I really don't know what's the dynamics behind the creation of these OVA oldies, I partly like them though regardless of the mishaps and low quality, it's remarkable how different they feel and look compared to the stuff we have nowadays. Unfortunately, projects like Utsunomiko are usually better in their original form, the adaptations are always lacking, I might check the light novel one day. Back to my earlier point, I'm assuming this inconsistency is the result of different unsynced minds working on a single project, along possible economic pressures.
Utsunomiko is supposed to be a historical fantasy, but it's far from it. The whole thing look and feel like a mecha space opera disguised in a Japanese traditional attire, the final result is tacky. Dare I say some of the frames with their opaque and hard-edged color saturation felt like going through one of those small furniture shops common in some Middle Eastern countries, they make cheap replicas of European and Victorian furniture. I'm being harsh because I really wanted to like this, almost everything here as content is of personal interest to me, sigh. Such grand themes shouldn't be tampered with as recklessly, just hand it to someone who can do a better job at it. Annoyingly fast and patched narrative escalation. I have to say though some moments were sublime, mostly the frames when the surroundings are darkened and there's less colors, pay attention to these and you might be rewarded. Also all the moments with the Princesses.
Got to agree with the former review, that this is barely Buddhist and rather resembling Arthurian Christianity. Other than that, you might better look somewhere else if you're into similar themes and aesthetics in general, stuff like Ginga Sengoku Gunyuuden Rai, Yokoyama Mitsuteru Sangokushi or even Fushigi Yuugi.
