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 Top03-17-2013 11:52:50 PM

Rosesareawesome101
Sunlit Gardener (Finale)
From: Brisbane
Registered: 10-31-2012
Posts: 194

Sex symbolism in Utena: Because you can't get enough of Akio

Inspired by these two Evageek threads:http://forum.evageeks.org/thread/10861/ … e-phallus/&http://forum.evageeks.org/thread/11026/ … rite-Yoni/
The point is to Discus/Analyse the uses of Phallic/Yoni symbol in the show along with a rundown of the more subtle use of sex symbolism in the show from my perspective that most new fans wont get.
This part of the OP will do Sum up these symbol in a short sentence:

1. The Bride/Black rose counterpart of the Duelist pulling out his/her Sword = Intercourse
2. Swords = Penises:
3. Anthy powering up the sword of Dios: F****tio in many ways
4. Knocking the Duelist flower off his chest: Loss of Virginity/Deflowering
6. Any scene that take place in Akio's that not focusing on a Duel thats not Touga: Sexual awakening + Adolescence
7. The Chairman Tower where Akio lives: One of the most obvious phallic symbols in the series:
http://ohtori.nu/galerie/d/27311-1/Ohtori_Campus_18.jpg
8. The Swords of Hate: In many ways Rapist........

Ok moving on; let just discus this in a way that does't seam too immature......

Last edited by Rosesareawesome101 (03-19-2013 12:03:24 AM)

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#2 | Back to Top03-18-2013 05:44:54 PM

Atropos
Atropos Turretslayer
From: Hampden College
Registered: 10-22-2011
Posts: 907

Re: Sex symbolism in Utena: Because you can't get enough of Akio

You forgot pulling a sword = doing it. Which makes the Black Rose Duelists rapists in addition to would-be murderers...emot-aaa

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#3 | Back to Top03-18-2013 05:49:32 PM

Lurv
Pained Growlithe
Registered: 05-25-2012
Posts: 520

Re: Sex symbolism in Utena: Because you can't get enough of Akio

Atropos wrote:

You forgot pulling a sword = doing it. Which makes the Black Rose Duelists rapists in addition to would-be murderers...emot-aaa

Well, I've seen someone interpret the black duelist sword-pulling as symbolizing them literally doing it before. It does come across as kinda rapey, especially if you interpret it that way.

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#4 | Back to Top03-18-2013 11:58:10 PM

Rosesareawesome101
Sunlit Gardener (Finale)
From: Brisbane
Registered: 10-31-2012
Posts: 194

Re: Sex symbolism in Utena: Because you can't get enough of Akio

Atropos wrote:

You forgot pulling a sword = doing it. Which makes the Black Rose Duelists rapists in addition to would-be murderers...emot-aaa

Thanks, I'll update the OP.

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#5 | Back to Top03-20-2013 04:21:22 AM

Internal Clock
Wakaba Wrangler
From: Canberra, Australia
Registered: 06-30-2012
Posts: 15

Re: Sex symbolism in Utena: Because you can't get enough of Akio

Oh look, threads from Evageeks. Don't mind if I a repost particular remark from there...


Mr. Tines wrote:

[On the entrance to the forest in the first episode] It's symbolic, man. Think on what you saw -- Utena explores a hidden forest, finds a narrow gate surmounted by a rose, fiddles with it a bit, and suddenly it starts gushing...

If it isn't clear, the suggestion - or rather, implication - of the forest entrance mechanism is that its design and function appear to allude to female masturbation.

If you're interested in the source of that quotation, see here, but I'd advise skimming over everything but Tine's quote as the line of conversation in question happens to be dealing with a user who was infamous for his consist refusal to acknowledge the implications or the possibility of symbolism in animated programs

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#6 | Back to Top03-20-2013 05:13:45 AM

Lurv
Pained Growlithe
Registered: 05-25-2012
Posts: 520

Re: Sex symbolism in Utena: Because you can't get enough of Akio

Internal Clock wrote:

If you're interested in the source of that quotation, see here, but I'd advise skimming over everything but Tine's quote as the line of conversation in question happens to be dealing with a user who was infamous for his consist refusal to acknowledge the implications or the possibility of symbolism in animated programs

I don't know, I found it pretty amusing that there's someone (on an Eva forum) who can miss that kind of symbolism even after it's spelled out like that. emot-rofl

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#7 | Back to Top05-30-2013 08:38:01 PM

RhythmFusion
Rose Smilee
Registered: 03-18-2010
Posts: 133

Re: Sex symbolism in Utena: Because you can't get enough of Akio

Internal Clock wrote:

I'd advise skimming over everything but Tine's quote as the line of conversation in question happens to be dealing with a user who was infamous for his consist refusal to acknowledge the implications or the possibility of symbolism in animated programs

What in the name of Dios was someone like that doing on Evageeks?


"But screw your courage to the sticking place, and we'll not fail." ~ Lady Macbeth; Macbeth - Act One, Scene 7
"Crying is such hypocrisy. How can happiness cause the same reaction as sadness? Does pleasure share the same edge of the blade of life as pain?" - What His Crimson Eyes Believe in: Ch. 2

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#8 | Back to Top10-19-2013 09:16:00 AM

Rosesareawesome101
Sunlit Gardener (Finale)
From: Brisbane
Registered: 10-31-2012
Posts: 194

Re: Sex symbolism in Utena: Because you can't get enough of Akio

Bumping the thread.

Look at this scene in episode 12 and try to tell me that there nothing about this scene that's a metaphor for oral sex in any way, as if the swords weren't phallic enough:
http://ohtori.nu/gallery/var/thumbs/Series/Episodes/Student_Council_Arc/12/Series_ep12_149.jpg?m=1380829063
http://ohtori.nu/gallery/var/thumbs/Series/Episodes/Student_Council_Arc/12/Series_ep12_153.jpg?m=1380829063
http://ohtori.nu/gallery/var/thumbs/Series/Episodes/Student_Council_Arc/12/Series_ep12_157.jpg?m=1380829064
http://ohtori.nu/gallery/var/thumbs/Series/Episodes/Student_Council_Arc/12/Series_ep12_159.jpg?m=1380829064
http://ohtori.nu/gallery/var/thumbs/Series/Episodes/Student_Council_Arc/12/Series_ep12_160.jpg?m=1380829064
http://ohtori.nu/gallery/var/thumbs/Series/Episodes/Student_Council_Arc/12/Series_ep12_161.jpg?m=1380829064
The dialogue that Touga say does't help ether:
Touga: Well? Isn't it beautiful?
It like he questioning to Utena before she blows him about what she thinks of his phallus. etc-saiowank

Can someone moved this thread to "In Flagrante Delicto" before anyone start post NSFW content.

Someone also please include that piece of dialogue in a Hentai Doujin/Fanfic that has Utena and Touga in it

Last edited by Rosesareawesome101 (10-19-2013 09:19:54 AM)

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#9 | Back to Top10-19-2013 10:25:17 AM

Snow
Troublesome Insect
From: under the dogstar sail
Registered: 09-30-2013
Posts: 643

Re: Sex symbolism in Utena: Because you can't get enough of Akio

I got the feeling that Juri's lack of enthusiasm for dueling ( at least compared to other duelists ) could be a subtle reference to her sexual orientation. She seems to duel only when she absolutely has to, and derives no pleasure or excitement from it ( this could make sense if the duels represent heterosexual intercourse ). Plus the rose symbolism is especially emphasized in her duels ( her first duel: Anthy offering her the rose, the Shiori flashback, the close-up of her rose sliding down the sword slowly )...I got a feeling she was being somehow...violated, more than other duelists, when she was defeated.

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