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Arriving as a new transfer student at the surreal, architectural wonderland of Ohtori Academy, rebellious tomboy Utena Tenjou sports short pink hair and a boy's uniform, still yearning for the prince who saved her in childhood. Utena is drawn into the enigmatic student council's clandestine dueling tournament, where members duel with rapiers in a floating rose garden for possession of the Rose Bride, Anthy Himemiya. Winning the duel, Utena becomes Anthy's engaged champion, uncovering a decadent world of repressed adolescent desires, dark family secrets, and the oppressive expectations governing female adulthood.
⚠ Background — may contain spoilers
The surreal narrative builds toward a breathtaking symbolic climax where the corrupt academy transforms into an industrial prison controlled by Akio Ohtori. Rather than being protected as a prince, Utena literally transforms into a sleek, aerodynamic sports car, allowing Anthy to take the driver's wheel. In a breathtaking chase across suspended highways, Anthy breaks free from Akio's patriarchal control, driving Utena through the academy's boundary walls into the real world beyond. Both girls shed their school uniforms and kiss passionately under the open sky, finally liberated from fairy tale illusions to live freely together.
A befuddled work of metaphysical and allegorical anime that excels in visual beauty. The Adolescence of Utena can be a cause of frustration for fans, but it has enough fascinating themes to make it worth viewing at least once. This highly symbolic anime garners three weak stars. Take away a star if you like your anime to have a more coherent plot.
