/media/ - Media

I've just finished a long ass series and i need something to fill the void
Kind of torn between this and rose of versailles
(and since i know next to nothing about both) ive heard utena is ~deep~ but is this really good?

Ooooh OP I cannot wait to hear what you'll say after you finish the series!

>>2774
I rarely hype anything but Utena is and has been my favorite animated show for the past decade and a half. I don't think anything will ever top it for me tbh, even now the core message speaks to me harder than anything else.

Utena is my waifu. Or…husbando? I can't decide if I want to be like her or if I just want to date her. (but why not both?)

>>2774
I really love Utena but I will admit that most people I've tried to show it to haven't necessarily 'gotten' it on the first watch. There's a lot of visual metaphors and references to classic literature/motifs, so if you want something that's more straight-forward, RoV might be more up your alley. That being said, Utena is completely worth investing your time and mental energy into understanding. I personally would rank it in my top three anime series; even though it came out a really long time ago, I don't feel like I've seen a series since that can top it. The recycling of animation sometimes leads people to complain that it feels repetitive, but part of the reason why this was done is because they had a shoestring budget at the time they were making it, iirc, and the movie version more than makes up for the initial production. Watch the anime series first, though! Watching the movie will definitely make your head spin if you're not prepared for Ikuhara's particular brand of weirdness.

Also I have the remastered box set and if anyone wants to see some of the production sketches/key frames from a particular story arc, just ask and I can try to scan 'em in. There are also interviews with Ikuhara, Takahashi, Be-Papas and the conceptual designer. I really love the parts where they focus on the art design of the whole series, in particular.

I also thought this interview with the voice actress who played Utena was really touching.

>>2774
Yes, it is really genuinely good and deep, one of the few series I'd consider a masterpiece. Like Evangelion but more suitable for girls. RoV is also fucking great, you should really watch both.

What series did you just finish, out of interest?

A masterpiece. Get ready to shed some angsty tears tho.

Not op but have you guys seen the movie? Not sure if I hate it or love it. The music is gorgeous tho.

>>2783
i really liked it on an aesthetic level? i thought it was nice that they were given the budget to do something above and beyond the limitations of the original show. the ending had me wtf-ing at first but when you look at the themes and motifs of the show then it actually does make more sense in retrospect. i felt like it was more made for fans of the original series than it was intended to be a stand-alone experience, though.

>>2787
The ending with the car transformation scene was soooo weird. I understand utena's universe is full of symbolism and that ending was heavy in symbols, but still felt a bit out of place. I like how Utena and Anthy are way more visibly in love than in the anime though. Also the animation and music are so dreamy.

Oh god I love Utena. My absolute favorite anime of all time. My opinion on nearly all of my favorites has changed for the worse over the years, but I only love Utena more with time.

I still think Anthy is one of the most nuanced characters in fiction.

>>2788
i feel like i remember hearing somewhere that in the anime they're just friends/their relationship is open to 'interpretation' because they weren't sure how audiences would respond to the yuri elements on TV, whereas with the movie i think they felt like they had permission to be more liberal with in romantic/sexual context.
that ending scene was exactly what i was thinking of, hahaha. it's one of my favorite parts to watch with a friend for the first time because i love seeing their reactions/facial expressions when they see it. i think ikuhara wanted to surprise the audience with something completely unexpected. I found a great post which goes more in-depth about the reason why they chose to go with that ending. http://ani-mentation.tumblr.com/post/118075794670/utena-turning-into-a-car-makes-perfect-sense

Ikuhara retweeted these costumes the other day, what do you guys think?
I would never have thought of using lace for the tulle under Utena's jacket but surprisingly I really like the effect.

>>2776

I just came from my first watch and honestly I had a hard time understanding until I gave it a couple days to sit with me. And then it hit.

It's rare for a show to leave me so speechless. Easily a masterpiece and most definitely will be rewatching it again. There was so much nuance that I simply couldn't be expected to pick up on in just the first watch.

