romaniablack
patreon
Revolutionary Girl Utena: Episode 39 Foreword
🕑 Added 2025-03-29 19:00:09 +0000 UTCMAJOR SPOILERS BELOW FOR EPISODE 39 and the MOVIE
Hey all, I wanted to write this in advance of Episode 39 and the Movie reactions coming out for Revolutionary Girl Utena.
As many of you probably guessed from episode 38, I have not been having the "best" of times with the series - despite REALLY loving episode 37!
With Episode 39, I went in with a good head space, but the intro and my anxieties about not liking Episode 39 put me in a sour place before I even started. And then with the episode, I will be honest, I was disappointed with Episode 39 at the time of recording.
I was more on myself, though, because as a content creator, I know several are watching this series for me to cheer alongside it with you and I'm critical with my own opinions and thoughts...I WANTED to love this series' ending and live up to your expectations of me, but I just....couldn't, and that got me even more in a headspace about the final episode.
NOW, I just finished the movie and while the reaction took me a bit to figure out what we were doing and get on board, by the end, I was SO much happier with this film than the end of the initial series, and had a BLAST discussing the movie. And I'm super excited about the manga, now!
The journey with Utena has...to be honest, exhausted me.
I have been critical of Utena and Anthy - especially - because they remind me of myself and my past experiences. I'd hoped that Anthy and Utena could have the moments that I could not. And the series didn't give me that...and that's fine, I understand it. And I am appreciative of the series as a whole, even if my reaction and discussion of Episode 39 will not reflect that at the moment.
You all were SO supportive during Episode 33 for me, and I will never forget that.
I'm sorry if I let you down with my frustration/anger/projection at myself and the show this week - I don't quite feel as angry now as I did then. Hindsight, right?
So, if you are triggered by a content creator being very critical of a show you adore, Episode 39 may not be for you this week. I am not saying my views of the show are right at all - they're just my views in that moment after watching. But I will always be 100% honest of my opinions in my reactions and discussions, even if folks disagree.
You might just go to the movie reaction instead, if you want me back in good spirits for Utena. Because that movie was wild and by the end...just what I needed.
I felt with this series being such an emotional journey for me, this post was necessary.
Thank you for all your support and sticking by me with a show that's affected me so much. I'm hopeful after the movie going into the manga to finish up at least!
Here's to the last few weeks of Utena! (Until Summer Livestreams, anyway) ^^
<3 RB
Comments
Romaniablack
Thank you for the comment and the kindness! Hopefully you all still enjoy it - I'm not sure I'd want this series remade, necessarily, because even a flawed series has value and I fear an "updated" version would do more harm than good - but YES, the movie was a TRIP! I'm glad y'all are excited as I am!
Hex
I'm a big fan of the series (including this finale) so I was hesitant to watch the ep 39 reaction. But I really enjoy your thoughts and your critiques make complete sense to me. In an ideal world (i.e. one where remakes are always done well hah) an updated/tweaked version of this series would be amazing. Really looking forward to the movie reaction :D
Romaniablack
Thank you for the comment and kind words! And I 100% understand that reasoning so I thank you for being honest with me, too! And yes, the movie is WILD! It's going to be a loooooong video that week!
Romaniablack
I'm glad this helped you to figure out how to word it! And thank you as well - I agree that things can be interpreted in so many ways - and I appreciate how considerate you are with my discussions - I don't usually like being negative when I talk about something, so when I do, it bothers me and I just wanted to be transparent, so thank you!
Romaniablack
Thank you for your honesty and for the comment! And yes, I can completely understand if someone is sensitive like that - I am glad you are considerate and kind with what you said, that means a lot! And yes, it took me a second to get into the movie, but then by the end I was all on board! Thank you!
Ira
I've skipped some of the discussions and episodes on this series, not really because you're critical of it, I am too even though I like it, but mainly because I'm struggling with stuff in my day to day life, and I'm very sensitive to strong emotions, especially if they're on the negative side. I've had a different experience with watching Utena than you, which is totally okay and you shouldn't feel bad about what you think of it, as watching anything is a subjective experience and we're here to get yours. So I hope you'll keep enjoying watching shows and giving your honest thoughts on them. And I will definitely check out your reaction to the movie, and it's nice to hear that it made things a little better for you.
Romaniablack
Hahaha, I love your opening paragraph there! Truly the Utena experience! And yes, the movie is a TRIP! That reaction and discussion is....really....REALLY....long. Just a heads up! I'm really thankful for your comment and cannot thank you enough for saying that -- I'm glad that a different pov has been okay for folks to hear, even if they don't agree - the last thing I want to do is drive folks away so I appreciate that support and kindness - you all are amazing! Thank you and *nervous laugh* I hope folks overall enjoy these last three weeks with Utena! Thank you for the comment!
Romaniablack
Thank YOU all for your support! That truly means the world to me!
Romaniablack
Oooh, that is FASCINATING about who has seen the movie vs. the series - I would think that it would be the opposite! Interesting -- well, I definitely look forward to your thoughts on that! Also, in advance, the update video tomorrow - thank you ahead of time for the copium gift! ;)
Lynden
I have a lot to say now that you've finished the movie but I'll let that wait until that reaction is posted so not to spoil others. I will say that far more people have seen the film than have watched the series, which has effected some of the discourse around the franchise.
L Freya
Prelude to the finale! I'm excited - it was the best of times, it was the worst of times! Then it was the best of times once more haha! I am glad to hear the movie is putting in some work for the series! I enjoyed the reactions you've given for Utena, I definitely felt they provided me far better insights than any others I looked at - day vs night better! It is interesting to read your reflection on this final arc, and the ways it has been difficult for you to get a good grounding on it and that's totally cool I say! I definitely get not wanting to sour others on their favorite shows, but it's very clear you're trying as hard as possible to enjoy the shows you react to and giving it your best, and sometimes giving your best also means taking a different approach or just going a little against the norm. So, thank you!
May
Thank you for your honesty in your reactions!
BeastialMoon
(I've been trying to figure out how to word something like this for weeks and I think I finally got it right thanks to this forward lmao)
BeastialMoon
I know I said it about episode 1, but again, I don't think there's any "wrong" way to view RGU. Between all the symbolism and metaphors, there's a lot that's left to viewer interpretation, and that can be very personal for people. There ARE things to be critical about it, I'll never pretend there isn't. And I would honestly trust your judgment and thoughts on the subject matter over almost anyone else's. Voices of people like yours, who have gone through awful, heinous shit, should be raised up way more. Plus if there's anyone I can trust to use sources and back up their viewpoint with evidence in the Text, it's a goddamn English Teacher. 🩷💜
Francesca White
Thank you for always being so thoughtful with this series! Revolutionary Girl Utena IS my favorite series, so I have honestly been skipping these more critical reactions. However, please know that that's not because I am upset with you as a reactor or I think you're doing anything wrong. I highly appreciate how you're always honest with your reactions to shows. The reason I'm skipping the reactions is honestly a personal flaw with myself, I get very triggered in some instances when people have very opposing views to me on a series I care a lot about, especially if those views are negative. Again, just want you to know this is not at all a flaw with your reactions and all just a personal thing I suspect has to do with my own neurodivergence. Love your reactions and commentary so much and am excited to see your reaction to the movie!
