Rating: 
Summary: Accentuate the positive.
Review: On story, plot, etc, this dvd deserves a 5-star rating. I am a huge fan of UTENA and I was thrilled to see the release of this dvd, since it has been something like three years since the first storyline of the show was released to english-speaking audiences. It was worth the long wait. (and it is simply not true that all "true fans" will get fansubs long before the official release. some of us do wait, particularly for the higher quality and many options re dub/sub that a dvd release offers.)However. The first two UTENA dvds, which cost the same as Black Rose Blooms, had 6 to 7 episodes per dvd. This dvd has only four episodes. It looks as though the next dvd, due in a few months, will have only three episodes. In my opinion, four episodes is the bare acceptable minimum for number of episodes on a [price] dvd. And even this dvd felt expensive, though Amazon's generous discount definitely helped defray the cost! There are more than 20 episodes left for Central Park Media to release in the UTENA saga. Do the math: it's a trend I don't really like. They know this series is a fan favorite, and maybe they had to pay more for the rights to these later episodes - I know they had trouble getting them. I don't know if they're overpricing them or not. But I wish we were still getting 6 episodes per dvd. Oh, what's this about? The usual: duelling, identity, betrayal, etc. These episodes are, for the most part, psychologically darker than earlier episodes, exploring the indefinably nasty undercurrent inherent in many of the relationships at Ohtori Academy. They introduce an important character: Akio Ohtori, Anthy's elder brother, the school's acting headmaster. Be prepared for a few shocking moments in each episode. Also be prepared for "The Cowbell of Happiness", this storyline's token Silly Nanami Episode, where Nanami wears a cowbell simply because she believes it's a designer showpiece, and slowly starts to take on many cowlike attributes. Despite my discomfort with the reduced number of episodes on this dvd, it's really worth buying. UTENA is one of the most compelling shoujo anime series out there, and far less given to the plot-murkiness of certain other series. Fans won't want to miss this one, and people who aren't fans yet should check it out!
Rating:
Summary: What I think the DVD will be like, and the series in general
Review: Revolutionary Girl Utena, in general, is a brilliant piece of work. I have to warn any viewers who might want to watch this series for the first time that Utena is fairly post-modernist so not everything can or should be taken seriously. There are so many interpretations of the series, the characters, the morals of the series, and such, but I believe that Utena is a series that wants to stir up questions and make the audience really think about what they've watched. Yes, like a lot of people, I watched the series (and the movie) and was thinking, "What the heck?!?!?!?" at the first run, but the series grew on me, and I realized that this cartoon is not by any means your normal cartoon, but nonetheless a magnificent concoction of ideas. I looked at the technical information, and unless I'm mistaken (and I hope I am), I think the DVD will have only 4 episodes on it. It seems that Central Park Media wants to make more money, so...well, they only stuffed 4 episodes into the first Black Rose DVD. I have a feeling that CPM will try to get away with more of this, but hopefully I'm mistaken. Anyhow, this will cover the duels of Utena between Ohtori Kanae (Akio's fiancee), Kaoru Kozue, and Takatsuki Shiori. On the brighter side, this DVD also should contain one of the funniest episodes in the series, where Nanami slowly transforms into a cow during the entire episode. Also, the Black Rose series will introduce what is referred to as the "Industrial Remix" of Absolute Destiny Apocalypse (the song that plays when Utena ascends to the dueling platform). In short, buy this DVD, but let Central Park Media know about your complaints about having only 4 episodes on a DVD (if what I say turns out to be the case) and about their sluggishness with the series in general (that is, if you think it is a problem), plus other complaints if you've got any. New background music, new duel songs, and find out those psychological issues that plague other characters in the storyline. EDIT: In response to Charles Solomon's scathing review of the series, I must say this: there's much more depth to the series than he has described, and he's got, in my opinion, one detail about the series completely wrong. However, for the sake of not spoiling any less-than-knowledgable viewers out there, I'll keep silent about the detail. Also, Charles Solomon talks about "hokiness." If you REALLY want hokiness, go to the Sailor Moon series (especially the English dub), or many of the poor American cartoons being disseminated on network television at this moment. In the end, and please forgive my unprofessionalism in saying this, but disregard the words of Charles Solomon, who is, in my opinion, inexcusably unqualified to make any sort of critical review regarding this series. He carries with his review of Utena his disappointing close-mindedness and prejudice against the genres that include the series into their fold.
