sephigirl wrote:
> Sunnie wrote:
>
>>sephigirl wrote:
>>
>>>I hope there won't be duplicates of this . . .
>>>
>>>Um, spoilers if ANYONE reads and/or posts to this and actually says
>>>anything related to the manga or movie, rather than immediately going
>>>off-topic. >_< Don't mess with sick, grumpy girl. >:)
>>>
>>>S
>>>P
>>>O
>>>I
>>>L
>>>E
>>>R
>>>*
>>>S
>>>P
>>>A
>>>C
>>>E
>>>*
>>>Well, being firmly in the group (of one?) that did NOT like the movie -
>>>I really, really love the manga. It mostly made sense - surprise!
>>
>>Don't worry, I didn't like the movie either (though I could stand to
>>rewatch it), and I absolutely adored this manga. But apparently I'm in
>>a major minority that actually enjoyed the manga of the series. Sheesh,
>>I mention that on some Utena-related sites and nearly get my ass kicked.
>> O_o;
>
>
> Really? That's too bad - we get pretty wrapped up in our favorite
> shows, characters, etc. but I find AFU'ers are pretty cool about
> differing opinions. Not that I'm very cool-headed when Mikage or Touga
> get bashed about, but . . . Others are even-tempered! ^_^
That's what I've really enjoyed about AFU, the 'coolness' (that isn't a
word, is it? oh yeah, I'm ready to head back to grad school) about
differing opinions.
>
> Thank Dios - there's someone out there that didn't like the movie!
> You're my new best friend. ^_^ I put off buying the manga because I
> was afraid it was like the movie, then, out of curiousity I glanced at
> it, saw Touga, resisted shrieking like a the rabid fangirl I am, and
> turned to Anj who said that the manga was very different from the
> movie. She loves the movie, so I thought, hmmm, then I might like the
> manga. ^_^
>
> When I found it cheap through one of my favorite anime sites - I
> ordered it and dove right into it (well, after reading the other manga
> I had also ordered). Tho', again, I peeked at Touga.
I was so nervous to read the manga of the movie as well. All I could
think was, "Are they going to turn into cars again?" That just...didn't
work well for me. Of course, that being said, I really should probably
watch the movie again soon. I saw it during a time when I saw anime as
purely entertainment, rather than a place for deep thought. I wonder if
I wouldn't get more out of it (and Neon Genesis Evangelion for that
matter) now that I'm a bit older, wiser, and more willing and able to
look beyond the pretty pictures of Anthy and Utena.
> Long-haired bishounen are my dream gods. ^_^ I'm a sucker for long
> hair anyway - on men, women . . . But take a young man with tiny hips
> and add long hair and a smirky attitude - I'm there! I think this is
> why Anj managed to bring me over to the anime side. She showed me
> Touga & Saio and knew I'd be curious.
*lol* when it comes to the anime men, I enjoy bishounen, but I prefer
the short haired approach, ala the boys from Ouran High School Host
Club, or even Akio (yes, it's long, but with that tidy little ponytail,
I never see the length). I also enjoy short hair on women, like Haruka
in Sailor Moon. Utena's long hair (and movie short hair!) was fantastic
though, and Anthy...
I should shut up now, my husband will be reading this. ^_-
>
>>>If I understood right - and please this is my insight, so it's prolly
>>>wrong, but that's okay - Anthy and Akio lived together a very long time
>>>ago, but she killed him and because of her love for him or her view
>>>that he was her Prince, she created Ohotori to hold onto her precious
>>>memory. And that Ohtori is also a haven for those who also have
>>>refused to give up on their precious memories.
>>
>>I didn't think Anthy killed Akio, I thought it was him killing himself
>>in shame after realizing Anthy knew he was drugging and raping her...?
>>However, I agree about the rest--she did love him, and she did create
>>Ohtori for precisely that reason.
>
>
> Ah, yes, true, because he feels guilt? that he's been taking advantage
> of her and she's accepted it. What a twisted view.
That's how I saw it. He feels such guilt that not only has he been
raping her, but she's known it, and she's continued to have unfailing
love in spite of it. He knew what he was doing was wrong, but in a way,
as long as no one else knew about it, he could hide that side from
himself. But when it turns out *she* knew, and still loved him... I
could definitely understand how he couldn't live with himself.
>
>>>I also enjoy the final scene - of them in the "now" - but I wonder why
>>>Utena's crying - is it because she's still remembering Touga and seeing
>>>the stars?
>>
>>I always got the impression she was crying because she'd fallen asleep
>>and dreamed/relived the whole thing all over again.
>
>
> That does make sense.
Me, make sense? That can't be right.
Anyway, I also had the odd feeling that at the same time, it was perhaps
*only* a dream. But I don't particularly like that view, because Utena
wouldn't be the same person without that loss, and she is the person she
needs to be to be with Anthy.
There we go, got rid of all that silly "making sense" stuff. ^_-
>
> Also does Akio indicate that Utena's his Prince? That confused me a
> bit.
I don't really remember...I might do a quick reread, or perhaps someone
else (RL, I'm looking at you) can chime in.
>
>>>Is all. Discuss, please!
>>
>>I tried as best as my little (and forgetful) mind could. ^_^; Take
>>anything said with a grain of salt, it really has been awhile since I've
>>read it.
>>
>
> Glad you replied and posted. We need more on-topic discussion! ^_^
I'm glad to have some on-topic discussion to discuss! It allows me to
post. And I like posting. ^_^
>
> ~Katherine (yeah, yeah, I'm guilty of OT posts, I know)
Meh, I'm thinking about starting a semi-OT thread in the future with
RL's help, but probably not for now. And given some inspiration from
alt.fan.sailor-moon, next time we do an Utena rewatch we might try to
post up observations of each episode like several people in afsm are
doing right now. It's a lot of fun. While I can't really participate
in a lot of the OT stuff here, it's nice to see that AFU is open to more
than just discussion of Utena. So many places die out when OT threads
are attacked. Friendly people here. ^_^
Sunnie
