Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully Complex and Challenging
Review: After viewing the Utena series, the biggest surprise for me was finding out that it was actually produced by the same people that made Sailor Moon. Indeed Revolutionary Girl Utena has very little in common with Sailor Moon besides being the same shoujo genre. At first Utena doesn't even realize the existence of any sort of magical power, but she learns fairly quickly through her deuling experience. I found this to be one of the great strengths of this series - the fantastically wonderful character development, especially Utena, of course, but also of the other student council members, Juri, Nanami, Miki and also Saionji. Anthy and Touga are a little less developed to help keep a mysterious dimension to their characters. In addition to the multi-dimensional characters, there is also a multi-dimensional story, with three separate arcs. The story can be complex and confusing, but if you enjoy puzzles as I do, you will find the challenge very entertaining. The animation and artwork are just full of symbolism. I've heard some say that the Utena series has more symbolism than any anime ever made, and since I haven't every anime, I don't know for sure, but this series would be real tough to beat on that note. So if you are prepared to think a little you will love this!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Complex and Challenging
Review: After viewing the Utena series, the biggest surprise for me was finding out that was actually produced by the same people that made Sailor Moon. Indeed Revolutionary Girl Utena has very little in common with Sailor Moon besides being the same shoujo genre. At first Utena doesn't even realize the existence of any sort of magical power, but she learns fairly quickly through her deuling experience. I found this to be one of the great strengths of this series - the fantastically wonderful character development, especially Utena, of course, but also of the other student council members, Juri, Nanmi, Miki and also Saionji. Anthy and Touga are a little less developed to help keep a mysterious dimension to their characters. In addition to the multi-dimensional character, there is also a multi-dimensional story, with three separate arcs. The story can be complex and confusing, but if you enjoy puzzles as I do, you will find the challenge very entertaining. The animation and artwork are just full of symbolism. I've heard some say that the Utena series has more symbolism than any anime ever made, and since I haven't every anime, I don't know for sure, but this series would be real tough to beat on that note. So if you are prepared to think a little you will love this!
Rating:
Summary: Better than Sailor Moon anyday
Review: Revolutionary Girl Utena is the rare shoujo that can seamlessly integrate drama, comedy, fantasy, action and romance into a series that is a joy to watch.
Utena dreams of becoming a prince, leading her to enter prestigious Ohtori Academy. There the ring she wears pulls her into a series of duels competing for an awesome, awesome prize(I won't spoil it for you). The student council(the members of which Utena duels), Utena's friends, and others are pulled into a blend of slowly unraveling mystery and drama. The ending of the series(episdoe 39) is one of the most confusing anime moments ever constructed(in my opinion), however the deft character construction and growth(which paints the characters as having much depth, feeling, and moments of startling intelligence and expressiveness)- far superior to the likes of Sailor Moon- makes this an excellent, excellent buy. Finding the other episodes is well worth the search!
A word of warning: incest(inferred here, shown in episodes not available to buy on Amazon) and (non-explicit)sexuality makes this inappropriate for preteens.
Rating: 
Summary: Anime Masterpeice
Review: At the first glance of Revolutionary Girl Utena, you would think it's just another shoujo anime...but look harder...
There are deep and meaningful philosphical thoughts that are expressed in the form of art. Nobody can tell what Utena is about at the first glance, it has to be watched over and over (the whole series) to understand the matter burried deep within. People who want a light-hearted anime: This is no the way to go.
Tp be able to enjoy Utena, you have to appreciate somethings. There's some nudity and homosexuality but you have to understand that it is only out in parts where really needed. The whole series is not available in the US. You can try ... for the Japanese releases.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring like a good book
Review: It's hard for me to say enough in praise of this anime, unquestionably the best I've ever seen. It's not for kids--you couldn't begin to understand it unless you were at least 13. With rich and beautiful symbolism and a plot it's impossible to completely appreciate until you've watched the series at least three times, I think SKU deserves all the artistic respect given to "great film" and written literature. It's a beautiful story of hope, and the last episode has that quality, so rare in the world of television, of leaving you satisfied rather than disconnected and hungry for more.The story is of Utena, a teenage girl who has only two aims in life--to find the prince who saved her when she was young, and to become a prince herself. At the mysterious Ohtori Academy she finds herself fighting duels against other students who want possession of the "Rose Bride", another student Utena inadvertently "won" in the first innocent duel. Behind all of this is a force called "End of the World" that is clearly manipulating the students for its own ends. The story slowly pulls you down into layers of increasing complexity that unravel the psychologies of the characters. It becomes dark and even horrific, but at the same time--and this is one of the series' greatest strengths--humor from the most subtle to the most lighthearted is interwoven gracefully with the story. This show will have you laughing frequently without in the slightest detracting from the seriousness of the show's themes. This anime is for many different types of people, since many different types of characters are treated in depth here, but it is most of all for teenage girls. Particularly for girls who have felt powerless and trapped, and for girls who have felt awed by their own power, and most of all--for girls who have felt both. The only thing I can say against this anime is that you won't be content with seeing only part of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Take My Revolution!
