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

#26 | Back to Top08-05-2008 03:38:15 PM

Baka Kakumei Reanna
Atlantean Singer
From: Wisconsin
Registered: 07-31-2007
Posts: 572
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Re: Most Kick-Ass Duel! GO!

Definitely a tough call, but I'm going to say it's a toss-up between Mikage's duel and Ruka's duel.


We see things not as they are, we see things as we are.

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#27 | Back to Top08-05-2008 05:00:40 PM

Rae
Black Rosarian
Registered: 01-10-2007
Posts: 390

Re: Most Kick-Ass Duel! GO!

I would also have to say Nanami's second duel. Actually, I really cheered for her during those episodes in general, especially when she pushed Touga away while in the car.

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#28 | Back to Top08-05-2008 05:04:12 PM

rhyaniwyn
Myth is my Bitch
From: Tallahassee, FL
Registered: 11-09-2006
Posts: 684
Website

Re: Most Kick-Ass Duel! GO!

I've been thinking about it, but I really can't choose...  I'd end up with a list at least 10 duels long.  I'd probably start with... Wakaba's, then Juri's (last duel, then first), Revolution, all of Touga's...  See? emot-biggrin


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#29 | Back to Top09-14-2008 10:04:56 AM

bea
Saionji Slapper
From: Milan, Italy
Registered: 05-24-2007
Posts: 27

Re: Most Kick-Ass Duel! GO!

Mmh...
Well, both of Juri's are at the top for me (and I see I am in quite good company) - the first one for the music and Juri's... well, awesomeness, the second one for the Shiori flashbacks, the falling rose, and the rain.
After those, I'm having a hard time because, seriously, I like most of the duels, but I am sure Touga's second one and Nanami's first are among my favourites overall (Nanami rocks! I guess that's where I really started to like her as a character - and btw, I think the unbraided hair really suits her).


Seeking eternity!
[take my r-evolution]

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#30 | Back to Top09-14-2008 11:19:09 PM

sharnii
Pharaoh of Phanstuff
From: Melbourne Australia
Registered: 08-10-2008
Posts: 2416
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Re: Most Kick-Ass Duel! GO!

hayaba wrote:

Wakaba's duel was probably the most emotionally intense for me, because it was just so sad to see her so corrupted, and I really could relate with her reasons for dueling. Every time I listen to the theme from that episode I get a bit emotional emot-gonk

Yep, Wakaba's rage and anguish does it for me too. Makes the duel *snap*. Add to this Utena's loyalty to her friend and refusal to fight (therefore greatly increasing the danger!) and it goes *snap snap*. Add to this Anthy's actually almost angry looks toward Utena as she orders her to draw her sword (after all Anthy's gone to a LOT of trouble to set this one up! She actually wore something different in her hair for once! emot-aaa) and it goes *snap snap snap*. And the ending where only Wakaba's tear falls into "hell"...she's saved by Utena...powerful stuff...

jelli wrote:

At the end of his duel, he realizes how horribly pointless it all really was. The picture frame cracking and then falling, the moment of silence...I think it was definitely the most heartbreaking of all the duels.

This Mikage moment was huge for me too. It's an incredible duel because he's sorta going insane during it, babbling wild stuff about Tokiko and Mamiya, and in the end he loses everything, even though he didn't have anything. Amazing energy.

lex

I'm going to go with a lot of people and say Juri's first duel. When I watched it, it was intense and the fact that Juri is highly skilled and could have easily beaten Utena is a great tension builder.

* * *
Loved this duel too - how fun it was to watch Utena really on the ropes. And who doesn't love the ending with the "miracle", and the shocked Juri/Utena looks, and Anthy's lovely spiteful little "have an orange rose dahling" gesture.

Ok I also add to my own list the duel with Saionji and the "disappearing sword of Dios". Firstly I love it when Saionji duels because he always looks so flippin' insane. Honestly, he has a great "crazy face". There's such a lot of tension in this duel...first-off Anthy is just standing there while swordless Utena gets whacked around (probably thinking about what she had for breakfast). And then slowly, suddenly, she finds her heart for a moment and remembers their conversation about helping friends from the night before. And so she *leaps* in front of Saionji, and draws Utena's soul-sword for the first time. A turning point for Anthy's character. (Check out the meaningful gazing between Anthy and Utena at the duel's close)

Who wasn't blown away they first time they saw the "pulling sword from rose bride's chest scene" reversed...now it's the prince who leans backward, and both together call for revolution. Akio (busy banging Touga) seems pretty happy at this turn of events, but really this is the moment in the game when he should be a tad worried. Wow, what a duel.

And finally for me: Akio's duel. Hoo boy, Akio actually sweating. Looking worried. Not smirking. The castle starts crumbling...the astounding power of this duel for me is the idea that Utena is winning. That she might ultimately win! You can see this idea in the dismay on Akio's face and his fumbling, and the shock on Anthy's. And of course, the way that Akio/Anthy win the duel is one of the most powerful moments in the series.

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#31 | Back to Top09-30-2008 12:05:28 AM

KissFromARose
Thorn of Death
From: Austin, Tx
Registered: 09-29-2008
Posts: 507

Re: Most Kick-Ass Duel! GO!

I always get so pissed when i watch the first Touga v. Utena duel    emot-mad

But when she kicks his ass in the girl's uniform it totally makes my day emot-dance

http://www.clho.net/anime/utena/utena-picutre.jpg

I mean seriously... C'mon that's one BAMF if you ask me. emot-dance emot-dance

Let's f***ing go home anthy..

7 years ago when i first watched this episode, if i remember correctly, my mother had to yell at me to shut up cause i was so excited. etc-wankgirl

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