Revolutionary Girl Utena’s The Black Rose Saga is where I originally cut my RGU teeth; the storyline showcases substantial evolution from the original series, while containing the same quality that one had came to expect from the show. For those unfamiliar with the Black Rose Saga, it takes place as the friendship between Anthy and Utena starts to twist and turn. As this is happening, Utena’s world become more hectic as the Rose Bride falls into mortal danger. This set answers some questions but provides viewers with a number more; while episodic in nature, the show thrives on providing a cogent story that speaks to viewers of all ages and familiarities with anime in general.
The DVD quality of the episodes captured in this set is without comparison – any crisper and I would sweat that I was watching a Blu-Ray release. Kudos to Right Stuf for making the bulk of Revolutionary Girl Utena available for American audiences and placing them at a price that all can afford (about $35 on a number of online retailers. The number of bonus features that are present in this box set are astounding – there are still picture galleries, original footage from the 1997 airing of this series, and in-depth interviews with Ikuhara eirself. Take a closer look in the box set and one will find a book that contains information about the actual production of the show along with comments about specific episodes and exclusive artwork.
Check out http://www.rightstuf.com for more information about what is on their docket for the rest of 2011 and the first half of 2012. They have some great deals on the regular.
Rating: 9.1/10
Revolutionary Girl Utena, Set 2: The Black Rose Saga L.E. (DVD Set) / 2011 Right Stuf / 300 Minutes / http://www.rightstuf.com