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Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution
Three short stories set after Utena’s revolution.
Utena has saved Anthy by defeating Akio in the final duel, but in doing so she has vanished from the world. Now the student council members at Ohtori Academy find themselves in their own revolutions.
Utena has saved Anthy by defeating Akio in the final duel, but in doing so she has vanished from the world. Now the student council members at Ohtori Academy find themselves in their own revolutions.
200 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2018
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227 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 14, 2020
It feels a little absurd to review After the Revolution, because you probably already know whether you're going to read it or not. I'm a big fan of Utena, even if I can't say I understand it, so I knew I'd be picking this one up. If you're on the fence, I'd say this is classic Utena: beautiful, confusing, and a little frustrating. It follows some of the characters 20 years later, though whether it's the characters from the anime, manga, movie, or a unique version is hard to say.
Of course, all Utena versions are dreamlike, but these stories step it up a notch. It feels like the end of the cycle here: the spiral is getting tighter. The centre cannot hold. Anthy and Utena flit in and out of the stories, but most of the page time is devoted to the other characters: Touga and Saionji, Juri and Shirori/Ruka, Miki and Kozue. I'd recommend picking this up without knowing a lot else about it, but check out my full review if you want to know more.
Full review at the Lesbrary. [Goes up Oct 5]
Of course, all Utena versions are dreamlike, but these stories step it up a notch. It feels like the end of the cycle here: the spiral is getting tighter. The centre cannot hold. Anthy and Utena flit in and out of the stories, but most of the page time is devoted to the other characters: Touga and Saionji, Juri and Shirori/Ruka, Miki and Kozue. I'd recommend picking this up without knowing a lot else about it, but check out my full review if you want to know more.
Full review at the Lesbrary. [Goes up Oct 5]
October 15, 2020
The way that time folds in on itself, and these characters are simultaneously older and yet not changed at all from their teenage selves, is quintessentially Utena. It makes it a much more fitting 20th anniversary present than a straight sequel. This manga forces us all to go back into the headspace the original work put us in, and reexamine the ways in which we might not have changed as much as we think from when this series first took us for a ride. Society's strictures are very tempting. It's easy to want to take Akio's hand. Utena's way, the way to revolution and genuine satisfaction, is the hard way, and one we need to keep reminding ourselves of throughout our lives.
Full review here: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/revi...
Full review here: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/revi...
December 26, 2020
*Warning: Possible Spoilers*
I would put this at a 1.5.
Was excited for this but just finished reading it and am kind of disappointed. For anyone who is an Utena fan of the manga and anime will come to find that these stories are a bit of a rehash of bits from both sources and the only thing original is the fact that you get to see what the members of the student council were doing after they left Ohtori Academy and entered the real world.
Out of the three, here's how I would rate the stories:
1. Touga and Saionji - 1. Being the one "most original" out of the three stories (i.e. less rehash), the two men get a summons from End of the World to retrieve and protect a painting called The Revolution, which hasn't been seen by anyone in years; thus making it an urban legend. The men of course duel and my turn off was Touga's art interest was a man who previously had been accused of pedophilia. Yuck no.
2. Juri - 3.5. Probably my most favorite out of the three, what I did like about Juri's story was we see how her and Shiori became friends. Juri was like Utena in a way, wanting to become a Prince so Shiori would notice her. Again though, her duel with Ruka is a rehash from the previous manga and episode 28 of the anime during the Akio saga (minus the cars).
3. Miki - 1.5 While in the manga and anime we always got hints of a possible incest leanings/sibling complex from Miki's sister Kozue (because they're twins and seen also with Touga and Nanami), but this kind of too in your face. Kozue's husband beats her because he knows there is another man she loves, but never finds out that it's Miki. Their duel is a rehash from episode 15 of the anime during the Black Rose Saga.
While it was interesting to see what the crew has been up to since Utena defeated Akio and the lives they lead afterward, you come to find out not much changed. At all. While I commend the creators for wanting to give the fans something after all these years after both anime and manga ended, they played it too safe by giving us more of the same instead of something original.
I would put this at a 1.5.
Was excited for this but just finished reading it and am kind of disappointed. For anyone who is an Utena fan of the manga and anime will come to find that these stories are a bit of a rehash of bits from both sources and the only thing original is the fact that you get to see what the members of the student council were doing after they left Ohtori Academy and entered the real world.
Out of the three, here's how I would rate the stories:
1. Touga and Saionji - 1. Being the one "most original" out of the three stories (i.e. less rehash), the two men get a summons from End of the World to retrieve and protect a painting called The Revolution, which hasn't been seen by anyone in years; thus making it an urban legend. The men of course duel and my turn off was Touga's art interest was a man who previously had been accused of pedophilia. Yuck no.
2. Juri - 3.5. Probably my most favorite out of the three, what I did like about Juri's story was we see how her and Shiori became friends. Juri was like Utena in a way, wanting to become a Prince so Shiori would notice her. Again though, her duel with Ruka is a rehash from the previous manga and episode 28 of the anime during the Akio saga (minus the cars).
3. Miki - 1.5 While in the manga and anime we always got hints of a possible incest leanings/sibling complex from Miki's sister Kozue (because they're twins and seen also with Touga and Nanami), but this kind of too in your face. Kozue's husband beats her because he knows there is another man she loves, but never finds out that it's Miki. Their duel is a rehash from episode 15 of the anime during the Black Rose Saga.
