This is a static copy of In the Rose Garden, which existed as the center of the western Utena fandom for years. Enjoy. :)

#1 | Back to Top10-06-2009 03:39:21 AM

Dallbun
Tour Guide to Crawling Chaos
Registered: 10-19-2006
Posts: 719

Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

You know, guys, this forum is quiet. Too quiet. I think it needs something. Something... like a good Let's Play.

Of the Revolutionary Girl Utena game for the Sega Saturn!

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2982/00000sr.png

Titled "Itsuka Kakumei sareru Monogatari," which the fandom likes to translate cutely as "Some Day My Revolution Will Come," the game apparently came out around the time the TV series ended. It's set somewhere in between episodes 7 and 9 of the TV series, which means that Saionji hasn't been expelled, Nanami isn't a duelist yet, and Touga hasn't yet locked himself in his room of emo.

Here's how we play: the game is structured like a choose-your-own-adventure-book, or in fancy Japanese game terms, "visual novel." I'll translate the dialogue and post screencaps as I play each section. (Giovanna, if it's okay with you, I'll be linking to the gallery for screencaps when possible.) At each juncture of the game, I'll ask for a vote on which action to take. After a reasonable amount of vote-casting and discussion time, I'll count them up, and majority rules! There's no need to sign up or anything, just pop in with a vote at any point you feel like.

Thanks to the kind hosting of our webmistresses, a lot of you have played this game already, but I expect there are a bunch of folks who still haven't. I'm one of them, so I'm looking forward to going through it for the first time with the help of the Ohtori.nu hive mind. In any case, I expect that many who've played the game already will appreciate the opportunity to do a play-through in English. It should be fun times. emot-dance

Now, there are a couple of sites around that will tell you the results of different actions and how to get certain endings, but in my opinion it will be more fun if we take each choice as it comes without worrying about the end result. People who have played the game before are, of course, welcome to participate, but don't spoil future plot developments for the others by telling them the consequence of different actions!

I'll be translating the game as we go, so it might take quite a bit of time in between posts. Also, I can't guarantee that the translations will be up to a professional level or anything. Still, I'll try to follow through with it to the end.

I'll start with the first real post shortly: in the meantime, why not go watch the opening sequence?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLQY9r1VPcM

http://ohtori.nu/gallery/var/resizes/Game/Opening%20Sequence/Game_Opening_078.jpg?m=1380881912

...hmm. emot-aaa If that opening is any indication of the actual game, this could get weird.


NOTE: This thread is now complete, and was followed by several others. For convenience's sake, here are links to them:
Let's Play! Utena, Round 2: Don't Get in Cars With Strangers
Let's Play! Utena, Round 3: The Path Before Us Has Been Prepared
Let's Play! Utena SPECIAL: For Power, Perhaps

Last edited by Dallbun (05-26-2011 09:00:05 PM)

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#2 | Back to Top10-06-2009 04:43:50 PM

allegoriest
Delicious Duellist
From: Cloudcuckooland
Registered: 10-16-2006
Posts: 2507
Website

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

You're a brave, brave one for committing to doing this. I can never do it again. Ever. It has already taken too much a toll on my poor soul to consider EVER going through that again.

But I'm probably gonna stick around for translations, since I was barely paying attention, and by the end I was like OH GOD JUST LET IT END.


...Whatcha naming your player? Mine was Hisui.

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#3 | Back to Top10-06-2009 05:03:40 PM

Razara
Marionette Mistress
From: Wuzzy Happy Akio Town (What?)
Registered: 10-17-2006
Posts: 4694

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

If you translate the entire visual novel, you will be my hero. etc-love

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#4 | Back to Top10-06-2009 05:57:54 PM

Dallbun
Tour Guide to Crawling Chaos
Registered: 10-19-2006
Posts: 719

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Razara wrote:

If you translate the entire visual novel, you will be my hero. etc-love

Nope, certainly not going to try to do that! Apparently Teapot tried that in the other game thread, but it sounds like a real pain. I'm just going to translate whatever path we end up taking, and nothing else.

allegoriest wrote:

You're a brave, brave one for committing to doing this. I can never do it again. Ever. It has already taken too much a toll on my poor soul to consider EVER going through that again.

...Whatcha naming your player? Mine was Hisui.

Didn't know you'd done this before, allegoriest! I'll give it a shot anyway. From what I've seen so far, it looks like it shouldn't be too bad - the only really tricky parts will be the occasional video segments with dialogue that isn't written out, but I'm optimistic about being able to parse those eventually.

Anyway, silly allegoriest! In this Let's Play, I don't make decisions!

