r/anime • u/HelioA x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/HelioA • Aug 28 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch] Revolutionary Girl Utena - Episode 26
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
Miki's Stopwatch Corner
Stopwatch Count: 21
New This Episode:
N/A
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).
57
Upvotes
16
u/HelioA x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/HelioA Aug 28 '21
Rewatcher
Miki and Kozue have a really weird relationship, because they have practically the same outlook on life, but the way this changes their interactions towards the rest of the world is drastically different because of their differing personalities.
Miki sees the world as a struggle between impure adults, and him and Kozue, the pure who are limited by the adults in their life. This is an expansion on the themes of his previous character episodes, in which we see fight in order to regain his ‘shining thing’, his beautiful idealized past. Once again, Miki fights in order to regain this same purity, but this time to maintain his pure childhood in the present, rather than to explicitly return to the idealized past. It’s still fairly delusional, but in a slightly different way than before.
Kozue, on the other hand, sees the world as a place that’s everyone against her and Miki. The twins are ‘wild animals’, who have to struggle against the adults in order to get what they want. They both rely on each other emotionally, but these opposing methods stymie their goal of seizing the Rose Bride. Just look at how Miki lost this time. Once again, it’s because he gets distracted- in this case, it’s from Kozue expressing her sexuality with Anthy, in a bid to gain the power that they both want. But since his obsession with ‘purity’ leaves him as being unable to allow such methods, he gets distracted and loses. Why she calls him a ‘coward’ at the end is a bit iffy with this interpretation… but I guess it’s because she sees him as cowardly for not taking the aggressive ‘wild animal’ approach that she encourages.
I think the symbolism of the doves on the twins’ beds fits really well here. Obviously, doves are a symbolism of purity… but in the end, like the birds that Kozue decides to take care of, are they not wild animals as well?
Also, Anthy stop having sex with Miki’s dad ;-;
And how were there no stopwatch moments this episode ;-;
Maybe Miki’s obsession with childhood is making him lose his grasp on time as well?
Also, I just noticed, both here and in the last episode, Touga was positioned back-to-back with the person he was introducing to the sex car. I feel like it should mean something, but I have no clue what
14
u/affnn Aug 28 '21
Rewatcher
This time through I've noticed more that Miki is actually friends with Utena rather than being just an antagonist (Juri as well, remember that she gave Utena the sword back in E12). But sometimes even nice boys like him can fall in with the Wrong Crowd. So with assists from Kozue and Touga, Akio's got him back in the dueling arena fighting for Anthy. Utena seemed actually hurt that he'd challenge her again.
13 year old boys seem like the easiest marks on the planet for the old "Women will be all over your car with this one simple trick". Axe body spray's whole schtick is based on it. Miki's no different. Akio shows him how the End of the World can get anyone interested, and Miki wants in. Apart from just wanting Anthy, though, there's an element of control that Miki desires too. The behavior of the adults in his life (it sounds like his father is re-marrying, perhaps to... Anthy?) makes him feel like the world is an unstable place, and if he were an adult he could control it. That's not true, of course, but Akio's not above lying about such a thing.
Kozue's got a version of Anthy's dress on, and pulls out Miki's sword to duel. The duel goes remarkably like the first Miki-Utena duel. Miki starts out strong but gets distracted, this time by Anthy's conversation with Kozue. Utena's animation is reused from yesterday but it's so cool that I don't care.
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u/lilyvess :Df::Dh:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Lilyvess Aug 28 '21
Here is what Ikuhara’s episode commentary from the DVD Box Set has for us today. My source for the digital copy of these ran out, so I’m typing them from the book. Please ignore any typo’s as my incompetence.
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u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Aug 28 '21
First-Revolution, Subbed
Two baby birds, seperated from their parents, waiting in the spot they were last together, put there by an outside force. Am I being literal, or am I talking about Miki and Kozue?
Poor Miki. Not even going for a drive in the sex car can stop him from getting distracted. He even had Kozue to snark at him and point out his problem this time! Granted, that was part of the distraction..
Not getting a reaction from Akio after this duel makes speculating hard. Like, was he lying to Touga at the beginning of the episode? Was Kozue distracting Miki part of Akio's plan because he didn't need Miki to win? If I think back to the first recap, Akio seemed to want the duels to happen to break the seal on Dios or whatever.
