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This 1997 transvestite high school romance-adventure suggests a stilted mixture of Rose of Versailles, Escaflowne, and Project A-Ko. As the characters all have long hair, emaciated bodies, and syrupy voices, it's not surprising to see Utena dressed as a boy and a boy aspiring to become "Rose Bride." While Akio plots to destroy Utena, Anthy faces her older brother's jealous fiancée, Mickey nurtures a crush on Anthy (to his twin sister's chagrin), and Nanami turns into a cow (!). As he did in Sailor Moon, director Kunihiko Ikuhara makes extensive use of repeated footage: in almost every episode a character undergoes a psychological "appointment" and Utena climbs a CG staircase to the dueling ground. The sheer, breathless hokiness of Utena makes it ideal viewing for adolescent girls, who can elevate a crush and quarrel to the level of a world crisis. (Rated 13 and older: violence, suggestions of homosexuality and incest) --Charles Solomon
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