Search - Revolutionary Girl Utena - The Apocalypse Saga Collection on DVD

Revolutionary Girl Utena-The Apocalypse Saga Delivers!

N. hayes | Ohio, USA | 07/24/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The final four disc in the Utena storyline continue the unique tale of our hero Utena while further developing the other characters as well. While not containing some of the funnier moments embedded in The Black Rose Saga, the Apocalypse series focuses on bringing the viewer deeper into the history of Utena and it's deeply involved mythology. The story line can become a little confusing near the end but the series wraps up in a touching and ultimately satisfying end. The Apocalypse Saga will leave you glad for the experience and the best part, it will leave you wanting more of this excellent saga."

Shoujo Kakumei Utena

Ahyicodae | Ithaca, NY | 01/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The roses, an excess of pink, incredibly feminine designs for all the characters (including the male ones), and its rather distinct artistic style may turn some viewers away from Utena. It almost kept me from watching it, at first. But for some reason I bought the first DVD, and I have never regretted it.

Utena is a weird show. You realize that within the first episode. It is surreal, dreamlike, and yet though it may seem random at times, there is method to the madness. It begins with a girl who met a prince when she was young. He gave her a ring that would lead her to him when she grew up. So impressed was she by him, that she decided to become a prince herself. Now that girl, Utena, dresses in a boy's uniform and attends a school where all is not what it seems.

The real strength of Utena lies in its characters. There is a large cast, and each character's motivations and emotions are explored in different episodes. These are not the cardboard cutouts you find in a lot of anime; they are complex people, and their individual tales are often poignant. Utena also boasts one of the best villains I've ever seen in anime, rivaled only by Berserk's Griffith. It is a smart show, with a lot of depth. There's also some humor in it, and for people who like battle (like me), there are duels every episode or so. Usually these fights are fairly predictable, but they're still fun to watch.

The last arc of the show has one of the best finales in any anime. It may leave the viewer a bit confused; but the dreamlike quality of the show is used to very good effect here. For anyone who likes well-developed characters, something a little different from usual, a good storyline with real substance to it, Utena is an excellent anime."