Movies / Animé and Toons

Revolutionary Girl Utena: Student Council Saga Limited Edition Set

By Chris Zimmerman
August 12, 2011 - 13:39

When an anime is labeled “classic”, it automatically opens itself up to scrutiny. If it’s lifespan shows off its age, its determined it doesn’t hold up while those who grew up with the show will defend it for the joy gleaned from their childhood memories. When it debuted years ago, Revolutionary Girl Utena captured the attentions of audiences with its departure from the usual magical girl tropes, turning them on their ear and delivering something entirely different to the genre’s usual assortment of flower pedals and cheer. The series has been out of print for a while now but the good folks at Rightstuf! and Nozomi have decided to pick up the license and release the series in a series of remastered box sets.

Utena Tenjou lost her parents at a tender age. Coping with despair, she was all but consumed with msery when a chance meeting with a prince gives her the strength of will to carry on. Bequething a ring with a rose emblem on it, he leaves her with the words, “Never lose that strength of nobility, even when you grow up”.

Inspired by his words, Utena wears the ring in the hopes it will lead her back to him and declares that someday she too will be a prince. This results in her breaking several conventions including donning a boy’s uniform and being exceptionally athletic. When she first steps foot into Ohtori Academy she takes on the role of a tomboy and instantly makes her presence known. Her best friend even goes so far as to declare her love for Utena.

One day while walking the halls, Utena spies a member from the student council, Saionji, physically abusing his thought-to-be girlfriend, Anthy Himemiya. Utena is quick to intercede and challenges Saionji to a duel, one he gladly accepts. As it turns out, Anthy is his soon to be wife and the property of the winner of the secret duels between the members of the student council.

Utena arrives at the agreed upon meeting place, taking note of it’s ancient structure and foreboding atmosphere. Stepping through the gate, she enters a spiral staircase that leads to a platform beneath a floating city. As the duel commences, Utena discovers that the duels are a test to determine the person who is best suited to “revolutionize the world”. She eventually triumphs over Saionji and wins Anthy’s hand.

Throughout the 12 episodes comprising this arc, Utena is challenged by several other members of the student council, each one wishing to lay claim to Anthy. Meanwhile Utena does her best to help Anthy develop her own identity beyond what the student council think of her, encouraging her to partake in school activities and make friends.

The series imagery and symbols set it apart from the norm, twisting gender roles and incorporating cryptic elements that play into the future of the series. Each episode shares a moment with a pair of shadowy children that explain the plot in riddles and explain the themes to the audience. This brief break is especially surreal and different from anything within the magical girl realm.

The extras on the set are limited to clean opening and closing songs, promotional TV spots, and a detailed booklet that includes character sketches, production diaries, and interviews. Overall what you would expect from Nozomi.

After watching this set for the first time, Revolutionary Girl Utena more than lives up to it’s status as a classic. The series is inspired, displaying levels of creativity and beauty that exceed the standard anime. The series is thought provoking and deeply engaging and definitely worth the pickup thanks to Nozomi’s restoration efforts.

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Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12