『 Revolutionary Girl Utena 』 : The Adolescence of Utena (1999)

I've grown a mouth so sharp and cruel It's all that I can give to you, my dear -Tongues & Teeth, The Crane Wives

anthying.

Revolutionary Girl Utena illustration by Shinya Hasegawa included in Animage Magazine (01/1999).

episode 1 / episode 39

i found you!

anthy scribble dump

I decided to rewatch Episode 26 (Miki’s Nest Box (The Sunlit Garden - Arranged)) which was a bit of a horrible decision to watch at this hour but also made me realize something. This is the definition of dude trust me analysis. There is one scene in the entire show that features both Kozue and Nanami. Within that scene, there are only a few angles that show both of them

This wide shot places the camera at an angle and position in which Kozue and Nanami are both visible, but pillars are placed between them. While there is no physical blockade between them, the view visually separates them, creating an artificial barrier. While they are capable of coming together, the narrative as presented to us prevents it. Not to mention that their conversation after this point is focused on Akio, or “Daddy Long Legs” *retching noises* as Kozue refers to him.

In the second, while Nanami is approaching Kozue, Kozue is walking away and out of frame to Akio. There is no barrier separating them - real, imagined, only perceived at a certain angle - but it’s too late. They are on different paths now thanks to Akio’s influence. After a shot of Kozue and Akio in silhouette walking into the night, the scene ends. Their moment is taken from them. In conclusion Akio is clearly actively trying to separate Kozue and Nanami and I have never overanalyzed anything in my life

Anthy and Utena with manga coloring

my magnum opus

the we just trade off being the knife universe of wlw media

Chiho Saito's 1998 covers for the two Revolutionary Girl #Utena novels written by Witch from Mercury writer Ichirō Ōkouchi, 'Twin Saplings,' and 'Verdant Hopes.'

Saito's commentary on them, roughly: Twin Saplings: "Utena's dignified in this picture, isn't it?" Verdant Hopes: "I rarely get to draw Anthy princess-like. Cute..."

Both of these novels have been translated, and are hosted in multiple formats on Empty Movement! I encourage you to check them out if you're a Witch from Mercury fan, and want a glimpse into his earlier work and the show he drew so so much inspiration from!

miracles don't grow from flowers how could you forgive her? teardrops drip off daffodils yet you swallow all that's bitter

bubble! pop! elec! tric! (redraw :P)

when i say utena is a show with countless different possible interpretations, i don’t just mean it like ‘different people interpret it differently’; i mean it like ‘at any one moment i am interpreting it in about seven different and often mutually exclusive ways, and it deeply enriches my viewing experience’

Chu chu chu chu chu, chu chu chu chu chu chu chu chu. Chu chu chu chu. Chu chu chu chu chu chu. chu chu chu chu chu chu chu chu, chu chu chu chu chu chu. Chu chu chu chu, CHU CHU CHU CHU CHU CHU!