Shoujo Kakumei Utena


Revolutionary Girl Utena

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Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Shoujo Kakumei Utena
Japanese: 少女革命ウテナ
English: Revolutionary Girl Utena
French: Revolutionary Girl Utena
More titles

Information

Type: TV
Episodes: 39
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 2, 1997 to Dec 24, 1997
Premiered: Spring 1997
Broadcast: Wednesdays at 18:00 (JST)
Studios: J.C.Staff
Source: Original
Genres: Award WinningAward Winning, DramaDrama, FantasyFantasy, MysteryMystery, SuspenseSuspense
Themes: Mahou ShoujoMahou Shoujo, PsychologicalPsychological, SchoolSchool
Duration: 23 min. per ep.
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Statistics

Score: 8.221 (scored by 6461164,611 users)
1 indicates a weighted score.
Ranked: #3392
2 based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #1096
Members: 220,298
Favorites: 8,493

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Streaming Platforms

8.22
Ranked #339Popularity #1096Members 220,298
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Episodes: /39

Synopsis

Years ago, a tragic incident befell a young princess when both her parents died. Devastated, it seemed nothing would calm this poor soul. However, a prince traveling through the area came to see the princess, hoping to cheer her up. After wiping her sorrowful tears, the prince gave her a ring carrying a rose emblem and told her as long as she holds onto the ring, they are destined to meet again. The event leaves a deep impression on the girl, Utena Tenjou, leading her to become a prince herself.

Years later, Utena attends Ootori Academy, recognized by the same rose emblem as her precious ring's. There, attracted by the scent of roses, she witnesses Anthy Himemiya tending the flowers, accompanied by the Student Council President Touga Kiryuu and Vice President Kyouichi Saionji, who seem to be arguing over Anthy. While Utena thinks nothing of the occurrence, the Student Council gathers to discuss an important matter.

Subsequently, a misunderstanding leads to Utena being dragged into the world of Duelists—those with rings similar to her own. The Duelists fight for the ownership of the Rose Bride, Anthy Himemiya, who is said to possess great power. Wanting to prove her capabilities as a prince, and enraged that Anthy is being wronged and objectified, Utena resolves to fight against the Duelists to save her from the cruel fate.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Background

Childhood idealism, illusions, ambition, adulthood, sexuality, abuse, incest and identity are all prominent themes which are explored in what is essentially a highly metaphorical and symbolic coming-of-age story. Loss of innocence, both sexual and otherwise, is treated as a life changing event. Fairy tale archetypes such as the noble prince and the damsel in distress, as well as standard tropes of the shoujo and magical girl genre are incorporated, subverted, inverted, averted and deconstructed.

Shoujo Kakumei Utena won the Best TV Animation Award at Animation Kobe in 1997.

Episode Videos


Related Anime


Characters & Voice Actors


Staff

Kobayashi, Noriko
Producer
Ikuhara, Kunihiko
Director, Script, Storyboard, Theme Song Lyrics, Original Creator
Tanaka, Hideyuki
Sound Director
Igarashi, Takuya
Episode Director, Script, Storyboard


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Opening Theme

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"Rinbu Revolution" by Masami Okui
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Ending Theme

1: "Truth" by Luca Yumi (eps 1-24)
2: "バーチャルスター発生学 (Virtual Star Hasseigaku)" by Maki Kamiya (eps 25-38)
3: "Rose & release" by Masami Okui (eps 39)




Reviews

Apr 20, 2024
Shoujo Kakumei Utena, or Revolutionary Girl Utena, is one of the best drama/shoujo animes that I have ever watched.

*This review may contain some spoilers, but only minor ones*

RGU's story is very interesting and unique, but also feels very familiar in a way at the same time. Everyone knows of stories about a prince on a white horse that vows to save a princess from someone or something evil, but RGU uses this type of story in a very unique and exciting way, in which a girl vows to become a prince to save a princess, who also happens to be witch, from the prince ...
Aug 14, 2023
Mixed Feelings
It's certainly iconic. Everything sticks to you and it's awesome at points, but I can't help but feel that it does not live up to the expectations created by others' impression.
Its directing and music make for a spectacle that lasts for the duration of the show, with memorable characters and locations. But this style of directing can make some episodes hard to understand, so I don't think absolutely everyone should watch the show.
At the end of the series, I felt like I still didn't know the characters despite spending 39 episodes with them, and thanks to the close to surrealist storytelling, I couldn't understand the ...
Jun 15, 2020
Story:
It's made in a way you will get confused all the way through. The plot seems like this huge divine scheme and so, you expect for more and hold your breath at the possibilities. That was the beginning and I felt like I was in for a ride, though the big impact never came. Major stories go unexplained or not explained all the all through. The plot held a potencial of storytelling and it could have been worked on better. Nevertheless, one thing I really enjoyed was the constant interaction with the surroundings. It created an environment where the interactions seemed this much more connected ...

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Recent Forum Discussion

Poll: Revolutionary Girl Utena Episode 24 Discussion ( 1 2 )
Alicia3000 - Apr 25, 2009
53 repliesby LLG »»
Apr 17, 1:18 AM
Poll: Revolutionary Girl Utena Episode 15 Discussion ( 1 2 )
Alicia3000 - Apr 25, 2009
59 repliesby Barrou2a »»
Mar 30, 2:09 PM
Poll: Revolutionary Girl Utena Episode 34 Discussion ( 1 2 )
Alicia3000 - May 2, 2009
63 repliesby zaverix »»
Mar 21, 10:36 AM
Poll: Revolutionary Girl Utena Episode 10 Discussion ( 1 2 )
Alicia3000 - Apr 8, 2009
77 repliesby Superkitty21 »»
Mar 19, 9:15 PM
Looking for a good explanation video
LoveYourEyes - Mar 19
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