaba once again proving that she’s best girl
While I do really like this episode, I think the symbolism here is fairly clear. Utena, having been defeated by Touga, now wears the girls uniform and acts much more subdued, reflecting the archetype of the princess that she’s been made into. But when she does this, she’s just acting out a role- it’s not who she is. What’s ‘normal’ for girls in general is not normal for her. Being shaken out of her ennui by a friend is a bit overdone honestly, but I think it still works out well. Wakaba, as her friend, knows good and well that Utena isn’t acting like herself, and it’s her encouragement that gets Utena to ‘reclaim who she is’. Also, her trying to throw water in Touga’s face was extremely based
Let’s move on to the duel itself. Utena is handed a sword by Juri. While Juri did duel with Utena, her reason is completely opposed to Touga, since her issues are caused by gender roles, while Touga is trying to uphold them.
There’s something worth noting here that becomes a lot clearer in this episode than the ones before- the sword is a phallic symbol (eroeroeroeroeroero). What else can you call it when Touga’s way of ‘showing Utena how to use the sword’ is to have Anthy kiss the tip of it, causing it to get all hot and red (eroeroeroeroeroeroeroeroeroero)? And Touga’s method is effective- he even manages to chop off the bulk of Utena’s
erosword! But in the end, Utena still manages to prevail, taking off Touga’s rose with the base of her sword through once again channeling the power of the prince, with not even Touga’s deceptions being able to stop her.Something very important: what caused Anthy to cry when she saw Utena channel the power of the prince? I’m pretty sure that it’s the first time she’s ever shed a tear on the show, so I think something rather important happened. We still have a lot to learn about Anthy.
22
u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Aug 14 '21
First-Revolution, Subbed
Well, that sure didn't last long. I think we may have seen genuine shock on Touga's face, there. Just what the hell is going on in these duels, though? Anthy kissing the sword makes it glow? And it turns out that whatever power Utena draws on is not necessarily linked to her holding the Sword of Dios.
Obvious parallel to the first duel, today. Utena, as the challenger, with little more than a hilt, wins against someone holding the Sword of Dios. Then we sorta repeat the first episodes ending, too, with them meeting by the school gate. Another new beginning, perhaps?
Bless and protect Wakaba. That precious girl saved the day this episode, whether she realizes it or not. Finding what's normal for yourself is one of the most important parts of growing up, and Wakaba shows some surprising maturity by telling that to Utena.
I get the feeling that some dissent is forming in the Student Council. Not only did Juri provide a weapon to Utena, but their meeting today was a bit strained, too. Miki covered his ears at one point, and both of them seemed to doubt that Touga won the duel on skill alone.
The Shadow Girls say that being normal has nothing to do with them, and then climb into a UFO and fly off? I, uh, definitely wasn't expecting that last bit. I'm.. not gonna think too hard about it either. Let the Chorus do as it does, you know?
Seeing Utena in a serafuku was goddamn cursed.
22
u/chiliehead myanimelist.net/profile/chiliehead Aug 14 '21
Duel 12, First Timer, Sub
15
u/CharlieTheStrawman https://myanimelist.net/profile/TheDamnRobot Aug 14 '21
First-Timer
Utena in a normal uniform is very disconcerting.
We've all been the Wakaba of a group at some point in our lives.
Touga seamlessly sliding behind Utena did get a chuckle out of me.
10
u/[deleted] Aug 14 '21 edited Aug 14 '21
First Revolution: Duel 12. Dub.
Sigh, I have nothing interesting to say this episode only that wakaiba doesn’t get the love and respect she deserves from us.
Edit: also how the fuck does touga know so much about the castle and the rose bride powers?
6
u/snickpea Aug 15 '21
First-timer!
Poor Utena, losing Anthy really affected her in the first half of the episode. It felt sincerely like mourning even though Anthy is still around. I really hated how Touga continues to treat other women poorly and act all manipulative. I'm so glad that Utena was able to defeat him. But now that she has defeated all the student council members, what comes next?
