The box set is beautiful, and I love the story of Utena. Unfortunately, the characters are less interesting than in the anime, and I can't help myself from comparing. ( )

*sigh* this was so bad. In fact the only thing I liked were the last 2 pages. It got so bad I broke out in a song and serenaded to my partner. Yes, I also don't know why. It doesn't make sense but so didn't this story. I'm tempted to give this 1 star but I did liked the art.
Part of it is because of the translation? It felt sort of clunky. I have this feeling that in Japanese I still would be lost on the story but at least I would've enjoyed the rhythm of the language used more. (I'm guessing that of course. Maybe even in the original language I would feel the same)

Also the person who said this had lesbian undertones... No. You scammed me. I feel scammed. I thought it would be like Yuri on Ice or Demon Diary. Or even like Kikker en Pad or Bert and Ernie. You don't know for sure but it could read that way. The ending felt like a slap in my face. I actually said out loud "Oh fuck off".

I'm so mad. I won't get rid of it though.
A) because I'm a sucker for pretty books and it looks good on the shelf.
B) it will be a reminder to stick with my gut and even though someone else likes it, I should at least find out if it's something I also enjoy.



Oh I almost forgot, I've also read volume 2 for the Manga Olympics Reading Challenge. I’ve read this manga for the prompt: 9. Fencing: Read a fantasy manga ( )

Soooooo, yeah. Utena the anime is such an iconic queer staple for baby me, and I knew the manga was problematic. That being said, the presentation of the comic is stellar. Beautiful production, obviously a labor of love and respect. ( )