Shoujo Kakumei Utena; La Fillette Revolutionnaire; Revolutionary Girl Utena. I'm sure you've heard these titles before, but do you really know what they are about? They are the Japanese, French, and English titles of a wonderful anime show. So... here is the jist. SKU is about a pink-haired tomboy who wants to grow up to be just like her prince- a guy that saved her from sorrow when she was younger. (After her parents had died, she was left being very depressed, and a man showed up and told her to not be sad anymore. This is what inspired her.) This girl's name is Utena, and she is an orphan attending Ohtori Academy. The series starts when she is fairly new to the school, she's only been there about six months.



Soon Utena Tenjou finds herself starting to take place in strange duels between the student council members and herself. This wouldn't have happened if she wasn't so noble! You see, Utena finds herself challenging Saionji, a huge jerk who hurt her best friend (Wakaba). Little does Utena know that she is challenging the current champion of the Rose Bride, and therefore when she wins she is thrusted into this strange storyline. After Utena wins first duel, she receives Anthy Himemiya, the Rose Bride. Anthy is sort of like the trophy of these dueling games. (As is said by Utena in manga Volume 1- To Till.) Along with winning Anthy, Utena also wins a good friend. (There is all sorts of things mixed up in the episodes following her winning of Anthy, which all seem like sort of feminist declarations about women not being possessions.) Not does Utena receive Anthy, but she also receives a power that the Rose Bride holds- the power to revolutionize the world. Upon winning Anthy, Utena can draw the Sword of Dios from her during the duels. The sword of Dios really holds the power to Revolutionize the World-the power of Dios. There are some comedy relief and highly dramatic scenes in SKU. I highly recommend this show for anyone who is in their late teens to early twenties, and who also likes magical anime series. I think that this show also really portrays girl power in a good sense. Viva la revolution!