Nanami's cowbell and the lilies motif
TW: Spoilers of Nanami’s cowbell episode and Kanae’s duel, wacky theories.
At first I thought the cowbell brought a positive change to Nanami: she was definitely calmer than in the previous episodes and seemed to be more or less happy. However looking back at it, it’s clear she was becoming an animal her brother could manslaughter and anyone could take advantage of. This point is driven home by Anthy, who had been knitting a red jersey all the episode and triggers Nanami who, as she turned into a cow, said she felt confused. In this cow state (I can’t believe I’ve just written this) Nanami can easily be used by anyone and effectively was.
As with every good Japanese media, Revolutionary Girl Utena loves drawing parallels. Anthy receiving the swords of hatred that were meant for Akio is compared to Nanami turning into a cow.
Nanami becoming a cow would serve the same purpose as Anthy receiving the swords -they are both used as a sacrifice, a pawn that receives the hatred directed to the prince. Isn’t that the fate of the prince’s sister who can’t be rescued by her brother, so she keeps him to herself and becomes a witch? In addition to that, the parallels are powerful because they inform us how Akio truly sees his sister.
Now, let’s go with a scene that has been keeping me awake for quite some time.
This cage is your domain
And you are the lovely bird that lives in it
I want to possess this cage and everything inside of it
I would never take you out of here. Ever.
I know this is supposed to be a prophetic dream, but Nanami was right about her brother. He was not letting her go out of that cage.
Indeed, the parallels and comparisons do not end here. There’s one more drawn between Utena’s outfit and Nanami’s cowbell. They are usually brought up in many analyses of this episode so I’m leaving this take here and this one here. Suffice to say one becomes what one performs as and it’s dangerous to dress what one does not understand.
The use of flowers
This part is long and maybe confusing, but it potentially makes sense.
There are many parallels drawn between Utena, Nanami and Kanae through Madonna Lilies. At the end of the first season, the Shadow Girls foreshadow (ha!) the duel between Kanae and Utena:
Might makes right - Those who have power can do whatever they want. A clear reference to Akio
Losers are smelly old fish - Kanae, the loser of the duel, is an old thing Akio doesn’t need and is going to be replaced by Utena.
And the winner walked away - Who is the winner here? Utena, who defeated Kanae? Anthy, who got her revenge? Or Akio, who orchestrated everything and is able to get away?
Looking like a lily - If we stick to the idea that the winner is Utena, she finishes the duel looking and being like what Kanae once was: pure.
Kanae’s duel is all about performing purity and innocence. The reason she joins Mikage’s seminar is to accept she is unable to keep pretending, especially in front of Anthy who she hates. Kanae’s purity has been stolen, and she is rotten to the core (explained by the black vase). I read here that it is common for Japanese people to leave vases on top of deceased student’s desks. This works perfectly when you have the silhouettes of 100 dead kids drawn on the floor and you want to foreshadow Kanae’s death at the same time.
Returning to the idea of performing, which is a big theme in RGU, we have Kanae who performs as a white lily, pure and innocent, the epitome of a bride. Then, we have Utena who performs as a brave and noble prince. Finally, we have Nanami who performs as the queen bee who is at the same time well-liked and very mature. However, they all fail miserably in their performances: Kanae has been corrupted by Akio and holds a grudge against Anthy, Utena is not a prince at all (thanks Goodness) and Nanami is a child that doesn't fit in.
To be honest, the association between Utena and Kanae is pretty clear, but why would these lilies appear with Nanami?
From the quality of these screenshots, I can’t say for sure they are Madonna Lilies, but they have similar shape and color, so it’s safe to stick to the idea of purity and death. I know what Nanami is doing ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement that symbolizes the union between nature and beauty. A few things I found is that the vase’s shape is called moribana and is probably made of bamboo, the leaves are abundant and vibrant green which announces summer and finally, quoting Wikipedia (not the most reliable source, but hey! They were the only ones who had this): “A flower arrangement made to mark a death is typically constructed of white flowers, with some dead leaves and branches, arranged to express peace.”
Should I also say that ikebana can also show the personality of who’s making it? Despite her best efforts to perform adulthood, Nanami subconsciously is aware of her purity, innocence and the fact that she’s only a child.
I don’t know if these are red roses or red camellias. If it’s the former, they would be an evident proof of love, most likely to her brother. Let’s also note there are four of these flowers and four is the infamous number associated with death. Now, if we add to the fact this scene was just before the one Nanami is making an arrangement with white lilies… Well, things are not looking good.
If it’s the red camellias I’ll tell you they used to mean a noble death for the Samurais. On top of that, they are terrible to give to those who are sick because the flowers “behead” themselves when they die. Also, red camellias are a symbol of love. But wait, what does this mean? Nanami’s blind love for Touga will be the death of her? Or is her blindingly loving Touga what will make her a cow he can manslaughter? Mmmm, the two options sound very likely. Honestly, I’m not confident in these two last paragraphs, but hey! Take it with a grain of salt and enjoy how RGU’s storytelling makes me lose my sanity and theorize my brain out.
What’s my conclusion with this part?
Kanae’s lilies symbolize her lost purity, one she performs but is unable to keep up pretending. Also, they foreshadow her death by the hands of Anthy and Akio. The association between Utena and “looking like a lily” shows she’s still pure -therefore, not performing- but will suffer Kanae’s fate if she allows Anthy to be the Rose Bride forever. Finally, Nanami, whether she wants to accept it or not, continues to be pure. She too is on her way to be killed -by Akio or Touga- as long as she continues with that cowbell on.
The other wild thought I had - considering the lilies are shown with those who win all the duels- is that if Anthy hadn’t left Ohtori, perhaps the next winner would’ve been Nanami? Of course, considering Nanami was naïve enough to still be a cow. This is an incredibly wild suggestion, but as a headcanon it is kinda cool so I’m just sharing it.
The importance of the first episodes from the Black Rose Arc
I’m guessing these episodes show the potential of every pair of siblings becoming like Akio and Anthy. The previous episode focused on Miki and Kozue, which includes Akio’s moon metaphor that Utena repeats between a scene of Kozue asking a milkshake to Miki and Akio saying he will console Anthy. Also, let’s consider every pair of siblings in this anime illustrate an aspect of Akio’s and Anthy’s relationship. Miki and Kozue show when Dios and Anthy were, generally speaking, on good terms. Everything besides them was ugly so they had their own “sunny garden” (in the case of the Anthy and Akio, it was the barn) in which they were protected from the outside world. Like Miki and Kozue, Anthy and Akio didn’t have anyone except themselves. However, the key difference with Miki and Kozue is that they both care about each other. Kozue, following her own twisted morality, pushes Miki’s predator down the stairs. Meanwhile, Miki still offers Kozue a milkshake. (Though it is important to note he has started to be more detached from her). On the other hand, Akio couldn't care less about Anthy despite her being the backbone of the system he created.
Now, Touga and Nanami illustrate Akio’s manipulation, abuse and utilization of Anthy. I think it was explained quite nicely in the previous paragraphs so there’s no need to repeat myself. What I would like to add though is that Utena was able to bring the revolution and Anthy decided to free herself so we can rest assured that the story won’t repeat itself.
Before finishing, I love Miki calling out Juri’s hypocrisy. She calls Nanami miserable for her capitalist and frivolous attitude while Juri wears long earrings, two bracelets and four rings. And the next episode is about Juri’s and Shiori’s relationship which makes Juri miserable? Damn, I love Revolutionary Girl Utena.
