Eiken, Volume 3 Book

When I saw this manga at the library, I got excited because the back cover read:

A liberal adaptation of the movie by the same name, Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena veers wildly from its original source. More direct than the anime and more mature than the original manga series, this version of Chiho Saito's fractured fairy tale blasts Utena straight into iconic stratosphere.

What was promised by the back cover was definitely delivered. I have been a fan of Utena since my Sailor Moon days, and this manga reminded me of why I fell in love with the anime in the first place.

It is difficult to write this review without giving away any of the plot twists from the manga. Certain relationships are illuminated in more detail than what you might remember from the anime and the manga series, such as Utena, Anthy, Anthy's brother, and Touga. Other relationships and duels are glossed over, such as Juri, Mickey, Saionji, and Utena's friend Wakaba. Even the cute mouse Chu is nonexistent until the final three pages of the manga. However, I can understand why certain plot points are glossed over as this book is simply 181 pages-- there is only so much that can be jammed into its depths.

I was still a little confused by Anthy's role as the rose bride. Why roses? Why this title? Why not rose princess? Maybe a closer reading of this manga with the anime and original manga series would answer some of my questions.

Fans and even new Utena readers will be delighted by the themes of love, friendship, death, betrayal, forgiveness, and freedom as illusion and reality collide in the world of Ohtori Academy. There is violence, nudity, and sex, so younger or more immature readers might do best to steer clear if they are uncomfortable with this type of content.

There are some themes that might not be very popular with some readers, exemplified by the following quote-- Memory will hold you here, unable to move on. Don't cling to love. After reading this manga, though, you will understand better why Utena must face the hard task implied by these quotes. Otherwise, she will never truly live.

I was a little disappointed with the ending simply because I did not want the story to finish. I was sad by what Utena had to do with Touga as I have always been a fan of them being a couple. Anyone who loves Touga will be happy to know that there are many scenes when he is not wearing a shirt-- sexy! ;)

As always, the artwork is impeccable and beautiful! I find myself mesmerized by the people--their expressions of love, agony, laughter-it all feels very real! I can really relate to the difficulties that Utena encounters and her desire to become a prince because both the writing and the images are well-crafted. They draw the reader into the story.

To all the little girls, or even older women, who want princes to rescue them: Utena is a reminder that we do not need princes. We do not need to wait for someone to rescue us as we can rescue ourselves and be our own princes! And we are more badass for it!

Let's revolutionize the world! I am proud to say that I am a prince and a princess--why not be both? :D And, as Utena says, ...I have to do the best I can to live my life... Unlike her, though, I do my best to live my life not only for myself but for my daughter--who I hope sees her strong and loving mother for who I am.