Also, Utena herself that is so charming that I both want to be her and marry her. She's so gallant and heroic while also never foregoing her femininity in pursuit of becoming a prince. Such that it almost feels demeaning to call her "wife material" but tfw no Utena gf am I right

I just watched it and i loved it! Though there are a few things where i disagree with the majority opinion:
1. Himemiya was a lying treacherous whore. No sympathy for her. Even her saying she has to do what her owner says was a lie.
2. Akio and Touga actually wanted best for Utena
3. But she refused to grow up and that is why she failed and died.
Also, who is the best boy/girl for you? Who would you like to be and who would you like to marry?
I wanna be Utena and marry Mickey, i just can' stop loving him!

Utena becomes much easier to understand, if you think about it as
sort of metaphor for Japanese society and generally modernity; it's really quite the worthwhile show.

Rose of Versailles and Oniisama E are also quite worthwhile ones, especially if you want similar to Utena shows, which are sometimes referenced by Utena very obviously.

>>34114
>Utena becomes much easier to understand, if you think about it as
>sort of metaphor for Japanese society and generally modernity; >it's really quite the worthwhile show.
Can you explain in depth

>>2778
Thanks for this!

>>34131
This post is perhaps of use:
>https://www.tumblr.com/theatricalnebula/737513437552427008/i-think-about-this-interview-with-ikuhara-and-his?source=share
and this might be of interest also.

>https://k-onodera.net/?p=138
The latter unpacks many of the referenced and their relationship to the show, although one can disagree on some of the takes on themes.

Enjoy!

The 90s musical is also online publicly, if anyone would like to check it out.

>>2772
I'll try it out. Im used to just watching the things that are the most shilled so finding some potential hidden gems is awesome.

im sorry I cant hear that name anymore without thinking of her

>>2772
This show, man… I haven't finished it either, I'm on episode 32 at the moment, but boy is it aiming up to be an experience. I don't get most of what's going on to be honest, but it's very unique and weird in an interesting way where you can tell there is a lick of sense under the surface if you dig deep enough.
The duel songs especially, a write-up on the series stated that these songs made it stand out from the other anime at the time, yet even in this age I haven't seen anything quite like it. By themselves they're fine compositions, the inclusion of the lyrics, however distracting it may be to read the two sets of subtitles, definitely accentuates that hidden deeper meaning and makes you just want to go on ohtori.nu's lyric comparisons and get lost in trying to make sense of platonism and geometry or something.
Even with knowing some ending spoilers it's hard to predict what will happen next. A notebook I keep for trying to speculate on that has mostly been filled with some remarks and analysis on the episodes, not that's it's a bad thing, but my only real theory at the moment is that the outro bird is Akio.
Anyway, amazing show. I like what I've seen so far and I'll probably check out the other RGU material and other shoujo in general to see the inspiration and evolution. I'll have to see the full thing to make up my mind on the characters and everything else, so far they're all very interesting, but Juri is pretty cool. Honestly all the girls are, for now the only guy in the folder on my mobile is Chu Chu.

>>35516
Crap, forgot to post the image!
I thought this moment was particularly interesting.

i'd still like to know why Miki fiddles with his pocket watch constantly

>>35517
Well, I watched the final episode of the anime series today. Bawled my fucking eyes out as soon as it ended even though I don't usually cry at shows. The knowledge that there won't be a new episode to look forward to at the end of the week feels strange now.
I was expecting something more, but I'm glad it ended on a hopeful note at least. Will probably check out the manga next, then the movie.
Even now I still feel a bit dumb wondering what it all means, so I'd like to ruminate on the themes and whatnot a bit more before talking about matters I don't really get. However, I can say with certainty that I absolutely adored it, it was right up my alley and I can't wait to see how the other installments handle everything even if they apparently don't have Nanami.
Also, Utenanthy is probably my new OTP. I have yet to see some ship as amazing as it and I doubt any ship more amazing exists.