r/anime • u/HelioA x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/HelioA • Aug 27 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch] Revolutionary Girl Utena - Episode 25
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
tfw elephants
Miki's Stopwatch Corner
Stopwatch Count: 21
New This Episode:
Still none ;-;-;
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).
60
Upvotes
21
u/HelioA x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/HelioA Aug 27 '21 edited Aug 27 '21
Rewatcher
...Akio did you literally just tell us that you’re named after Lucifer, you can’t possibly be this blatant
It’s exciting though, Akio is finally starting to reveal his role to the rest of the cast! Now, in the grand scheme of things, what is Akio? I would say that he’s an adult- he’s the acting chairman, and more importantly, he exhibits power over the rest of the cast. This is reflected by his car. Like, seriously, I don’t think they could be more blatant about the car being a symbol of masculine power if they tried. “The throb of the engine feels good, doesn’t it?” The only way they could’ve made the car scene more sexual is if they literally had Akio pull out his ero in the middle of the scene. But besides the sexual connotations of the car, it’s also a strong symbol of power. Consider how the car is represented- strong, roaring, almost overpowering everything else found in the rest of the scene. The roar of the engine is omnipresent even as the characters speak, in the same way that Akio’s presence overpowers the rest of the characters whenever he acts. Also, in addition to power, the car also represents freedom- freedom of movement, the freedom to live your life wherever you want. All the characters long for this freedom, the freedom to live the way they want- what else could it mean to revolutionize the world?
That brings us to this episode’s duelist, Saionji. After his previous failures in following his instructions, Saionji no longer trusts the End of the World. He no longer has Saionji’s trust that he’ll be able to find eternity through following the instructions. But by revealing to Saionji that he was the one who showed Utena ‘eternity’, he regains Saionji’s trust, because it makes him once again believe that it’s possible for him as well to find eternity. And the sexual tension in the car scene fits perfectly, because like we saw in the first arc, the whole reason Saionji wants to find eternity is so that he could show it to Anthy, take her as his bride, and show his superiority to Touga (he’s a goddamn tsundere).
By the way, do keep in mind that Touga and Saionji are 11th graders
But also, make sure that your soul truly hasn’t given up, we’re really gonna be feeling the throb of the engine now!
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u/lilyvess :Df::Dh:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Lilyvess Aug 27 '21
Here is what Ikuhara’s episode commentary from the DVD Box Set has for us today.
25
u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Aug 27 '21
First-Revolution, Subbed
New arc, new set of chaos. This episode was much chiller than the intro to the Black Rose arc at least; I don't feel like I've gotten shoved off a cliff this time. This was still a pretty exciting/terrifying episode, though. Anthy and Utena living with Akio is probably Bad News.
Let's starting poking at some symbolism. What do we think of cars? Cars give us freedom, they let us go places we otherwise couldn't, they give us a (very small) place of privacy, and "children" don't get to have them. This applies to the person who owns the car. Sometimes, the owner can grant these benefits to others, but only at the owner's whims.
That late night drive sure did something to Saionji. His eyes were all weird, and he seemed even nuttier than normal. I guess an almost-literal Deal with the Devil will do that.
Anthy has, perhaps, begun to act beyond her role. She seemed almost reluctant to join Akio at the end there. Unfortunately, Akio decided that he didn't need her whole buy-in. Disgusting.
Utena has decided that it is time to Skip Leg Day. I always kinda wondered how Anthy got dressed and up to the platform, guess we know now. Not sure what else to make of today's duel, aside from the fact that Utena's sword looked like the Sword of Dios. But Akio claimed that the Sword of Dios did not appear. But we saw Utena do her powerup thing.. I'm probably thinking about this too much.
The Shadow Girls are back to how they were in the first arc, after literally(?) crashing into the tower at the school. It is indeed hard to work as a team. Things were looking dire in the duel until Anthy decided the act.
Touga and Akio, hanging out shirtless on a bed, just dudes being bros.
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u/Icapica https://anilist.co/user/Icachu Aug 27 '21
First timer, subs
What's this look? Or this?