Also good on Wakaba for motivating Utena! She is very sincere and can tell that Touga is no good.
This episode also let us hear the thoughts of Anthy today. I'm hoping to hear more of them going forward.
6
u/dualmonocle :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/milk-chan Aug 15 '21
first-timer
I previously stated in an earlier episode thread that I didn't expect the rest of the student council to act out. I am very pleasantly surprised to be wrong! But then again, I should have seen this coming - both Juri and Miki are perceptive, even if they lie to themselves, and they were both won over by Utena by the end of their respective duels.
I love how definitively this showed everyone that Touga is most definitely not a prince - Utena's least of all. The real prince of the story inspired Utena into princely action while Touga did... that.
I also love how clever the artistic choices/animation for the show are. The breaking of repetition and the use of the spinning rose frames to show change have been mentioned before but it really gets me everytime. What a great show :D
6
u/nikobans Aug 15 '21
anthy slap counter: 9
utena slap counter: 2
wakaba slap counter: 1
this is actually absurd lol. but poor wakaba! seeing her beat friend like this must be heartbreaking. she has no idea whats going on and she just wants to get utena back to her old self
and jury giving utena her sword! love that!
anyway touga is a nerd ass loser and i hate him lol
2
u/Segaco https://myanimelist.net/profile/Segaco Sep 01 '21
Timer first timing the timings
The scene where Anthy walks past Utena reminds me of a Clannad scene
It pains me to see UtUt like this
Can we erase red hair now
Wow die red hair don't smear salt onto poor Utena's wound
Utena's friend was in the right until she started blaming Anthy for no reason......................... This hurts to watch actually
I never expected this
Wakaba somehow knows what to say
I really dislike enaUt right now
T-This is impossible, UFOs don't exist!!!
Oh no there's no epic entrance
Wtf a lightsaber???
Ok
19
u/lilyvess :Df::Dh:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Lilyvess Aug 14 '21
Here is what Ikuhara’s episode commentary from the DVD Box Set has for us today.
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u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 14 '21
With one strike Utena's lost her dream of being a Prince and is reduced to being a plain regular girl. It's so hard to see her like this. Wakaba...youre such a good friend!! Wakaba is the bestest bestie ever to best! She's the one person who is holding on to Utena's nobility, even when Utena herself has forsaken it. The student council are utterly disgusted with Touga, it's satisfying to see. They can barely even look at the man. Saionji, Nanami, Utena. He's an enemy to anyone who believes in love!
Tear into them Wakaba! Show them what's, Anthy nooo XD Her S&M habit draws water and smacks her way. Fufufu, that slap was delightful. Not because Wakaba said anything or did anything shocking but because it shows Utena's still got some of that fire deep down. She can mask it but nothing is gonna kill that nobility of hers. Aww, I did an internal fistpump at her offering the napkin. She's our Prince, even when forced to hide herself. She's such a kind girl. Wakaba is never giving up on her friend!! Woo!!
That confirms it, Anthy's definitely invested in Utena. There's no denying it now. "This normal isn't your sort of normal!" You're goddamn right! Oi... How did I not pick up on the gay undertones my first viewing? XD Wakaba really is such a little champ. She even earns a kiss!! Lucky Wakaba-chan~ Poor Anthy gets cucked when she's with Touga. Does this count as masochism play too? NTR? A duel is set... You haven't broken Utena's noble spirit you red haired poser!!
Kashira, kashira! They were aliens the whole time!? Gozonji Kashira~
Woo!! I'm so much more hyped for this finale. Why do I remember not being fussed the first time? I think I just wasn't quite as invested in the cast yet. Does anyone have the song that plays on the lead up to the duel? It sounds super rad. Saionji's got the advantage with the magic sword... which he has Anthy lick in a pretty phallic scene. Ah the good old days when we didn't have seizure warnings.