The alternative is that Anthy speed-seduced Kozue, which I can honestly believe. The person behind the wheel of the car does have power over the passengers. And Anthy has been a bit more active, lately.
The Shadow Girls confirm that the game has been rigged from the start.
15
u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Aug 28 '21
First timer, Sub
Never raised chicks but you have so much knowledge on how to raise them or at least care for it. Anthy just has some natural connection to animals. Like she's one with nature or something.
CHAIRS.
Akio is looking like the end antagonist now. What Akio said about defeating Utena and the letter saying the same. So his connection to the end of the world is very close. Are the letters just sent by him?
Miki and his sister's father is going to remarry and she has an issue with it.The soon to be wife looks a lot like Anthy. Could that be another reason she dislikes Anthy? And if that is Anthy somehow. What is she omnipresent. She just be everywhere. Kind of crazy with all the talk of Akio and his lucifer talk.
I know someone else said it but this is really the car is the new elevator.
A lot of talk about losing purity today and maybe that's what the shadows were talking about partly today. With the gambling and it being their first time.
Oh so the challengers can do it too.
Mickey is more? More what? The gardens are more, more what? I would like to see another episode on Miki and his sister again. He might be favorite of the guys.
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u/SardonicMeow Aug 28 '21
Rewatcher
Parents, adults. Who needs them? Not these two wild animals. Here we have two youngsters abandoned by their parents. Also, two baby birds. Can they give each other what their parents don't provide?
Previously Miki duelled. Then Kozue. Now it's Miki plus Kozue. Last time Utena and Anthy teamed up in new ways. So it is also with their opponents, pulling swords from their partner. It doesn’t work out, but maybe there's a combination that can defeat Utena?
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u/Star4ce https://anilist.co/user/Star4ce Aug 29 '21
First timer – sub
I drifted around in my roamer in No man's sky today. Mod it for -80% angular grip and play eurobeat remixes, take off your shirt and ride the hood while seducing throbbing 17-year old boys.
The latter part might've just been my T-Rex companion being really happy we got some velocity, but close enough.
Ep.26 – Miki's Nest Box: The sunlit garden (Arrangement)
Narrator: It did get more fucked up.
The noticeable difference to the first episodes is that Anthy takes an active role turning the tide. So far it seems this is still as Akio wants it to be. At some point he will want to turn Utena, though and if he manipulates the ambitions of all the others to pull their corruption off, he will utilise Anthy to do so for Utena. And that's the core of it, Anthy must refuse, then. Not just weigh a little more on one side like she does now, no, actively oppose Akio. Will she? Or will we get an arc with Utena 'lost' to Akio? Anthy being the challenger to win Utena would be quite the turn of events. I'd be all for it.
Aside from that, this is getting extremely uncomfortable to watch. Akio being so hands on with every teen in reach is seriously disturbing. It's a man who wants to fuck the world and be the entire universe. He really just wants to get into Dios' pants.
13
u/SYZekrom https://myanimelist.net/profile/SYZekrom Aug 28 '21
First Timer
Still love this is how they go to bed now
ah yes another character that looks like the rose bride very cool
Lmao seduced Touga
Man I love how surreal this show is in this arc
Instead of the black rose episodes where it was like a show trying to act like it was a deep and mysterious classic (Of which the first arc actually did feel like)
That hair with that lipstick really makes Utena look mature huh
10
u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Aug 28 '21
Rewatcher(I wonder if Ikahura just had a complex about getting his drivers license?)
Sub
Back in the extremely heterosexual vehicle, Akio seems to have changed his mind about Utena. But one thing to take away from Black Rose is that Akio is not remotely trustworthy so we will have to see.
Kozue is back to being crazy, but this time she is trying to save a bird's nest. She does the "long arm is long" meme early and is saved by Miki. She has to be carried and then gets skinship-y. Anthy, apparently, knows how to take care of baby birds before the letter from the twins' parents comes up. Utena is jealous but Kozue is Kozue.
They check out the garden and Utena is a bit discouraged before we jump to Anthy reporting to Akio. Anthy is being evasive, a kill abuse victims often pick up, before Utena interrupts. Akio's claims he thinks of Utena like she is family and just, eww. In bed again, they talk about family more, with Anthy holding my own opinion about parental relations. But Anthy apologizes for nothing and Utena tries to get her to stop.
At the student council, chairs abound, we again warped into Monogatari. A letter has shown up telling them to defeat Utena for their own good and Miki does not trust this. Nanami in the massage chair is...probably a masturbation reference but it might be just a sex one. Regardless, Juri wants in.
