In the early ’90s,Sailor Moonquickly became a cultural icon, redefining its genre through its exploration of friendship, high-stakes romance, and memorable transformations. Among its strong cast, Tuxedo Mask stood out as one of the most mysterious characters. As a well-dressed, rose-throwing hero who made dramatic entrances and had a complicated relationship with Sailor Moon, fans were drawn to the tension he created. However,not everyone was on board with the whirlwind of love and destiny between Usagi and Mamoru.
One ofSailor Moon’sdirectors, Kunihiko Ikuhara, had a strong distaste for Mamoru’s character.This distaste ultimately sparked something entirely new and distinct from the series, leading to one of the most groundbreaking anime of its time. Thanks to Tuxedo Mask,Revolutionary Girl Utenawas born.
Tuxedo Mask Inadvertently Gave Birth to Revolutionary Girl Utena
Sailor Moon’s Director Created an Entire Anime in Response to His Grudge Against Tuxedo Mask
Ikuhara, the director of Seasons 2 through 4 ofSailor Moon, had a complicated relationship with the show’s romantic subplot. While the love story between Usagi and Mamoru was central to the narrative, Ikuhara famously dislikedTuxedo Mask. Over time, this became evident in the anime’s direction, asMamoru’s role gradually became less prominent and was sidelinedin favor of focusing on the lives and relationships of the Sailor Guardians. What some may have assumed was merely a creative decision actually stemmed from a personal dislike of the character, and his frustrations were then channeled into an entirely different story.
“But I feel irritated to see my girl getting together with some other guy. I’ve tried to kill off Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon many times. But no matter how many times I tried to kill him, he gets resurrected so I only get angrier. So I decided it would be way better if the girl just didn’t have a boyfriend to begin with.”
The desire to remove the male love interest and explore what remained in his absence contributed to the creative inspiration behindRevolutionary Girl Utena. Instead of focusing on a heroine being saved or validated by a male figure, Ikuhara imagined a story where the protagonist rejected that trope entirely. With Utena, the traditional prince role is both celebrated and deconstructed, while the romantic narrative is reclaimed by the female characters. What began asa dislike for one character became the foundation for one of anime’s most influential series.
Revolutionary Girl Utena Was a Groundbreaking Anime in the ’90s
Revolutionary Girl Utena Broke Through Gender Roles and Societal Expectations
Premiering in 1997,Revolutionary Girl Utenastood out from other animeairing at the time. The series follows the titular character, Utena Tenjou, a girl who vows to become a prince,embracing her unique identity and challenging societal norms.The show had a dreamlike setting, used shadow puppetry, and utilized ritualistic duels to question the very nature of identity, power, and gender roles. The story is dense, symbolic, and, best of all, unapologetically strange.
At the heart ofRevolutionary Girl Utenais a challengeto traditional storytelling, particularly regarding gender expectations. Utena never aspires to be saved, nor does she ever conform to the expectations placed on her. Instead, the storyline creates a world where mechanisms of control, such asschool systems, royalty, and romance, are exposed and destabilized.The relationships inUtenaare complex, featuring morally ambiguous characters and deep symbolism. The series explores themes of abuse, agency, and the roles people are expected to fulfill, especially through its young women.
Despite airing during a decade filled with iconic titles,Utenanever achieved the same commercial recognition as other series in the ‘90s. However, as time passed, its reputation only grew, cementingUtenaas a cult classic and a groundbreaking narrative with critical acclaim.Its influence can be seen in later works that defy traditional themes and expectations.What began as a reaction to frustration withSailor Moon’sromantic subplot transformed into a visionary piece ahead of its time.Revolutionary Girl Utenaembraced symbolism and radical storytelling, carving out a place among the most influential anime of all time.
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Cast
Revolutionary Girl Utena is a Japanese animated series created by Kunihiko Ikuhara. The story follows Utena Tenjou, a teenage girl who aspires to become a prince. Utena enrolls at Ohtori Academy, where she becomes embroiled in a series of mysterious duels to protect her classmate Anthy Himemiya. The series explores themes of identity, gender roles, and the pursuit of nobility.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moonis a magical girl franchise created by Naoko Takeuchi. It began as a manga in 1991 and was adapted into an anime series in 1992. The story follows Usagi Tsukino, a middle school girl who transforms into Sailor Moon to protect Earth from evil forces. The franchise spans five original anime seasons, films, musicals, video games, and a reboot series,Sailor Moon Crystal. Its global impact has made it a cultural icon and one of the most successful shōjo franchises in history.