Rating: 
Summary: Blends serious reflection with fast-paced sword fighting
Review: Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Black Rose Blooms is the long-awaited volume 3 in the Japanese animation odyssey, covering television episodes 14-17, about an orphaned young woman who dreams of being a "prince" - one whose nobility and spirit leads her to fight for what is right and help others in time of need - and how she is drawn into the secretive, and mystical machinations of an elite society of duelists who receive mystical instructions from "The End of the World." Utena's battle for freedom, identity, and her quest to help her friend and roommate Anthy develop independence continues, as new villains enter the fray. Using black rose magic grown from an evil massacre, they take control of people close to Utena's friends, and force them to fight against our heroine in this dazzling action-adventure that blends serious reflection with fast-paced sword fighting, exciting music, and the occasional break for wry comedy. Revolutionary Girl Utena is not rated; some violence, brief nudity, and subtle references to non-heterosexual love may be inappropriate for very young viewers, but there is no explicit sexual or graphically bloody content, and the story on whole should not be objectionable to show to mature teens. Featuring both English and Japanese language tracks, with the option of English subtitles, and extras including a summary of episodes 1-12, an interview with director Kunihiko Ikuhara (also known for his direction of Sailor Moon), an interview with American voice actor Roxanne Beck, an art gallery, and a biography of Chiho Saito, the original creator of Utena in the pages of Japanese comic books, Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Black Rose Blooms is packed with material, a joy to watch, and deserves the highest praise. Also recommended are Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Rose Collection Volumes 1 And 2, which contain the first 13 episodes of this classic and entertaining anime series.
Rating:
Summary: A great prequel to season 3
Review: This DVD picks up speed on the Utena storyline and gives a better insight into the other characters besides Utena and Anthy. It also gets you ready for the Akio "explosion" you will expirience on the Akio Arc. This contains the 1st 4 episodes of the Black Rose Arc. *episode 14- Utena battles Anthy's sister-in-law to be in oreder to stop from killing the rose bride. I give it 5 stars. *15- Utena battles Miki's twin sister to protect the rose bride from her sword. His sister wants to kill the object of his affections. *16- Complete filler and boredom. Nanami turns into a cow. I've gotten to where I skip this episode. *17- Great epsisode. It introduces us to the Juri and Shiori love story. Shiori battles Utena because she now knows she is the object of Juri's affections. I give this 5 stars. On a side note, the reviewer obviosly dosen't pay attention to the story line. Utena is not a trans, she says herself she's straight and her outfit looks girly anyway.
Rating:
Summary: SUPERB!!!U GO UTENA!!!!
Review: Utena is just great!!!U guys anime fan just gotta see this series.It's good...has deep messages and it's animation and songs are lovely..at least to me.Go and get its dvd guys..
Rating:
Summary: Utena! Utena! My Love!
Review: utena! utena! my luv!
how can you not fall in love with such a masqulin girl like utena? she kicks butt, is a great friend, and has... pink hair!
the black rose saga and so on is a bit on the wild side with it's twists and turns in the plot, but it's all there to keep the veiwers watching.
i was first turned off by the odd description from my best friend who- like me- luvs weird things. but out of curiosity i pluged it into my dvd player and coulden't turn it off! the next day, i had gone to the store and bought it.
it's not all oddness, but you have to definitely start at the begining to understand.curiosity is the key thing that made me see it in the 1st place, and i hope y'all like it too.
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