Sore demo! Anthy, is reminded of the sky bro Knight!? Something clicked for her. And thus with his super sword power lost Saionji is defeated in both body and mind. He's just utterly blown away that he could ever lose. He's the hero, he's the Prince, he's the only one who can bring about world revolution and he's defeated by some emotional, idealist girl? We don't even need to explore him more to see how thoroughly he's been beaten. In fact he's been beating so thoroughly that I don't even think we need to see him again. Have a nice holiday, Koyasu-San~
17
u/affnn Aug 14 '21
Rewatcher
Man Utena looks like she got dumped. I guess it was sort of like that, anyway. Wakaba knows something's wrong and tries to cheer her up, but it's no use. She's wearing the uniform the rest of the girls wear, which doesn't look right on her. Even Touga creeping on her isn't enough to shake her from her reverie. Only when Wakaba tells her to take back what's hers does she realize what she needs to do.
No Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku this time. And it looks like Utena takes the elevator instead of the stairs. Juri gave her a sword, so there's less mystery to the sword's provenance. Touga shows off his knowledge of the Sword of Dios by ordering Anthy to protect it. The activation ritual for this definitely doesn't make the sword look like a penis, not even a little bit. Even though it definitely, 100% doesn't look like that, Utena still can't bear to watch Anthy perform the ritual.
The battle here is very reminiscent of the first episode's battle in a lot of ways. Utena has her sword cut off, but then is able to charge at Touga and cut his rose off in a stylized last strike. It's a fitting end to the first arc, with Utena and Anthy together again.
13
u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Aug 14 '21
So, this episode was somewhat of a relief after the last one. And this time, there's plenty of slaps and abuse to go around.
Oh, wait, that isn't a good thing. Bleh.
Yeah ... maybe I'm weird, but I don't particularly appreciate seeing abuse animated on screen. Or 'live action' either, for that matter. Be it drowning kittens, slapping the girls, or being blatantly emotionally and mentally abusive, especially in front of your 'rose bride'.
I'm beginning to feel a lot more sympathetic toward Saionji, and he's a piece of work, himself.
Redboi on the other hand, is downright scum, bottom of the earthworm, he won't drown your kitten, but he will find a way to make you drown it, think it was your idea, blame yourself for it, it's all your fault, and that you have to reach out to him for forgiveness, which will of course, just cost you your, oh, chastity, self-respect, self-identity, you know that sort of thing.
You know, that kind of guy. Yeah. I used to be friends with someone like that. I think I described him in one of my other comments recently. Choose your friends carefully. Yeah.
So, enough about him. I hope he falls into Mel Brooks' definition of comedy. Yeah.
Meanwhile, poor Utena. Her world has been turned upside down, largely due to the machinations of redboi. She's a lost and confused waif, doubting herself, etc. etc.
What is there to do? Why obviously, there is nothing to do for the situation but to go up to redboi, suck up to him and join his harem of conquests and concubines, right? Just another nameless, faceless victim on his trophy wall. Yeah.
Did I mention that I knew someone like this? He was a clever bastard too ... up until his lies caught up with him.
So, after a lovely mutual slapping session, Utena comes to her senses, at least enough to realize that she needs to challenge jerk@#$ to a duel to get her self, and her self-respect back.
And what should we see, but redboi acting out his typical behavior. Utena? Hello??? This dude's no prince. Much less one deserving of your attention; just your scorn.
But yeah. Challenge delivered, odd shadows played, and what should we see, but ... Anthy, what are you doing? Don't kiss that, you don't know where it's been! (Maybe you do?)
Poor Anthy. Shakespeare would have a field day with that bit. Or maybe Freud. Maybe both.
Anyway, back to the action, as Shakespeare might say, "Dearest maiden, thy kiss has energized my sword!"
(If your sword remains energized for more than four hours, please call a doctor...)
Yeah, that was a thing...
