This is a static copy of In the Rose Garden, which existed as the center of the western Utena fandom for years. Enjoy. :)
Hey guys. I'm not an Utena expert (I've only watched anime and movie thrice), though I do love it.
I was wondering--and I'm sorry how open-ended this is--how you guys think a ship on water theme would fit into Utena? I'm asking because I intend to write a fic/run a roleplaying game in which ships replace cars as a major thematic element in an AU of the Utena anime and movie (where specific people will eventually turn into ships).
As far as what already exists, the buildings of Ohtori in the movie move sort of like ships and Touga presumably drowns after Juri falls off her rowboat. Is there anything else?
As to thematic ideas; Akio unerringly manning a sexy ship through night waters with a guest seems like an appropriate image (going suggestively down a canal, until he hits the open ocean and kicks it up a few notches). A lake that acts as a moat surrounding a castle high on a rock might end up being a pertinent location. Wind might be important, but that would depend on the types of ships utilized. I would assume.
I know nothing of boats or sailing or whatnot, to be honest. I appeal to you guys for help brainstorming!
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Suddenly, I have this image of SKU crossing over with One Piece.
Or Gokaiger. oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh. *_*
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I'm pretty sure all vehicles that can get people from one place to the next can in fact fit in to the theme.
Can't wait to read you fic
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...Is it one big ship? Or several little ships? Or are we all on rowboats?
Or is this Waterworld and we're dueling for dirt?
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I'm suddenly seeing that scene with Juri, Miki and Shori in the movie, with all the duelist cars all on storage racks. The cargo ship KICH Utena, her hull full of goods, cars, coffins, roses and angst, plowing through the high seas, to bring profit to its many hopeful shareholders...
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Hi again Scorluron
To me, the vehicle theme means that a character (car) can help another character (driver), go from from one situation/place in life (A location) to the next situation/place (B location). Utena help Anthy going from being a victim/passive-agressive in restrictive Ohtori to a free-spirit in the Outside World, thus why Ikuhara made Utena a car and Anthy the driver in the movie. I think the vehicle char. can be cars, ships, planes, even horses and bicycles and whatnot and a story still could work.
Hope this explanation helps!
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Can you guys think of other ways the sea or storms or shipcraft might be nice and symbolic in Utena? 'Cuz I can't really, and I want to; it's possible I'm just not a deep person.
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Maybe they're a ship of fools, on the classical journey that a ship of fools goes on.
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