In the thirteenth episode of Revolutionary Girl Utena, even this show’s clip episodes tease me. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Utena.
WHAT
- So, this review is going to be shorter than usual since the bulk of “Tracing a Path” is footage I’ve already seen. However, I was surprised at how things had already been re-contextualized for me just after 12 episodes.
- Like, I didn’t realize how much Anthy’s line about waiting for Utena at the end of the last episode mirrored the scene at the end of the first one. BUT IT HAS A TOTALLY NEW MEANING BECAUSE ANTHY CHOSE THIS.
- Oh my god, the duels were themed and NAMED. I picked up on Friendship and Choice, but holy shit. All of the others had a very specific and intentional theme to them. That’s incredible!
- It’s the framing of this clip episode that messed with me. We see some strange man who looks a lot like Utena’s prince visit the prince in the castle. So much of what this man says is ambiguous enough to be infuriating, but contains a number of references that must be an explanation of what’s actually going on. This in itself is kind of amazing to me because it’s pretty rare for a clip episode to reveal information pertinent to the show’s ongoing plot. (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood did it, though. HOHENHEIM OH MY GOD.)
- So, the prince is trapped in the castle, and Utena’s duels are what are actually cracking the “egg” that he’s trapped in? From the episode title and that man’s words, you could deduct that Utena was on a journey that would end with the duel named/themed “Revolution.” Once Utena won that, she would unknowingly set the prince free. And that other guy benefits from it, too???
- I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
- WHAT ARE THE HOURGLASSES FOR? WHY DOESN’T THE PRINCE SPEAK?
- Perhaps this isn’t about some world revolution, but a revolution for these characters. Maybe? Something?
- Could any of the other duelists have released the prince, or is this specific to Utena? If so, how did the prince get caught/trapped after giving Utena the rose seal ring?
- WHAT’S WITH THE BLACK CLOUDS?
- WHAT’S WITH THE SPACESHIPS?
- WHAT IS THE BLACK ROSE FOR?
- Who are all those dudes?
- WHY DO I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS?
- WHY?
The video for “Tracing a Path” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
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