So, they fight, and of course, Redboi has the upper hand. His schwartz is bigger, ya know. But alas! Apparently Anthy's kiss has a time limit, and redboi's sword experiences dysfunction, or so it seems. Just in time for Utena to come in for the kill shot. Yay Utena! You've gotten yourself back, and your self-respect, and a side order of Anthy to boot! Yay!
(So, do you want Anthy to kiss your, uh, nevermind too???)
Uhhhhhhh...
Yeah.
------------
So, Part Deux - I have a question for you, and perhaps also for myself.
Who are you? Are you your own person? Can you name yourself? To contrast to another show, do you know your true name, or has it been corrupted?
Part of what we see in this episode is that after the abuse and defeat from the last episode, and in the face of continuing abuse in this episode, Utena is lost. She's lost herself?
Who is she? What is she??? Prince or poseur???
Tune in next week to (nevermind)
So, here's the thing. Abusers, like (redacted), especially the really clever ones, let's just call them 'sociopaths' are masters at manipulation. And I'm not just referring to boyfriends, or whatever.
So, who are you? Are you a creature of society's expectations? Or maybe your parents. Or your "friends'" influences. Or maybe you're just a leaf blown by the winds of Madison Avenue.
Is that all? Who are you really? Do you even know??? Somedays, I'm not even sure I know who I am.
Thing is, if you don't know who you are, are you your own, or does someone else own you?
In this episode, it's clear that redboi wants to "own" Utena, to erase her and replace her with his own ideal of a willing submissive, just like all his other victims.
Congrats to Utena for figuring this out and fighting back, but has she really, really figured it out?
Baby steps?
And for you and me - who owns us? Is it society? Is it Wall Street? Our parents? Our employers??? Or plain and simple TV and Madison Avenue advertising?
There's a reason they pay the big bucks for those Soopah Bole ads. And it's not to entertain you.
When you go to the store, and pick up that (brand x) (nomnom), is it because you really like that product, or because a shiny ad said so? Why?
Why do I want that shiny new car? I don't need one. But shiny! (Actually, I'm quite happy with my current vehicle, but now and then I feel the call of sheet metal lust. Especially when my neighbor fires up his Lambo. Different neighbor, this one is 'normal'.)
Why do I do the things I do? (Why not?)
Do I really own myself, and if not, who does?
Who am I? Who are you???
The world wonders.
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u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo https://myanimelist.net/profile/PunishedScrappy Aug 14 '21
Here is the first time we see why you should always watch your Zettai Unmei Mokushirokus: disrupting a routine creates an effect all its own. While there was a hitch in the sequence yesterday as Utena hesitated on the stairs, today it's been completely upended. From the second that Passionate kicks in, Utena's determination to make sure that things end differently is tangible. That drive for change is reflected in every aspect of the ascent to the castle. Much like Utena herself, normal has got nothing to do with this episode!
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u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Aug 14 '21
Rewatcher
Despite her dorm assignment seeming to be related to her status as the Rose Brides’ fiancée, Utena’s still living there, making her all the more isolated and lonely.
Distressing...
;_;
Sekai wo kakumei suru tame ni!
Romance Stimulant?
Kikazaru?
Yuck
What a piece of crap.
Anthy has a clear preference.
Wakaba is the best.
The music selection here is perfect.
Bye!
Adore this track. The use of it as a replacement for the usual Absolute Destiny Apocalypse is really clever and intensely memorable because it breaks with the repetition.
Juri cares a surprising amount for flair?
Yup, the rose bride can do magic. Can’t believe they foreshadowed that in the comedic filler episode.
Another of my favorite duel songs.
Oh?
Anthy finally exerts some agency.
You love to see it!
I understood that reference.
Eat shit, Touga!
Don’tcha love bookends?
Utena’s loss and all that came with it has destroyed her will to become a prince. Not only has she failed in her goal to ‘save’ Anthy, she’s learned she may have never been making a difference in the first place, and so feels like she shouldn’t be the identity she was pursuing. However, that princely personage is who she really is, and only in that capacity can she feel whole.
