Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful
Review: It's really a lovely manga. I only started reading this because I saw the movie, and started watching the series. Now that I've watched all 39 episodes, I can't wait for the manga to continue here in the US. It's beautiful and well-done. The characters will draw you in during their struggles at breaking the world's shell. (my personal favorite is Juri). I love the story line of Utena wanting to be a prince to rescue princess from danger. You have to like her for this. She only wants good. But then there are *many* obstacles that get in the way. There is so much symbolism behind this, its uncanny, but it is just breathtaking to read and see unfold. I highly recommend it to anyone. It's well worth every penny. Its not wasting money, its an investment.
Rating:
Summary: Eagerly anticipated, doesn't fail
Review: Revoltuionary Girl Utena volume one was probably one of the longest-anticipated english translations. It doesn't fail to live up to the high expectations fans have for this well-loved series.The original art is stunning. The story is actually quite different from the beginning of the anime -- the manga (as they usually do) has several more layers than the show. If you are an Utena fan, don't dare miss this one. It has a far more mature and adult overtone than the series. To be sure, there are still the funny bits, but this has the patina that the anime lacks because its anime -- and can only hold so much information per episode. Don't get me wrong, I adore the anime, it is one of the best, IMO. The books have a sense of realism that is strongly alluring. After reading this, the anime too has a much greater depth than it did before. Even if you've never seen it, this is up there in terms of manga books. Strongly reccomended. Definitely pick this up to tide you over until vol. 4 of the DVD comes out.
Rating:
Summary: Eagerly anticipated, doesn't fail
Review: Revoltuionary Girl Utena volume one was probably one of the longest-anticipated english translations. It doesn't fail to live up to the high expectations fans have for this well-loved series. The original art is stunning. The story is actually quite different from the beginning of the anime -- the manga (as they usually do) has several more layers than the show. If you are an Utena fan, don't dare miss this one. It has a far more mature and adult overtone than the series. To be sure, there are still the funny bits, but this has the patina that the anime lacks because its anime -- and can only hold so much information per episode. Don't get me wrong, I adore the anime, it is one of the best, IMO. The books have a sense of realism that is strongly alluring. After reading this, the anime too has a much greater depth than it did before. Even if you've never seen it, this is up there in terms of manga books. Strongly reccomended. Definitely pick this up to tide you over until vol. 4 of the DVD comes out.
Rating:
Summary: Superb beginning to a superb story
Review: Revolutionary Girl Utena is, by far, one of the most striking series ever released--past, present, or future. At its root the plotline is, to steal a phrase from the old Rocky & Bullwinkle Show, a fractured fairy tale...a VERY fractured fairy tale. The prince rescues the princess in distress and wins her heart, as he is wont to do. But the princess is so impressed by him, she decides to become a prince herself, and rescue princesses of her own. And therein lies a story... The first volume of the manga covers events similar, though not identical, to the early episodes of the Utena TV series, the first 13 episodes of which have been available in the US for a couple of years now. It focuses more on developing Utena's character than the TV series, featuring a pre-Ohtori prologue that has no anime counterpart, and the sequence of events--particularly Utena's transition from unwitting participant to willing duelist--is handled much more smoothly than in the anime, despite occurring in a shorter time-frame. The translation is of high quality throughout, with one glaring exception ("Mr. Licky-Lick"...ugh) and the cliffhanger ending will leave even those who have seen the anime waiting impatiently for the next volume.
Rating:
Summary: Worst cover, best material.
Review: The 3rd volume of the RGU series has turned out to be the best thusfar... For those of you who were disappointed by the 2nd volume, be prepared for the trip of your life with this one. It. Is. Fantastic. You'll read it more than once, I can guarantee it. The plot flushes away its fluffy-sweet, gaggingly-predictable overtones to reveal an underlying storyline that gets more dark, horrific, and complex with each passing page (while still keeping an innocent PG rating! Now that's talent!) You learn more about all of the character relationships (and I'm happy to say that Juri is less of a joykill in this one) including the practically unmentioned one between Anthy and her older brother, Akio (who you can't help but love.) Our favorite little Dios boy in the sky also makes a guest appearance, which always calls for extra brownie points, though most readers will get mixed signals about Touga and what his motives really are (I'm trying to avoid spoilers. Can you tell?) The whole story becomes an enigma! Prepare to be drowned in symbolism and rich imagery--and watch out for that killer cliffhanger at the end. It'll leave you BEGGING for the release of the 4th volume! The artist, Ms. Saito's drawing technique has also changed vastly AND apparently...the images have improved so much that you'll feel HONORED to own a piece of her work! You'll definitely start to appreciate how truly talented and professional she is. Even if you've already seen the series and know the ending (which is going to be interestingly warped by the 5th volume anyway) you'll still get a kick out of this book and the memorable circumstance between Wakaba and Utena as it was meant to be. And, of course, there's a funny little bit about Chuchu at the end and character profiles (of Miki, Juri, and the members of Be-papas) scattered throughout the book. It's a great buy. No regrets at all. Just mix the right amount of fantasy, romance, slapstick comedy, mystery, and plain old talent, and you'll get the miracle that is RGU 3: To Sprout. :D It's so cool. Really, it is.
