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Total Recommendations: 2

If you liked
Shoujo Kakumei Utena
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...then you might like
Oniisama e...
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The creators of Utena drew ideas from the original manga written by Riyoko Ikeda as well as the anime based on the manga. The setting in an upper class school and the new student going against the established traditions of her senior classmates, classmates which externally seem to have their lives completely togehter. Nanako has to overcome many external obstacles for her as well as her friends but most of the story revolves around the bitter internal struggles for all the characters which leads to a lot of self reflection to finally find out what she really wants as well her attempts to shatters the distorted world views of her seemingly more 'together' classmates. All extremely similar to the structure of 'Revolutionary Girl Utena' as Utena changes many of the characters outlooks on life. 'Revolutionary Girl Utena' seems to have a stronger tone than the more subtle style of 'Brother, Dear Brother' One example of this can be seen in the lesbian overtones of both shows, while Utena uses more blunt hints that can come across as comical, the tone of 'Brother, Dear Brother' is seemingly more complex and real. Also unlike Utena, Nanako (the main character) comes across initially as weak and naive, but she sticks to her principles although they are tested many times. The strength of Utena's character (I believe) comes more from the anime Rose of Versailles which is another anime I recommend if you liked Utena.

If you liked
Versailles no Bara
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...then you might like
Shoujo Kakumei Utena
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If you liked Utena this is another anime/manga I believe you should enjoy. Utena drew inspiration from this both in setting and characters. While Rose of Versailles takes place in the country of France and isn't confined to a school setting, the focus on fighting with swords plays a big part in both anime. The decadent European lifestyle that is acted out in Utena is very much the same as is acted out in Oscar's France (balls, food, elaborate dressing, even many high culture interests). The main character in Rose of Versailles is Oscar, a woman who got a mans name because her father was stricken with grief that his wife bore a girl,and who was then raised as a male. You can see that Utena's 'Prince' complex (her desire to become a prince) is very much comparable, such as dressing like a boy acting like one but maintaining a certain unbreakable feminine beauty and fragility in both looks and personality (as Oscar is unable to overcome her feminine qualities even dressing more like a guy plus cutting her hair). Both characters are also tested by male characters who try to get them to lose this strength they have by treating them as women but not equals. The main difference between the two characters is Utena has chosen to become what she likes to call a 'prince' while Oscar was raised like a boy.

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