Envy & Androgyny: Revolutionary Girl Utena

[@isabelab.s.p.1727]

"He IS the coffin. The rot and the wood and the flowers" this line gave me goosebumps

[@SaiScribbles]

I've recently revisited Utena as a fan since '97 and this is some of the best analysis I've ever heard of it.

[@sugoiuseismoeabuse4058]

If Akio is the coffin then would that mean he is the embodiment of a system unable to produce students who can become happy adults?

[@retroanimemike]

Asking the right question gives half the answer - sex and gender are only of relevance to Akio and his academy as long as they serve to give him power. One hardly even notices the "princely attire" the duelists wear, it is only Utena who stresses the fact, and it is only Utena who wears a dress and has the opportunity to feel out of place.

[@indigohalf]

ALL KILLER NO FILLER! No faffing around, no dumbing anything down. Time to watch the rest of your channel.

[@behindthemirror2215]

Atleast utena can rest her legs instead of climbing the stairs everytime

[@pendafen7405]

Touga's pursuit of Utena and confusing feelings he shows toward her put me in mind of (less deep reference) the dynamic between Steff & Andie in John Hughes' 80s teen romance movie 'Pretty In Pink'. Ambivalent, competitive, bitter and twisted, but somehow vulnerable at heart--and mostly about being perceived by a(nother) boy.

[@altycoggydeer]

Thank you. You ask very interesting questions to the anime! Maybe it's not important if Mikage was in love with the brother or a sister, maybe RGU implicated that they acted as a system, they were an inseperable being, so it didn't matter, maybe? I also thoroughly enjoyed your analysis on Keiko, I didn't realise that she coulldn't get what she wanted by participating in a duel... These duels are structured in a way that nobody can get what they want (except Akio, but he also loses the fight).

[@zarinthel]

thanks for reading! yeah, the duels are always a loss for the duelists no matter if they win or lose (except Akio, who's set it so that even if he 'loses' he still wins) the dueling system is the core that Utena needs to break out of.

[@txoviii]

Such interesting points! It never gets old because it’s humanely transcendental, so much symbolism, subtext, visual story telling, deep themes, amazing character archs and a never ending list of meanings in these nine series and film. You poised questions I haven’t even thought about. I have to revisit the series once more. 🎉 Really, really good content, the analysis is eye opening and the editing is beautiful too. Thank you! Please, more! ❤

[@thoribio5846]

Very interesting. There's a lot of stuff I wouldn't be able to understand or come up with on my own, even after having watched the show myself. You made me want to watch it again. Great video!

[@smhsophie]

one of the only deeply informative videos i can find on the series, thanks

[@hmmmmm5895]

I loved this video! RGU analysis videos are always great to see!

[@itdobesunnydoe3474]

i just stumbled upon this video in my reccomended and LOVED IT !! since you made me (almost) want to pity touga with that coffin comment, ill definitely be checking out the rest of ur RGU analysis

[@risha5642]

I'm super glad your channel/this video got recommended to me since I loved your analysis! ✨💜✨ Really amazing stuff! Every time I check out someone else's read on the show, I gain new insights; I'm excited to check out your other stuff! ✨🥰✨

[@SomeoneNews]

6:47 7:40 I'll come back into this when I need more time stamps 6:08

[@Lux_Lost]

I just discovered your channel and I'm really impressed with your work so far

[@zarinthel]

glad you like it! watching utena was my inspiration to start this channel.

[@sssydneyfree]

Beautiful work, i gotta rewatch the series

[@sarahtachibana1333]

0:07 yo, we not gonna talk about the student council elevator?? ...damn some good insight linking all the elevators together though.

[@seaweed5269]

Splendid and elegant analysis! Would need to go through with a second time, at least.

[@lynxaway]

Beautiful video‚ beautiful analysis. I deeply appreciate the effort that went into this. Subscribed for more utena and whatever more there is to come. 🧡

[@aryak9564]

wooww loved the last few sentences, it really made everything click for me

[@pendafen7405]

New to this show, and struggling to understand the symbolism and imagery. Is the model of Ohtori intended as an allegory for a Christian ontology? (am a Pagan myself, so would prefer not to read it that way tbh)

[@Inda1]

The elevator appears in the third arc, not in the second.... 😯

[@grantmccoy6739]

This was an interesting analysis, but I didn't find a cohesive theme of discussion. I'm not entirely sure what you are suggesting the story was about. I think that being queer is important to understanding this anime. I have to admit, that you noticed some very insightful details that I missed. I actually couldn't conclude the series, because it was literally too stressful for me, so I don't even know how it ended. This series really hits some sensitive areas. It's very well constructed.

[@AloyImpact]

I’m gay, and you don’t need to be gay to understand this series or the characters or theme . All you have to do is pay attention and think outside the box

[@risha5642]

I'm not sure if you're still looking for an answer on this, but I think most people would say that the show is about personal growth and overcoming the socialization that holds each of us back from achieving self-actualization. In RGU, social constructions like gender and gender roles are heavily deconstructed via metaphor and allegory (like just layers and layers of metaphor lol); we're shown how they harm each of the characters of the show (men, women, we can even say trans characters depending on how one reads each character). Not only that, but we see how these constructs intersect to harm queer people, especially. Arguably, if there were more bipoc on the show, we might've also been able to see how race (as a construct) interacts/intersects with gender/gender roles (as a construct) to cause further harm. The last thing is that the Power to Revolutionize the World is not literally changing the world; it's the power to change oneself/break free from preconceived notions of how the world (ie society/culture)/people are/should be, and therefore allow the world they perceive around them to change or to be changed. Everyone stuck at the academy is in a state of stagnation: They'll never be able to grow and self-actualize as long as they stay there; the dueling system itself is just an aspiration distraction that aims to keep them trapped. Ironically though, without it, I'm not sure what else would challenge the people of the academy to change or to examine themselves and what their own values/beliefs are? Especially, if you read the show as everyone being in a type of purgatory, then Akio is like an unintentional (because he definitely isn't trying to help anyone but himself) gatekeeper to "moving on" in some way. Sorry if there's typos or words missing btw, I'm sleepy! Will edit if you let me know!

[@grantmccoy6739]

@@risha5642 I think that's fairly accurate, if not somewhat vague (obviously, considering it's just a comment). One of the most disturbing parts for me was the juxtaposition of the Prince who gave Utena the rose ring, and the "red haired guy" (I forgot his name). It intentionally creates doubt with regards to Utena's narrative. There are several other parts that challenge the viewers perspective as well. I also was disappointed with the way that the boys of the black rose are the villains. I think that the entire show is meta commentary on queer culture and intentionally undermines it's legitimacy because queer people are often so insecure. It leans into that aspect, as if "pushing buttons" or a sensitive area. Honestly though, I don't know what the intention was, and that's why I stopped watching. It was getting under my skin, as I'm certain it's supposed to.

[@Mitsuraga]

Please go back and finish the series. It has a more optimistic ending than you might expect. You are right, though, that this video doesn't really go anywhere or have a real cohesive theme of discussion. Bear in mind that it's okay. Doesn't have to have a unifying theme.