Shoujo Kakumei Utena (Revolutionary Girl Utena)

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Japanese: 少女革命ウテナ

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Information

Type: Manga

Volumes: 5

Chapters: 25

Status: Finished

Published: May 2, 1996 to Mar 20, 1998

Genre: Fantasy

Themes: Mahou Shoujo, School

Demographic: Shoujo

Serialization: Ciao

Authors: Be-Papas (Story), Saitou, Chiho (Story & Art)

Statistics

Score: 7.31¹ (scored by 4,978 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #4607²

² based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #1649

Members: 12,404

Favorites: 296

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7.31

Ranked #4607Popularity #1649Members 12,404

MangaCiaoBe-Papas (Story), Saitou, Chiho (Story & Art)

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Volumes: /5

Chapters: /25

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Synopsis

It has been half a decade since Utena Tenjou's parents passed away. However, instead of mourning, Utena vividly remembers the mysterious prince who comforted her in her time of need. That day, the prince—whom she nicknames "Peropero-kun" after he licks her tears away—bestowed upon her a ring and promised that as long as she possesses the keepsake, it would lead her back to him one day.

Since then, Peropero-kun sends Utena a letter once a year just as the roses begin to bloom. Believing the letters are written by Utena's aunt rather than an obscure nobleman, Utena's best friend Kaidou decides to search for evidence that supports his suspicions. When he finds six photos that connect like puzzle pieces in the letters, it proves that not only does Peropero-kun exist, but also that he can be found at the prestigious Ohtori Academy.

Wishing to reunite with her long-lost prince, Utena leaves her current life behind to embark on her search for Peropero-kun. After arriving at the academy, she encounters the Ohtori Academy's student council and their strange treatment of fellow student Anthy Himemiya. Utena's investigation into this shady behavior unleashes a plethora of mysteries that may just lead her to the prince she has sought for so long.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

Shoujo Kakumei Utena was published in English as Revolutionary Girl Utena by VIZ Media from January 9, 2002, to March 3, 2004. It was also serialized in their Shoujo anthology magazine Animerica Extra. The publisher re-released the series in a deluxe two-volume hardcover box set.

The series was also published in Chinese by Sharp Point Press; in French by Pika Édition; in German by Carlsen Comics; in Italian by Edizioni Star Comics; in Polish by Waneko; in Portuguese by JBC; and in Spanish by Norma Editorial.

The manga has been adapted into various musical and stage productions. It was also adapted into a video game; titled Shoujo Kakumei Utena: Itsuka Kakumei Sareru Monogatari, it was developed and published by Sega in 1998 for the Sega Saturn. The series is known to have influenced particular Western works, such as the critically acclaimed animated TV series Steven Universe.

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Characters

Tenjou, Utena

Main

Himemiya, Anthy

Main

Arisugawa, Juri

Supporting

Kiryuu, Nanami

Supporting

Ootori, Akio

Supporting

Kiryuu, Touga

Supporting

Mikage, Souji

Supporting

Chuchu

Supporting

Kaoru, Miki

Supporting

Saionji, Kyouichi

Supporting

Reviews

Jan 16, 2022

mooohn

Recommended

I don't understand when people say the manga is not gay, because it very much was for me. I mostly interpreted the story about being about Utena's abandonment issues, and the fight she had going on between her intuition to find a "strong man" (in short her compulsory heterosexuality), and her will to be her own strong man and emancipate herself and Anthy from the shackles of patriarchy. But maybe I am biased h. I liked that in the ending (spoiler) she actually manages to revolutionise the world and free herself and Utena (I think?). However, the whole was too chaotic, plot-points and magical abilities ...

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Jun 17, 2020

UnipolarUnicorn

Mixed Feelings

Both the manga and anime for "Revolutionary Girl Utena" seem to have quite a large following, so to say the least, I was expecting something great. I am afraid I did not get exactly that. I'm not saying this manga was bad because it was a great concept and actually had a lot of potential. However, it came up short for me, and I am going to give it a 6. I'll list the pros first.

Pros

I'll start with my favorite thing about this manga, which was the art. Chiho Saito really outdid herself because this manga was completely beautiful. I love the rose theme and ...

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Aug 9, 2018

purpleggplant

Not Recommended

This was such a let down I had to review it. For years i have been told that this manga was amazing. revolutionary even. That it really was a great story that defied gender norms and tackled tropes and stereotypes. But honestly i really don't see that at all.

The only different thing going on in this Shojo is that instead of getting with the guy in the end Utena...??? I'm not even sure!!! She wants to become a prince the entire time, break out from the princess trope yet she is constantly falling back into it. She falls in love with anyone she thinks ... might be her "prince" and seems like she isnt even really aware of anything thats going on around her.

The first half of the first book we meet her school friend, her aunt and some college kid only to never see them again once she transfers schools. the new characters seem to come out of nowhere and it feels like they are two completely different stories. then the middle chunk feels pretty formulaic but at least like its building to something. But then the ending chunk feels again like what was the whole point of this book? You could read literally the last like three chapters and take away about the same as if you had slogged through the whole thing.

Some of the student council members seem interesting enough, but we never really get in to any of their stories, and then the story ends, with minimal character development and minimal explanation of the actual plot. Anthy's character on the other hand gets a ton of development right at the very end and seems forced? I dont even know it was so fast and unexplained... And her entire character, like what was the point? what was her goal? She seemed to have a goal but at the end her original goal seemed to totally contradict what it actually was she was after. All the other characters, random school friends, totally pointless. If they were not there the story would hae been a faster and probably easier read.

Maybe I dislike it so much because of all the hype I had going into it, but watching Utena fall in love with anyone who barely resembles her prince (or not) get old real fast. that and the discombobulated plot was IMO bad writing. The end was predictable but somehow did not mesh well with the rest of the narrative. I guess I went in thinking "yeah girl power" and ended up getting story driven by typical heteronormative romance (if you can call it that) with pretty much every character except for the main bad guy...

story- what story?

art- typical 90s shojo style, i gave it a 9 because i really like that style when done well and for the most part it was, tho not everyone will like it.

character- there seemed to be so much potential, but in the end they all fell flat on tropes, rushed development, no development, or were completely part of the scenery

enjoyment- I kept wondering when was it going to pick up? when would the story start to happen... and then it ended. i tried to enjoy it but was disappointed in the end.

overall- I wouldn't recommend. maybe the anime is better? Im still not sure if i will attempt it, but if it follows the manga I'm not about it. It's a real bummer.

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Poll: Shoujo Kakumei Utena Chapter 3 Discussion Ston3_FreeN7 - Jun 5, 2013	1 replies	by nifetiseBOY »» Jun 2, 2022 4:35 AM
Poll: Shoujo Kakumei Utena Chapter 24 Discussion blue-y - Mar 11, 2013	1 replies	by Ston3_FreeN7 »» Jun 6, 2013 12:37 PM
Poll: Shoujo Kakumei Utena Chapter 20 Discussion Ston3_FreeN7 - Jun 5, 2013	0 replies	by Ston3_FreeN7 »» Jun 5, 2013 11:50 PM
Poll: Shoujo Kakumei Utena Chapter 18 Discussion Ston3_FreeN7 - Jun 5, 2013	0 replies	by Ston3_FreeN7 »» Jun 5, 2013 11:20 PM
Poll: Shoujo Kakumei Utena Chapter 17 Discussion Ston3_FreeN7 - Jun 5, 2013	0 replies	by Ston3_FreeN7 »» Jun 5, 2013 11:10 PM

Shoujo Kakumei Utena
Revolutionary Girl Utena
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