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 Top04-14-2009 06:10:39 PM

Siatiger
New Student
Registered: 04-03-2009
Posts: 8

"WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

Sometimes my friends, or company and ects, they give me Q. "WHAT is UTENA (animation)?"

very simple Q.but hard to answer........ I can't say or define..'Utena is s!@DAS2"

What we can say..or explain for the general people to understand easy?

have you ever explain?emot-gonk

Offline

 

#2 | Back to Top04-14-2009 09:56:49 PM

Aelanie
Black Rosarian
Registered: 02-04-2009
Posts: 378

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

It's impossible. The best (and only) thing to do in that situation is to bust out the Banyuu Inryoku version of Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku. If after listening to it they appear to be worried that you might be dangerously insane, you've succeeded. school-devil

Last edited by Aelanie (04-14-2009 10:10:04 PM)

Offline

 

#3 | Back to Top04-15-2009 05:59:07 AM

Itsuke
Pathtracer
Registered: 12-08-2008
Posts: 341

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

At time like this, it's best to sit them down and convince/force/intimidate them to watch all 39 episodes and the movie with you.
It's the only way to show them the full glory of UTENA.emot-rofl

Last edited by Itsuke (04-15-2009 11:38:33 AM)

Offline

 

#4 | Back to Top04-15-2009 07:19:45 AM

sharnii
Pharaoh of Phanstuff
From: Melbourne Australia
Registered: 08-10-2008
Posts: 2416
Website

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

Answer 1: Utena is a beautiful mind fuck.

Answer 2: Utena is a faster-paced soap opera where you actually want to keep watching.

Answer 3: Utena is undiluted angst with peaks of random orgasmic pleasure interspersed. Kinda like a relationship.

Answer 4: You're not leaving until we've watched it all, so siddown and STFU. (like Itsuke said)

Offline

 

#5 | Back to Top04-15-2009 03:12:40 PM

makie
New Student
Registered: 04-15-2009
Posts: 1

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

Itsuke wrote:

At time like this, it's best to sit them down and convince/force/intimidate them to watch all 39 episodes and the movie with you.
It's the only way to show them the full glory of UTENA.emot-rofl

Haha, that's what I'm doing right now. I got my flatmates into it and now I'm slowly trying to introduce Utena to the S.O. school-devil

Offline

 

#6 | Back to Top04-15-2009 03:17:35 PM

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

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

Epsilon wrote:

"Strange girl who thinks she's a prince goes to strange school where she has strange fights with strange people over a strange power that's never really defined."

^ Best description I've ever come across. Sums it up perfectly, in my opinion. Or at least, better than my rambling about how awesome it is and how everyone in the world should watch it because there's symbolism.

Offline

 

#7 | Back to Top04-15-2009 03:41:56 PM

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

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

Utena is a town in northeast Lithuania known for its famous brewery. It has a population of about 30,000 people and is found in Utena County.

You can find more information on it here.

I love it when questions have simple answers.


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

Offline

 

#8 | Back to Top04-15-2009 03:42:22 PM

Alithea
Dark Whisperer
From: Westminster, CO
Registered: 10-16-2006
Posts: 1152
Website

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

I usually tell people it's a fairytale, but in every sense of the word.


"The only reason to write is to write for love. Write for passion. If you have the privilege of being able to write, then don't do it for any other reason." - Stephen Sondheim

Offline

 

#9 | Back to Top04-15-2009 04:53:51 PM

Itsuke
Pathtracer
Registered: 12-08-2008
Posts: 341

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

Alithea wrote:

I usually tell people it's a fairytale, but in every sense of the word.

To be more precise, it's a postmodern ultra-surrealist fairytale~ school-eng101
and you should add: only smart people get it~  Now that will get your friend(s) watching~ emot-wink

Last edited by Itsuke (04-15-2009 04:54:57 PM)

Offline

 

#10 | Back to Top04-15-2009 09:05:13 PM

spoon-san
Someday Shiner
Registered: 03-18-2009
Posts: 3423

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

I saw a facebook group for Utena which was entitled "If SKU was a book, you'd be reading it in college."  It's so very true.  Utena is so meaty that people can and do engage in literary analysis and so far, I've only seen that which scrapes the surface.

So yeah, you can convince them with that line...wait...hmm...for most people, that might actually not work. 

