Utena’s Two Recaps

How does one make a recap episode so compelling? These are some good examples, but Utena kicks ass by having two of them.

The first recap (episode 24)  touches upon the filler episodes. I had had my fill of laughs with the episodes recapped here, but I laughed harder than before with this recap. All it does is show the filler from another character’s point of view, while adding stuff that retcons events. Actually, the last one is pretty much the show’s modus operandi, but it is played to comedic effect this time. It also ends rather nicely.

The second recap (episode 33) is a more dastardly piece. It alternates between Utena talking banally to someone off-screen, to a radio show that acts as preamble for a clipshow. While it only recaps the last few duels, I’m glad to have seen them again–since each of these duels have a strong underlying theme in them (be it eternity, purity/innocence, or miracles), and might hint on the darkening mood of the show. And then we have a long scene of Utena rambling more, until HOLY FUCKING SHIT–

I’ll stop now.

PS: I want that car.

The Revolution Begins

D-Boy’s cry for a revolution can’t be more timely enough–I’m 7 episodes into Utena and having a blast.

So, random impressions until I find an aspect of the show worth delving further into:

• Some classy stock animation here. Instead of gattai sequences, we’re treated to an awesome gate, spiral staircase and some ZOMG inverted castle in the sky. It’s a kind of ritual that gears us up for the duel, and it’s very well-done. The insert song makes everything even better.
• Speaking of insert songs, there’s one about trilobites.
• I don’t like anime critters that much, but Chu-chu is some serious nutbladder-bursting material. I can see the love that the animators shower him–so actively eating things (even in the background), so unable to take it easy!
• The silhouette girls are hilarious, and manage to be on topic despite taking on weird roles.
• Nothing is sexier than Koyasu saying “baby”.
• Except, half-naked Touga, perhaps!
• I want Anthy to snap. Getting beat up every other ep is not fun.
• Nanami, for a jealous schemer, is lulz. I actually feel sorry for her, getting trounced by Anthy’s weird animal posse. Srsly, snails in a pencil case??? And Utena wonders how Anthy has no friends?
• Her OP shot is very intriguing, though–I can has dual-wielding ohohohoho nao?
• Miki, oh Miki–how unfortunate of you to live in a world without a vaccine for measles…
• Juri is scary. And is hot. Look at those curls. I want to wrap them around my– okay I’ll stop.
• So far the show is pretty funny in the right places (random unannounced Saionji wwwwww), but I sense danger lurking around the corner.