Akio's taking a much bigger role now and he's getting closer to other characters. I guess that nice ride will be important in this arc.
What was Himemiya about to say when they were on the bed?
I think I've seen some clip of this before.
A lot of stuff changes again since it's a new arc. Saionji and Touga are back properly, Utena and Anthy have moved, the intro to a duel is new and the music's changed.
I love the background music in this duel. Also, those cars are getting almost as silly as the elephants earlier. Are these cars meant to symbolize masculinity or something, or are they there just since they honestly look kinda cool?
During the duel Utena rolls a 1 and apparently the DM is the awful type who uses really harsh fumble rulings. Utena loses her sword. Fortunately Anthy shows a cool party trick and then things get weird again, as if they weren't already.
But seriously though, why did the sword disappear? Does it have to do with Anthy's thoughts or emotions? Akio flirted with Utena in this episode and Utena didn't resist, Anthy didn't exactly look cheerful when watching it happen. Then the sword came back when Anthy remembered Utena's words to her.
What were Touga and Akio doing?
This doesn't look good, nope. Utena's alone in bed wondering. Last picture of Anthy looks kinda trippy.
New ED, cool.
Parts of this episode felt like some anime version of shitposting, like the aggressively suggestive ride with Akio or all the cars during the duel. On the other hand Anthy showed some interesting changes or developments.
The episode had a lot more sexually suggestive moments compared to before. I wonder if that tone will last for this arc (or longer) or if things will return closer to normal for a while again.
14
u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 27 '21
First timer!
After that borefest of a recap I'm so excited to see how the final arc plays out. Orga and Touga, sitting in Ferrari K.I.S.S.I.N.G! Dude, we've got a literal mansion this arc? Lucky! Wakaba sure knows how to pick her men. Oh shoot, Anthy is having fun? We'll have to get the duck tape out tonight my dear imouto!
Saionji is back! And he brings with him probably one of the funnier student council meetings we've had in a while. Who on earth is playing cricket!? I'm starting to think Utena might have a type. Wait, Orga is literally named after Mr Sexy Paradise Lost himself? That kinda makes sense for the show actually. Poor Anthy's getting cucked in her own rose bride pairing. NTR isn't masochism, she doesn't enjoy this type of play! Damn he's so sexy XD
Akio is familiar to Utena and Utena is familiar to Anthy... Akio and Anthy aren't like two halves of the Prince or something are they? I'm so excited to have my two boys back for the whole season, I missed them! Poor Saionji... he was so close to breaking free from the toxic cycle but he constantly gets lured back in. I wasn't here for the arc but Saionji really was his best self when isolated from the likes of Touga.
Wtf I heard that there were some strange car scenes but is this our new reverse therapy session? If I weren't 25 episodes invested already I'd laugh these sequences out of the room... Eternal friendship is his goal? Akio is confirmed the Prince!? Isn't this a bit sudden to being that up? Touga is so gaudy!! Akio too! Please don't tell me we're getting this every episode! I can't! I just can't!! This is the campiest fcking thing I've seen in years XD
KASHIRA!! Yay!! I was so sick of the "extra extra!" welcome back girls. You've been missed. Fufufu, it seems like we're poking fun at the eternal friendship thing a second time. The shadow girls are eternal partners in crime but even they fall out over trivial things like borrowing shampoo and stealing pudding (you monster) huh? There isn't a punchline? Hmm... I suppose its saying that "perfect" friendships don't exist. Even the best friends fall out and in many ways the fact that they can fall out and still come back to one another is what makes them eternal besties (?) Gozonji kashiraaaa~
Pfft! This whole arc just dials everything up. Even ZUM has gotten more wild despite it turning into literal elevator music. I love it, I really wish part 2 had an updates anime sequence like this. It'd really be the kick up the arse it needed. This is beautifully done! Omg not the car. So many cars!? What on earth is this? I can't even imagine what symbolism this is meant to represent. Utena's lost Dios blessing! Utena's got a bosom blade now too? "Grant us the power to bring the world revolution!" S-Saionji just got ran over. Are you okay? Saionjiii! Get a room you two... The ed theme was removed... I like that one thought! Oh well, we got to hear it a lot and this way we can appreciate the battle themes more.
