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Got the urge to re-watch Utena
So last night I had a sudden burning desire to re-watch Revolutionary Girl Utena, and I got through two discs.
This show has lots of wacky hijinks early on! I'd forgotten how many of the 'humourous' episodes were in the first arc, including numerous Wacky Animal Chases, Nanami's Revenge!fail, and the ficcy, troperiffic Personality Swap.
I'm looking forward to more episodes of backstory, but there were a few things I noted (or noted again) here, especially how Anthy manipulates Miki into duelling for her. She plays the piano, which convinces him that she is his 'one true thing' that will unlock his composition; she brings up the Rose Bride's obedience to the Engaged; she answers his entirely hypothetical question about never playing again (something Anthy must know Utena would never do, and Miki certainly hasn't heard her indicate any wish for) if ordered not to with demure affirmation and says nothing when he resolves to fight.
It's one of the first little clues that there's more to Anthy's involvement in the dueling ritual than quiet obedience; she's an active driver, despite outwardly seeming powerless and unwilling to fight physically.
I also found myself enjoying Nanami's revenge!fail shenanigans for much the same reason. Episodes with Nanami are often my least-favourite, but this time round I felt that this one had a message: Anthy may passively allow herself to be struck by bullies and the Engaged, and be treated as a prize for a greater cause, but Anthy still draws certain lines in the sand. I don't have to be treated this way on my own ground was the message I took from her foiling Nanami's humiliation attempts. Anthy uses what power she has to fight back in a deniable, indirect way, with absurdity and laughter instead of sharp words or blows.
The third cool thing doesn't need a cut, because it's Juri. ♥
I would absolutely watch an entire Utena spinoff series about Juri's competitive fencing career. (Hey, it could be that "Yaoi on Fire" anime we've all joked about in YOI fandom! Lesbian Redhead Stabs Her Way to the Olympics sounds like a good fit.)
This show has lots of wacky hijinks early on! I'd forgotten how many of the 'humourous' episodes were in the first arc, including numerous Wacky Animal Chases, Nanami's Revenge!fail, and the ficcy, troperiffic Personality Swap.
I'm looking forward to more episodes of backstory, but there were a few things I noted (or noted again) here, especially how Anthy manipulates Miki into duelling for her. She plays the piano, which convinces him that she is his 'one true thing' that will unlock his composition; she brings up the Rose Bride's obedience to the Engaged; she answers his entirely hypothetical question about never playing again (something Anthy must know Utena would never do, and Miki certainly hasn't heard her indicate any wish for) if ordered not to with demure affirmation and says nothing when he resolves to fight.
It's one of the first little clues that there's more to Anthy's involvement in the dueling ritual than quiet obedience; she's an active driver, despite outwardly seeming powerless and unwilling to fight physically.
I also found myself enjoying Nanami's revenge!fail shenanigans for much the same reason. Episodes with Nanami are often my least-favourite, but this time round I felt that this one had a message: Anthy may passively allow herself to be struck by bullies and the Engaged, and be treated as a prize for a greater cause, but Anthy still draws certain lines in the sand. I don't have to be treated this way on my own ground was the message I took from her foiling Nanami's humiliation attempts. Anthy uses what power she has to fight back in a deniable, indirect way, with absurdity and laughter instead of sharp words or blows.
The third cool thing doesn't need a cut, because it's Juri. ♥
I would absolutely watch an entire Utena spinoff series about Juri's competitive fencing career. (Hey, it could be that "Yaoi on Fire" anime we've all joked about in YOI fandom! Lesbian Redhead Stabs Her Way to the Olympics sounds like a good fit.)
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*nods* I'm firmly in the camp that thinks all of the bizarre shit that happens to Nanami throughout the series is a direct result of her messing with Anthy.
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