Once upon a time, years and years ago, there was a little princess and she was very sad for her mother and father had died. Before the princess appeared a traveling prince riding upon a white horse. Bla, bla, bla. You know how the story goes.

Revolutionary girl Utena or Shoujo Kakumei Utena is an anime series produced by studio BE-PAPAS in 1997. It follows 14-year-old Utena Tenjou who enrolled in the Ohtori Academy to see again the person she calls her prince. After meeting mysterious Anthy Himemiya, she is drawn into the world of duelists, who are all fighting for the right to be engaged to the Rose Bride and gain the power to revolutionize the world.

Sometimes it is defined as "cool lesbians with swords" anime. And while that's not entirely wrong, Utena is so much more than that. It's a story about gender norms, sexuality, systematic abuse, and breaking free from it. And a lot of the themes it explores really hit home. God I wish I could translate all my thoughts onto the screen, paper...anywhere!! But alas...there are a lot of essays that've been written about the anime over the years that can articulate them more effectively than I can. And there is a lot to say about this anime.

Utena is one of those pieces of media where I can't just pick a favorite character. Sometimes it's Juri, sometimes it's Nanami, sometimes it's Anthy, sometimes it's Utena herself and sometimes it's...fuck. All of them captivate me in some way. Even Saionji. His cringefail ass and a cute yellow apron fascinate me.

You know, I'm a simple person. If I love a piece of media I'll probably find a way to compliment its soundtrack, and Utena is not an exception. The opening is iconic. So are both endings. Although I prefer the first ending. (Speaking of which, I recently found a great dual mix of Truth). Rose and Release aka the song that plays in the very end of the anime makes me fucking cry every time I listen to it. Who can forget about Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku? Banyuu Inryoku version is probably my favorite. I also have a soft spot for the instrumental songs that play throughout the anime.

The more I write, the more I realize now how much I love Utena. Man. And I'm not the only one. Otherwise, it wouldn't inspire so many creators in Japan and abroad.