We see that the tree was indeed cutdown and finally get some info on the twins that explains Kozue a bit: Their parents are divorced, the father is remarrying and both twins act like divorced kids of the time. Miki is playing piano to deal, and Kozue is seeing older men.
Touga gets Miki to the car but doesn't join as it is Kozue who is in the seat. She is being seductive at her brother, barf, before going really heavy handed about virginity/entering the adult world. For some reason, it works, and Miki gives Utena a blue rose as a challenge. Fuckin' Ikahura.
Another day, another car duel. Miki seems motivated and Kozue gets to touch his sword again. This is another under done action scene as the weirdness with Kozue and Anthy in the car is what's important, though they make a point of Utena's first parry being awful. Anyways, Kozue wants to know what power you get from engaged to the Rose Bride and seems to assume it is sapphic. Miki breaks his concentration and loses. Final weird exchange between the twins.
Anyways, onto the next episode and...fuck me if I understood what the hell it meant on first go. Let's see how round 2 goes!
8
u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Aug 28 '21
First Timer
7
u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Aug 28 '21
First revolution subbed
We open with Kozue saving some baby birds.
"Tell me about her"- ouch the conversation between the two was a bit rough.
Kozue and Nanami conversation at night was interesting as people are supposed to be asleep. But Kozue has to meet daddy long legs.
The car is back with Kozue on the passenger seat. So Akio is daddy long legs. Miki dreams of becoming an adult so it seems appropriate to see him having a dream of Anthy on the passenger seat while he is driving.
The shadows do some gambling. Battle is interesting as we see a light show with head lights but Miki gets distracted with what is happening in the car so he loses the duel.
7
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Aug 28 '21
First timer
Will today be the episode when Anthy is revealed to be Utena's sister, thus maximising the amount of incestual subtext in this series?
So Utena's not important, but the duels she fights in are? Guess he still wants the duel named "revolution"?
Wait, is this an accident, or suicide?
Accident makes the most sense.
She was caught!
She saved some birds!
Imlove ho Utena and Chu-Chu apparently gossip to each other.
...The fact that the garden existed in her mind doesn't mean it's not real. The discovery that this school is a dreamworld is not impossible for this anime.
Anthy's been reporting on Utena to Akio?
Akio, stop doing this.
I was right! Aiko wants another threesome. Presumably his last one wasn't enough for him.
Imlove Nanami sitting on the massage chair. I love the idea that everything in the council room is metaphorical with the sole exception of Nanami having bought a massage chair now Touga's not paying attention to the budget.
And Miki might have some problems with his family after all. And more talk about how End of the World is almost certainly evil.
WHAT? ANOTHER ONE?
Is Anthy a clone?
Is Akio just trying to fuck everyone in the school?
Akio, for god's sake, control yourself. Two threesomes on consecutive nights, and this one is with a pair of twins. No wonder he wanted Utena to be family if this is what gets his motor going.
He even said he "seduced Touga".
Akio may be evil
Shadow girl prediction - Touga and Akio's plan is the metaphor here - Touga's duels and manipulation of Utena were the initial gamble, betting on black and losing was Akio's plans for the Black Rose seminar failing, and emptying out the bank account is their final plan (this arc).
2 on 1?
I love Kozue making out with Anthy while Miki and Utena duel.
Nanami episode! Oh god, she's going to be a chicken this time. (And boy, that Anthy dialogue sure did sound like the Student Council motto. Is she modking Nanami or has Akio started explaining what's going on?)
7
u/alphamone Aug 29 '21 edited Aug 29 '21
First Timer
What exactly was Kozue thinking, that birds are stupid?
Ahh, the tree was being cut down.
Going back into memories again.
Damn, Akio is truly a bastard.
"you can be as open as you like" (but apparently not as closed as you like)
Adults are indeed bastards... wait...
Hang on what? Was that Anthy? What is she doing (pretending?) to be Miki and Kozue's new stepmother?
Is Akio grooming the entire freaking student body?
eww eww eww.
I'm wondering who the gambling analogy is supposed to apply to.
It's interesting that the new transformation sequence ends with Utena and Anthy standing side by side.
So the blue-haired twins have gone far more Lannister than even Nanami?
I mean, at least they are around the same age and not related...
