Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 1: To Till
Review by Dindrane
Story:
Art:

Manga by Chiho Saito
Story by Be-Papas
English Adaptation by Fred Burke
Translation by Lillian Olsen
Touch-up and Lettering by Steve Dutro

Published by Viz
Contents: Collects Animerica Extra installments vol. 4, no. 1-9
Price: $15.95

The tale of Utena is complex and deep: Utena Tenjou lost her parents as a child, and as she wandered her town weeping in the rain, in melancholic confusion, she hurled herself into a river. She was rescued by a enigmatic prince who gives Utena a rose ring and tells her to grow up to be noble. She decides then to grow up to be a prince herself. Flash forward several years...Utena is now in high school and attending the mysterious Ohtori Academy, where the student council seems to run everything, and interpersonal conflicts are settled by duels.

In this first volume of the Utena saga, we are introduced to Utena and learn about her inherent nobility and her drive to be a prince, not a princess, and be the one to do the protecting. We also meet Anthy Himemiya, who, through some mysterious power, can summon a sword out of her soul for her master. When Utena, attempting to protect Anthy, challenges Anthy’s master to a duel and wins, Utena is now the master of Anthy and possessed of the special sword. We also meet Saionji, captain of the school kendo club and fan of Utena.

This volume has only hints of the more disturbing elements that will show up later. For now, there is tension as Utena learns that Anthy is in some ways a slave of some weird destiny and isn’t treated very well by many of the duelists. We begin to see that there is something very odd going on, and the web of clues points to a mystical, upside-down castle in the sky, dueling, roses, and “the power to revolutionize the world.” We learn the name “World’s End,” but as Utena doesn’t yet know who or what that is, neither do the readers. It’s all at this stage a huge, rather intriguing mystery.

The art is justifiably known for being absolutely gorgeous. The backgrounds are rich and detailed, and the rose motif makes for some truly breathtaking images. Utena herself is nice to look at: quite attractive, but also emotionally expressive and active. The overall look is vaguely Renaissance in feel, appropriately enough, and that ties in well to the feeling of mystery and danger of the plot.

If you like the concept of magical girls but dislike the giggly pinkness of the usual magical girl manga titles, then you might want to give Revolutionary Girl Utena a try. If you like mysteries, fencing, and interpersonal politics, then that’s all gravy. Be prepared to become embroiled in a story that will lead you to such topics as abuse, incest, slavery, real cruelty, despair, and sacrifice, however. As of yet, this tale is, however, is only slightly dark, and anyone over the age of 16 or 18 should be pretty safe reading it.