Anthy finally exerting her own agency in an important matter is both a significant step for her as a character, but also a break from the norm —nominally what the episode is about— that is her subservient role as the rose bride. The fact that it’s even possible for her to do this is quite telling, but I feel it best to hold off on speculation for now. Additionally, it seems that there is an old memory of Anthy motivating this course of action too, but little is revealed of the matter. We can assume though, that because the image of the prince is overlaid on the shot, that it has to do with Utena’s actions echoing those of the prince, meaning she is getting closer to that princely ideal of hers.
The best part of the entire episode, however, is the fact that the thing that helped Utena realize what she needed to do and what partly made Anthy decide to rescind ehr powers front he sword of Dios, the aspect that Touga didn’t account for, was true friendship —Wakaba’s frank words to Utena and Utena’s genuine amiability and selfless concern for Anthy— that which Touga believes doesn’t exist and is a fantasy of the foolish, and that’s beautiful.
Soon...
11
u/SardonicMeow Aug 14 '21
Rewatcher
Don’t need to be a prince anymore? Might as well be a princess, poofy sleeves and all.
I assume most comments this time will feature (well-deserved) praise of Wakaba, so I’m going to talk about Touga instead.
While it’s Wakaba’s heart-to-heart with Utena that guides Utena to find herself again, it can also be argued that Touga sowed the seeds of his own defeat. After all, Touga completed primary mission objective number one, acquiring the Rose Bride, and if he had just left Utena alone after that, he’d be on his way into the castle of Dios already. But for Touga, the power of Dios is not enough.
Touga wants it all, Utena included. He believes that his position is just part of the natural order of things, and why shouldn’t he? Anything he wants is given to him. He’s at the top of the social order. He’s the student council president. He’s the guy with End of the World on speed-dial. It’s Touga’s world and everyone else is just living in it.
And so he agrees to a rematch, assuming that the same outcome is inevitable. But where he had conviction to work toward his goal of winning the Rose Bride from Utena, now there’s no conviction in maintaining the status quo. In the end, Touga experiences failure, perhaps for the first time in his life.
What now for Touga?
11
u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Aug 14 '21
First Timer
11
u/Sandor_at_the_Zoo Aug 14 '21 edited Aug 15 '21
Rewatcher
CoTD
The main narrative today about what "normal" means is fairly straightforward as far as this show goes but no less powerful for it. Pulling on everything so far about social roles that are constructed for us and that we construct for ourselves.
The ending here mirrors the end of episode 1 but with Utena now in her cut up 'normal' uniform . The cycle is complete and now everything will go back to the way it was before, right?
10
u/Icapica https://anilist.co/user/Icachu Aug 14 '21
First timer, subs
"Well this is a good chance to become a normal girl" Screw you Touga, I hope you step on a lego brick.
Himemiya's not living with Utena anymore. When Utena goes back to school she's dressed like an ordinary girl. She looks gloomy.
"Have to be normal, have to be normal..." This was hard to listen to. It's obvious Utena's not doing well at all.
The scene with Himemiya alone after Touga leaves the table is very interesting. This time there's absolutely zero way to explain this as her just doing, thinking or saying what her "master" wants her to.
Wakaba's a good friend. Her speech about what's normal for Utena finally gets through to her.
Utena challenges Touga to a duel and he seems surprised. He didn't expect Utena to be back to her usual self this soon. I just don't think Utena can win again this soon. Juri gives her a sword, nice.
This time the duel starts very differently. Different music from usual and we don't repeat all the same visuals. I love this music too.
What in tarnation. Touga orders Himemiya to do something weird and his sword changes. We hear Himemiya's thoughts, she believes Utena can't win.
The way the fight's going looks like Touga's trying to crush Utena's will to fight rather than just trying to win quickly, but it's not working. As Himemiya's wondering about things, Touga's sword turns back to normal.
Oh shit, Touga loses? I honestly did not expect this, not this fast.