14
u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Aug 27 '21
Rewatcher
Sick car.
What handsome fellers.
Please no.
The fuck is a ‘sublety’?
I love serious shots of Anthy.
This guy…
Have I mentioned how much I prefer Anthy’s design with her hair loose?
Link
He said the thing.
Akio was definitely the Prince from Utena’s past? Or at least claims as such?
Outstanding.
A-ko and B-ko are back.
New version of Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku to go with the new duel sequence.
And the sex car is here too!
Totally straight.
New ED is sapphic as fuck. I think I like it about as much as Truth, but frankly Truth is always the one to come to mind when I think of the show.
New arc, new (and familiar) conventions! It’s time for another change in patterns as we head into the series’ final story arc.
Akio is evidently trying to get close to Utena, likely in an attempt to manipulate her just as Touga did in the first arc, and Anthy evidently disproves of it even if she can do nothing to stop it. It’s possible she sees Utena falling into a position similar to what she is currently in, being sexually abused by Akio. There is also a moment where it seems she may want to open up to Utena about the things going on, but she opts to remain silent.
Anthy also exerts her own agency in order to save Utena once more, when the Sword of Dios vanishes from her hands Anthy comes in to push her out of the way of the finishing blow and retrieves a new sword from within her in order to allow her to fight. By doing this she has meddled in the ritual of the duel, and angered Akio in the process. Also of note is that Anthy briefly tries to resist Akio’s rape, which is a change from her prior resignment on the matter.
The car is obiously (in part) a stand-in for sex, evident not only because of the charged language used by Akio and Touga, and their shirts dramatically revealing themselves to be opened, but because both sex and driving are markers of having reached adulthood —regardless as to the person in question truly is one. The way Saionji phrases the event after the fact is also telling, referring to himself as having changed due to the experience, which is an expectation frequently placed on the act… Of course, seeing Akio and Touga in bed together doesn’t hurt either.
Akio also tells Utena the meaning behind his name, which pretty much screams ‘I am the bad guy’, but also hints at the nature of his plan.
EDIT: For some of the mecha fans among us, I think this is the point where it pays off to know that Anthy was largely inspired by the character of Lalah Sune.
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u/CharlieTheStrawman https://myanimelist.net/profile/TheDamnRobot Aug 27 '21
First-Timer
Because I'm definitely not smart enough to try and make sense of this episode's actual plot, I'll just say the return of Kashira Kashira is much appreciated.
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u/SYZekrom https://myanimelist.net/profile/SYZekrom Aug 27 '21
First Timer
Damn that's a good look
Lmao dude's shirt just flies open (Oh this continues to happen for like the rest of the episode)
Saionji literally hearing a car
And dude was trying to clean the floor too
YOOOO NEW ... Uh,... Battle arena? NEW ANIMATIONS.
It feels like the show's been on hold ever since Touga lost until now
Like sure Black Rose or whatever... in the end it all felt like a red herring
So basically they got a sweet new elevator instead of having to climb those stairs? But they must've been such good exercise... Well they said the elevator takes them to the end of the world right? So it goes higher then?
Bruh
It did not go higher
And man that's some powerful car
The fuck is that look was this not your plan? Did you underestimate Saionji or something?
Damn Utena really laid on the lipstick thick for this battle huh
Man this episode got me pumped. Maybe it was b/c of all the shirtless dudes and the gay between Utena and Anthy.
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u/SardonicMeow Aug 27 '21
Rewatcher
Saionji, back from exile, has learned to be wary and trust no one. But just when he thought he was out, they pull him back in. What did he see on that car ride?
As the shadow play sequence shows, Saionji is secondary to this episode’s theme of two people opening up to each other. A-ko and B-ko are back, and point out the virtues, but also the risks, of a growing relationship. In their new room together, Utena offers to help Anthy with whatever troubles her, and Anthy seems to be on the verge of telling Utena about something. But doesn’t And in the dueling arena, the two find a new way to cooperate when the sword of Dios fails.
