Overview: The Quest to Become a Prince#
Revolutionary Girl Utena is a captivating blend of drama, fantasy, psychological tension, and romance. The story follows Utena Tenjou, a girl whose life was forever changed when a prince rescued her from drowning during a tragic childhood. Driven by the nobility and impact of that encounter, Utena rejects the traditional role of a princess, striving instead to become a prince herself to spread nobility and spark a revolution.
If you are looking for a series that challenges norms and dives deep into the psychological aspects of identity and nobility, this is a must-watch. You can watch the anime on Prime Video to begin your journey.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
If you are only interested in the anime, the experience is largely self-contained. The original 1997 anime series provides a substantial narrative arc. However, for those who want the complete story of this universe, the anime is an adaptation of the original manga.
While the anime provides a satisfying experience, those who crave more will find that the story extends beyond the screen. Specifically, there is a sequel manga titled Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution (released between 2017 and 2018) that expands the narrative. Therefore, if you want the definitive conclusion to the entire saga, you will need to dive into the written source material. You can buy the Revolutionary Girl Utena manga to see where the story goes after the revolution.
Watch and Read Order#
Navigating the world of Utena can be tricky because of the alternate retellings and sequels. Depending on your goals, here are the best ways to approach the series. For a detailed visual breakdown of how these titles connect, please refer to the relationship tree below the article.
The Release Order#
For those who want to experience the series as the world did:
- Revolutionary Girl Utena (Anime, 1997)
- Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie (1999)
The Completionist Order#
If you want every single piece of content, including alternate takes and sequels, follow this path:
- Revolutionary Girl Utena (Original Manga)
- Revolutionary Girl Utena (Anime)
- Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie (An alternate retelling of the story)
- Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena (Manga)
- Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution (Sequel Manga)
The “Source Material” Route#
If you don’t mind reading and want the most comprehensive narrative flow:
- Start with the original manga, watch the anime and movie for different perspectives, and conclude with the After the Revolution sequel manga.
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Additional Information for Fans#
Whether you are a newcomer or a returning fan, there are several ways to engage with the series today. The anime has seen various additions to catalogs like Crunchyroll and RetroCrush over the years, making it more accessible than ever. Additionally, the Adolescence of Utena film has seen recent theatrical screenings via GKIDS, proving that the series’ appeal remains strong decades later.
To fully immerse yourself in the world of nobility and revolution, you might also want to pick up some Revolutionary Girl Utena merchandise to celebrate your commitment to the series.
Revolutionary Girl Utena • manga • 1996-08-03 to 1998-02-03 (serialized in <i>Ciao</i>)
└─(adaptation)→ Revolutionary Girl Utena • anime • 1997-04-02 to 1997-12-24
└─(alternate retelling)→ Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie • anime • 1999
└─(related)→ Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena • manga • 1999-05-05 to 1999-09-05 (serialized in Bessatu Shōjo Comic Special)
└─(sequel)→ Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution • manga • 2017-07-28 to 2018-03-28 (Monthly Flowers, Sep 2017 - May 2018)