While it was interesting to see what the crew has been up to since Utena defeated Akio and the lives they lead afterward, you come to find out not much changed. At all. While I commend the creators for wanting to give the fans something after all these years after both anime and manga ended, they played it too safe by giving us more of the same instead of something original.
September 23, 2020
I’ve heard a lot about Utena all throughout my life as a wee manga/anime nerd. Unfortunately I’ve never read or watched it. I know, I know. Double shame on me.
I requested this because I’ve always wanted to and thought why not! It’s never too late.
Er, this might not have been the manga to get started on.
I found the story and the characters hard to follow. I was a bit more than confused. Still that seems more on me than anything.
If you’re a Utena fan I would definitely recommend that you check this out :) as for me i’ll start from the beginning.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I requested this because I’ve always wanted to and thought why not! It’s never too late.
Er, this might not have been the manga to get started on.
I found the story and the characters hard to follow. I was a bit more than confused. Still that seems more on me than anything.
If you’re a Utena fan I would definitely recommend that you check this out :) as for me i’ll start from the beginning.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
October 9, 2020
Twentieth anniversary epilogue/follow-up to one of the wilder manga and anime series of the '90s. After the Revolution consists of three short stories focusing on the graduates of Ohtori Academy as adults. Touga and Saionji are now rival art dealers summoned to claim a mysterious artist's most valuable painting; Juri, now a professional fencer, still hopelessly in love with her old crush Shiori and forced to confront a rival from her past; and Miki and Kozue, still navigating their difficult sibling relationship. Each are aided by Utena, who disappeared at the end of the main story after rescuing Anthy from her brother and now ascended to the role of Prince Dios herself. Not a good entry point to the series, since Saito assumes you know all the characters and their dynamics already - but I imagine old Utena fans are the target audience. The stories are nice, adding a little closure to character arcs that were left dangling at the end of the series, but pretty slight: it's frustrating to see these characters still trapped in their same conflicts and struggles as adults, though it's nice to see them finding ways to move on (Miki and Kozue's story is easily the best) and that Utena finally achieved her goal of becoming a Prince, with all that entails. And Saito's visual style is still otherworldy beautiful Still, no Nanami, no Shadow Girls, little Anthy and a collection of stories that are pleasant but insubstantial.
December 22, 2020
I had really hoped this follow-up would reveal *something* substantial about Utena and Anthy. It does not do that and it can be argued that's a consequence of how the initial manga ended but it is still a disappointment. These short stories explore the other characters and I appreciate the work put into them. I do wish we had more Utena and Anthy to process though.
September 16, 2024
Today's manga post is on Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution by Chiho Saitō. It is 200 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. As this takes place after the end of the series, you need to have read the original Revolutionary Girl Utena series to understand the story. The cover has Utena and Anthy on it. The intended reader is someone who has the original series and wants to see what happened to the other characters. There is mild foul language, sexuality, and mild violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the different characters one per story. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the manga- Three short stories set after Utena’s revolution.
Utena has saved Anthy by defeating Akio in the final duel, but in doing so she has vanished from the world. Now the student council members at Ohtori Academy find themselves in their own revolutions.
Review- Utena and Anthy have been freed from World's End, but what about the other duelist? This volume is about what happens to them and how they find their own revolutions. Utena visits them all to help them remember what they were fighting for. The stories take place at different times, some close of the end of the manga and others more than 20 years after. World's End is still influencing the duelist but they don't know how to fight it. So Utena once again must become a prince to save them. This was a good wrap up to the overall series and a good send off for the secondary characters.
I give this manga a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.
From the back of the manga- Three short stories set after Utena’s revolution.
Utena has saved Anthy by defeating Akio in the final duel, but in doing so she has vanished from the world. Now the student council members at Ohtori Academy find themselves in their own revolutions.
Review- Utena and Anthy have been freed from World's End, but what about the other duelist? This volume is about what happens to them and how they find their own revolutions. Utena visits them all to help them remember what they were fighting for. The stories take place at different times, some close of the end of the manga and others more than 20 years after. World's End is still influencing the duelist but they don't know how to fight it. So Utena once again must become a prince to save them. This was a good wrap up to the overall series and a good send off for the secondary characters.
I give this manga a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.
January 4, 2025
hmmm...
there's a little epilogue at the back saying why they chose to focus on the side characters, but i wanted more utenanthy! i feel like it has the aesthetics of utena, but they made some weird choices. like clearly, the debate between touga and saionji is in line with the series, but the way they went about it here felt.. off. like too simplistic. not that it's a nuanced thing or anything, but idk. like the painting itself is something that would've been referenced in the show, but not shown outright like that.. like anthy's a child and i feel like the show did a good job of alluding to these terrible things without promoting them, and that's a little much for me. also missed the yaoi of their dynamic... i liked the juri story the best but it seemed kinda similar to the series and not adding much new. the last story was a bit weird, i think its better to have their dynamic hinted at rather than shown directly like this. i did like utena throughout it and i liked the very end with utenanthy finally! everyone forgot about utena at the end of the series, right? but why did they remember the little girl version of her? she's visited them in dreams and stuff? that part felt utena-esque.. confusing, but cool. the art was great too!