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/8353/00000001b.png

Starting a new game, we're faced immediately with this: a school admissions form emblazoned with a familiar-looking rose crest. Looks like it's for students who will be moving in to the dorms. It wants us to fill in our name! (It also wants us to fill in our current address, birth date, the name of our old school, and our class year, but I assume our character will handle those for us.)

The game can support three characters each in our family name and given name. These can be kanji, kana, or roman characters. So, especially if we use kanji, we can have basically any Japanese name ever, or we can be named SAM LEE (er, I mean LEE SAM). It has no impact on the game, I'm afraid: even if we name ourselves, say, Takatsuki Shiori, nobody in the game will care. Still, an important choice to get things started!

Start your suggestions and votes!

P.S. In case you didn't know, our character is female. Male, transgendered, and Utena are unfortunately not options.

Last edited by Dallbun (10-06-2009 11:35:39 PM)

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#5 | Back to Top10-06-2009 08:40:45 PM

Ragnarok
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From: Canada
Registered: 10-20-2006
Posts: 4472
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Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

I'm partial to the name Bob Dko myself.


http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/RagnarokIII/spyschool.jpg

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#6 | Back to Top10-06-2009 11:16:29 PM

satyreyes
no, definitely no cons
From: New Orleans, Louisiana
Registered: 10-16-2006
Posts: 10328
Website

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Vote Murasaki Natsumi

This thread is a great idea!  My Japanese chops weren't up to the challenge of playing through that game meaningfully emot-frown

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#7 | Back to Top10-06-2009 11:58:14 PM

Razara
Marionette Mistress
From: Wuzzy Happy Akio Town (What?)
Registered: 10-17-2006
Posts: 4694

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

I vote D-ko. It's very appropriate to name her after a shadow girl, not just because of the art, but because she's a visual novel protagonist. She is the representation of ourselves, and who better to represent us than a shadow whose face we never get a good look at?

My "D-ko" Sim is named Anata, for similar reasons, but D-ko works too.

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#8 | Back to Top10-07-2009 12:22:11 AM

Ragnarok
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From: Canada
Registered: 10-20-2006
Posts: 4472
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Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

So... that's two votes for Bob Dko, right? school-devil


http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/RagnarokIII/spyschool.jpg

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#9 | Back to Top10-07-2009 12:22:55 AM

Katzenklavier
Wondrous Sexual Eggplant.
From: Back of your thoughts.
Registered: 09-13-2008
Posts: 1120

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

I vote: Bella Littlenut because it sounds appropriate for a virginal Mary Sue character. Also, it's pleasantly referential.


We must go forward, not backward. Upward, not forward. And always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom.

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#10 | Back to Top10-07-2009 12:38:13 AM

Dallbun
Tour Guide to Crawling Chaos
Registered: 10-19-2006
Posts: 719

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Ragnarok wrote:

So... that's two votes for Bob Dko, right? school-devil

Well, technically, Razara only voted for the D-ko part, but since she didn't offer any alternative... yep, Bob Dko is in the lead. emot-wink

Katzenklavier wrote:

I vote: Bella Littlenut because it sounds appropriate for a virginal Mary Sue character. Also, it's pleasantly referential.

Can't, sorry. The character limit is pretty harsh. If we used kana we could get the Bella part, but Littlenut is quite impossible ("Little" would work fine, though). If we tried it in English we'd have to make it Bla Lnt (or, um, "Lnt Bla"?), which while admittedly an amusing name, doesn't quite get your intent across.

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#11 | Back to Top10-07-2009 01:06:55 AM

Katzenklavier
Wondrous Sexual Eggplant.
From: Back of your thoughts.
Registered: 09-13-2008
Posts: 1120

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Bla Lnt

I like it. Has a very distinguished ring.


We must go forward, not backward. Upward, not forward. And always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom.

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#12 | Back to Top10-07-2009 09:44:15 AM

BioKraze
Faceless Master
From: Yuma, Arizona (USA)
Registered: 11-26-2006
Posts: 8282

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

I should like to point out to Ragnarok that Bob is a male name, and that the protagonist in the game is female. Even though the Japanese are very different from us in many ways, I don't think they'd ever bring themselves to name a daughter "Bob."

But "D-ko" sounds good. emot-keke


Roses have thorns to stop those who would dare deny their right to live.
Razara's Postulate: For every lover of lesbians out there, there is an equal and opposite attraction to Dippin' Dots.

