Revolutionary Girl Utena

    (Viz, 2001-2003)
™ and © 1996 Saito Chiho, Ikuhara Kunihiko, & Be Papas

Utena Tenjou flouts the junior high school dress code by wearing a rose-colored uniform. Her look is inspired by the notes that she receives every year. A mysterious prince saved her from committing suicide when she was a young orphan, but this year she gets a scented and sealed note with a surprising message. Will she finally meet her savior again?

Her friend Kaido is skeptical about the existence of this guardian angel, but Utena is determined to find him and transfers to Ohtori Academy. There, she must battle an overconfident member of the secretive student council to preserve the honor of the meek Himemiya. But is she fated to become a “duelist” because she wears the rose seal ring and suffer the revenge of Sayonji, who wants to win back his bride?

Following in the wake of the popular anime, this graphic novel reprints the Utena tale as originally published in the anthology series Animerica Extra. Created by the team of Be-Papas, whose director produced Sailor Moon, this manga hits the same high notes of romantic intrigue, one-on-one contests, and a sprinkling of the metaphysical. The heroine challenges gender roles and conventions, blurring them at the same time, and is always game for a good cliffhanger.


— Oliver Chin
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