The profound appeal and evaluation of Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of the Adolescence

Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of the Adolescence: Utena as a symbol of revolution and her worldview

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

August 14, 1999 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Toei

■Frequencies

85 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

・Original work: BePapas

■ Director

・Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara

■ Production

・Animation production: JCSTAFF
・Production cooperation: Ganges, Shogakukan ・Production: Revolutionary Girl Utena Production Committee

■Works

©BePapas, Saito Chiho/Shogakukan, Shogeki Committee, TV Tokyo © Revolutionary Girl Utena Production Committee

■ Story

Tenjou Utena transfers to the prestigious boarding school Ohtori Academy. After a certain incident, she decides to live a high-minded life, and begins cross-dressing as a boy. After meeting the mysterious and beautiful Himemiya Anthy, known as the "Rose Bride," Utena becomes embroiled in a duel game in which players compete to win the "power to revolutionize the world."

■Explanation

With more experimental direction, choral music by JA Caesar, an appearance by artist Mitsuhiro Oikawa, and a climax no one could have predicted, "Adolescence Apocalypse" is a completely original theatrical production that is a more radical and more spectacular renewal of the hugely popular "Revolutionary Girl Utena."

■Cast

・Tenjou Utena / Kawakami Tomoko ・Himemiya Anthy / Fuchizaki Yuriko ・Kiryuu Fuyuga / Koyasu Takehito ・Arisugawa Juri / Mitsuishi Kotono ・Kaoru Miki / Hisakawa Aya ・Saionji Kayokazu / Kusao Takeshi ・Takatsuki Shiori / Nishihara Kumiko ・Kaoru Kozue / Honda Chieko ・Shinohara Wakana / Imai Yuka ・Nanami / Shiratori Yuri ・Shadow Girl E / Kawamura Maria ・Shadow Girl F / Koorogi Satomi ・Shadow Girl C / Watanabe Kumiko ・Operator / Nakanishi Hiromiko ・Man A / Hashimoto Masaya ・Man B / Nakai Masaki ・Ohtori Akio / Oikawa Mitsuhiro (special appearance)

■ Main staff

・Planning, original story: BePapas ・Original story, manga: Saito Chiho (Published in Shogakukan's "Bessatsu Shojo Comic Special")
・Producers / Yuji Matsukura, Atsushi Moriyama・Screenplay / Yoji Enokido・Storyboards / Jūgo Kazeyama, Shingo Kaneko, Katsuyo Hashimoto, Toru Takahashi, Hiroshi Nagahama, Shinya Hasegawa, Kunihiko Ikuhara・Planning / Yuichiro Oguro・Direction / Shingo Kaneko, Toru Takahashi, Katsushi Sakurabi・Character design / Shinya Hasegawa・Mechanic design / Hiroshi Nagahama・Animation director / Akemi Hayashi, Nobuyuki Takeuchi, Keiko Kawashima, Masahiro Aizawa, Shinya Hasegawa・Art director / Shichirō Kobayashi・Assistant art director / Chieko Nakamura・Color coordination / Kunio Kunioto・Color setting / Mayumi Tenbashi・Director of photography / Toyomitsu Nakajo・Editing / Shigeru Nishiyama・Sound director / Hideyuki Tanaka・Sound production / Audio Tanaka・Music / Nobuyoshi Mitsumune, JA Caesar, Hideato Tenri・Animation production / JCSTAFF
・Production cooperation: Ganges, Shogakukan ・Production: Revolutionary Girl Utena Production Committee

■ Theme songs and music

・IM
・Sometimes Love is・Lyrics by Masami Okui・Composition by Toshiro Yabuki・Arrangement by Toshiro Yabuki・Singer by Masami Okui・Ending theme
・I Want to Be Your Fiance (Adolescence Mix)
Lyrics: Mitsuhiro Oikawa Composition: Mitsuhiro Oikawa Arrangement: Shinkichi Mitsumune Singer: Mitsuhiro Oikawa (Toshiba EMI)

The appeal and evaluation of "Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of the Adolescence"

"Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of the Adolescence" is an anime film released in 1999 that further expands on the worldview of the TV series "Revolutionary Girl Utena." Directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara, this work has captivated many fans with its visual beauty and profound themes. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and evaluation of this work.