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#13 | Back to Top10-07-2009 11:46:17 AM

satyreyes
no, definitely no cons
From: New Orleans, Louisiana
Registered: 10-16-2006
Posts: 10328
Website

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

If we can't have Murasaki then I also vote D-ko (no Bob).  emot-smile

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#14 | Back to Top10-07-2009 01:01:08 PM

NajiMinkin
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From: The Incredible Edible Egg
Registered: 06-23-2007
Posts: 2537

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Daww. emot-frown I liked Bob D-ko. But D-ko is okay too.


http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f64/_u_t_e_n_a_/100x100/starryklimtsig.png

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#15 | Back to Top10-07-2009 03:27:42 PM

Razara
Marionette Mistress
From: Wuzzy Happy Akio Town (What?)
Registered: 10-17-2006
Posts: 4694

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Unless there's a slot for both the first and last name, I think it might be best to just stick with her first name.

We could always name her Bob-ko!

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#16 | Back to Top10-07-2009 03:43:28 PM

Dallbun
Tour Guide to Crawling Chaos
Registered: 10-19-2006
Posts: 719

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Unfortunately, there is a slot for both first and last name, and the game doesn't seem to accept it without both.

We could do Murasaki (Purple) Dko, if others agree. Incidentally, it seems that in Japanese the shadows' names are written with the letter and then the character for ko, such as A子, so since we can't fit a hyphen on D-ko in English I might go with that if there are no objections.

I'll do the first game post within the next day unless there ends up being severe name controversy.

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#17 | Back to Top10-07-2009 03:57:09 PM

Katzenklavier
Wondrous Sexual Eggplant.
From: Back of your thoughts.
Registered: 09-13-2008
Posts: 1120

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

I OBJECT!!!!!!! BRING ON THE CONTROVERSY!!! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!!!!!

Actually, no. I love it. It's a nice tribute.


We must go forward, not backward. Upward, not forward. And always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom.

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#18 | Back to Top10-07-2009 05:20:59 PM

Razara
Marionette Mistress
From: Wuzzy Happy Akio Town (What?)
Registered: 10-17-2006
Posts: 4694

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

In that case, what how D-ko Kashira or D-ko Kage?

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#19 | Back to Top10-07-2009 07:42:17 PM

satyreyes
no, definitely no cons
From: New Orleans, Louisiana
Registered: 10-16-2006
Posts: 10328
Website

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Obviously Kageno D-ko (影野D子, "D-ko Shadowfield" or, loosely, "D-ko of the Shadow"), which follows Sailor Moon naming conventions.  emot-smile

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#20 | Back to Top10-07-2009 08:19:29 PM

Ragnarok
Caption Captor
From: Canada
Registered: 10-20-2006
Posts: 4472
Website

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

BioKraze wrote:

I should like to point out to Ragnarok that Bob is a male name, and that the protagonist in the game is female. Even though the Japanese are very different from us in many ways, I don't think they'd ever bring themselves to name a daughter "Bob."

But "D-ko" sounds good. emot-keke

Bob is the family name! A very distinguished Japanese family line, no doubt.

(Honestly I'm not that attached to the Bob part, no matter how great of a name it is.)


http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/RagnarokIII/spyschool.jpg

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#21 | Back to Top10-07-2009 09:05:43 PM

Razara
Marionette Mistress
From: Wuzzy Happy Akio Town (What?)
Registered: 10-17-2006
Posts: 4694

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Kageno D-ko is a perfect name!

The next time I get to play a visual novel with a male protagonist, I'm definitely naming him Bob. Yamada Bob. You're extremely average half Japanese, half American protagonist. emot-keke

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#22 | Back to Top10-07-2009 09:13:52 PM

BioKraze
Faceless Master
From: Yuma, Arizona (USA)
Registered: 11-26-2006
Posts: 8282

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Razara wrote:

The next time I get to play a visual novel with a male protagonist, I'm definitely naming him Bob. Yamada Bob. You're extremely average half Japanese, half American protagonist. emot-keke

That's some cold shit right there, Razara.

Funny as hell, yes, but still. That's cold.


Roses have thorns to stop those who would dare deny their right to live.
Razara's Postulate: For every lover of lesbians out there, there is an equal and opposite attraction to Dippin' Dots.

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#23 | Back to Top10-07-2009 09:21:11 PM

Dallbun
Tour Guide to Crawling Chaos
Registered: 10-19-2006
Posts: 719

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

Kageno D-ko (影野D子) carries as a name. I look forward to when Chu-Chu delivers our henshin pen so we can transform into Sailor Kashira (of the planet Kashira, natch.)