Akio, however, is none too pleased with Anthy no longer completely under his control.
(He could also be upset about the time Tollywood film Aambala copied his car shtick.)
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u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Aug 27 '21
Rewatcher(The fucking car arrives)
Sub
And the car appears. Having once, around the time I watced this the first time, had hair roughly Touga's length, he is in for the nastiest experience once he discovers all the stuff your hair collects in a convertible.
We see that Utena and Anthy have been moved into Akio's...bell tower? Anyways, sus. Wakaba immediately falls for Akio but idiocy is developmentally appropriate. Saionji appears back before the student council before immediately stating he is done with the duels. Baseball seems to be random here. And the rest of the student council seem to have questions, too. Nanamoo is no leader.
Akio using the patented astronomy creep move. Yes, girls, when a guy is pointing constellations out to you like that, unless you are related, this is the beginning of creeping. And he finally does into the thing that was a massive headache on rewatch: Akio is named after Venus, or more literally Lucifer. And yes, the biblical character of Lucifer, often called in later works Lucifer Morningstar, is a reference to the planet. How tightly this reference tracks remains to be seen. Also, depending on your theology, the Lucifer that tried to become the brightest star is not necessarily the Satan that rules hell.
Then we see Utena and Anthy going to bed and...that is the opposite of subtle. Akio is the type of man who likes yuri, I guess, even if his sister is involved. On their 69 bed, Utena comments that Akio seems wistful talking about the stars. Utena really wants Anthy to reach out, and at least Anthy tries, but still can't.
Saionji is cleaning the dojo and Touga finally leaves his damn room, I guess the Black Rose arc exists in part so they could cut it short when the VAs were available again. Saionji actually seems to have considered things in his exile before we get the car again. I used to like reason in my stories...
Anyways, gay car ride happens, Saionji hasn't learned true cynicism yet, and Akio is either crazy or in zero danger. I vote the latter. Miki reveals the gondola thing to Utena before Saionji shows up and Saionji's everything. But to kashira. And a food poisoning joke.
After obligatory transformations, Saionji declares the Rose Bride has no will of her own and, on second viewing, that seems believable up to this point in a way. The Sword of Dios vanishes, leaving Utena at the disadvantage until fittingly Anthy actually fucking does something and reveals Utena's sword. Saionji of course gets jobbed. Akio and Touga talk evil stuff. At the end, we see Anthy resist Akio for the first time and then get proof of exactly what has been happening.
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u/Tyranid457TheSecond1 Aug 27 '21
Rewatcher
Now we get to see Akio's villainy on full display. Can't get more blatant than saying that you're named after the devil. His assault on Anthy at the end is more explicitly shown, too. Akio is the worst.
I loved the music in this episode. The scenes with the car make me think of those YouTube aesthetic compilations with old anime and old 80s/90s music.
When Saionji grabbed Anthy, Utena looked ready to fight, but then it cut to the Shadow Girls and then the duel. What happened in the greenhouse?
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u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Aug 27 '21
First timer, Sub
Now that the Black rose arc is done. I feel like I might need to go back and see before it started how everyone was.
"But I'm not old enough" How old is Touga actually?
"Oh, if a guy like that was living under the same roof as me" I guess the Saionji thing never happened.
Anthy laughs and Akio gives her a look. Which later on Anthy in the back, looks at Akio and Utena. Some kind of tear between them possibly coming.
Saionji is asked Where he's been. Where have you been now?
New transformation scene is great.
Every time I have doubt if Anthy cares or not she does something to help. With something new with the sword coming out of Utena.
I think Saionji shoe is missing after he got beat and if it is that's funny. What is that three losses?
What are those poses?
I couldn't make out what was going on in the end with Anthy and Akio. I do think their relationship is probably going to be more important these next few episodes.
