If you liked
Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight
|
...then you might like
Sarazanmai
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though revue starlight doesn't share as much DNA with sarazanmai as it does with other ikuhara shows like revolutionary girl utena and yurikuma, the two shows are similar in pace (though i actually think revstar is paced a lot better than sarazanmai) and both manage to have impressive thematic depth despite their short runtime. i can think of no two shows that more accurately portray the trials and tribulations of being gay and a teenager. also, if you loved/related too heavily to enta's storyline in sarazanmai, you will LOVE mahiru from revue starlight - don't just take my word for it, give revue starlight a shot and see why for yourself!
If you liked
Shoujo Kakumei Utena
|
...then you might like
Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight
|
tomohiro furukawa, the director of revue starlight, is a direct protoge of ikuhara, having worked with him on yuri kuma arashi AND penguindum - and it shows in a big way. revue starlight is full of the symbolism-filled spectacle that makes utena memorable, and even adopts some familiar plot elements, like duels set to spectacular backing music. the anime is ultimately a critique of the takarazuka revue, which utena borrowed many stylistic elements from, but more broadly, it is a criticism of AND a love letter to theater and the performing arts. revue starlight proves to be a much tighter story than utena; with only twelve episodes to utena's 39, the characters and story have a lot less room to breathe. but it manages to accomplish so much in its short runtime, and paves the way for an absolutely BRILLIANT sequel movie - one of my favorite movies of all time. if you love revolutionary girl utena you should absolutely give revue starlight a shot!
If you liked
Shoujo Kakumei Utena
|
...then you might like
Princess Tutu
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born, like utena, out of work on sailor moon, i've seen princess tutu described as "revolutionary girl utena for kids" - which i think is an apt, if simplistic, description. thematically, both aim to examine and ultimately deconstruct shoujo tropes of the time, through the specific lens of fairytales (with princess tutu elaborating on the criticism of fairytales as perpetuators of misogynistic propaganda). if you're looking for a spiritual and thematic successor to utena that's also a more lighthearted, more "traditional" magical girl anime - look no further than princess tutu!