At this point, I'd like to make another public service announcement that I'm not bothering to translate stuff... thoroughly. Or, you know, all that well. Any segments in ()s are almost certainly wrong, but just roll with it. They're from the difficult parts that are spoken quickly over movie segments, anyway.

The game begins!

http://ohtori.nu/gallery/var/resizes/Game/Screenshots/Game_Cap_002.jpg?m=1380881917
D-ko:
Transfer schools?

Father:
That's right. You've heard of it before, haven't you?
It's a place in Houou City called Ohtori Academy.

D-ko:
Ohtori Academy... isn't that a private school!?

Mother:
You know, a long time ago, your father used to teach at Ohtori Academy.

Father:
Thanks to that connection, Ohtori's Chairman of the Board asked if we'd like to send you there.
So what do you think? Isn't a nice offer?

D-ko:
Yeah...

Father:
It's an excellent place, you know... Ohtori Academy.

Mother:
In fact, it's the place where your father and I met.

D-ko:
Really?

Father:
That's right... if you go, you should check out the fencing hall.
It's a pretty, chalk-white building behind the library. You'll notice it right away.

D-ko:
Dad, you used to be a really strong fencer, right?

Father:
Yeah... so when I was at Ohtori, I acted as the Fencing Club's advisor.

Mother:
Back then, your father was really dreamy!

Father:
You were pretty cool as well, in your fencing suit.

Mother:
[giggle] I may have looked cool, but I wasn't very good...

Father:
That's all right. It's fine if girls aren't strong...

Wow, our parents look a whole lot like Touga and Shiori. How disturbing.

http://ohtori.nu/gallery/var/resizes/Game/Screenshots/Game_Cap_003.jpg?m=1380881917

(stock footage "morning at Ohtori" shots)

D-ko:
So this is Ohtori Academy...
What a huge difference from my old school!
(I mean, it's so extravagent!)
And the school grounds almost look caged off...
Naturally, (it has a beautiful gate),
and the campus is so large!

Let's see... where's the (central building)...?
Middle school, high school... there are so many buildings!
It's ridiculous!
And then, this birdcage-looking building...
...I guess it's a conservatory?
Man, at its best, my old school had a rabbit hutch.
It figures.

Huh?
What's that?
I thought I heard a voice from somewhere over there, but...
Oh, someone's there!


http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/49/00000003z.png

Saionji:
Why, Anthy?
Are you saying that our love was a lie?
On that night, didn't you swear to devote yourself to me?

Anthy:
I'm currently engaged to Utena-sama.
(more literally, "right now I am a body that's engaged to Utena-sama." Slightly creepy!)

Saionji:
So you're saying you can't accept my love?

Anthy:
Yes.

D-ko:
Wow, so soon after transferring, and I've already run across such an amazing scene!
I wonder if that's a high school student... he looks so mature and good-looking. Is that girl his girlfriend?


Anthy:
I am the Rose Bride... I do as the victor of the duels wishes.

Saionji:
...as they wish...

Anthy:
Yes. As they wish.

That day, Saionji was amazed to discover that when Anthy was saying "as you wish," what she meant was, "not only do I not love you, you're such an insignificant pawn that I don't bother to feel any emotions towards you whatsoever."

Anyway, EPIC STOCK FOOTAGE SLAP!

http://ohtori.nu/gallery/var/resizes/Series/Episodes/Student_Council_Arc/01/Series_ep01_040.jpg?m=1380825421
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/2793/00000004a.png

D-ko:
Rose Bride?
Duels?

I don't really get it, but it looks like I've stumbled into a major incident!
There's no way I can just leave them alone... what should I do!?


CHOICE:
How cruel, I've got to help her!
Keep an eye on the situation a little longer

So, do we meddle in the lovers' spat, or not?

Last edited by Dallbun (05-08-2012 06:43:43 AM)

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#24 | Back to Top10-07-2009 09:25:47 PM

BioKraze
Faceless Master
From: Yuma, Arizona (USA)
Registered: 11-26-2006
Posts: 8282

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

I vote interference. Show that green fucker who's boss.


Roses have thorns to stop those who would dare deny their right to live.
Razara's Postulate: For every lover of lesbians out there, there is an equal and opposite attraction to Dippin' Dots.

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#25 | Back to Top10-07-2009 09:27:09 PM

satyreyes
no, definitely no cons
From: New Orleans, Louisiana
Registered: 10-16-2006
Posts: 10328
Website

Re: Let's Play! Utena for the Sega Saturn!

"Grandpa, that's not the way you told the story last night..."

"Shut up, you little douche nozzle, or I'll have Buttercup fed to the shrieking eels."

Vote: Burn the witch!

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