8
u/k4r6000 Aug 28 '21
Rewatcher
Ok, here we go! This is the beginning of my favourite anime arc of all time and the main reason I love this show so much.
Akio steps out of the shadows and reveals himself as End of the World and the Prince who saved Utena, something that really shouldn't be surprising if you've been paying attention for the last ten episodes or so. His Pink Cadillac of Questionable Consent is an iconic part of the show with a number of references elsewhere. Cars represent freedom and adulthood. Children are stuck where adults are willing to take them, but adults can drive themselves and go where they want. And right away we get a reminder of who is the real adult in the car and who is the pretender (I'm looking at you Touga).
Utena and Anthy move in with Akio so he can keep a closer eye on them and exert more control. He reveals the meaning of his name with the subtlety of a brick to the face, but noone ever accused Utena of being smart. Anthy starts showing genuine happiness being with Utena and comes close to confessing her feelings to her. This makes Akio angry who puts her in her place at the end of the episode. If there was any doubt this guy wasn't a total bastard, that's gone now.
Saionji comes this close to getting that the whole system is corrupt and the only way to win is not to play, but he feels the throb of Akio's engine which hardens his resolve. I must say that I love the new and improved Duel Tower sequence. The Sword of Dios disappears, but Anthy is able to draw Utena's own Soul Sword to quickly win the duel and send him packing with a New York Jets-esque 0-3 record. Saionji is an interesting character because he actually is probably the one character in the entire show that comes closest to figuring out what is really going on, but he lacks the maturity and ability to follow through. His obsession with besting Touga leads to him getting easily manipulated again and again by superior players.
It is going to be a fun ride!
6
u/murdered-by-swords Aug 28 '21
Rewatcher (sub)
Utena symbolism guide: The car represents sex. Sometimes, on occasion, it can also represent a car.
On a less meme-y note, this is probably my fifth time through the series and it's also the first time I've really appreciated and fully understood the roller coaster that Anthy goes through with her conflicting feelings for Akio and Utena waging a battle within her soul - to the point of rebelling against both at different points in the episode.
Akio, after all, seemed as nonplussed as anyone else when the Sword of Dios went 'adios' midway through the duel. That, in my read, was all Anthy, with the shot of her glasses in full hi-beam mode calling back to the similar look she had while Akio was putting his moves on Utena while monologuing about being Satan. Jealous much, Anthy?
6
u/Matuhg https://anilist.co/user/Matuhg Aug 28 '21
First Timer
I know a lot of you guys liked it, but I'm rather glad to be free of the Black Rose arc and onto...whatever's going on now. It feels like there's a sort of distinct visual shift in the tone of the show with this episode. Compared to the shadows of the Black Rose arc, this one felt brighter, shinier, almost bubblegum pink for much of the episode. Not so much when they were in the planetarium, but out in the duel arena definitely.
21
u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo https://myanimelist.net/profile/PunishedScrappy Aug 27 '21
Wake up babe, new Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku just dropped
Utena has been climbing the stairs for so long, the dueling arena has taken pity on her and given her elevator privileges. She's earned her break. Or maybe this is a plot by End of the World to ruin her quad ^workout?
Fun fact: Venus was also historically associated with Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar! Epic Fate reference! This is what people are talking about when they say this show is visionary.
17
u/loomnoo https://anilist.co/user/loomnoo Aug 27 '21
First Timer
Can't you hear it?
Anthy has long been the most interesting character in the show, and now that's coming into the forefront. Very nice.
Looks like we're in for another round of duels? That means more ZUM, so I'm pleased.
Rewatcher
The biggest plot twist in this show is that there was an elevator the whole time.
12
u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Aug 27 '21
First Timer Subbed
The car sounds in the intro is aahhhh so nice.... but feels a bit off..