Gee, I'm sure glad my friends are smart.

And yes, getting my shonen-loving friends to watch Utena is hard not that I've been pushing.  Only problem is that Utena will likely make most other anime look dull and pointless.

I don't really think I'm doing a good job on answering the question.

But have you thought about bribing with free candy?

Offline

 

#11 | Back to Top04-15-2009 09:18:39 PM

Itsuke
Pathtracer
Registered: 12-08-2008
Posts: 341

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

spoon-san wrote:

I saw a facebook group for Utena which was entitled "If SKU was a book, you'd be reading it in college."  It's so very true.  Utena is so meaty that people can and do engage in literary analysis and so far, I've only seen that which scrapes the surface.

Oh oh oh, if only SKU is offered in my school, I am so gonna change my change MA major.

spoon-san wrote:

And yes, getting my shonen-loving friends to watch Utena is hard not that I've been pushing.  Only problem is that Utena will likely make most other anime look dull and pointless.

Very true indeed! One can never look at other animes or even one's life quite the same after watching SKU. So I guess, Siatiger, if you want to explain what UTENA really is, start by saying the show is one of the few great animes produced for the past ten years. It's literally a life-changing work. That should get your friends interested. emot-dance

Offline

 

#12 | Back to Top04-15-2009 10:28:37 PM

Soukougnan
Black Rosarian
From: The Land of Heat and Traffic
Registered: 01-02-2009
Posts: 377
Website

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

trying to get my friends to watch Utena is like pulling teeth~!
i might use you're thingy, sharnii, or yours, Epsilon.
both were wonderful.


hm. i'm... here again? catch me in the discord-- im fairybull

Offline

 

#13 | Back to Top04-16-2009 12:18:27 PM

hollow_rose
Egghead
From: Ohio
Registered: 10-26-2008
Posts: 1074

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

For people familiar with anime I usually say although it is labeled Shoujo defies that sort of categorization, a very mind-warping series. I tell everyone that I typically hate shoujo and Utena is my favorite anime ever. This usually intrigues them enough to watch a few eps.

For people unfamiliar with anime I say its a post-modern fairy tale that explores and defies gender roles and societal roles.


20 threads dead so far.

Offline

 

#14 | Back to Top04-16-2009 01:10:41 PM

brian
Atlantean Singer
Registered: 10-22-2006
Posts: 589

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

If they liked Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner they will love Utena.

Offline

 

#15 | Back to Top04-21-2009 06:32:02 AM

Siatiger
New Student
Registered: 04-03-2009
Posts: 8

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

thanks sharnii simple and good:rofl:

Answer 1: Utena is a beautiful mind fuck.

Answer 2: Utena is a faster-paced soap opera where you actually want to keep watching.

Answer 3: Utena is undiluted angst with peaks of random orgasmic pleasure interspersed. Kinda like a relationship.

Answer 4: You're not leaving until we've watched it all, so siddown and STFU. (like Itsuke said)

Offline

 

#16 | Back to Top04-22-2009 07:58:00 AM

sharnii
Pharaoh of Phanstuff
From: Melbourne Australia
Registered: 08-10-2008
Posts: 2416
Website

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

Sou: i might use you're thingy, sharnii, or yours, Epsilon.
both were wonderful.

Yay! emot-biggrin I only hope that together we can all work to convert more people to the cause that is Utena-addiction. The most worth cause I belong to. school-eng101

And hehe thankee Siatiger.

Offline

 

#17 | Back to Top04-22-2009 05:31:12 PM

hollow_rose
Egghead
From: Ohio
Registered: 10-26-2008
Posts: 1074

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

brian wrote:

If they liked Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner they will love Utena.

Good one! emot-biggrin I wouldn't have thought of that comparison.


20 threads dead so far.

Offline

 

#18 | Back to Top04-22-2009 06:31:07 PM

purplepolecat
Atlantean Singer
From: Vancouver, B.C.
Registered: 03-26-2007
Posts: 570

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

It's the Evangelion of shoujo.


