Shôjo kakumei Utena: Adolescence mokushiroku (1999)

Shôjo kakumei Utena: Adolescence mokushiroku: Directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara. With Tomoko Kawakami, Yuriko Fuchizaki, Leah Applebaum, Roxanne Beck. A handsome youth by the name of Tenjo Utena transfers to the distinguished Ohtori Academy. But Utena’s true identity is actually a girl, who due to a certain event from her past, has decided to cross-dress in order to fulfill the highest of ambitions. But at Ohtori Academy she meets none other than her old lover, Kiryuu Touga, who wears the Mark of the Rose on his finger, which is the sign of a duellist. Because of her possessing the exact same ring, Utena is challenged by the student body vice president, Saionji Kyouichi, to a duel in the floating rose garden. The reason for this duel is none other than the acquisition of the “Rose Bride”‘s body, for with it comes the “power to revolutionize the world.”

“In an alternate universe retelling of the Shoujo Kakumei Utena story, this movie blows the already great TV series out of the water. Tenjou Utena is new to Ohtori Academy, having recently broken up with Kiryuu Touga. Upon arriving, she sees him again, and meets Himemiya Anthy, also known as the Rose Bride. Utena is forced into a duel with Saionji Kyouichi for the possession of the Rose Bride. She is bewildered by the events taking place in the academy, but starts to figure out what life is all about and where it doesnu0026#39;t happen. The plot is fresh while still holding on to certain elements of the original storyline from the TV series. The characters, while many have done 180s with their personalities, are still as captivating as ever. The music, supplied once again by the wonderful J.A Seaser, is just as good as anything in the TV series, if not better. Finally, the animation is more beautiful than words can describe. If nothing else, watch this movie for the animation. Many people, Utena fans and not, donu0026#39;t give this movie a fair shake, claiming a number of things they donu0026#39;t like about it which were exactly what they liked about the TV series. Though it is much easier to understand the movie if youu0026#39;ve seen the series in full, the movie is still a masterpiece to behold in any right.”