#rgu 39

[pdaliceliveblogs]

“Listen, if you ever have a problem, come to me first. I want us to be friends like that. And someday, together...”

“Someday, together...?”

That was absolutely beautiful.

As much as it hurts to leave Utena having thought she failed, this is perfect, because Anthy could take the step herself. She freed herself, with the realization Utena helped her come to-- that she deserved it. That she could have happiness, love, will. She wields her own magic, she’s more than the Prince’s scapegoat.

And she sets out to find Utena, to free her from a hell like her own. It’s the ending of the show, but not the end of their lives, not a cut and dried happily-ever-after.

Someday, together, they’ll shine.

And I am so, so grateful.

[pdaliceliveblogs]

“This time, it’s my turn to go. No matter where you are, I swear I’ll find you. Wait for me... Utena.”

She’s so fucking free. She gets to grow up. She gets to be an adult.

And she’s going to return the favour.

[pdaliceliveblogs]

“Without power, you’re doomed to live life dependent on another.”

As if you’re not dependent on another? As if all your power isn’t derived from the constant torture of your sister?

Utena is speaking my goddamn language here.

[pdaliceliveblogs]

She won’t give up, now. She’ll search for as long as it takes.

And like how all we see of her journey is this steady walk, the ending theme has been replaced with a lyricless version of the opening, leaving us to imagine what’s ahead of her. It’s a beginning, for Anthy. She’s free.

[pdaliceliveblogs]

The fact that he’s lounging here, philosophizing, drinking a fucking margarita, while Anthy suffers and Utena struggles-- it’s the most succinct skewering of people who think they’re smart and superior for not caring about others.

And on that note, fuck you, Akio.

[pdaliceliveblogs]

There’s something very satisfying about how the Three Girls and the Three Boys would be paired up in most shows’ endings, but these three are still uninterested.

[pdaliceliveblogs]

I’m so grateful to all of you, too, for following along with me as I dove into this incredible show. This is going to live in my heart in a very real way.

My screener’s headed to bed, so I won’t get asks until tomorrow, but I’m very much looking forward to hearing what you all have to say! This has been a really wonderful experience.

I’m going to figure out how to watch the movie, too-- current plan is to liveblog it in about 20 minute segments, though maybe more if there’s less to say since I understand it’s a compressed retelling of the same story?-- and then we’ll head on to Revue Starlight.

I can’t even think about that yet, though. My heart is full of roses.

[pdaliceliveblogs]

She crosses the threshold.

In a way, I think Utena carried her over. But she still took the step herself.