The Utena Story

Shoujo Kakumei Utena is an anime television series that was broadcast in Japan for one season, encompassing 39 episodes. There is also an Utena movie entitled "Adolescence Mokushiroku," which features the same characters from the anime but an entirely different storyline. In addition, five volumes of Utena manga were published, and there is a manga adaptation of the movie already published. Utena was also shown on television in France, under the title "La Fillette Revolutionnaire"

Slow down, hold on a second. I'm lost. What's anime? What the heck is a manga?

Anime is the term used to describe Japanese Animation. Anime can be a television series, an OAV series (released directly to video - short for Original Animated Video) or a theatrical movie. Manga is the term used to describe Japanese comics - published in black and white, and drawn using the anime style. Most anime starts out as a popular manga series and then is adapted to anime.

So what is this Utena thing all about?

Utena is a series marked by allegorical storytelling and strange settings. While the characters are supposed to be attending school in present-day Japan, some of them dress like they're living during the French Revolution. Unlike most anime, which is heavy with references to Eastern mythology and culture, Utena seems to be based on Western views. In addition, many aspects of the story are symbolic and not to be taken literally. The characters cannot be divided into a "good" or and "evil" camp. The plot is mostly character-driven, and the way that the Duelists overcome (or fail to overcome) their own faults is a central focus of the story. Utena is a show that one has to think about as they watch - this is not mindless entertainment!

The themes that Utena deals with include gender issues, homosexual love, femininity vs. masculinity, and duty and honor. The main focus of the story is the relationships between the characters - whether they be sweet and romantic, just a simple friendship, rooted in jealousy and hatred, or the most perverse types of sexual attraction. In addition to these complicated issues, Utena features unique character designs, beautiful animation, and some heart-stopping sword fighting sequences. Oh, yeah - and the soundtrack is amazing!

What's the plot all about?

The Utena television series can be divided into three distinct story arcs:

1. The Student Council Saga. This encompasses the first thirteen episodes from the series, and is currently available subtitled or dubbed from Software Sculptors.

This saga introduces us to Utena Tenjou as she enters Ohtori Academy on the first day of school. Ohtori is a massive, baroque-esque complex that sits atop a large hill. Utena is extremely tomboyish, and wants to be "A handsome prince who rescues princesses." Her best friend Wakaba asks her about the mysterious ring she always wears, which bears a rose seal identical to Ohtori's rose symbol. Utena says that a handsome prince gave it to her when she was little, saying that "Someday, this ring shall lead you to me."

One of the members of the Student Council, Kyouichi Saionji, insults Wakaba and hurts her feelings. Enraged, Utena challenges him to a duel (which is appropriate, considering that he is the captain of the Kendo team). Utena is surprised when Saoinji tells her to meet him in the dueling forest, a forbidden area for students. She is even more surprised when her rose ring opens the gates to the dueling forest, revealing a massive staircase that she ascends to reach the Dueling Arena high in the sky. Above the arena floats an upside down castle.

Utena manages to defeat Saionji in the duel, but now finds herself engaged to his former girlfriend, Anthy Himemiya! Anthy explains that the rose ring marks Utena as a Duelist, one who must battle other Duelists so that she can possess the Rose Bride, the Sword Of Dios, and the power to bring the world Revolution. Anthy is the Rose Bride, and the Sword of Dios is pulled out of her chest before duels.

During this arc, Utena meets the other Duelists - Touga Kiryuu, president of the Student Council and every girl's playboy; Kyouichi Saionji, vice president of the Student Council and overly possesive of Anthy; Miki Kaoru, the gentle boy genius; Juri Arisugawa, the master fencer with a heart of stone; and Nanami Kiryuu, Touga's spoiled and clingy younger sister. Unknown to Utena is the fact that the members of the Student Council (Touga, Saionji, Miki, Juri) are recieving letters and instructions from an entity refered to as "End of the World," telling them what to do to bring about Revolution.

2. The Black Rose Saga This saga encompasses episodes 14-24, and is currently available fansubbed. Software Sculptors have not made any contracts for the commercial release of Utena beyond episode thirteen. In this saga, Mikage (seemingly the male version of Utena) sets up a rival society of Duelists, the Black Rose Duelists, who try to usurp Utena as Victor of the Duel and install their own Rose Bride to replace Anthy. Mikage recruits his Duelists by turning the friends of the true Duelists against them. This saga is far more thought-provoking and dramatic than the previous one.

3. The Apocalypse. This encompasses episodes 25-39, and is also available fansubbbed. Focusing this arc on Akio, Anthy's older brother and Dean of Students at Ohtori, launches the entire series into a darker tone. Akio attempts to turn the Duelists against Utena, but also seduces her. Akio realizes that Utena is the key to the power of Dios, and sets in motion events designed to break her and the other Duelists phsycologically. Utena struggles against the "Dark Prince," but in the end . . . . Well, the ending is very vague and ambigous. Not dissapointing, but definitely not "happily-ever-after."

Great! I'm hooked! Now where can I find these videos?

Check out our new Shopping guide for information on where to buy Utena videos and manga, and also ways to get your hands on some fansubs.

What was a fansub again?

A fansub is a subtitled video created for fans by fans. They often look just as good as a professional production, but come much cheaper because it is technically illegal to make a profit off of them. Fansub distros (distributors) do not do the subbing themselves but specialize in copying and distributing fansubs.