Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Student Council Saga

I purchased Utena back in the 90's when it was still being released on VHS. The only reason i purchased it was because on the box it said from the director of Sailor Moon, so i assumed it was another great series. Indeed it was, but a GREAT SERIES in a totally different way from Sailor Moon. The series started and then stopped after only 13 episodes and the remaining episodes were released a few years later to coincide with the release of the movie on DVD. After the cancellation of the VHS tapes I assumed Utena was another anime title that would never see the light of day as with many anime titles that get dubbed and never to be seen again. I was ecstatic when I found out the original cast had returned to finished out the 39 episode season. I just love Utena and i think it's one of the best series ever released. It has mystery and it keeps your attention. The only thing is a lot of elements in the show and movie is interpretive, so you never really quite know what's going on; everything is open to what you think it symbolizes. This can be a bit confusing. After watching the series i thought the movie would answer all my questions but only gave me more questions as i didn't know how to interpret what the symbols mean. Regardless, i still think the movie is excellent and the animation of course is amazing as well. The movie is like the show condensed into 85 minutes but with a somewhat new ending to help bring closure to the series. As stated before it still doesn't tell you the answer out right, you have to figure it out for yourself. Quick recap: The show/movie is about a girl name Utena that comes to the Ohtohori Academy and gets involved with these duels because she has a rose crusted ring that a prince gave her when she was little. She feels the ring is the only connection she has into finding him and through these duels she hopes that she can find the answers that she's looking for. Along the way the winner of the duels get complete control over the Rose Bride Anthy. Anthy is complex and doesn't say much. But as much as the show has a light fluffy fairy type feel to it, it quickly turns into a tragic nightmare as the episodes progress. The show is excellent in terms of PLOT, structure, and EXCELLENT MUSIC, addictive Japanese Techno Opera. But check this movie out and the series. This DVD is the best way to complete your Utena collection. Just series & movie is a masterpiece and I only wish there was a season 2.

The first time I saw Utena, I thought it was the weirdest thing I'd ever seen. And that was only the tv series. However, after having seen the Utena movie ("The Adolescence of Utena") I can definitely say it's also one of the most beautiful and special things I've seen... Here are some things you may want to know about this movie.Artwork. The artwork in this movie is stunning. Some of the best I've seen. Even before the opening credits, I was spellbound. Utena mixes seamless digital animation with superb traditional artwork to great effect. The character designs are somewhat altered from the tv series (Utena's hair is sometimes short, Anthy's is always long, etc.), but only for the better. The scene in which Utena & Anthy dance in a field of roses under the stars is a perfect example of the movie's superior art (and all of the movie's other high points).Imagery & motifs. Wow. Utena is stuffed with gorgeous images, far more so than the tv series. Once again, roses abound, but in even greater quantity. Some of the most beautiful scenes - Utena's reunion with Touga in the beginning of the movie & the dance scene I mentioned above - center on roses, as do all the duel scenes. Water is also a motif, used in alternately disturbing and soothing ways throughout the film, building to the revealing final scene with Utena & Touga. Imagery is used to relate to the audience just what a strange & surreal world the Utena movie is set in.Themes & Symbolism. Symbolism is key throughout the movie, and you'd be pretty lost if you didn't pay attention to it. Shiori's wings, Akio's "key", Anthy's scar, the faceless girls, and pretty much everything in the climactic & closing scenes. Utena is built on symbolism - for instance, the entire end of the movie makes no sense except in purely symbolic terms. The themes of Utena, in my opinion, are those of growing up, choosing one's own fate, self-reliance, and laying one's past to rest. And love, of course.Characters. The characters of Utena are some of the most interesting and beautiful in anime. Although Utena is ultimately the story of Anthy & Utena, all of the character development in Utena is fascinating (especially Anthy's, in my opinion). In such a short movie with such a complicated story to tell, there is of course not enough exploration of side characters for my taste, but Utena & Anthy at least get plenty of attention.Warnings. Not warnings, exactly, but two things you might want to consider. First, although Utena is definitely worth the time & money, the story is many-layered and hard to understand, and you may not want like to watch movies that make you think for an hour and a half straight. Second, there is some mild nudity, violence, homsexuality, & references to incest. Personally, I think it just makes the story more interesting, but you may object personally.That said, the Utena movie is an incredible experience and I highly recommend it. This one is worth the money.

Exactly as described. Worked perfectly.

Got this as a gift, along with the Black Rose Saga, for my girlfriend. She was very pleased! Great box sets. Only criticism - they claimed to be all regions, and they are definitely not. US only! Fine if you have a laptop, etc, but be warned if you plan to use your British DVD player...

One of my favourite anime of all time, this remastered set is excellent. Audio quality is superb and visual quality has been greatly enhanced. It's still in 4:3 (black bars on the left and right side of the screen, if using a modern widescreen TV) but the series is still very much enjoyable.

This was enormously disappointing - so many positive, even glowing reviews on Amazon.com, and the reality is:- Artwork and animation are very old-fashioned, even primitive- Attempts at "humour" are mishandled and out of place- whole sequences are repeated unchanged in every episode - an obvious further cost saver in an already cheaply made production- several episodes contribute nothing to the "plot".About 20% of the advertised run time bears watching - the rest I fast-forwarded. Poor value in terms of money and time spent.Who is the "Anime Insider" describing this as 'One of the ten "Best Anime Ever"' (back cover)? One could easily name a dozen far better than this.

Don't buy this item!!!!It says that it is compatible with All Regions and it is not....only US Region 1....