SEM Rambles Here

Previously on SEM Discusses Utena I finally got back in the game and we’re going to see this to the end so let’s do it. Today’s episode is “Nanami’s Egg” which I think is the weirdest of the Nanami filler episodes, yes, even weirder than “The Cowbell of Happiness” which I think is mostly just an excuse for a bad pun if you ask me. All of Nanami’s filler episodes are a bit strange, but… man, “Nanami’s Egg.” Still watching the remastered edition in Japanese with English subtitles.

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Previously on SEM Discusses Utena it was last July and I was/am full of trepidation because the show becomes more abstract and symbolic and also this episode features Kozue and my opinion of her has probably changed over the past year when I started this little discussion set (my opinion of Miki has probably also changed? It’s hard to say). Second episode of the Car/Apocalypse Saga! I’m watching the remastered DVD set in English with Japanese subtitles. Let’s rock and roll.

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SEM Discusses Utena mini-discussion with a focus on Wakaba because Wakaba is mai waifu I wasn’t explicit enough about something and it’s been weighing on my mind a little bit.

I may have implied or outright stated that I wanted Wakaba to end up with Tatsuya. I only think that as long as the full statement is something to the effect of “Given the choices of Saionji and Tatsuya and neither isn’t an option because we’re taking on the mindset of shippers where everyone must be paired, I would prefer Wakaba go with Tatsuya because while he has some problems he isn’t a complete bastard.” And there’s a reason for this, I swear, and I think it ties into greater themes within Utena.

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SEM Discusses Utena addendum:

The character Utena is missing the point of everything. I’m sure I’ve mentioned it in passing, but Rynia was a dear and reminded me of that.

So just a reminder: Utena is missing the point, and to me at least she’s incredibly naïve about everything.

Just FYI.

Last time on SEM Disucuess Utena it was March and oh wow has it really been that long I reeeeeally dropped the ball on that one. Today’s episode starts off the Car Saga (or, as the DVD set puts it, the Apocalypse Saga), and I hope you’re prepared. Saionji comes back, we have slightly different dueling rules, Akio steps up as a more major player, we’re gonna step things up a notch here. Per usual, I’m watching the remastered DVD set in English with Japanese subtitles.

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Last time on SEM Discusses Utena we finished up the Black Rose Saga! How exciting, I hope you were there for it. Tonight is a filler episode, and like all filler episodes it features Nanami, easily in the top ten most terrible people on this show (I keep wanting to say she’s the worst but then I remember, like, everyone else). This is the end of volume two folks and when I come back to do more we’ll be into some of the meatiest bits of the show. I’m watching the remastered DVD set in English with Japanese subtitles.

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Last time on SEM Discusses Utena was an episode that focused on a fairly minor character, but it was good. Tonight I finish up the Black Rose saga. I want to say things heat up in these two episodes but those who know what happens in them would probably smack me upside the head and rightfully so because that is a terrible thing to say. I’m watching the remastered DVD set in Japanese with English subtitles.

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Last time on SEM Discuss Utena I said “oh honey” a bit too much and nearly cried my eyes out like I always do. Tonight it’s more low-key as we examine Nanami’s Trio. We’re approaching the end of the Black Rose saga now. I’m watching the remastered DVD set in Japanese with English subtitles.

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Last time on SEM Discusses Utena I talked about Tsuwabuki’s duel and how it’s just so sad and tonight I’m doing a two-part episode that’s actually made me cry. I just… have lots of feelings about Wakaba. This also has two of the most interesting elevator descents in the Black Rose Saga at least if you ask me. I’m watching the remastered DVDs in Japanese with English subtitles.

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Last time on SEM Discusses Utena I remembered that there was a character more horrible than other horrible characters I’ve mentioned. This is normal, especially because we’re in the Black Rose saga part! However today’s episode makes me so sad because Tsuwabuki is just a boy and I do mean just a boy not even a teenager oh poor baby. I’m watching the remastered DVD set in Japanese with English subtitles.

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Last SEM Discusses Utena was just a look at a peculiar little filler episode. Today it’s episode 16 which is one probably one of my favorite episodes and I’m reminded that while Kozue and Nanami are terrible people I’m not sure they can hold a candle to Shiori for reasons I’ll talk about under the cut. I’m watching the remastered DVD set in Japanese with English subtitles.

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Last time on SEM Discusses Utena I was pompous and my sister was crazy I looked at episode 15, which in a second viewing makes me rethink my stance on Kozue. We’ll see how we feel about her later, because tonight it’s filler! Strange filler. Not the strangest and I’m not sure if I should even give it a full review because it’s really just a strange character study of Nanami that has loose connections to canon, but I’m tired and want to watch the Lost Skeleton of Cadavra so I guess I’ll just review it so that tomorrow (or possibly even later tonight) we can talk about one of my favorite episodes. Anyway I’m watching the remastered DVDs in Japanese with English subtitles.

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Oh dear it’s been almost a week since the last SEM Discuss Utena, and I apologize for that. However I am ready to review another episode! Tonight’s episode is episode 15 and it’s Kozue-intensive, so that’ll be fun. As I was when last I left you, I am watching the remastered DVDs in Japanese with English subtitles.

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Last time on SEM Discusses Utena I covered episode 13 which was a recap episode plus a small taste of what’s to come. Tonight I begin the Black Rose Saga in earnest. I’m just going to warn for spoilers again (every review of mine has spoilers, but for some reason I feel this one just needs extra spoiler warnings). I’m watching the Remastered DVD set in Japanese with English Subtitles.

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Last time on SEM Discusses Utena I tackled a two-part episode that is more or less the end of the Student Council Saga. I say more or less because episode 13 is a bridge between the the Student Council Saga and the Black Rose Saga. It’s also a recap episode, but it’s definitely one of the more interesting recaps I’ve seen of anything because it brings new information to the table. That said, I’m watching the remastered DVD set in Japanese with English subtitles.

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