Shoujo Kakumei Utena: Adolescence Mokujiroku

—by Ivevei Upatkoon

This is not a film for everyone.
The original 39 episode SHOUJO KAKUMEI UTENA TV series is quite unlike anything before it. Created and directed by Ikuhara Kunihiko, who was the major creative force behind the SAILOR MOON anime, it won a large cult following when it first aired two years ago. Its dramatic visuals and bizarre atmosphere alone were enough to make it unique, but even more compelling was the daring Ikuhara displayed during the latter half of the series. Along with revelations concerning the plot which were shocking and disturbing to say the least, UTENA challenged and reaffirmed the concepts of innocence, reality, freedom, and self.

"Do not follow the words of others blindly."
—Shoujo Kakumei Utena:
Adolescence Mokushiroku pamphlet, page 1

ADOLESCENCE MOKUSHIROKU ("Adolescence Apocalypse") is a retelling of Ikuhara's message under different circumstances, with a different conclusion. Fans may cry foul at the thought of a remake and, in truth, I too am ambivalent about the way the ending turned out, but the movie as a whole is undeniably UTENA. All the major visual, audio and plot elements of the television series are reprised, as well as some other unexpected but familiar characters.
A synopsis of the plot is a staple of any review, but after seeing this movie, I cannot bring myself to give anything away. For those who have avidly devoured every smidgen of detail that BE-PAPAS (the creative band led by Ikuhara) has given away, I plead that you not read any other descriptions of the plot before seeing ADOLESCENCE for yourselves. If you absolutely must, read the manga, but even that is a fine line. UTENA depends on the unexpected, the blurring of reality and unreality, the contradictory and the absurd. To know everything beforehand is a great temptation, but it takes too much away from this movie. No synopses!
What is left, then, besides the plot? A great deal, in fact. The movie is visually stunning, and the music choreography is far better than most anything I have seen. Ohtori Gakuen, the school where everything in UTENA takes place, has been completely redesigned into a mind-bending series of platforms and bridges and staircases. The very first scene introducing the new Utena recreates that familiar feeling of weirdness with countless overlapping blackboards of all sizes scrolling past each other. The rest of the school is shown as gorgeous backdrops moving endlessly with the camera. Add to that falling rose petals, a garden impossibly high above, and a wonderful dance on a mirror lake, all so beautifully matched to the music you forget to breathe...
The characters, too, have undergone a revision, with some major changes in a few cases. Utena's long hair is now a boyish bob, and Anthy has traded in her glasses for a more girlishly attractive appearance. Where before, Utena was a naive but strong-willed girl trying to become an ideal prince, now she is a hurt soul denouncing men. In turn, Anthy is no longer the eerily passive Rose Bride who submits herself to the victor of the duel, but an aggressive participant who hides little of her immediate attraction to Utena. Another change is with Shiori—her manipulative personality is no different but she now plays a major role in the game for "the power to revolutionize the world."
Although the characters and story have been remodeled, the movie is surprisingly devoid of dissonance. About the only thing I felt somewhat unhappy about, aside from an ending perhaps a little too simple and neat, was Akio. He underwent the most change; his voice actor was replaced, and he is much younger and shallower.
Still, I have no real complaint about ADOLESCENCE MOKUSHIROKU. It is a great display of the power of animation and a very impressive piece of direction. I would not call it perfect because it does have its flaws, but this movie excels so well in the novel techniques Ikuhara first experimented with in the original series that I cannot help but give it my full blessings.
A lot of people do not like SHOUJO KAKUMEI UTENA. The thin, androgynous characters, the strange recycled stock footage, and its nonsensical brand of reality do not exactly make for an accessible anime. Nor can its later heavy (and taboo) sexual overtones be dismissed. If you did not care for what UTENA you have seen, you will not like this movie either. Conversely, if you are a fan of the series, then you definitely do not need a recommendation to watch this! For those who have not seen any UTENA, or have seen only the first few episodes, a word of warning—while the movie is set in an alternate reality and does an excellent job of introducing and developing the various characters, it still requires knowledge of the entire series. An 85 minute movie, no matter how well done, simply cannot cover all the richness of a TV series. It is of course watchable on its own, but many of the nuances will be lost. As is almost always the case, it is better to see all of a series before the movie.

Now in Theatres (in Japan)
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