Revolutionary Girl Utena: Apocalypse Saga [DVD] [US Import]

At this price, I don't imagine it's likely that too many people unfamiliar with Revolutionary Girl Utena are planning on buying the DVDs, so I'll focus my review on the characteristics of the re-released box sets. The remastered footage is absolutely gorgeous and that alone is worth either updating your collection or choosing these sets over the previously released DVDs. The additions of the lovely books containing interviews, commentary and art and the beautiful boxes to hold your DVDs are just the icing on the cake. Any Utena fan would be remiss to not poses this collection.

I watched Revolutionary Girl Utena for the first time about 11 years ago on VHS. When Central Park Media released it on DVD about eight years ago, I bought all the DVDs and watched the series again. Recently, I stumbled on these remastered, "Limited Edition" boxed sets for Utena. I wasn't sure if I wanted to take the plunge and re-purchase what I already owned - however, to those who were in the same position as I was, just do it! As of this review, Amazon is offering these box sets at an incredibly low price. If I could have seen into the future, I would have held off on buying those overpriced CPM DVDs... but, I guess that's just more Utena on my shelf.After the bankruptcy and liquidation of CPM, many feared that Utena would be out of print indefinitely. Fortunately, RightStuf/Nozomi has stepped in and released these box sets. The box sets are beautiful and the picture quality is a cut above the Central Park version. Furthermore, the sound, now in 5.1, is far clearer and may be better appreciated by those with a 5.1 setup in their home theaters. The extras are a nice bonus, and the booklets provided with the sets are nice as well.Concerning the actual show, most people considering this purchase have probably already seen Utena. For those who have not, Utena has emerged as a modern classic among quite a few anime critics. It was positively regarded a decade ago, and appreciation for the show has only increased over time. A product review can't even begin to encapsulate this show. Utena's production team is frequently called the "dream team" of anime, with renowned animator Shinya Hasegawa, weirdo (but awesome) director Kunihiko Ikuhara, manga artist Chiho Saito, et al. They split after making Utena, and IMHO none of them have made anything close to Utena in terms of quality (not even Ikuhara's latest show, Mawaru Penguindrum comes close although graphically stunning).Anyone who does a little research is going to find that this show is very heavy on the psychological and philosophical front. It is, in my interpretation, very existential and feminist. When I was a teenager, I did not appreciate the many "levels" on which this show operates. I thought it was a show with a bunch of rebellious hot girls who kicked a lot of you-know-what and that was good enough for me. In fact, I was reluctant to watch the show again, thinking it'd be a waste of time as I'd seen it twice before already. However, re-watching the show recently as an adult, I find the show much more satisfying intellectually, and have gained a far deeper respect for the sorts of messages that the show puts forth. Ultimately, the dazzling visuals and wonderful soundtrack are secondary to the narrative drive. Regardless, it should be said the artwork is top notch (especially in the third and final season - not to mention the movie; this box set) and the music is memorable. Years later, Utena's rock opera duel themes still stick in my mind. Utena, like any other work of art, is the sort of thing that leaves you with a different impression every time you experience it.I have to agree with critical and popular consensus that Utena is a visual and intellectual masterpiece that anyone with an open mind should take a moment to watch. Because the original film stock has degraded over the years, the hope of an HD BluRay release is pretty distant. Whether you are new to the series, or watching it again for the nth time, THIS is the version to watch/get.

This is the 3rd and final box set of the anime and its absolute perfection. In the 1st box set i was hooked, and by the 2nd box set i have 2 admit i did start 2 loose interest a bit because it was so repetitive. But all the episodes in this box set went on a completely new direction from box set 1 and 2. The show stopped being so repetitive and predictable, and started 2 create a TON of drama. I could no longer guess what was going 2 happen next, the anime went from being a fun cartoon for kids to an extremely entartaining adult anime with so many twist and turns. I was surprised to see so many adult themes of lust and incest, i was rushing home from work everyday just to watch the next episode. What surprised me the most is that in other animes, when an innocent main character is introduced, they tend 2 stay innocent through out the entire anime, they never make the wrong choices and are usually good role models to the viewers. But this anime takes a different course in direction. The main character here starts off as the perfect role model for young women viewers, but towards the final episodes of the show, well lets just say she does something so wrong and forbidden, no woman in reality should ever do. I loved the evil message the young woman viewers might have received from the main character, that its ok to fall pray to temptation because, it doesnt matter if its wrong, forbidden, or who you are going to hurt, the irresistable pleasure is worth it. I highly recommend this box set.

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 volume has the last 15 episodes and the movie of the Utena universe. the movie as far as I can remember I've never seen it until now. in the Tv show all your questions get answered except for the one of ( do Utena and Anthy ever reunite?) as where in the movie Utena and Anthy leave the inside world together and the movie makes it look more like Utena and Anthy are lovers verses friends. I do like Utena and Anthy's looks in the movie more then in the TV show. this is a series and a movie that I do recommend any girl should watch to see a straight young woman.