I put out a poll on Tumblr and YouTube asking if anyone was interested in my first impressions on Revolutionary Girl Utena or if I should process my thoughts more. First impressions won, but I do want to revisit Utena again for a more in-depth discussion after I've looked at other peoples' takes, the director's and team's intent or goals, and other research. Sharing my first impressions is more "This is what caught my attention" since that kind of thing can be really interesting for something like Utena.
I consider Utena something that deserves multiple views, lots of time thinking about, unpacking, and processing, and has so much to say someone will come away with new insights every time they revisit this. Anyway, these are going to be very scattered thoughts, opinions, and interpretations. These are just my current takes. They're probably going to change with time and research.
I had little to no idea where Utena would go when I first started watching. The only things I was familiar with were the pink haired protag in her military-style trim jacket, Anthy in her big red dress, that people love to draw lesbian couples cosplaying Utena and Anthy, and that Utena was a sizable inspiration for Steven Universe.
After watching, I absolutely understand why and how Utena had so much impact in shaping some parts of Steven Universe. Utena challenges gender roles, what it means to be a woman, how complex the relationship between two people can be: a romantic couple, siblings, close friends, etc. The Gems are femme presenting, but it feels reductive to place them in a specific gendered box. Years ago, I chocked up the 'Gems are nonbinary' as a means to dance around censorship or directly showcasing LGBT concepts. Now, I'd call that particular narrative choice really thoughtful, forward thinking, and leaving even more room to tackle concepts around gender, queerness, and self expression than someone would expect from a surface level read.
Fusion as a concept is complicated and nuanced. It's an expression of deep love, trust, and intimacy but it isn't necessarily romantic or sexual. Steven and Amethyst fuse. Greg and Steven fuse. Even when fusion has sexual undertones, it ranges from an act between a 'married' couple like Ruby and Sapphire or something more casual between close friends like Garnet and Amethyst.
Fusion is a rough complement to how duels escalate in Utena: Utena herself, or anyone for that matter, withdrawing a blade from Anthy starts out as symbolism for the cold, transactional nature of a traditional marriage. A bride is an object or a status symbol. She exists for her husband's pleasure, as his loyal and unquestioning helpmate, an object. The sword of Dios is part of an obligation. When Anthy pulls a sword from Utena for the first time, it reflects the mutual trust, respect, friendship, and love between them. Anthy lends her power voluntarily rather than it being forced or coerced. The power of Dios is traded in for something greater; something that respects Anthy's personhood and pushes for her to express her thoughts, feelings, and desires rather than just following the whims of the winning duelist. The new sword in the second cour of the anime is a symbol of both Utena and Anthy's relationship.
The first set of duels was a general means to introduce the Student Council members, their motivations, and what they sought from 'winning' Anthy. Not one character was interested in a genuine, even-footed relationship with Anthy. She served as a means or a channel to find eternity, to win glory, to cause miracles. It's all about what Anthy can do for or provide the duelist. Most of the Council doesn't even acknowledge Anthy as anything beyond her title. Even though Sayonji claims he's in love with Anthy, he sees her as a possession he's entitled to. For lack of a better description, he's the abusive husband that wants a wife just to have a wife. He takes his anger and frustrations out on her and justifies slapping her or other abuse as 'She's mine, so I can do whatever I want with her.' Even gestures like the exchange diary are Sayonji expecting Anthy to listen indiscriminately, to take on the full burden of his emotional baggage and insecurities. To serve as a punching bag and a static set of comforting arms and words whenever he needs that effect.
Miki has a crush on Anthy, but he's more in love with the abstract idea of Anthy as this sweet, pure, good girl. He starts off as genuinely wanting to get to know her, but when he discovers that she can play the piano, he's swept up in nostalgic memories of playing duets with his twin Kozue when they were younger. Many characters yearn to return to the past or freeze moments in time. After Miki falls ill and Kozue bailed from what was supposed to be their shared concert, Kozue quits playing and walks away from their relationship feeling inadequate and hopeless. She's trapped in his shadow where Miki feels like he's a hollow husk without his muse. He needs his artistic inspiration to feel like his playing has substance and meaning.
Anthy becomes this abstract idea and feeling Miki feels when he thinks about the sunlit garden. She's no longer a 3-dimensional person with her own thoughts, interests, or autonomy. She's the sought-after muse that Miki must rescue, that he can shape and mold into what he believes is the best version of her she could be. Anthy is set as a contrast to 'bad girl and temptress' Kozue. When Kozue pursues anyone, there's the extra ulterior motive that she hopes the gesture will make Miki jealous and bitter. She misses how close and intimate they used to be. She sees herself as an extension of Miki or Miki's pursuits, that she can only be an echo and that she either wants him or to be him.
When someone describes Utena as a deconstruction of patriarchy, it digs into the uncomfortable elements as much as the obvious ones. The really uncomfortable dynamics start showing up as soon as Anthy's older brother is introduced.
The third cour of the duels establishes that the duelists only stand a chance against Utena and Anthy with their own approximation of the Rose Bride.
