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| They're really scraping the barrel for characters to give focus to in this Black Rose arc, aren't they? Hopefully that means we're nearing the end of this repetitive slog now, as you can literally predict the entire episode within the first 60 seconds and most of these side characters haven't been interesting enough to merit an entire episode of focus. The duels are also entirely pointless when they're almost always over within seconds, especially after spending a good 2+ minutes repeating the same-old build-up to it: the main exception there is the Wakaba duel, which was different because it had an actual impact on Utena and that made it feel different. |
AtavisticOct 13, 2022 5:52 AM
| I mean, this episode wasn't very good... Though it does answer questions about parasites. Nanami's friends only tolerate her for popularity and her brother. |
| I'm surprised so many people dislike this arc, I find it to be very interesting and I love to learn more about the side characters. I mean, the show's main aspect clearly isn't the story but the characters' psychologies, and it's doing such a great job at exploring this aspect. The "background characters" being explored in depth isn't pointless, it shows how no one is one-dimensional and each and every single one of these characters is more than meets the eye, they all have their struggles, their issues, their dark side. It really humanizes them, and it helps bringing out the message. The most interesting part is how each time, the character's struggle is related to them looking up to someone, and even more, it is related to them living through this person. (Except Shiori, but this thematic is still vividy present through Juri's love for her.) Just like how Utena is living through her prince, or how Anthy seems to solely exist for the person she's engaged to, whoever that is. It shows this arc isn't just about hatred, it is also, and mostly, about a love so unconditional, so obsessive, that it becomes unhealthy because these characters place their entire self-worth into this unrequited love. This is also true for the characters who didn't fight Utena in this arc but in the previous one, since Nanami, Juri and Miki all are in this situation too. And regarding this episode, I found it very good not only for giving some real depth to a character who I barely paid attention to until then, but also for how realistic it was. At first I was just as confused as Utena when I saw Keiko went back to serve Nanami despite everything, but I think it just shows the case of someone who isn't able to step out of her situation, no matter how much she suffers from it, because her love is too strong and too meaningful for her to let go of it. And yet, Utena defeated her just as easily as the others... It makes me wonder what exactly would it take for someone to prove themself worthy of the Black Rose. Just like I wonder what this whole thing really is about but well, it's not as if we weren't being given any hint ! A lot of mystery is being slowly but surely built up and it will most definitely become the main focus once this arc is done. We've already gotten something very interesting in this episode with Akio telling Anthy to keep befriending Utena, while until now the episodes following the end of the previous arc seemed to go against Touga's claim that Anthy was only faking her relationship with Utena, now this scene gave a lot more weight to it. Plus, it makes so much sense that this happens specifically in the episode about someone faking their friendship with someone else for a deeper goal. Clearly Anthy is a lot less innocent than she appears, and she probably perfectly knows what's going on with the Black Rose. Although this is kinda confusing considering that the "villains'" plan has been implied to involve Anthy being killed and replaced by the other guy as the Bride. Well, this makes me all the more excited for what's to come. Also, something else to add regarding the importance of this arc : while Utena seems to only be a tool in those fights, it's important to take in account that she actually learns a lesson in every episode, slowly losing her naivety in the process. |
FafetteDec 24, 2023 12:55 AM
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| this episode just confused me because what does utena hahve anything to do with nanami and her brother at ALL like.. okay..? |
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