SapphicDysphoria wrote:

Which adaption is most frequently referenced in essays on Utena–the anime or the manga?

No contest here - the anime is more frequently written about by far. The manga doesn't attract nearly the same amount of discourse. That appears to be the case in Japanese as well.

Which one is more easily analyzed?

It's very possible the manga is more easily analyzed: it's much shorter and less ambiguous in many places. Unless by "more easily analyzed" you mean that there is more to talk about, in which case my opinion is that the anime wins here as well.

And lastly, which one is more relevant to discussion?

I'm not certain I understand this question. In one sense, the anime is more "relevant to discussion" because far, far more people care about the anime than the manga. It's hard to discuss the manga even on this, the longest-running Utena fan discussion venue, just because so comparatively few people have read it or have much to say about it. If you mean to ask which is more worth discussing, that's subjective but I personally think the anime has far more interesting themes and execution than the manga.

Really, in the end, they're just two different works. If you're "considering writing an essay of (your) own on Utena," an essay about the manga is not at all the same thing as an essay about the anime or an essay comparing and contrasting the two.

If you have access to the manga, I'd suggest reading it yourself just so you know what it's deal is. It can be heard to track down in English at this moment, but I think it's supposed to be re-released in a box set next month, so your interest is well-timed!

Sadly, the manga is much shorter and more simplistic. It has its moments, such as Anthy proudly getting a 0 on her quiz, but I remember lending the manga to someone at my high school, and not being really offended by her saying that she'd read better manga, since the manga really could be better. Also, there's no Shiori in the manga, so fuck that.

SapphicDysphoria wrote:

Thanks for the replies! Sounds like it might be worthwhile to read the manga, but not necessarily to substitute for rewatching the anime series I probably wouldn't like the manga much personally, since Juri and Shiori's relationship has always been one of my favorite aspects of Utena and I don't like the idea of an AU in which that doesn't exist.

The fact that Shiori doesn't exist has always been my biggest issue with the manga, as well, but if you have the opportunity, I'd say it's still worth reading. It's not the best thing ever for JurixShiori fans, but Utena as a whole still has enough awesome aspects to stand on its own in the manga without my favorite parts of the series.