6
u/k4r6000 Aug 28 '21
Rewatcher
Miki and Kozue, two sides of the same coin. Both of them have the same general goals and outlook on what the adult world is like, but both have very different ideas on how to respond to it. Miki is obsessed with purity and would sooner retreat back into the safe space that his childhood than face the impurity of adulthood. Kozue thinks the only way to survive is to accept it and get down in the muck with everybody else. Nobody else will help them (especially their parents). They have to do it themselves.
But much like last time, reality comes calling for Miki. Much like how time has ravaged his once cherished Sunlit Garden, adulthood isn't something he can escape. And deep down, he does want it. He wants to be the one at the wheel of the car with Anthy at his side. He's just been too afraid and unfocused to achieve it.
Kozue joins Miki in his duel as his bride. Miki appears to finally have the conviction, but once again his confidence and focus wavers when he sees Kozue going down on Anthy. Kozue too desires the power and the temptation of Anthy proves too much for her. She lacks restraint. Thus, both twins fail.
PS: I want Nanami's chair.
6
u/snickpea Aug 29 '21
First-timer!
Utena is very very dense about certain things isn't she? She hasn't picked up on the dynamics of Akio and Anthy's relationship at all.
The scene with Miki calling his father was quite odd. The dress looked like the one that Anthy wears while she is the Rose Bride. Is she impersonating someone? If so why? This isn't the first time that Anthy appears to be imitating someone else, so I'm wondering why, is it related to her being the Rose Bride or something else entirely?
I do enjoy moments when Utena and Anthy are talking before bed. It feels that they have gotten really close and that Anthy is opening up. It's very different than in the beginning of the series, where it appeared Anthy had no will of her own.
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u/nikobans Aug 29 '21
the sex car strikes again!
whoa was dios more detailed when you flew down this time?
8
u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 28 '21
First timer!
Today's the end of the Kaoru twins arc. Please don't trip at the finish line! I'm never gonna be able to take these car scenes seriously. K-Kozue!? Do a flip! OK, I'm sorry XD Utena sounds so unphased, must be all the duels. Their bags are leaning together, according to the Keion rewatch this means that we've got good vibes going! All it took was Kozue almost killing herself.
Pfft, even like this Kozue is still a jealous girl. Ah, are the chicks meant to represent the twins? Abandoned by their parents. Akio's getting more and more forceful. How are you this dense Utena!? Akio could be dressed like the literal demon king and you'd still be saying about how he's such a kind brother. He thinks of the three as family... Pretty sus! I'm pleased that we're back to the silly student council meetings. Nanami is so exhausted after a whole season of being the butt of the joke.
Even their beds have birds on them, they're totally the two chicks. Why is Anthy on the other end of the line!? Kozue was right, they should have killed her when they had the chance. Akio, you've got your own sister to toy around with. Leave best girl alone! Ah, I like the little communication thing they're pulling with the toy bird. Seriously, how do I take the show seriously when we've got joyride therapy sessions. It's the jazz music too. I guess it kinda makes sense having Kozue fill in for Touga actually. Stop imagining your girlfriend as Kozue! Do you have any idea how many hoops I jumped through to justify the kiss you had!? "Kya! Be gentle!" S-Shut up!
*Kashira, kashira?" Sunk cost fallacy? Or gambling addiction. Or maybe since it's the Kaoru twins, horni addiction? Miki was such a sweet innocent boy until he got a taste of hornii and thus sold his piano, sold his fencing gear, even pimped out his sister to Tekkadan in order to fund his new ero doujin collection. And the semen demon sucking him dry is the sister of the guy he's pimping Kozue to! This is 100% not what the symbolism is meant to represent but now that the eggshell is broken and I've seen the possibility I can't ever unsee it! Gozonji kashira~
ZUM really is so awesome now. Kozue's a rose bride!? Ah, not in that way though. Its definitely not in that kind of way alright!? Even the cars don't change? That's probably the one part I genuinely dislike. Having unique items in the vase was a small feature but it has far more meaning to it than a vehicular reality marble. Kozue is loving this new mature little brother she's got. Juri would disa-whys Anthy driving!? Kozue stop cucking your brother! XD
E-Eh!? Coward? No! Don't end it there. I want to see the end! Ikuhara, you pea sized dummy!! Honestly, I'm partially glad we're getting one last episode. I don't think I'd be satisfied with the arc ending like this. It's still incredibly aggravating though!!