Review: This is one of the greatest anime series I have ever seen in my life, and having been a fan of the manga for about 3 years now, I feel no regrets for spending the money on the fansubs and again for the DVDs. The anime is very very different and you'll find that the plotline is nothing like any other anime you've ever seen before. It is also a wonderful analysis of society, both Japanese and American. When I read the manga I was so astounded at it's beauty that I knew that it would be great as an anime too. When I saw the anime, there was no doubt that it was my favorite series of all time. I'm glad we're getting the DVDs in America now so more people can enjoy it. The dub on this DVD is one of the better ones I have seen. The voices match well and the translations are very accurate. Previously I had the entire series on Japanese DVD (yes...I even went out and bought a DVD player in Japan to view them) and Chinese DVD (because it would play on my DVD player, but the cover art wasn't as good as the original) and I had the entire thing fansubbed as well. I also plan on buying the black rose, akio, and apoloypse sagas should Viz choose to release them. Many people see this as a frivolous waste of money, but I think not.
Rating:
Summary: The girl that wants to be a prince
Review: I loved it, Buy both volume DVDs. You may think this to be a girl power oriented series, and maybe it is, but I found it rather enjoyable. There is good drama, dark themes, and light/funny themes. The voice acting was surprisingly good. No funny voices that make you wish you knew japanesse. The first two dvds are a complete arc of the story, but there are more episodes that are yet to be released. With each passing day that is looking less likely. Do not buy, i repeat, do not buy the movie. I did, thinking I would get a glimpse of the ending. The movie is quite different, out of synch, and out of charater from the beutiful series. You will be disappointed. Ahh yes, what is the theme? well, basically that you can be anything you want. A girl can become a prince. Why not? Utena makes this difficult to argue.
Rating:
Summary: good but don't quite cut it
Review: i hated this series. after saying that i suppose you're wondering why i gave it five stars. i gave it five stars because it is a very good series. it is beautifully written. but even with all it's good qualities i hated it. perhaps the ending was good, but in my eyes it wasn't. the story seems to be so beautiful. but then it gets you. it was too sad. too depressing. for me at least. i hope that whoever else sees this whole series thinks different. it's beautiful. but it's so sad. i don't like my anime to be sad. so that's why i hate it. hmm... on a not so depressing note. one thing that is not so great about this series are the shadow girls. they are incredible annoying. although they do give you some insight on what is to come. still the show would have done quite fine without them.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Greatest, Yet Unfortunately Overlooked - Utena
Review: Without much fanfare, Utena is one of the greatest Anime series ever, and easily stands tall with Evangelion, CowboyBebop, and Noir. I own both of the TV-series DVDs and also the recently released movie, and I have already seen the remaining entire 39-episode series through fan-subtitled/distributed files downloaded from the internet. I'm currently anxiously waiting for the next TV-series DVD editions to come out (hurry up Software Sculptors!), and cannot recommend the series enough for any type of anime fan. The series has some of the most engaging characters of any anime. The main character (Utena)'s resolution to become a prince meets many twists and turns throughout the series in her interaction with numerous other characters, most of whom you get attached to in one way or another by the end of the series. The storytelling is a journey of human emotions; using surrealism, dark satire, symbolism, and metaphors, it tells of what it means for a person to have a purpose, to have a feeling, to grow up, and to love. There are some episodes that will cut through the viewer's emotions to bring out sorrow and pity for some of these characters, only to have the viewer also realize that their plight is very real - real people have similar motives and consequences, as displayed on screen by the characters. But this is not your Fushigi Yugi/Ceres melodramatic fare - the emotions that this series evokes is not due to melodrama, but due to the dark realities of human nature that the characters act out for the viewer to see. But those of you who are seeking comedy should not shy away, because the series has blissfully many of them as well, many of which become funnier when you see it again. If you like emotionally and intellectually sophisticated anime like Evangelion, but without its violence, and yet do not like the ultra-slow psychomania that is Lain, then you will absolutely love Utena. Do not be fooled by the cover - this is NOT Sailor Moon-alike. It is a sophisticated series filled with clever and sometimes dark, yet subtle humor, and progressively better and outstanding storytelling. Buy yourself the 2 DVD TV series first, then download and watch the remaining episodes online, then buy and watch the movie, and buy and watch the 4 remaining DVDs that are hopefully coming out soon by Software Sculptors/Central Park Media. Even you Cowboys and Trunks and Gundamites will heartily enjoy and treasure this series.
Rating:
Summary: not for children
Review: Utena is an INCREDIBLE series, and if you want to hear raves, you can read all the other reviews. The important thing to remember, about Utena and most anime is that it's NOT for children. The official review of this DVD lists it as appropriate for ages nine and up. Ridiculous! The plot, subplots, and characters are far too complex for children, and there are numerous violence and sexuality issues that are definitely not intended or appropriate for a juvenile audience. Utena is wonderful, but enjoy it for yourself, not for your kids!
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