there's a little epilogue at the back saying why they chose to focus on the side characters, but i wanted more utenanthy! i feel like it has the aesthetics of utena, but they made some weird choices. like clearly, the debate between touga and saionji is in line with the series, but the way they went about it here felt.. off. like too simplistic. not that it's a nuanced thing or anything, but idk. like the painting itself is something that would've been referenced in the show, but not shown outright like that.. like anthy's a child and i feel like the show did a good job of alluding to these terrible things without promoting them, and that's a little much for me. also missed the yaoi of their dynamic... i liked the juri story the best but it seemed kinda similar to the series and not adding much new. the last story was a bit weird, i think its better to have their dynamic hinted at rather than shown directly like this. i did like utena throughout it and i liked the very end with utenanthy finally! everyone forgot about utena at the end of the series, right? but why did they remember the little girl version of her? she's visited them in dreams and stuff? that part felt utena-esque.. confusing, but cool. the art was great too!
February 27, 2021
20 years later, new revolutions have begun.
After Utena defeated Akio in the original series she disappeared as explained in the description of the book (which is a bit spoiler for that series but it has been out for a while and this is a sequel.) Within this book you will be treated, confused, and mesmerized as students that had attended Ohtori Academy with Utena and Anthy are suddenly discovering their own revolutions as they deal with their strong emotional connections to the world whether it is obsession with art, surrendering to grief, or forbidden love. Honestly I think I would have liked to see something more about Utena and Anthy considering Anthy began to search for Utena after she disappeared after the final duel with her brother but I guess there is only so much one can do when you take on the role of a deity prince even if what you can do is inspire revolutions in your former friends.
After Utena defeated Akio in the original series she disappeared as explained in the description of the book (which is a bit spoiler for that series but it has been out for a while and this is a sequel.) Within this book you will be treated, confused, and mesmerized as students that had attended Ohtori Academy with Utena and Anthy are suddenly discovering their own revolutions as they deal with their strong emotional connections to the world whether it is obsession with art, surrendering to grief, or forbidden love. Honestly I think I would have liked to see something more about Utena and Anthy considering Anthy began to search for Utena after she disappeared after the final duel with her brother but I guess there is only so much one can do when you take on the role of a deity prince even if what you can do is inspire revolutions in your former friends.
October 7, 2020
This was a very cute and quick read. As a Revolutionary Girl Utena fan I can say that I'm glad to own this now but I'm also a bit disappointed. It doesn't really tie up any loose ends for either the manga or anime series, but it does seem to lean in that direction. The characters are older now and they still seem to struggle with the same issues they had in both series, so this manga focuses on their having to confront them. I say that this volume doesn't tie up loose ends because by the end of every short the characters are just making the choice to begin their journey of resolution and work on their problems. We don't actually get to see how their stories end or how their going to go about change. We're just left with a hopeful feeling, which is nice but still...If this were a set up to a reboot I'd be much happier.
May 15, 2021
Curar las heridas causadas por el trauma suele ser un proceso largo y tortuoso. Tenemos la oprtunidad retomar las historias de los alumnos de la Academia Othori, 20 años después del punto en el que les dejamos. Por supuesto, regresarán a la arena de duelo una vez más para enfrentarse a sus demonios. Inspirados por una fuerza divina, conseguirán avanzar en sus conflictos personales, a través de la empatía y del amor.
Todavía flipando con la homonimia de la palabra duelo en castellano. Utena siempre será más grande que la suma de sus partes. Gracias a Chiho Saito por traernos este último tomo, 20 años después.
Todavía flipando con la homonimia de la palabra duelo en castellano. Utena siempre será más grande que la suma de sus partes. Gracias a Chiho Saito por traernos este último tomo, 20 años después.
February 5, 2025
The art and plot and characters are AMAZINGGGGG, seriously I ate the art UP.
My biggest complaints are with the twincest, which was very disappointing because that whole thing with Miki and Kozue's story could've just been a brother wanting to protect his sister, and the sister being a victim of abuse, which would've been a fantastic insight to their dynamic and why Kozue views herself the way she does, but then they got zesty and incesty.
Other than that, amazing
My biggest complaints are with the twincest, which was very disappointing because that whole thing with Miki and Kozue's story could've just been a brother wanting to protect his sister, and the sister being a victim of abuse, which would've been a fantastic insight to their dynamic and why Kozue views herself the way she does, but then they got zesty and incesty.
Other than that, amazing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2021
Full disclosure: I’ve always been a huge fan of Utena since I originally saw it back in college and none of that has changed over the years. The story of a young girl who was rescued by a prince and then decided to become a prince herself held so many parallels to points in my life that I couldn’t help but love it. As a queer story in general, Utena is a story of realization and transformation; of a young girl realizing just how much power she has over her own life and the world she lives in. In the series we see her discover the world of adulthood and her place in it, only to conquer the challenge and disappear from the school, only to be forgotten. In summary this sounds like a sad and tragic ending, but it fits with the themes of the manga, because high school isn’t the entire world and many people forget the students they passed on a daily basis even if their life was changed so completely at that time passing from childhood to an adult. Couple that with a story of love and self giving instead of self sacrifice, there’s a reason this series could have hundreds of term papers written about it (and probably has.)
