 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | MVM | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH AND JAPANESE DD 2.0 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 100 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | 12 | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 10/06/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 10/03/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | SANDRA SCHOLES |
Utena Tenjou is being shown round her new school, the Ohtori Academy and spots a duel between two prominent fencers who she is told are members of the fencing club. Juri the Prince and Miki Kaoru, a genius with his grades and at the piano. Utena though has seen someone else and feels reunited with her old flame Touga Kiryuu who tells her about the ring he wears which represents the mark of the rose that led him to the academy itself. In the rose garden where she speaks with him, she sees a single white rose among all the scarlet ones, and watches it fully bloom, there from inside falls a rose ring and one that allows her to duel as it is a symbol of the duellist. She sports the ring and comes to another rose garden away from where her former love was, and a young girl engages her in conversation not knowing she is the 'rose bride,' Anthy who watches another male who wants to duel with her as he wants her as his 'rose bride.' Saionji cannot duel with him without her sword, so Anthy gives her one as it is tradition that states she should have a weapon, but what will happen once Anthy gives it to her in the vain hope she will win against her opponent? And what of the other tradition where the one who wins gets to spend the night with the 'rose bride,' and will Utena get used to the fact Anthy has taken to her. More is found out of the others at the academy like Touga and how he was sold as a young slave boy to another older man who assumed his role as father to him so he could duel. Draped with flowing fabric and teaming with red roses this series is certainly set to wow the audiences who enjoy their anime flighty and frivolous as well as thrillingly beautiful. With the combined efforts of Kumihiko Ikumara and Yoji Enokido, both having worked on the Sailor Moon series make this one a cinematic experience never to be forgot. With girls dressed as boys and vice versa, the story is one that is refreshing and interesting as a movie length feature. At first glance the viewer will be transported to a gorgeous world in the future of beauty and chivalry, but as they delve deeper into the story Utena discovers the place she thought she would live in and be happiest hides a dark secret of slavery and debauchery that is normally not spoken of.
This also has a heart-warming girl on girl theme viewers will find quite charming.
EXTRAS:
Special features include; Audio Commentary by director Kunihiko Ikuhara, Behind the Scenes with Kunihiko Ikuhara Art director Hichiro Kobayashi's Art Sketches with Commentary Text by Kunihiko Ikuhara, Sketch drafts by character designer Shinya Hasegawa with Commentary Text, US Trailers and Teaser Trailer with Japanese TV Spots and Trailers of other anime titles.
IN SUMMARY:
A lavish and extravagant effort making it instantly memorable to viewers. |