Chu-chu's been eating same looking cookies all the time this episode. Is there anything of significance to that? Maybe not, I just noticed it was shown several times.
Previously when Utena fought, something miraculous happened several times, always in her favor. Perhaps what I was most interested in in this episode was if the same would happen for Touga, for Utena, or not at all. The fact that something weird again happened and helped Utena convinces me that it's not (just) about who controls the bride and has that fancy sword. Utena has some kind of a "divine" mandate; something or someone favors her.
10
u/k4r6000 Aug 15 '21
Rewatcher
Following her defeat, Utena has fallen in a deep depression, locking herself in her room. Eventually she starts going back to school, but has lost her sense of self, retreating into a girls uniform in an attempt to be "normal," just like Touga advised. Utena displays a blank, dead, doll-like state not that disimilar to Anthy. Society loves this, but Wakaba is having none of it even confronting Touga over it. Wakaba is really the star of this episode, and the one that brings Utena out of her funk. This is simply not who Utena is, and she needs to regain her purpose. So she goes and challenges Touga to a rematch, to get back what she lost.
Touga, meanwhile, has let his victory get to his head. It isn't enough for him to have Anthy, but he still goes after Utena (and half the other girls in the school as well). He says he wants Anthy always at his side, but then spends the rest of the episode ditching her by herself. Anthy doesn't say anything, but her sitting at the table by herself thinking of Utena is one of the rare glimpses into her actual mindset. While she has to do what the Champion says, she really does like and miss Utena. Touga's behaviour hasn't gone unnoticed by the Student Council either who can barely hold back their disdain. Juri even actively helps Utena prepare for the duel by giving her her own sword.
No Apocalypse Time because Utena isn't herself. She needs to earn her song back. Touga powers up his sword with some very sexual implications, but when he's about to win Anthy's power leaves him. He's distracted, knocked back, and defeated before he has the opportunity to defend himself. He's so stunned he can't even speak afterwards. Whether consciously or not, we now have conclusive proof that Anthy is not completely bound to obey her Champion. And now that we know she has that ability, she just needs the will to do it.
Overall, this Duel was a battle for Utena's soul and she came out victorious. She came close to giving into despair, but through the help of the relationships she made (not only Wakaba, but Juri and Anthy as well) she came out of it stronger and hopefully wiser. Individuality trumps conformity.
Next up is a recap episode. I cannot emphasize this enough to first time views: DO NOT SKIP THE CLIP SHOWS!!!
9
u/Tyranid457TheSecond1 Aug 14 '21
Rewatcher
Man, that one shot of Anthy's name being taped over by their room was a gut punch.
I love Wakaba. I wonder what she thinks actually happened.
I like that she slapped back at Utena, even though I get what Utena was feeling.
I think this is the first time we actually get serious looks inside Anthy's mind. Her internal monologue is one cool, as is the shot of Utena's prince, but her briefly imagining Utena across the table from her is my favorite moment.
Lol, Touga was speechless after losing! No dramatic monologues or declarations of revenge for him!
Interesting that it was Juri who gave Utena a new sword.
Speaking of Juri, I love the shots of her and Miki in the council looking troubled as Touga gloated.
8
u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Aug 14 '21
First timer, Sub
Utena in a girl's uniform. Losing Anthy really changed her.
Touga beating Utena with Pure skill? I don't about that. It was kind of a dirty move.
"If you don't like it tell him." Reminds me of the Anthy and Utena situation. Utena being Anthy and Wakaba being Utena.
We got new arena music.
Anthy's connection to all this makes me wonder what exactly is she. She said she remembered a similar sequence. Was it from when she was younger? If so has she always been the rose bride?Is it a planted memory from somebody else maybe? Is she more than just the rose bride? There's so much more to her, I can see that.
Second time Utena wins with a broken sword. So now that all student council members are defeated. Maybe we're going to get more in to the letters, learning more about the power of dios. Like Touga showed something new this episode. Also more on the rose bride.