Read the rest at: Well, Are They?
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2021...
Read the rest at: Well, Are They?
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2021...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2020
I read (and watched) Utena years ago. Based on my confusion with revisiting the stories of the characters now I would recommend that you re-read the Mangas if you haven't them recently. I think I would have enjoyed this addition more that way.
Still love the artwork.
Still love the artwork.
October 21, 2020
Loved it. Love Utena. It was nice to see Utena play the prince for her fellows. I really liked the ending. It just felt short, if anything.
April 13, 2023
RGU never misses.
August 1, 2024
It's giving Utena ex machina
March 14, 2021
So I have a confession to make this is the first volume of revolutionary girl Utena that I’ve actually read. I do have another volume that is based around one in the movies, I don’t believe I’ve actually read it. So I’m not gonna lie I was greatly confused by what was happening in this particular story. It sounds like it takes place after the events of the initial series. I will say that I found a lot of the stories to be a little boring, the only one I truly liked was the one about the girl who was a fencer because I felt like that was connected to many of the themes I’ve heard about with this series. Particularly the female character wanting to be a prince therefore were challenging gender norms. I would’ve liked to seen her relationship with the other girl in the story play out a little more. The one story that I personally really didn’t like was the one between the twin siblings because I was very uncomfortable with the notion that the female twin was in love with her brother and the fact that she entered an abusive relationship with another man because she felt that it was her only option and she couldn’t be with her brother. I’m not a fan of this, I think that at the end of the story it’s hinted that possibly these two will end up like together as a couple. I don’t understand the need to have incest in stories. I just don’t see the appeal of it, I wish that the relationships between some of the other characters were explored more than just one. And finally one of my biggest confusion was the fact that the character of Utena was hardly in the story. She would pop in at the end of each school chapter and then disappear and for the series being named after her you would think that she would be the main focus of this new addition to the series. But no they decided to have her play a very minor part, the character of Anthy Doesn’t even show up until the very last three pages of this volume. I was under the impression that these two female characters were the center of this particular series, so why would the authors choose not to have an anniversary edition of the manga be about them. I appreciate that the authors made a continuation of the story for the anniversary that’s nice but I feel like many fans would have preferred it to a focus on Utena and Anthy. I do you think that the only thing that was the best about this volume was the artwork, there is some stunning artwork in this manga. But to be honest it’s not really worth having it for your collection unless you just want it for the artwork itself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 20, 2020I was so excited to read this, like “really? They’re releasing some kind of sanctioned fan fiction about what happens to the students of Ohtori Academy after Utena disappears/moves on?” If Ohtori is about arrested adolescence and a refusal to “grow up” by getting over yourself/your hang ups, then the idea of its students becoming adults is kind of fascinating. Like, can you get out of Ohtori by just aging out, or do you have to revolutionize the world and cease to exist in that world like Utena did? Lots of questions about the mechanics of RGU, none of which will be answered by reading this.
A few things: the author note at the end says they considered making the characters look older but opted not to (why??). Saito is like “nobody wants to see that!!” Uh literally everyone wanted to see that. So basically everyone looks exactly the same and acts exactly like they did in the original story, when they were all supposed to be like 16. Also, Utena herself occasionally descends into these stories like Jesus to bestow power and it’s kind of dumb.
Anyway, this is very light but occasionally pretty, and I’m glad I got it out of the library instead of buying it.
A few things: the author note at the end says they considered making the characters look older but opted not to (why??). Saito is like “nobody wants to see that!!” Uh literally everyone wanted to see that. So basically everyone looks exactly the same and acts exactly like they did in the original story, when they were all supposed to be like 16. Also, Utena herself occasionally descends into these stories like Jesus to bestow power and it’s kind of dumb.
Anyway, this is very light but occasionally pretty, and I’m glad I got it out of the library instead of buying it.
October 22, 2020
I found this book a little hard to follow, just because I wasn't entirely sure how it fit into the story as a whole. Utena as a specter who haunts her friends and former classmates pasts despite their complete loss of memory regarding her is an interesting concept, but it took a second to figure out what was going on. That being said, I did enjoy the short stories, especially the Juri story, which I felt was the standout one in the volume.
I'd recommend this for Utena fans with the caveat that it definitely takes an end of Madoka approach to Utena, so be forewarned. None of the characters remember who she is, except as a kind of guardian angel coming to help them create revolutions in their own lives.
FTC disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I'd recommend this for Utena fans with the caveat that it definitely takes an end of Madoka approach to Utena, so be forewarned. None of the characters remember who she is, except as a kind of guardian angel coming to help them create revolutions in their own lives.
FTC disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
November 15, 2020
This is just what I hoped for: little vignettes of moments 20 years past, and yet so much open that the characters get to continue living on in your memory in whichever way that you like.
July 19, 2018
ウテナの20年後？！？とびっくりして、すぐに買った一冊。ウテナとアンシーがどうなっていたのか不思議なままで、それがちょっとがかりしたのだが、雰囲気がウテナシリーズぴたりだがら面白かった。
I was surprised and immediately had to buy this book when I saw there was a sequel to Utena taking place 20 years later! Utena and Anthy's future are still a mystery and that was a little bit disappointing, but the atmosphere was perfectly still Utena so I enjoyed it.