1. Visual beauty and experimental direction

Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of the Adolescence is known for its visual beauty and experimental direction. Director Kunihiko Ikuhara's unique visual sense is evident throughout the film, with the colors, composition, and movement all reaching an artistic level. In particular, the scenes that use rose motifs and shadow puppets have a strong visual impact and the power to draw the audience in. In addition, JA Caesar's choral music further enhances the atmosphere of the film, allowing you to experience the world of the film both visually and aurally.

2. Profound Theme

This work is not merely entertaining, but has profound themes. Utena's search for the "power to revolutionize the world" symbolizes the search for self-actualization and identity, as well as a challenge to the framework of society. In particular, Utena's character, who cross-dresses as a man, is portrayed as a being who transcends gender boundaries, providing the audience with a new perspective. Furthermore, through her relationship with Himemiya Anthy, the work makes viewers think deeply about the meaning of friendship, love, and sacrifice.

3. The appeal of the characters

The characters in "Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of the Adolescence" are all unique and attractive. The main character, Tenjou Utena, is portrayed as a girl with a strong will and pure heart, and her growth and change are at the center of the story. Himemiya Anthy is a mysterious character, but her humanity is explored in depth through her bond with Utena. In addition, the character of Ohtori Akio, who is specially played by Oikawa Mitsuhiro, adds a new perspective to the story and enhances the appeal of the work as a whole.

4. The Power of Music

Music is also an important element of this work. The opening theme "Toki ni Ai wa" sung by Masami Okui is a beautiful melody that symbolizes Utena's inner thoughts, stirring the emotions of the audience. The ending theme "I Want to Be Your Fiancee (Adolescence Mix)" by Mitsuhiro Oikawa is a powerful song that builds excitement to the climax of the story. Furthermore, the choral music by JA Caesar plays an important role in enhancing the tension and beauty of the play.

5. Evaluation and Impact

Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of Adolescence has been highly acclaimed by critics, who have praised its unique style and deep themes. The work has also had a major impact on the anime industry, influencing subsequent works. In particular, the visual expression and thematic depth have inspired many creators, and the work is considered to be a genre-defying work.

Recommended points of "Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of the Adolescence"

Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of the Adolescence is a work of visual beauty and profound themes, and is recommended for the following reasons:

1. People who want to enjoy visual beauty

This work, which highlights director Kunihiko Ikuhara's unique visual sense, has an artistic level of color, composition, and movement. In particular, the scenes using rose motifs and shadow puppets have a strong visual impact and the power to draw the audience in. This is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy visual beauty.

2. People who want to explore profound themes

The story of Utena's search for "the power to revolutionize the world" symbolizes the search for self-actualization and identity, and a challenge to the framework of society. In particular, Utena's character, who cross-dresses as a man, is portrayed as a being who transcends gender boundaries, providing the audience with a new perspective. This is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to explore profound themes.

3. People who want to be captivated by the characters

Each character in "Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of the Adolescence" is unique and charming. The main character, Tenjou Utena, is portrayed as a girl with a strong will and pure heart, and her growth and change are at the center of the story. Himemiya Anthy is a mysterious character, but her humanity is explored in depth through her bond with Utena. In addition, the character of Ohtori Akio, who is specially played by Oikawa Mitsuhiro, adds a new perspective to the story and enhances the appeal of the work as a whole. This is a work that I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to be drawn in by the charm of the characters.

4. People who want to feel the power of music

Music is also an important element of this work. The opening theme, "Toki ni Ai wa," sung by Okui Masami, is a beautiful melody that symbolizes Utena's inner thoughts, stirring the emotions of the audience. Meanwhile, the ending theme, "I Want to Be Your Fiance (Adolescence Mix)," sung by Oikawa Mitsuhiro, is a powerful song that builds excitement to the climax of the story. Furthermore, JA Caesar's choral music plays an important role in bringing out the tension and beauty of the play. This is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to feel the power of music.

Conclusion

Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Apocalypse of the Adolescence is a work that has captivated many fans with its visual beauty and profound themes. Director Kunihiko Ikuhara's unique visual sense and the story of Utena's search for the power to "revolutionize the world" provide the audience with a new perspective and leave them deeply moved. The unique and charming characters and the power of music also enhance the appeal of this work. This is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy visual beauty, explore profound themes, be drawn in by the charm of the characters, and feel the power of music.