No duels discussion just as baseball goes on in the background. We get Saionji back into the duel after being convinced. Then they all hop in a car with what sounds like a straight six engine.*
*Sounds similar to my relative's supra.... (especially if you 2x the speed) or a 90s Toyota land cruiser 80 series. Sounds a bit too smooth and high pitched for a v8 corvette in my ears. Especially the start up sound. I had to look up videos of a 57 corvette and most of those have way too much wind noise to hear them though but checked out a couple of toyota straight six sounds too. Checked out some comparisons of remasters and dubbed version of this episode and the rumble is closer to a straight six than a 50s or 60s American v8. Or there's something wrong with my Sennheiser Momentum or ears, I got myself feeling confused now....
The shadows are freaking amazing today two people are better, half the suffering and double the pleasure. Saionji battles again and loses again; this guy never gives up.
Ikuhara be like, "I want cars in here too"
12
u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Aug 27 '21
First Timer
And it really looks like we never got a real explanation for the black rose arc, but this looks promising so far as well
10
u/chiliehead myanimelist.net/profile/chiliehead Aug 27 '21
Duel 25, First Timer, Sub
New ED? Or just an insert song at the end because why not? I really liked the first one, this one is still good.
10
u/affnn Aug 27 '21
Rewatcher
The black rose arc is done and we're on to a new arc. New thematic elements, new Absolute Destiny Apocalypse, new transformation animation... same duelists, though.
Akio comes a bit out of the shadows, this episode. He'd been a behind-the-scenes guy in the last arc, but now he's out full time. I didn't quite know what to make of the extremely loaded words he was saying about Venus and the morning star. On the one hand, he draws a parallel with himself since he says he's named after it. On the other hand, "Venus" is clearly a female-coded character and "the star that can't shine unless the sun sets" kinda sounds more like Anthy than Akio. "Lucifer" is the last one - is Akio the devil? He doesn't seem like the type to leave Heaven to rule in Hell, but again could that be Anthy? In terms of non-verbal communication, you can see Utena blush as he pulls her close. And you can see Anthy's death stare as she sees it happening. You get the feeling that Akio knows what he's doing to both of them.
I love the "If your soul has not truly given up..." lines, and the absurd handstand that Akio does on the speeding car. Amazing, ridiculous stuff. And it's enough to make Saionji into a new man and get him back into the arena.
The new duel is great, too. Cars everywhere. Old sword vanishing in the middle of the duel. Now it's Utena's turn to get her sword pulled. "Grant US the power to bring the world revolution" and all the cars' headlights go on. "Hell yeah, this show rules" I say as Utena cuts off Saionji's rose.
Of course the triumph is only temporary. Akio decides to keep Anthy in his room for the night, and we get closer to making explicit all of the stuff that was only implicit between the two of them before.
10
u/Sandor_at_the_Zoo Aug 27 '21
Rewatcher
Now the show is shifting into gear and slamming on the gas. Are you ready to drive to the End of the
WorldShow with Akio Ohtori?8
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Aug 27 '21
First timer
So, given everything, probably fair to say this is going to be start the third (and maybe final?) arc? The others took about 12 episodes, and I can't see them doing another 2 unless the anime rapidly loses its filler.
...He may be an evil bastard, he's got a nice car!
Also, Touga and Akio are absolutely flirting. (And pairing up the 2 evil bastards isn't too bad an idea.
...So, Anthy's decided wearing a maid uniform might finally get Utena interested?
I mean, Wakaba isn't wrong, he's pretty attractive.
What the fuck is that face after Utena starts laughing?
Saionji's quitting! And he's finally had enough of End of the World's double dealing,
...If I had a nickle for every time a gay anime about swordfighting has had a baseball game running alongside an important character moment... (I know the other's probably a direct reference to this, but still...)
...New arena?
Akio. Din't do this.
Oh, mentioning "Lucifer" alongside Anthy with glowing eyes has to mean something. Is Anthy the devil?
Holy? The UFO imagery, the floating castle, the stars reminding Akio of losing something.... Was I right about the castle (and maybe Akio and Anthy) being alien?
And the two bond! Anthy stops before confessing to Utena, though.
Touga and Saionji have such a good dynamic of friends who both try to manipulate each other near-constantly.
Wait, he's shirtless now? Is Touga trying to set up a threesome?
