Utena Ep 1&2

I've been meaning to watch Utena for ages now. This is my year!!!

(Relatedly, this is also the year I'm attempting to get more into yuri. So far I've read (half of) one manga series and loved it!)

Here is what I know about Utena beforehand:

• It's Very Deep and probably confusing. Everyone says this.
• It is ICONIC and FOUNDATIONAL for many many anime/shows/etc after it.
• It's sad?? I think?
• At some point someone turns into a car Transformers style? This may be in a movie. Probably unimportant.
• Utena and Anthy have a tense and fraught relationship, I think? The type of thing where they would sit down to tea together and MAYBE the tea is poisoned? Unsure if this actually happens or not.
• Flowers. Swords and duels. Girls.

( Episodes 1 & 2 Liveblog Style )

Overall: I'm confused!! I'm intrigued and compelled!! I just dragged my friend, who'd been resisting, into watching it by saying "I think Kabuto (the Naruto character) came from the Utena universe", which is a statement I can't really explain but it feels true.