[ SECRET POST #3120 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #3120 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 047 secrets from Secret Submission Post #446.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 1 2 - not!secrets ], [ 1 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[elaminator]

This secret is so pretty! I love the colors and style of the Utena anime, but I've never watched it. I always meant to because it sounds like the perfect anime (including the fact that it doesn't go on for 100+ episodes, which is difficult to find time for).

Maybe I'll actually get around to it now that you've mentioned it.

Despite that, I'll agree. If nothing else, most adaptions and remakes bring new people into the original source material and rejuvenate the fandom.

[solarbird]

It's wonderful and sometimes hilarious and always totally fucked up and you should absolutely watch it.

[elaminator]

Totally fucked up? Is it angsty, then? I wasn't aware of that. (I don't actually know all that much about it, so going into it would be a surprise.)

I'll try to get to it!

[solarbird]

Angsty is not the term I would use for the series as a whole? That would definitely apply to a few of the characters, but not the whole series.

But wow, there is lots of drama and symbolism, and a lot of both what goes on and who these characters are is seriously fucked the hell up.

Also there are story events that make entire rooms of people go WHAT THE FUCK THAT DID NOT JUST HAPPEN and which blow fan theories out of the water. It's awesome.

[elaminator]

I was a bit shocked about that, because I didn't think the series was supposed to be angsty. It's rare to have a piece of media where there isn't at least a bit of that, though.

Haha, drama and symbolism is making me think of Hannibal, which I'm going to guess is nothing like Utena. Still, I enjoy those things!

I enjoy a massive surprise (in media, anyway) now and then! They're invigorating.

[(Anonymous)]

I honestly would not use angsty as a term to describe Utena unless you think any drama = angst.

I would say a more accurate terms is that it's DARK and very symbolic. And once you catch on to some of the overall meaning, it's very very dark.

I wouldn't say it's something that you should watch if you are looking to be happy (it has it's light and cute bits but mostly towards the beginning.) But it's worth watching for sure.

Hannibal actually might be a decent comparison, now that I think about it. I mean obviously there are different sensibilities between a japanese anime an an american drama, but if you enjoy dark symbolism then Utena definitely goes there.

[elaminator]

I thought people would laugh at the Hannibal comparison (I mean, I didn't expect it to be TOO close, but 'dark and symbolic' was a perfect description for Hannibal) but now that you're saying it isn't too wildly inaccurate I'm even more intrigued.

[(Anonymous)]

ahaha oh boy are you ever hitting close to home with the hannibal-comparison. on so many levels. the kubrick is strong with both of them, anyway.

Major fucking spoiler don't say I didn't warn you

[(Anonymous)]

and the whole gutting the hapless hero in the end.

[bur]

Totally fucked up, quite angsty, but tastefully and almost tenderly so? It's not fucked up or angsty in the ways you probably expect anime to be.

The payoff at the end is worth everything.

[elaminator]

Totally fucked up, quite angsty, but tastefully and almost tenderly so?

Okay, I have to agree with the anons who responded, this IS starting to sound like Hannibal. I doubt the stories themselves are anything alike, but the vibe might be similar? IDK, but either way I want to watch it.

[cloud_riven]

On top of the Hannibal stuff style of metaphory angst themes, I'd also compare it to Samurai Flamenco, as well as the video game, Shadow of the Colossus. Even the filler and recap episodes have meaning and plot overarching them.

(could be vaguely spoilery below idk)

If you've watched Samurai Flamenco, it's kind of a love note to the genre it's in, as is Utena, but at the same time a kind of deconstruction of the hero (heroic prince type in Utena). It's also got similar pacing and whiplash, so if you find Utena too slice-of-lifey or shoujoey or something, stick with it.

As for SotC, you have the hero figures with a noble goal, and their questionable instructions handed down from on high. Utena doesn't exactly follow them, but she's setting out to become the most ideal prince ever. And yet, as every opening will ask, "But was that really such a good idea?"

[elaminator]

I have watched Samurai Flamenco! It was a wild ride... It started out as one thing and practically reinvented itself every few episodes. I don't watch all that much anime, but it was unique and fun in a way few series have been. If Utena does something similar, then I've no doubt it's memorable.