Though the manga has some humorous moments not found in the anime, the manga tends to portray the characters far more superficially. Utena doesn't truly suffer in her struggle to be a prince, Anthy becomes a stereotypical damsel in distress who doesn't walk the fine line between a princess and a witch, Juri is reduced to a shallow, jealous lover who constantly bickers over Touga, and these are just the big changes. Each character is so simplified that they become stereotypes, instead of unique characters who subvert and deconstruct the archetypes they're subjected to. The Utena anime is the most intelligent, beautiful series I've ever seen, but those looking for that greatness to be replicated in the manga will be very disappointed.

I'm longing for this series ever since I read its review in a magazine some years ago. When I read its review, it seems that every character has a very twisted personality and the story is interesting. And I'm so happy to get it scanlated.
But after finishing it... well... seems my expectation was too high... Eventhough it has great characters, but everything is just... unreasonable. Well it has reason, but the reasons weren't strong at all, or just cliche...

I adore this series so much. Setting aside the shoujo-ai and incest themes, the story is surprisingly deep. Even though I prefered the anime than the manga--it's still worth the read if you want strong (and slightly twisted) characters.

The art is pretty good but the story is lacking something. It drags in some spots and does not give enough detail in others. It has the makings of a really good manga but needs more development.

I'm sorry but I can't say I agree with the other reviews for this manga.

I've watched the anime - and, actually, I didn't even see all of it because it was just too random and weird for my taste (I think I stopped at Nanami's egg... and that pretty much speaks for itself), so I was a bit skeptic about reading this manga.

However, my absolute love for Chiho Saito's works (Kanon, Kakan no Madonna just to name my favorites) made me want to read this one as well and... boy, was I glad I did!

I loved this manga. Absolutely loved it. And, guess what? It actually makes sense! I happen to think the characters are actually better developed in the manga than the anime, despite it being so short (especially Touga - who remains my favorite character - and Anthy, who is actually not as passive and boring as she appeared in the anime): you actually understand their feelings and why they act the way they do.

What I do not understand, however, is why the anime changed all the relationships:


The feeling I got of the anime was that they pretty much killed all the normal relationships and turned them all somehow more perverse (although "incest" feels like a really big word to me, even for the anime; ); but then again this is probably just me. I suppose it depends on how you interpret the story: I didn't find any GL nor incest here.

Definitely recommend it!

This series is ok to read when bored but nothing amazing can be expected from the story. It doesn't flow as smoothly as you'd hope. Would not read again and would not recommend.

... Last updated on January 2nd, 2012, 1:03pm