Rating:
Summary: Worst cover, best material.
Review: The 3rd volume of the RGU series has turned out to be the best thusfar... For those of you who were disappointed by the 2nd volume, be prepared for the trip of your life with this one. It. Is. Fantastic. You'll read it more than once, I can guarantee it. The plot flushes away its fluffy-sweet, gaggingly-predictable overtones to reveal an underlying storyline that gets more dark, horrific, and complex with each passing page (while still keeping an innocent PG rating! Now that's talent!) You learn more about all of the character relationships (and I'm happy to say that Juri is less of a joykill in this one) including the practically unmentioned one between Anthy and her older brother, Akio (who you can't help but love.) Our favorite little Dios boy in the sky also makes a guest appearance, which always calls for extra brownie points, though most readers will get mixed signals about Touga and what his motives really are (I'm trying to avoid spoilers. Can you tell?) The whole story becomes an enigma! Prepare to be drowned in symbolism and rich imagery--and watch out for that killer cliffhanger at the end. It'll leave you BEGGING for the release of the 4th volume! The artist, Ms. Saito's drawing technique has also changed vastly AND apparently...the images have improved so much that you'll feel HONORED to own a piece of her work! You'll definitely start to appreciate how truly talented and professional she is. Even if you've already seen the series and know the ending (which is going to be interestingly warped by the 5th volume anyway) you'll still get a kick out of this book and the memorable circumstance between Wakaba and Utena as it was meant to be. And, of course, there's a funny little bit about Chuchu at the end and character profiles (of Miki, Juri, and the members of Be-papas) scattered throughout the book. It's a great buy. No regrets at all. Just mix the right amount of fantasy, romance, slapstick comedy, mystery, and plain old talent, and you'll get the miracle that is RGU 3: To Sprout. :D It's so cool. Really, it is.
Rating:
Summary: A revolutionary (pun intended) look at the world of manga
Review: This is a series like no other. Deeply symbolic, nearly every person, object, and incident means something else on a higher level in addition to the face value. The characters are not just human--they *represent* humanity, both good and bad. They highlight our weaknesses and emphasize our strengths. In this world, power means everything and concepts such as friendship, devotion, and love mean almost nothing. In the pursuit of power and prestige, families and friends are sacrificed for desires. And the life and happiness of one girl are bound to the power to change the world. This is a controversial series dealing with life, death, change, love, betrayal, belief, truth, and more material concepts such as sex, attraction, and adventure. It messes with your reality, rights it, then scrambles it up again. For those prudes and parents out there, be forewarned--this does contain incest (love between brother and sister), rape (can you call it that?--Anthy doesn't fight when it happens to her), and lesbianism. That's not to say that it is a bad series--just be warned that their are some controversial themes recurring in the story. Read this manga or watch the TV show or watch the movie--you will never look at anime or manga the same way again!
Rating:
Summary: Oh, yeah! BUY IT! BUY IT NOW! >_< ya can't live without it!
Review: This is awesome. I LIKED the Mr. Licky-lick part. It was sweet and bizarre and spiced up the manga making it different from the anime. Chiho Saito can't have enough compliments given to her for her gorgeous illustrations and heart wrenching story line. Anthi isn't a girly girl.... wonder what gave someone that idea. She's quiet and shy and I guess COMPARED with a tom boy like Utena ANYONE who wasn't a big tomboy would be a girly girl. Anthi's more of the quiet, submissive, weird, witch type. The fact of the matter is my freshly bought Utena manga already has the corners dogeared from my turning the pages so much and loving it! If you love Utena you must buy this... it says I gave it five stars... but I REALLY give it TEN! Wh00t!
Rating:
Summary: You go girl!
Review: This story is great! Utena is about a girl who wants to be just like a prince that saves her when she was little. Confused? Okay, I'll try to explain. When she was little, her parents died. She went to live with her aunt, but she didn't really understand that her parents were dead. The day she realized that, she ran out of the house to get some fresh air. She came to this hole in fence in front of a lake type thing, and she stops to cry. When she falls in, a prince saves her. Now she's been getting these letters all her life which she think are from that prince. When she goes to this school where the letters sent her, she comes across strange things, like the Rose Bride. Who is the Rose Bride, and why is she so important to everyone? Will Utena ever become like the prince (not princess) she longs to be? Read to find out! I love this manga. The art is amazing, and the story rox! I can't wait till August for the second one!
Rating:
Summary: Plot twists, and cinnamon kisses
Review: This was the manga that got me into Utena, and if you haven't seen Utena yet you should definitely read this book. The book starts out with the prologue to Revolutionary Girl Utena, staging her rebelliousness against the ordinary, and her prince, the fateful moment in her life which controls her destiny.It tells of the search and the find of Ohtori Academy which leads us to chapter one, To Till. We join Utena being tomboyish as usual and follow her as she gets lost at her school of now only 6 months. We follow her to the dueling arena where she defends her friends honour and we follow her to the ball, to find out about the entity World's End, and more importantly the prince. Like always we are left at a cliffhanger of Utena's future. The artwork is stunning and the story outshines it all. A must-read for manga fans.
| 