I was surprised and immediately had to buy this book when I saw there was a sequel to Utena taking place 20 years later! Utena and Anthy's future are still a mystery and that was a little bit disappointing, but the atmosphere was perfectly still Utena so I enjoyed it.
March 23, 2025
I thought I'd read more 'Revolutionary Girl Utena' content, as a fan.
'Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution' is pretty much exactly like the classic 1997 anime. It's strange, it's weird, its surreal, it's unconventional and challenging and proud of it, it's avant-garde, it's twisty, it's confusing, it's shocking, it's dark, it's cynical, it's existentialist, it's not easy to like and, again, it's proud of it, and it's wonderful and loving at the same time.
It's hopeful, yet kind of bittersweet about it.
It's creative, and also clearly borrows elements, storylines and character arcs from both the anime series and the subsequent movie, 'Adolescence of Utena'.
It's set twenty years or so after the events of the anime, and it tells three stories, about each of the former Ohtori Academy Student Council members/Rose duelists, and how they will, or won't (?), finally each reach their own revolutions. In their adulthood, and their relationships in their adult lives, carried on from their uncertain, maturing, unfinished and unresolved childhoods.
The manga is about humans processing past trauma, and coming towards something resembling a closure. To reconcile, communicate; interact with people properly again. To seek comfort, support, and love.
In revisiting the past, remembering, releasing and recovering - opening up old, painful wounds - it is possible to find peace, and move on in life.
Coming-of-age stories don't always end. They don't always conclude, even in adulthood.
Don't fret: Utena and Anthy are present... sort of. I don't know what to add further without spoiling anything, but I'll settle with this explanation, for all the lucid clarification (*pffft*) the manga gives us: Utena and Anthy are with these duelists, in their individual and independent lives, spiritually, and the adolescent, apocalyptic couple will, at long last, reach a happily ever after together, in this beautiful yet broken and brutal, not-fairy tale deconstruction.
Roses and sword fighting, as ostensive metaphors in a series full of metaphors of all kinds and layers, still factor into it.
I'm also fairly certain that, judging from 'After the Revolution', 'Adolescence of Utena', and the OG manga series, the creators don't like Nanami much. They don't care for her at all. Poor girl. And they've forgotten about Chu-chu, or they don't find him relevant and have no need for him anymore. As literally cartoonishly out of place as that tiny monkey pet and mascot was in the original series.
'Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution' - recommended for 'Revolutionary Girl Utena' fans, specifically the anime, as it is a direct sequel to that canon continuity (and unlike the OG manga, also by Chiho Saitō, it doesn't straightwash any of the characters, for which I am grateful). It's what you would expect it to be. Maybe nothing groundbreaking, or wholly satisfying, but it is enough. For now.
For, like any series and franchise, not just this one, we are always growing. Developing. Evolving.
Loving.
'No matter what kind of future it may be... I will always find you.
We are not alone.'
Beautiful ending. Beautiful message.
Never give up on this world. Nor the people in it.
Happy 20th/21st anniversary, 'Revolutionary Girl Utena'
Read my reviews of:
'Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 1: To Till'
and
'Revolutionary Girl Utena Complete Deluxe Box Set'
for more 'RGU' goodness.
Final Score: 3.5/5
'Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution' is pretty much exactly like the classic 1997 anime. It's strange, it's weird, its surreal, it's unconventional and challenging and proud of it, it's avant-garde, it's twisty, it's confusing, it's shocking, it's dark, it's cynical, it's existentialist, it's not easy to like and, again, it's proud of it, and it's wonderful and loving at the same time.
It's hopeful, yet kind of bittersweet about it.
It's creative, and also clearly borrows elements, storylines and character arcs from both the anime series and the subsequent movie, 'Adolescence of Utena'.
It's set twenty years or so after the events of the anime, and it tells three stories, about each of the former Ohtori Academy Student Council members/Rose duelists, and how they will, or won't (?), finally each reach their own revolutions. In their adulthood, and their relationships in their adult lives, carried on from their uncertain, maturing, unfinished and unresolved childhoods.
The manga is about humans processing past trauma, and coming towards something resembling a closure. To reconcile, communicate; interact with people properly again. To seek comfort, support, and love.
In revisiting the past, remembering, releasing and recovering - opening up old, painful wounds - it is possible to find peace, and move on in life.
Coming-of-age stories don't always end. They don't always conclude, even in adulthood.
Don't fret: Utena and Anthy are present... sort of. I don't know what to add further without spoiling anything, but I'll settle with this explanation, for all the lucid clarification (*pffft*) the manga gives us: Utena and Anthy are with these duelists, in their individual and independent lives, spiritually, and the adolescent, apocalyptic couple will, at long last, reach a happily ever after together, in this beautiful yet broken and brutal, not-fairy tale deconstruction.
Roses and sword fighting, as ostensive metaphors in a series full of metaphors of all kinds and layers, still factor into it.
I'm also fairly certain that, judging from 'After the Revolution', 'Adolescence of Utena', and the OG manga series, the creators don't like Nanami much. They don't care for her at all. Poor girl. And they've forgotten about Chu-chu, or they don't find him relevant and have no need for him anymore. As literally cartoonishly out of place as that tiny monkey pet and mascot was in the original series.
'Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution' - recommended for 'Revolutionary Girl Utena' fans, specifically the anime, as it is a direct sequel to that canon continuity (and unlike the OG manga, also by Chiho Saitō, it doesn't straightwash any of the characters, for which I am grateful). It's what you would expect it to be. Maybe nothing groundbreaking, or wholly satisfying, but it is enough. For now.
For, like any series and franchise, not just this one, we are always growing. Developing. Evolving.
Loving.
'No matter what kind of future it may be... I will always find you.
We are not alone.'
Beautiful ending. Beautiful message.
Never give up on this world. Nor the people in it.
Happy 20th/21st anniversary, 'Revolutionary Girl Utena'
Read my reviews of:
'Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 1: To Till'
and
'Revolutionary Girl Utena Complete Deluxe Box Set'
for more 'RGU' goodness.
Final Score: 3.5/5
July 28, 2020
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
This is a nice follow up to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of the series in Japan. The short stories take place several years after the events of Revolutionary Girl Utena and are closures of a sort for the side characters. Saionji and Touga's rivalry, Juri's love for Shiori, and the conflicted Kozue twins are the main characters. But though each will have to face the past, with a running thread of Utena trying to connect back with Anthy through each duel.Story: Former school president and vice president Touga and Saionji are still rivals - but now in the art world. When they get a mysterious summons back to Ohtori Academy, both will be chasing a rumored painting by Akio of his sister, potentially worth millions. But the heart of the revolution is still there and they will have to duel to understand what is truly valuable. Juri, meanwhile, spent her life training to be a top duelist all to win Shiori. But Shiori always loved Ruka - and now Juri must duel a ghost in order to make her feelings known. Mika and Kozue shared everything as children - but Kozue crossed a line when she fell for her twin brother. Years later, with a failed abused marriage behind her, Mika must duel a comatose Kozue to understand and accept what he cannot change. At the heart of each duel, a lost Utena finds clues to reunite her with Anthy.
The artwork is true to the original 1990s series and just as introspective. Saito keeps the tone the same and really it is like reading an epilogue to the series, despite the 20 years since it was released. That said, the stories are slight so it is a fairly small book. And those who haven't read the original likely won't understand all the nuances of what is happening and why each of the protagonists is drawn to an upside castle in order to duel with fencing swords.
In all, a nice homage to the original series and a fitting conclusion. More closure is given to the side characters and we get a happy ending with Utena and Anthy. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
May 16, 2022
When I was younger Revolutionary Girl Utena was my first foray into anime that didn’t involve Sailor Moon, Pokémon, or Dragon Ball Z….it’s the first series that really sucked me in with the beautiful artwork and characters, the gorgeous music and the strange tale of a young girl who decides to shirk typical feminine roles in the world and become her own prince who saves people and stays true to herself.
That being said, at the time I could only get access to the first 12 episodes. It was a different world back then.
Later in life I managed to see the whole series, and read the entirety of the manga.
Which was when I learned that Utena stops skirting the idea of mildly incestuous themes and just goes right for the jugular in the second half.
Was I disturbed? Yes. Did I still love it because it had been so deeply engrained in me? Yes. Did I just ignore the parts I didn’t like and cherry pick the parts I loved? Absolutely.
But THIS….Utena After the Revolution….this just reminds me that some things can’t be ignored because the author will just KEEP PUTTING IT IN YOUR FAVORITE SERIES. Even 20 years later.
I will say I enjoyed seeing some of my favorite characters, and I could actually hear the music from the show as I read it. It was very nostalgic. As always, I love the art style. The plot, of course, remains as convoluted and discombobulated as ever…which was always part of its charm in its own way.
But the incest. Ugh. And the casual mention of child abuse/possible p0rn? Did I read that right? Did they just say that that kind of stuff is okay if the art is beautiful? I just….have no words.
So, I can’t say I recommend reading this. I, honestly, don’t even recommend Utena to people when they ask what anime/manga they should try.
Do I still have love for it in the dark recesses of my heart? Yes. I always will. The underlying theme of a girl who could do anything even in the face of adversity, and who didn’t have to conform to how the world thought a girl should act (but who still remained a girl) resonated with young me so strongly that it became an intrinsic part of my personality for years. But that doesn’t mean the show or manga is good, and that doesn’t mean that the incest and other offensive content is okay.
That being said, at the time I could only get access to the first 12 episodes. It was a different world back then.
Later in life I managed to see the whole series, and read the entirety of the manga.
Which was when I learned that Utena stops skirting the idea of mildly incestuous themes and just goes right for the jugular in the second half.
Was I disturbed? Yes. Did I still love it because it had been so deeply engrained in me? Yes. Did I just ignore the parts I didn’t like and cherry pick the parts I loved? Absolutely.
But THIS….Utena After the Revolution….this just reminds me that some things can’t be ignored because the author will just KEEP PUTTING IT IN YOUR FAVORITE SERIES. Even 20 years later.
I will say I enjoyed seeing some of my favorite characters, and I could actually hear the music from the show as I read it. It was very nostalgic. As always, I love the art style. The plot, of course, remains as convoluted and discombobulated as ever…which was always part of its charm in its own way.