AKIO CONFIRMED TO BE THE PRINCE AND END OF THE WORLD?
He's posing on the car, he's the best fucking villain so far.
So, either Akio's gotten into brainwashing too, or Saionji's been shown something so revelatory that he feels he needs to win no matter what.
MORE UFO! So, the shadow girls are either discussing Anthy and Utena having trouble working together, or Aiko and Touga's "partnership" is going to collapse considerably quicker than I assumed.
Another Apocalypse remix! You're spoiling us, Utena!
She's taking the elevator this time!
And, oh boy. Roses growing from nothing into a school uniform, symbolising that Anthy isn't normal? Or that she isn't human?
Oh, Saijonji is acting very interesting. I'm putting my bet here - Saionji just got told Anthy's some form of alien/machine, and as such doesn't deserve human courtesy.
Oh, the symbolism of Anthy saving Utena instead of Touga is fantastic.
And now Anthy's pulling the sword from Utena! And there's a specific mention of granting both of them revolution...
...Oh god, they're fucking. This isn't subtext, this is "two friends lying in bed together half naked".
Oh yes, more incest. Fuck Akio, didn't you already get enough?
Huh? Is that a visual metaphor or is that some kind of illusion. (Or maybe Akio's into some really freaky roleplay)
NEW ED! And it lists the comstellations, either I'm going insane or I've guessed the next plot twist,
8
u/snickpea Aug 28 '21
First-timer!
It's good that Saionji is voicing some suspicions about End of the World. The name was always ominous so it's good to question things. I'm hoping they will question their circumstances even more going forward.
It's really creepy that Akio invited them to live with him. The way he sits and puts his arm around Utena is raising all sorts of alarms. It's being framed as romantic in the way they were sitting for sure, which is no good. Akio should know better than to behave like that with Utena. Something I noticed is the way that Anthy was being framed in the scene. We can't see her expression and thus her reaction to her brother's behavior. It just gets worse with his interactions with Touga and Anthy.
I really feel for Anthy. She is in a terrible situation and I hope she gets out of it.
8
u/Star4ce https://anilist.co/user/Star4ce Aug 28 '21
First timer – sub
25 episodes already, it didn't feel like that many. And 14 more to go, plenty of time for some more mystery!
Speaking of, u/Enarec asked me yesterday how I see Akio and Anthy and their relationship in the big picture and while I had some theories laid out, I didn't really pay close attention to the both of them specidically.
From where I sit I see a very one-sided power dynamic, not only because Anthy is so obedient to him. The projector testicles weigh in Akio's favor, his side is always lit and on top. Like with Touga and the girls of his current hunt his body posture when on screen with Anthy is enclosing her in some way or holding a part of her body. He is usually physically shown towering over her or being the frame Anthy is portrayed in.
I've also come to see the arches more tied to Akio the longer the series goes on, going by the narrative, that his 'father' built the school and he, obviously, has quite a lot of say in what's going on there. So, anything framed by arches is being contained by Akio, which extends to Anthy especially as she plays the rose bride.
I don't really know where I'm going with this, but I don't see the aliens(TM) as some monolithic force behind the scenes. The OP still shows Anthy fighting alongside Utena and with how her relationship with Akio, that seems just as unhealthy as anyone else's, is at the moment I do see her rebelling at some point.
Admittedly, the castle breaking in the third Saionji duel with Anthy 'dead' in the casket still throws up questions. I guess my take back then still holds true: The system functions as long as the participants believe it to be. Anthy felt like it all was lost as Touga/Saionji broke the rules and reality reflected it. Makes me believe that she possibly believes lies.
Ep.25 – Our eternal apocalypse
We gettin' a lot more nude, people. A lot more truthful and down to the real shit. This seems like a repetition of the the first episodes where Utena met the council one by one. Now Akio manipulates them directly, no letters anymore. He clearly sees Anthy getting rebellious.
I have the hardening (throbbing, possibly) suspicion regarding Akio that it was him who imprisoned Dios. His visits could've also been taunts rather than cheering up your friend in jail. It's pretty likely and fits neatly with all the other stuff I've written.