We're here, we're queer, we don't want any more bears!
Honorary Hat Mafia Member
Now Playing: Bear Supply - "I Maul Out Of Love"

Offline

 

#19 | Back to Top04-23-2009 07:15:45 PM

KillerxXxQueen
Snowdrop Lover
From: North Augusta, SC
Registered: 04-22-2009
Posts: 1760

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

When asked, I just relay the first section of the Naji Minkin dub, which I have conveniently committed to memory:

So there was this chick, and her mommy and daddy bit the dust, and she was all sad and she would cry like 'boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo.' So then, Michael Jackson showed up! And he said, "if you don't stop going 'boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo,' I'll eat your face! And don't try to run. I put a tracking device on this ring here, and I'll find you. I will. I'll throw your babies over bridges and molest all your little kiddy friends...
So you should crossdress and help people.

And she did.


"Reason I know is only a drug and, as such, its effects are never permanent."
                                                         --Hope Mirrlees, Lud-in-the-Mist

Offline

 

#20 | Back to Top04-23-2009 08:22:24 PM

Bluesky
Chpn Dlst
From: Your window
Registered: 10-25-2008
Posts: 1939
Website

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

An excellent excuse for a drinking game. Possible suggestions for point-scoring include:

1) phallic symbols
2) dysfunctional sibling relationships
3) gender-bending
4) roses

Only don't do that last one because you will fucking die.

emot-biggrin


/人◕ ‿‿ ◕人\

Offline

 

#21 | Back to Top04-23-2009 08:26:00 PM

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

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

Miss Bluesky wrote:

An excellent excuse for a drinking game. Possible suggestions for point-scoring include:

1) phallic symbols
2) dysfunctional sibling relationships
3) gender-bending
4) roses

Only don't do that last one because you will fucking die.

emot-biggrin

Been done before. Chris Rain, of the Satellite of Revolution, wrote up a complete Utena Drinking Game. Even tested the rules out with a few buddies. It was strongly advised that you only choose one section and stick to low-alcohol drinks if you plan to play for an extended period of time...unless, of course, you have a death wish. school-devil


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.

Offline

 

#22 | Back to Top04-24-2009 08:13:21 AM

PrinceoftheLostEternity
Rose Assignee
From: Castle of Eternal Dark
Registered: 04-06-2009
Posts: 1720

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

Someone asked me what Utena was once. I simply responded "It's the biggest cluster-fuck of nonsense, phallic symbols, and incest known to man. Just...don't even get into it. Run while you can."


I want your love and I want your revenge, you and me can write a bad romance.

The profile formerly known as Prince... oftheLostEternity... was a shared profile, one of whose users hasn't been around for a while.  The other one is now posting as DiddlyPanda.  Wewt!  emot-biggrin

Offline

 

#23 | Back to Top04-24-2009 03:41:16 PM

Bluesky
Chpn Dlst
From: Your window
Registered: 10-25-2008
Posts: 1939
Website

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

BioKraze wrote:

Miss Bluesky wrote:

An excellent excuse for a drinking game. Possible suggestions for point-scoring include:

1) phallic symbols
2) dysfunctional sibling relationships
3) gender-bending
4) roses

Only don't do that last one because you will fucking die.

emot-biggrin

Been done before. Chris Rain, of the Satellite of Revolution, wrote up a complete Utena Drinking Game. Even tested the rules out with a few buddies. It was strongly advised that you only choose one section and stick to low-alcohol drinks if you plan to play for an extended period of time...unless, of course, you have a death wish. school-devil

You cut me to the core
emot-frown


/人◕ ‿‿ ◕人\

Offline

 

#24 | Back to Top04-25-2009 10:04:11 AM

sharnii
Pharaoh of Phanstuff
From: Melbourne Australia
Registered: 08-10-2008
Posts: 2416
Website

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

Miss Bluesky I like your drinking game version and will have to somehow convince rl friends to get trashed with me. Er I mean to "play" with me. emot-tongue

Offline

 

#25 | Back to Top05-02-2009 04:01:47 PM

Melegant
Anthy Assailer
From: Tintagel, Kernau
Registered: 05-02-2009
Posts: 73

Re: "WHAT is UTENA ?" its' very hard to answer............

For me Utena is a "surrealistic pillow". Who listen to Jefferson Airplane, knows.


"Lascivious grace, in whom all ill well shows,
Kill me with spites; yet we must not be foes."

- William Shakespeare, sonnet n. 40 -

Offline

 

Board footer

Powered by PunBB 1.2.23
© Copyright 2002–2008 PunBB
Forum styled and maintained by Giovanna and Yasha
Return to Empty Movement