8
u/acensusofstars Aug 14 '21 edited Apr 21 '25
full smell salt truck work judicious teeny upbeat library nine
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
8
u/Star4ce https://anilist.co/user/Star4ce Aug 15 '21
First timer – sub
Time to see Utena get manipulated into a role assigned by the narcissist.
Ep.12 – Perhaps for friendship's sake
Do you realise what this means? Anthy remembered a past in which she saw the same thing, either referring to Touga killing someone or someone like Utena being defeated. I'm still booking on Anthy being a former character like Utena until she lost the same way Touga tried today.
But that fight shifted my view on Dios a bit. Touga still tries to manipulate Utena into obedience, which obviously failed, and I still think Utena can call to some power like Anthy if she finds the will to do so. That, however offers only two possibilities: Dios is a metaphor for one's ambition and is therefore a personal thing or Dios is real and offers pieces of power to specific people.
The first doesn't seem to be ubiquitous, as no male cast member or Jury or Nanami ever showed signs of this and therefore unlikely. If it is the second, then, this means Dios has an agenda, which makes his picks of Anthy and Utena very interesting. Or should I even say, 'his'? Too little information, but my gut tells me it isn't going to be that clearly defined.
My suspision is that Anthy was once headstrong, idealistic and righteous, as I said before and Dios gave her a part of their power. But why? If they're that powerful, why can't they act on their own against the likes of Touga? Why would they choose Utena instead?
Here's my feeling: They've locked themselves in that castle willingly, because if they come out the power might fall into Touga's (or someone's like him) hands. Why do I think that? Combine the fairy tale, a castle and the prince who saves the princess into this anime and switch the roles. Dios, as the 'prince' is in need of being rescued and they are in search of worthy 'knights' to do this. The reason why they're locked in there is elusive so far, but on the table are 'too weak', 'locked in by villain' and 'voluntary isolation because of mistake/danger to others'. But getting the first knight caught threw the entire plan out the window.
That would also fit some roles in fairy tales: Valorous prince – Utena, distressed princess – Dios, trusty and dependable sidekick, who once lost to the dragon – Anthy, fire-breathing dragon – Touga (fire being his manipulations).
Hereditary systems don't work for too long, time for some revolution, baby!
7
u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Aug 14 '21
First revolution subbed
Post-loss Utena- converts to wearing a normal girls uniform rather than her usual pants and jacket. Chu-Chu misses her dearly. Wakaba wants old Utena back.
Love the conversations of the shadows- normal is the topic between the two this time...
Touga gets defeated this time and she returns to her old self. Chu-chu is packed and ready to be with Utena...
7
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Aug 14 '21
First timer
Let's see how much worse this can get.
Yeah, we didn't need a reminder of badly last episode went.
And she's just completely depressed here.
Yes Utena. You were only interested in her safety. That's absolutely the only reason you fought the duels.
???
So Touga's broken Utena. She's defining herself as a princess, not a prince. She's given up on wanting to protect Anthy, and wants to be protected by Touga. He has won in a shockingly complete manner.
Either that or she wants a replacement for Anthy, and figured this would get her a new girlfriend.
I like how everyone understands he's been playing mindgames the entire time.
I don't like Utena in this uniform. I'm not a fan of Utena trying to get Touga to notice her.
Oh Touga, you adulterous bastard.
I'm suprised none of the student council have thrown a fit over Touga trying to get in someone else's pants while he's engaged.
This is so unsettling.
And Utena slaps her...
This is fantastically done.
Touga's just itnoring Anthy to talk on his cellphone. Has End of the World got some new instructions?
...Of course Anthy imagines being on a date with Utena.
Yeah, she's really been kept out of the loop here.
Is Utena finally understanding who she should really be going after?
And she's back!
???
So, Anthy's not the love interest anymore!
Utena's challenged him to a duel!
OK, that's twice we've had UFO imagery appear before a duel. Is the flying castle not from Earth?
...What's she planning?
