@Gusstelier ah, also, where do you research about japanese cultural symbolism? i’d love to look into it more! the most i’m aware of is their flower symbolism, which is pretty often able to be applied lolol
@Gusstelier i need to pay much more attention to the symbolism on my next rewatch. the birds = freedom one is obvious, but it does make me question the butterflies that are occasionally around. the butterfly fading away while she’s reflecting… is it a similar idea? her refusing freedom?
@Gusstelier that all makes so much sense! fukiko has a lot of narcissistic tendencies, she is almost entirely unable to separate rei from herself during the entirety of the show. fukiko really is so good at projecting her emotions and insecurities, she really refuses to accept anything
@Gusstelier which kind of ties its way back to the worst of this episode, with everyone expected to end up with a man. in this aspect, yes, rei is truly free! but fukiko will not let her memory rest
@Gusstelier i am intrigued by the scene ending with her wearing both her birthday dress AND the red lipstick, both symbols of her shackles to the patriarchy. she is forever stuck mentally on that birthday, she is forever expected to appear perfectly for the men around her.
they added like 5 more showings of adolescence of utena at the theater im going to for it and i think its because the 2 they had filled up instantly. but the original showings were in like 50 seat COUCH SEATING rooms. and im sitting right next to a stranger because its full
i dont really love making posts with my thoughts or analysis of anything other than oniisama e because i feel like everyone has already said anything i would... oniisama e still has a lot of things to discuss because the fandom is probably only 15 people big at any given time