#oose yuuko

[asofterutena]

(Are they just as small as me?)

[original comic by @diaryofadissembler]

[utenaesque]

[to-revolutionize-my-world]

[applepi00]

Emi Liveblogs: Revolutionary Girl Utena Ep21, Vermin, Part I

We’re at 22 stopwatches, 18 slaps, 9 Egg speeches, and 6 Mikage speeches. To be totally honest I forgot what I was classifying as a Mikage speech back when I started this, I think it was every time he said “your only choice is to revolutionize the world.” So that’s what I counted.

From here they look like a serious Squad™️ and I’m here for it! And then next shot we see Nanami is walking far ahead of them, visually representing the distance between her and her friends.

I’d like to note that they offered to be Nanami’s friends before they found out she was Touga’s sister, so there really weren’t ulterior motives at first! But then they realized, and decided that because Nanami is special because of Touga, they must be special because of Nanami and decide to serve her. Aiko is the one that voices this and honey, no, none of you deserve the way Nanami treats you.

She’s using themmmm. We knew that. Actually I wanted to point out an oddity in this episode, while this episode is visually a lot wonkier than the previous, possibly budgeting? Nanami’s eyes throughout this episode are lacking whites, not unlike when she was becoming a cow in episode 16, and well she’s acting like one in the colloquial sense isn’t she?

At first I thought there was some animation weirdness happening here until we planned out to see Keiko’s roller skates. I love them under her pretty dress, it’s so ridiculous.

Because Nanami is spiteful and still in that middle school cruelty phase, she sees Keiko’s excitement for the party and sends her away. It’s sort of a way to maintain control isn’t it? Even beyond the motivation of keeping people from Touga, it’s like saying I can control the people around me so I can be sure of my own standing in it. It’s not a healthy attitude but I recall being thirteen and struggling with my place in the world around me, hell im twenty and still trying to figure it out. Not a free pass but I sort of see where she’s coming from. It’s still absolutely cruel to Keiko.

Aiko didn’t even have anything to say, hence Utena looking so done. Personally I love this look for sheer funny value and that is all.

Anthy falling asleep standing up throughout this arc (or at least I recall it happening a few times, I could be wrong) is such a neat little detail on the second+ watch because from then on you know it’s because she’s pulling double duty around here this arc. Let the girl rest!

Last bit before the midcard and I hate it. I hate the exaggerated size difference to show how much more power Akio has, I hate that the position lines Anthy up with his crotch. I hate everything about this conversation and Akio and his abuse thank you very much.

[utenajourney]

Another one post update for episode 21. Here are Momo’s opinions on Nanami and Co. Keiko: I’m still not a fan. But I feel bad for her? Like I sympathize with where she’s coming from. She’s in a rough place. I don’t think it excuses her actions and the way she treats other people. I don’t know why she follows Nanami around just because of Touga, but I do feel bad for her. Aiko & Yuuko: These two are awful. They’re supposed to be Keiko’s friends? They just drop her because Nanami says to, and then they act like they’re best friends again at the end. No. How bitchy.  Nanami: I still hate her. This made me hate her even more. She’s a horrible person.  And nothing here has changed. I’m really excited for the last 2 episodes in this arc. Well be tackling them shortly!

[judedeluca]

Did anyone make this comparison yet?

I mean the insect girls practically have the same colored hairstyles as the club lackeys 

[utenaaa]

[anthyz]

Sonoda Keiko, Oose Yuuko and Wakiya Aiko.

The japanese quote おおぜいのわきやくそのた could be translate as "A large number of supporting roles".

Sorry about possible mistakes.

[asofterutena]

(hairspray)

[asofterutena]

(I'm sick of this era!)

[asofterutena]

(Do swarms fall in love?)

[asofterutena]

(Harm someone else!)

[asofterutena]

(I know their allergies.)

[original comic by @asoftersea]

[asofterutena]

(Before anyone says I’m projecting: Fuck off.)

[asofterutena]

(can’t tell the pro from the scenium)

[applepi00]

Emi Liveblogs: Revolutionary Girl Utena Ep21, Vermin, Part II

We’re still at 22 stopwatches, 18 slaps, 9 Egg speeches, and 6 Mikage speeches.

Still cow eyed Nanami, but also do you guys see how paranoid and insecure she is? Like damn these kids all need therapy, like real therapy not the creepy elevator therapy.

This is the cruelest thing normal middle school kids can say to each other, I’ve been on Keiko’s side of it and I totally get how upset she is.

This always looks so painful, but as an animator I’m loving the homage in these silhouettes to Lotte Reiniger.

The butterflies run from the praying mantis (which are considered to be good bugs apparently in gardening?) until they all get sprayed with “insecticide” and “die” with the mantis. Utena remarks that it’s only an air freshener.

Nanami drives everyone away from Touga, even those that mean no harm like Keiko and Utena, but this hurts everyone involved (as the insecticide did). It’s not earning her any friends, it’s hurting the people she antagonizes, and it’s preventing Touga from passing his own judgements on people he wants to hang with. But it is only the bravado of a teenage girl, anyone with enough confidence could breeze through it, after all, it’s only air freshener.

This is I think the saddest thing about this episode. Before this did we even know her name? Utena certainly didn’t, didn’t know her or why she was fighting at all.

Correction: this is more sad. She lost and this doesn’t remember the duel, but the feelings are still there, all that resentment is still there, but she puts it aside to resume her other friendships and hold onto a hope of someday getting close to her idol.

Anthy, sweetie, I love you so much but Utena isn’t going to get this, shes isn’t going to get that you mean yourself too. How much longer will you have to lie to yourself?