But the incest. Ugh. And the casual mention of child abuse/possible p0rn? Did I read that right? Did they just say that that kind of stuff is okay if the art is beautiful? I just….have no words.
So, I can’t say I recommend reading this. I, honestly, don’t even recommend Utena to people when they ask what anime/manga they should try.
Do I still have love for it in the dark recesses of my heart? Yes. I always will. The underlying theme of a girl who could do anything even in the face of adversity, and who didn’t have to conform to how the world thought a girl should act (but who still remained a girl) resonated with young me so strongly that it became an intrinsic part of my personality for years. But that doesn’t mean the show or manga is good, and that doesn’t mean that the incest and other offensive content is okay.
August 24, 2023
(English copy from my Instagram @agamundisr_escritor / @leyendoconalice)
Konnichiwa to all, readers 🌸
Today I bring you a very special review and it is about the tribute manga Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the revolution, a title that I have read with great affection. With that said, let's get started:
🌹This volume was written and drawn by Chiho Saito for the manga's 20th anniversary, an event that marks the fact that the three stories starring the members of the student council take place twenty years after Utena's disappearance after completing her revolution by defeating Akio in the final duel.
🌹These three stories starring the members of the student council that we met in the main manga are built through an important vital conflict during whose resolution they revive their past as fencing duelists.
The appearance of Utena, whom they seem to not remember, in all of them becomes a kind of deus ex-machina that gives them the necessary push to finish their own revolutions.
🌹As the high point of this work, we discover the penance of Utena Tenjou after having paraded through the three stories, this being the narrative thread of the work and putting our emotions to the surface.
🌸Conclusion: RGU: After the Revolution is a manga that, although emotional and intense, finds its climax in the fourth story that derives, which is the fate of Utena after her revolution.
I must confess that although Utena Tenjou is my perfect waifu, the narrative of this story repeats patterns in the three plots and resorts to the classic resource of bringing a villain back, which chills my heart when evaluating it.
In general, these simple stories have touched my heart as a fan, highlighting the author's statements that this title seeks to entertain and honor.
However, this is a reading that must be read as a complement to the manga or animated series to be understood.
Rating: 4/5🌸
Arigato gozaimasu for your time 🌸
Konnichiwa to all, readers 🌸
Today I bring you a very special review and it is about the tribute manga Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the revolution, a title that I have read with great affection. With that said, let's get started:
🌹This volume was written and drawn by Chiho Saito for the manga's 20th anniversary, an event that marks the fact that the three stories starring the members of the student council take place twenty years after Utena's disappearance after completing her revolution by defeating Akio in the final duel.
🌹These three stories starring the members of the student council that we met in the main manga are built through an important vital conflict during whose resolution they revive their past as fencing duelists.
The appearance of Utena, whom they seem to not remember, in all of them becomes a kind of deus ex-machina that gives them the necessary push to finish their own revolutions.
🌹As the high point of this work, we discover the penance of Utena Tenjou after having paraded through the three stories, this being the narrative thread of the work and putting our emotions to the surface.
🌸Conclusion: RGU: After the Revolution is a manga that, although emotional and intense, finds its climax in the fourth story that derives, which is the fate of Utena after her revolution.
I must confess that although Utena Tenjou is my perfect waifu, the narrative of this story repeats patterns in the three plots and resorts to the classic resource of bringing a villain back, which chills my heart when evaluating it.
In general, these simple stories have touched my heart as a fan, highlighting the author's statements that this title seeks to entertain and honor.
However, this is a reading that must be read as a complement to the manga or animated series to be understood.
Rating: 4/5🌸
Arigato gozaimasu for your time 🌸
May 12, 2022
Three beautiful stories weave their way in and out of Ohtori Academy into potential futures. Utena and Anthy have become myths, legens which inspire people to be stronger or treasures to be locked away and hoarded.
Touga discovers this, drawing literal strength from Utena as his prince, even when he and Saionji can’t remember her, drawn into Akio’s schemes, their memories messed with once again.
No one’s memories are messed with more than Jury’s. They are disjointed images in which she, like Utena, confused by sensations of drowning and despair, a man she loved who wasn’t what he seemed, struggles to be a prince. All of this for the sake of the woman she adores. Shiori is perhaps nicer than she’s ever been, becoming Jury’s adult manager and literally managing Jury’s life. By contrast, Ruka is far more sinister. Which memories are real and which aren’t? It’s hard to tell when you’re a duelist.
Kozue expresses a love a bit like Utena’s, a desire to be a prince for the sake of her prince in the sad future she and Miki face, a future a childlike Utena helps them to cope with.
In the end Utena and Anthy are united in a way that echoes their final moments together in the anime. I wonder if Utena and Anthy have become something like what Kanami Madoka evolved into in Puella Magi Madoka Magica? They’re ideals, no longer having a beginning and an end. Perhaps no one in this series does. As always the characters and the worlds they find themselves in are aesthetic, seductive, and highly stylized, even when they’re in cages created by desire and lost memory. As always they drew me in, inspiring me to create and conceive my own stylized landscape. Thank you once more for the gift.
