Manga Review - 'Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution' by Chiho Saitō (Writer, Artist), Be-Papas (Original Concept), Adrienne Beck (Translator)

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