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Utena light novels
I bet you thought you'd seen the last of my Utenaposts....
I read these last summer I think and then forgot to post anything. For completion's sake, this is what I wrote at the time.
I read these last summer I think and then forgot to post anything. For completion's sake, this is what I wrote at the time.
So, there are two light novels. They are yet again an AU, but since they take you through two characters (Miki and Saionji) I would hazard a guess that the two novels cover half or less of the 'full story'. They are quick and easy reads.
Some characters no longer exist (sorry Nanami), some are drastically changed (Kozue is now basically inseparable from Miki), relationships are changed (most notably Touga/Miki)... In terms of difference from the anime, there's so much plot difference, but to me the biggest thing is that the absurdism is toned far, far down. It's difficult to convey that in text! We still get some bizarre speeches and fantastical things but I kind of miss the inexplicable balloons and kangaroos.
I guess the other thing is we get a lot more internal Utena thoughts, which is nice. If you're not paying attention in the show, you can come off thinking Utena is kind of stupid; she's not, she just doesn't say her thoughts all the time. Here we get to see them! She's pretty suspicious of Anthy tbh but still determined to be a good friend.
Also, they're a little more proactive in investigating (Miki and Utena team up pretty quickly to investigate Touga and maybe get info on End of the World, including breaking into Touga's house) and a little more antagonistic to End of the World, or aware of his schemes. By the end of book 1, Miki has had his sister kidnapped and ransomed by him! And if the series had continued, once Utena got the truth of what happened with Wakaba at the end of book 2, she'd be PISSED.
Anyway, I really enjoyed these books. Wish we got more Juri though. I would assume the next book was supposed to be hers. We get so little info on her that all we really know is she has warnings about love.
I think all I have left now is the musicals.... ok, and the manga. I think my likelihood of reading the manga is pretty slim.
ADDING IN THE PRESENT DAY: I can't believe I didn't mention Wakaba/Saionji. Their scenes are so funny. I can honestly believe in them now.
Also, the student council president's house is called the White House. Incredible.
Some characters no longer exist (sorry Nanami), some are drastically changed (Kozue is now basically inseparable from Miki), relationships are changed (most notably Touga/Miki)... In terms of difference from the anime, there's so much plot difference, but to me the biggest thing is that the absurdism is toned far, far down. It's difficult to convey that in text! We still get some bizarre speeches and fantastical things but I kind of miss the inexplicable balloons and kangaroos.
I guess the other thing is we get a lot more internal Utena thoughts, which is nice. If you're not paying attention in the show, you can come off thinking Utena is kind of stupid; she's not, she just doesn't say her thoughts all the time. Here we get to see them! She's pretty suspicious of Anthy tbh but still determined to be a good friend.
Also, they're a little more proactive in investigating (Miki and Utena team up pretty quickly to investigate Touga and maybe get info on End of the World, including breaking into Touga's house) and a little more antagonistic to End of the World, or aware of his schemes. By the end of book 1, Miki has had his sister kidnapped and ransomed by him! And if the series had continued, once Utena got the truth of what happened with Wakaba at the end of book 2, she'd be PISSED.
Anyway, I really enjoyed these books. Wish we got more Juri though. I would assume the next book was supposed to be hers. We get so little info on her that all we really know is she has warnings about love.
I think all I have left now is the musicals.... ok, and the manga. I think my likelihood of reading the manga is pretty slim.
ADDING IN THE PRESENT DAY: I can't believe I didn't mention Wakaba/Saionji. Their scenes are so funny. I can honestly believe in them now.
Also, the student council president's house is called the White House. Incredible.