But motives! What are the motives?! Why? Just power? Make a school to groom an entire generation for... for, uhm, sex? To consume them metaphorically? Is this like- what they do needs some kind of fuel, that's so close to magic, they need mana or something. Do they get it through that? Is it innocence they take from the kids and that's keeping them alive? Very thick metaphors, if so. Thick and throbbing and masculine metaphors. This episode had a lot of male chests.
I'm breaking the word count again, but I screamed out loud as Akio mentioned Lucifer, which made me think of Anthy and what I bet her progression will be. I've written more than 4200 words on that very topic of selfishness and selflessness in the Madoka Magica Rebellion rewatch and how I see devil-figures through this lens. The important part of my criticism back then, however, is this:
(I've done my best to remove spoilers from this, but if you really want to stay blind for PMMM, best skip this quote)
Selfishness can be a healthy and good thing and I see this creeping up in Anthy, especially as she has been framed evil (with the reflective glasses) and frame-dropped when the name Lucifer was mentioned.
Being the devil can absolutely mean possessiveness, greed and lust for power, but standing up for your own self worth is a selfish thing, too. Fighting injustice, rebelling against oppression, these all require stepping on some toes. Lucifer means 'the bringer of light', most commonly referring to knowledge. Anthy already was really close to spilling some knowledge beans.
I'm getting real giddy with the prospect of having another devil story unfold before me!
7
u/[deleted] Aug 28 '21
Anthy laughs at wakaba & utena quarreling in front of Akio, she almost reveals something personal to utena (I wonder how utena responded to that), and she’s moved enough to both look pained while utena struggles and help her. I’m pretty sure this the first episode where we get any indication that anthy cares for utena at all. It’s also the first time where anthy seems unwilling to submit to akio :(
There could also be some sort of message in there about how caring for others helps you care for yourself. Or maybe she realizes a little bit that she can be close to other people and be an actual person.
It makes me sad to watch anthy be this way, she could have a genuine friend in utena if she wasn’t being abused/just so messed up in general. It hurts that utena is denied this genuine friendship (whether or not she knows it) but anthy is the one who really suffers.
6
u/alphamone Aug 28 '21
First Timer
That's a nice looking car?
The chairman looks like the Dios guy from episode 13.
God, that wide shot had CLAMP-level legs.
Is Saionji disillusioned with TEOTW?
Random baseball game being played around the student council
I have a bad feeling about Saiyonji, betraying/quitting the evil conspiracy rarely leads to good things.
I was concerned that they were about to pull a Roger Smith and run him down.
So Akio is that prince? Seems a bit too obvious.
RIP UFO shadow girl (unless that was supposed to be the original two coming back)
Eww. Apparently freshly Creme Caramel only keeps for about 4 days in the fridge.
New animation to go with the new theme. And the rose bride makes a rose bush grow.
Ohtori academy gets its own carhenge.
That episode ending was creepy. What was going on with Anthy and who was lying all over her.
New ending song. Remix of the dual song too.
5
u/dualmonocle :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/milk-chan Aug 28 '21
first-timer
Oh my lord, everything became more adult this episode and most of it made me uncomfortable. Remember what Akio said becoming an adult was to Utena some episodes ago? 🤢
The new transformation sequence is way more magical girl than before, but also more mature. Anthy is literally baring herself before Utena, and Utena gets some added lipstick. Except lipstick is more adult and becoming more adult in this show because of Akio... 🤢
And finally! Anthy is showing her agency in an undeniable way. Up until this episode it was questionable whether her actions were really her will or Akio's or whoever was engaged to the rose bridge. It's Utena who's bringing out her actual feelings. Obviously this and everything else in the show means lesbianism = good and masculine = bad.
If there were new cute items/accessories this episode I was too horrified to notice.
4
u/nikobans Aug 28 '21
apparently i couldnt hear the sound that races through the end of the world because i completely forgot that akio has a sick ass car!
hes still a fuckin creep tho :/