Touga discovers this, drawing literal strength from Utena as his prince, even when he and Saionji can’t remember her, drawn into Akio’s schemes, their memories messed with once again.
No one’s memories are messed with more than Jury’s. They are disjointed images in which she, like Utena, confused by sensations of drowning and despair, a man she loved who wasn’t what he seemed, struggles to be a prince. All of this for the sake of the woman she adores. Shiori is perhaps nicer than she’s ever been, becoming Jury’s adult manager and literally managing Jury’s life. By contrast, Ruka is far more sinister. Which memories are real and which aren’t? It’s hard to tell when you’re a duelist.
Kozue expresses a love a bit like Utena’s, a desire to be a prince for the sake of her prince in the sad future she and Miki face, a future a childlike Utena helps them to cope with.
In the end Utena and Anthy are united in a way that echoes their final moments together in the anime. I wonder if Utena and Anthy have become something like what Kanami Madoka evolved into in Puella Magi Madoka Magica? They’re ideals, no longer having a beginning and an end. Perhaps no one in this series does. As always the characters and the worlds they find themselves in are aesthetic, seductive, and highly stylized, even when they’re in cages created by desire and lost memory. As always they drew me in, inspiring me to create and conceive my own stylized landscape. Thank you once more for the gift.
January 10, 2021
Utena is a universe with such complexities hidden beneath obscure and ridiculous intentions/environments. I was curious as to how the “After the Revolution” epilogue would encompass a world we had escaped at the original conclusion. It is sent in the future and showcases the members journeys that have led them into the free world and yet continues to chain them in the past. It was interesting to see how Utena was the catalyst as she had ultimately taken the princes’ place at the end of her own journey. With her role being changed her appearance and influence on the student council members was much different than I had anticipated but the impact was much more than I could have imagined. Their relationships and connections to Utena were of different backstories however had such deeper connotations than before. The original storyline also had Utena trapped and attempting to revolutionize the world on her own. This epilogue very much had her revolutionizing the world once more but by relying more heavily on the student council members that it was refreshing. This is a compilation of short stories and some interactions left me asking for just a bit more, yet the heart of the book instinctively brought me back to Ohtori Academy and created again the need to revolutionize what I can.
September 27, 2020
"Noi siamo ancora vivi".
Non penso di avere mai letto un remix a fumetti, ma non saprei come altro descrivere queste storie.
I comprimari della serie regolari vengono mostrati nella loro vita da giovani adulti, e i loro traumi raccontati in maniera leggermente diversa, ma sempre identica, in un certo senso congelati nel tempo, e solo la presenza di Utena, fantasma-bambina ispiratrice, li porta a rivoluzionare il loro mondo, con un finale che lascia sottintendere un eterno ritorno della storia della ragazza che volle diventare principe.
Come tutti i remix, la conoscenza del materiale originario farà la differenza nell'apprezzamento o meno del lavoro. Per chi sa, un gioiello e un regalo per festeggiare, 25 anni dopo (in realtà furono 26 all'uscita del volume, 28 per l'uscita italiana) uno dei capolavori assoluti dell'animazione giapponese e mondiale.
Non penso di avere mai letto un remix a fumetti, ma non saprei come altro descrivere queste storie.
I comprimari della serie regolari vengono mostrati nella loro vita da giovani adulti, e i loro traumi raccontati in maniera leggermente diversa, ma sempre identica, in un certo senso congelati nel tempo, e solo la presenza di Utena, fantasma-bambina ispiratrice, li porta a rivoluzionare il loro mondo, con un finale che lascia sottintendere un eterno ritorno della storia della ragazza che volle diventare principe.
Come tutti i remix, la conoscenza del materiale originario farà la differenza nell'apprezzamento o meno del lavoro. Per chi sa, un gioiello e un regalo per festeggiare, 25 anni dopo (in realtà furono 26 all'uscita del volume, 28 per l'uscita italiana) uno dei capolavori assoluti dell'animazione giapponese e mondiale.
February 24, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 just for the consistently gggggorgeous artwork and character design.
Revolutionary Girl Utena is such a freakin' weird series, I think overall the short-story format doesn't really help it too much, since we just need ...more details in what's happening and how the magic works. This is full-force for things like Touga and Saionji's story, where it's so fast-paced I couldn't keep up.
But Juri and Miki's stories give us more depth into what they're struggling with and where they are in life as adults. I really enjoyed these stories, enjoyed seeing how Kozue's life changed and liked seeing Juri get more-interesting motivation and development than just her weird? crush? on Touga? from the original manga.
It was also cool to see Utena behave as the mysterious, forgotten prince too.
Overall, a neat collection. Wish it was longer!
Revolutionary Girl Utena is such a freakin' weird series, I think overall the short-story format doesn't really help it too much, since we just need ...more details in what's happening and how the magic works. This is full-force for things like Touga and Saionji's story, where it's so fast-paced I couldn't keep up.
But Juri and Miki's stories give us more depth into what they're struggling with and where they are in life as adults. I really enjoyed these stories, enjoyed seeing how Kozue's life changed and liked seeing Juri get more-interesting motivation and development than just her weird? crush? on Touga? from the original manga.
It was also cool to see Utena behave as the mysterious, forgotten prince too.
Overall, a neat collection. Wish it was longer!
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