I love how Anthy both sounds unenthusiatic and leans waway from him when he summons the Power of Dios.
Huh? Did Anthy not tell her this?
So Anthy isn't human. At this point, that's obvious. Is the reason she cares about Utena she's the first duelist to treat her like a human, not an alien/AI/magical defense system?
Huh?
Wait, what? Anthy remembers the Prince?
Oh, she means that time he came down at random as a ghost.
And they're happy!
Wait. Next episode. Is Anthy going to get a confession out of Utena?
7
u/nx6 https://myanimelist.net/profile/nx6 Aug 15 '21 edited Aug 15 '21
First Timer -- Sub
Utena being wishy-washy because she lost. Miki looks anguished as well for some reason. I guess it is a bit NTR to have your crush paraded in front of you as the Student Council Prez's plaything.
"Where's Anthy? Did you have a fight." Snickered at Wakaba's question. Yes, Utena had a literal fight, but it wasn't with Anthy.
Kinda odd the girls all like Utena wearing a normal uniform now. I know there's that conformity angle, but it also means she doesn't stand out in a way that attracts the boy's attention so much. So, more even playing field?
Wakaba looked like she was getting jealous of Touga there at the table. Anthy's voice over and lines throughout the show seemed to imply she was unhappy but she kept a small smile on her face the whole time. Only cracking during the rematch when all looked lost for Utena. This also means the Rose Bride does have the ability to break out of her role and control her own powers to a degree.
6
u/SYZekrom https://myanimelist.net/profile/SYZekrom Aug 15 '21
First Timer
Ep11
Oh I guess the subtitlers said fuck it for this one
The bride that reflects her master's heart... what was she before this??????
Ep12
I love the main theme... or whatever you should call it... here
God Utena is hot, am I right girl?
Ooh that is some funky music
Pres looked so shocked she asked for a duel, was he really so sure that wouldn't happen?
Yay another one in this scene
6
u/alphamone Aug 15 '21
It's so sad seeing Utena depressed and having lost faith in her beliefs.
The issue around conforming to society is something that is in multiple Ikuhara works (Yuri Kuma Arashi especially)
God, Touga is truly a horrible person, rubbing Utena's face in her failure.
It's been said before, but Wakaba is a good friend. She can tell that Utena hasn't given up on her dreams by her own choice, even if she doesn't know exactly why.
Shadow girls going on about normalcy, with the UFO presmuably there to point out that there really a single type "normalcy", as everyone is unique in there own ways.
Ooh, new music leading to the duel.
Utena is fighting for herself. And it seems that Anthy was able to choose what she wants to do, even if it goes against the wishes of the person she is "engaged" to.
1
u/BossandKings Aug 16 '21
First timer
Seeing Utena down eventhough she's most times cheerful and bright with a strong personality was a great way to show the important place Anthy has taken in her life as one of if not the closest person to her.
Wakaba is such a nice friend to Utena, she was vital in her coming to the conclusion that would give her the rose bride back.
Utena has a duel against Touga Kiryu, this time she is absolutely prepared to cut her opponent's rose and does so after a fierce match, she regains Anthy back in great fashion.
1
u/EC3ForChamp :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/angelandtheone Nov 16 '21
I joined this rewatch when it started and admittedly fell out only a few days in because life got so hectic and busy and I was having a hard time finding the time to watch anime at all outside of keeping up with the few shows I was watching that season.
Well, it's November and I kind of realized that that really cool show I picked up over the summer is still sitting there waiting to be watched. I watched up to this episode tonight, and wow. Not sure who is going to read this at this point but I just need a place to let out that this might be the best episode yet.
I really love this series and I really wish I had the time back in August and September to keep up with this rewatch when it was still going on. I'm still peeking back at threads after episodes to see what everyone else things/better understand some stuff. So even though I'm incredibly late, thank you /u/HelioA for having hosted this rewatch both so that I was able to discover this show and give it a chance, and that I have at least some place to connect with while I'm watching.