I agree with Macolada as far as the movie goes, and that the dance scenes in the series are part of the fairytale motif. 

But also, there is something about two people dancing that is wonderfully fitting for Utena.  A method of achieving happiness (which is an often time overlooked but critical theme in Utena, happiness) that involves two people working together, and yet is conducive to highlighting gender inequality.  (The man usually leads).  Of course, just like those paths of our own to happiness that Ikuni wishes more young people could imagine, you can invent new dances of your own, with a partner or no.  Though, some are wary and need a kind friend to help them feel comfortable shaking it out on a dance floor. 

But this is obvious.  I need to stop posting shit that everyone knows and pretending to be smart. orz

ALSO, part of that whole "oh, this?  this is just your innocent, run of the mill shoujo series right here.  nothing freaky is about to happen in later episodes.  no. look at the dancing and rose petals and ambiguous girl friendship. happy ending to mean girl's hi jinks.  don't worry.  you are safe here"  vibe the first arc wants get across to facilitate the eventual mindrape.

Last edited by OnlyInThisLight (08-10-2009 01:45:43 AM)

In the case of the series, I see "At The Night of The Ball" as a reflection of the series plot as a whole, like I do with most Nanami-central filler-esque episodes.

Example:

Anthy and Utena are invited to this thing - in this case, a dance; in the series' case, a dueling game - where Anthy is appointed as the "Queen" (rose bride?) and it sounds all well and good, but will it really turn out well for her? Hmmmn?
They're both sent dresses/uniforms (or if you want to see it as Akio trying to put Utena in a dress/rose bride outfit) from this weird guy, who leaves Utena with some cryptic words and something girly and covered with roses (dress vs. ring). Utena's not really sure about his intentions, but goes anyway, hoping that it means Anthy will get friends/be saved.
Upon arriving, Utena gets distracted by the handsome man who she thinks is her prince while Anthy is taken to the side and attacked and left vulnerable in the middle of a crowd, her Queenly illusion destroyed. Everyone stares at her with malevolence and it's totally like the million swords of hate. Seriously, guys.
Anyway, Utena hears her being tormented and abandons the prince-man to put on her own prince garb and shield Anthy from everyone's hate. Then they dance and shine and it's awesome.

~fin~

I mean, it's a stretch, but that's how I see it, dawg.

Why dancing specifically? I think it's to showcase the fact that Utena is the lead, for one, and the fact that they are totally in love. And they're just their own people. They start dancing after everyone saw Anthy topless and it's. Just. Awesome. Don't question it.

As far as comparing it to the movie goes, I actually do think you're onto something. They are very similar. Thus I think the meaning will be as such, once one uncovers it.

Now, the stopwatch is pointless to explore. I think it's the one part of SKU that will forever remain completely encrypted. Discuss all you will, but I have accepted it as God and let it go.

Necro!

Thought I'd throw in something I've been ruminating on said dance sequences:

In both the movie and series, Utena actually invokes the power of Dios / *transforms* for the dance.  In fact, in the series she's also jumping from table to table in a very similar fashion to the way she hops around the dueling arena.  Similarly, the "dress" she whips together for Anthy almost certainly has to have the power of miracles holding it together. As far as I know, this is the only time Utena transforms outside of the Dueling arena and happens in the episode immediately after the first time Dios descends from the castle.

I feel like this sequence contains all the mysteries of creation, or at least can be used to draw insight on how the Diosforce / Utena connection works and how said Diosforce can operate outside of the Duel arena,

The dance evokes Cinderella's Ball, where two people meet and then have to wander all kinds of labyrinths to find each other again. It is probably also the place and moment where Anthy really starts to feel whatever it is she is feeling for Utena.

I can't help but notice that there is a dance in both the series and the movies with Anthy and Utena. I don't think the dances would be included in both the series and the movie if it didn't hold a secret meaning to it.

I DO! Fanservice~

Either that or

Ikuhara decided to do the two dance scenes because he likes showing two girls dancing.

As for Miki's stop watch, I once read a theory that Miki is timing the lines for the dubbing. If you check (apparently) each time he stops the watch, the time shown on it is equal to one of the lines a character has recently spoken. It's not a very interesting theory, philosophically speaking, but it is an entertaining one.
And could I see that being an old habit of Ikuhara's? Yes. Very yes.