Revolutionary Girl Utena

Only shows that are so good they are the core of my identity get a 100, and this is one of them

Was originally a bit lower, but then I said to myself 'if this doesn't get 100, what will?'

Utena acknowledges the formula of 90's mahou shoujo narrative -- its transformation sequences, its climactic fights-- and embraces it. Repetition is this show's structural anchor, with the characters trapped in cyclical relationships of abuse within the purgatorial school. This strict adherence to formula is sometimes tiring, but the inevitable ruptures in this formula are cathartic. Utena questions the extent of one's actions within oppressive self-perpetuating systems and how to transcend them

maybe one of the best... things, in general, ever.

It still holds up! There are parts that are perhaps a bit too slow or a bit too oblique, but it ends up so rich, so full of meaning and feeling and character. It shows how, to really change things for the better, you can't just be satisfied with the socially assigned role that's "good" instead of "bad" - you have to keep pushing until the fear and judgment that hold the system together can no longer hold you. Plus surfing elephants and cowbell jewelry!

DNF. I just didn't really get into it and it seemed kind of glum. It's probably a case of "good show, but not a show for me".