crystalwren wrote:

Akio would end up as a small packet of potato chips. (Salt and vinegar flavoured.)

Would he have a small television concealed inside himself?

Ikuhara is way too hyperactive to stay close enough to the material that you don't get another Utena movie out of it. Except this time they turn into 747s.

But in a perfect world, a rebooted version would introduce Akio quicker, probably pare down the cast (what, too many people for five hours of material), have more sex, and...

Wait no, this is just the fantasy Gio version.

The biggest problem is that Tomoko Kawakami has passed away, and no one could ever replace her as Utena. And even if none of the other cast members have died, they're a lot older and I don't think they could get into their roles the way they did back in 1997.

I think the best way to create an enhanced version of SKU would be to keep the original audio but replace the video with 60fps Akira-quality animation. If I were doing it I'd keep most of the shots identical to the original, but have a different sequence for ZUM every time and seriously enhance the duel animation with original choreography and lots of detail in each duel. Of course there's no chance of this happening, it'd be freakishly expensive with a very dubious return on investment.

Probably the best way to create another addition to the Utena franchise would be to tell the story of another era in Anthy and Akio's history, set in some purgatorial realm where they dwelled before they came to Ohtori. Akio could be the heir apparent to a noble family in Renaissance Italy, or France, or even the Ottoman Empire or India. Whatever the case, he would gather ambitious young people around him and goad them to fight over Anthy. It would be like a surrealist historical fiction piece, and would inevitably end in tragedy when Anthy's betrothed gets sacrificed to preserve Akio's illusion.

Yeah, I've always kind of assumed that's the 'reality' of it, like Akio and Anthy have existed in almost every age, and 'reincarnated' themselves and their image as time has passed. But always a little warped, with things not quite timed right, but still, it's not hard to imagine that there was a version of their 'game' in Ancient Rome or China. They've lied to each other for centuries, and their lie couldn't always have been a Japanese school.

It'd be interesting too just because any story about them set prior to SKU would establish just how tight and circular their relationship is, and how pathetically it repeats itself. The story of SKU is probably something they've played through a thousand times, with different settings maybe, different costumes...but only this once did the game turn around. It'd be fascinating to have it illustrated how futile things were for them before Utena.

Giovanna wrote:

Yeah, I've always kind of assumed that's the 'reality' of it, like Akio and Anthy have existed in almost every age, and 'reincarnated' themselves and their image as time has passed. But always a little warped, with things not quite timed right, but still, it's not hard to imagine that there was a version of their 'game' in Ancient Rome or China. They've lied to each other for centuries, and their lie couldn't always have been a Japanese school.

It'd be interesting too just because any story about them set prior to SKU would establish just how tight and circular their relationship is, and how pathetically it repeats itself. The story of SKU is probably something they've played through a thousand times, with different settings maybe, different costumes...but only this once did the game turn around. It'd be fascinating to have it illustrated how futile things were for them before Utena.

This actually leads me back to a personal theory about the scene in the Akio arc where Utena stops Anthy from throwing herself from the top of the Giant Penis Tower. The question has been asked why a supposed immortal thought that attempting suicide would get her anywhere; I've come to the conclusion that the current incarnation of Anthy would die. Meaning that her and Akio would have to move on to play their game elsewhere in the world. It would be a fascinating exercise to see how the cycle got started, perpetuated and then stagnated. Of course, it wouldn't be Revolutionary Girl Utena any more; it would be Coffin Dweller Anthy (or something very like).

Giovanna wrote:

Yeah, I've always kind of assumed that's the 'reality' of it, like Akio and Anthy have existed in almost every age, and 'reincarnated' themselves and their image as time has passed. But always a little warped, with things not quite timed right, but still, it's not hard to imagine that there was a version of their 'game' in Ancient Rome or China. They've lied to each other for centuries, and their lie couldn't always have been a Japanese school.

That was my interpretation as well. I thought they didn't actually recall their plan until after...something.

Honestly, I like the ending. .

Utena is a deconstruction/subversion of fairy tale archetypes, so having an ending where everything is happy-hunky-dory and conclusive wouldn't really go with that goal-so a continuation isn't really necessary (although I believe the film is somewhat of a continuation/reboot).

Now, a prequel about Anthy and Akio and Dios? That I could go for. In fact, it seems like the only part of Utena that was inadequately expounded upon; I've always been a little pissed off about the ambiguity of Anthy and Akio's identities, mainly because you never get to see more than a few snippets of their real personalities and their pasts are only alluded to. I need backstory

....Although, from an absolutely fangirlish perspective, I've been entertained by the idea of a Japanese-style remake of Utena. Where they aren't trying to be French and duel with katana and everyone wears kimonos.

Giovanna wrote:

But in a perfect world, a rebooted version would introduce Akio quicker, probably pare down the cast (what, too many people for five hours of material), have more sex, and...

Wait no, this is just the fantasy Gio version.

We'll get HBO on board. They seem unhappy unless what they're making is loaded with sex. ...YEAH I WANT TO SEE A SEX-DRENCHED PREQUEL WITH AKIO AND ANTHY BEING POSING POSERS IN SOME OTHER TIME PERIOD OH YEAH. Bring the revolution, baby.

Mylene and I have actually toyed around with this idea of Akio and Anthy as they journey through history, trying to find a worthy candidate to help them regain the power of Dios.

It's not a full story, but we envisioned them in the World War II era.  Up until this point, the two have been traveling the world looking for candidates.  Akio knew from the end of the first World War that the second was inevitable.  As he makes deals to maximize his gains from the slaughter, Anthy is both charming and slowly growing attached to the latest candidate, a young sea captain who has been using his ship and his pure-blood German heritage to smuggle Jews to safety.

As it does eventually lead to the canon story, you can guess how all this ends.  By the conclusion, Akio decides to use his new-found war wealth to establish what will eventually be Ohtori Academy, a place where potential candidates can be gathered and refined free of chaotic outside influences.