Chuchu - Tumblr Posts
Why I think ChuChu is used as a distraction and a metaphor/why I think people need to view Utena in the same way they view Surrealist paintings
Something that I don’t think enough people understand about Utena Revolutionary girl, is that ever frame is meant to be viewed under a classical art eye.
This simple still, a lot of people will discount it. Think that it’s not important to Utena’s Character. This is a moment in which Utena is doubting herself, and the show is trying to purposely distract your attention to ChuChu, all to throw off your perception of Utena as a character. This universe doesn’t want you to view Utena as anything other than a justified, righteous Prince. At least for now. The show itself wants to devalue Utena’s doubt in herself, in favor of projecting her security in herself. And you might say, “Hey that’s crazy talk!” But that’s the thing, this show tried to distract you on purpose multiple time. All in an effort to trick your perception, in the same way that the characters perceptions are being tricked.
ChuChu is seen as a joke character, yet he shows very early on that there was something abnormal with this specific dress. The packets he’s holding are humidity/moister absorption packets. It is a visual premonition of what is yet to come, as Anthy’s dress dissolves from moisture. Yet the show is purposefully trying to make the viewer feel as though it’s unimportant because it’s the “mascot” “pet” figure.
This scene as well, ChuChu is not only used as a physical barrier, but a mental barrier. Even though this scene is very serious, showing Utena and her toxic counterpart when they first meet. These characters are meant to be foils of each other, showing not only the worst parts of Utena’s character, but also how she differs from what she could be. And how her choices could lead her to a similar fate. Utena is still climbing upwards, while her counterpart has reached the precipice of what he can be. She is free to continue moving forward, while he is stuck. And yet, the scene is still trying to distract you with the silliness of ChuChu, almost as if to relieve some of the tension.
As the show goes on, it uses ChuChu as less of a distraction tool, and leans more into what ChuChu represents conceptually. Utena, in this moment, is projecting onto ChuChu. She is worried about what Anthy is doing, but doesn’t want or know how to admit it. So Utena projects those fears onto ChuChu, who is this moment being used as a vehicle for Utena’s internal feelings.
But anyways, this is the kind of stuff I feel like people miss when they watch Utena, because of how they are viewing it. People judge it off of anime standards, when really it should be judged and interpreted as a piece of surrealist artwork. Look at the camera view, the positioning of stills, the distance and stance of characters. It is much more complex than most give it credit for.
cucco and chuchu!
4# Pink
Ok so hear me out. I didn’t have enough time to color it because I have been working on other stuff. :(
Oh well, at least I drew them!
yea uh i dont know. what has happened here
Chu-Chu from Utena and Mort eating cake together?
FUCK UYEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!
The most adorable thing, reminds me of the days we lived in the #trainhouse in #MTC #NJ but here at #LAX sharing the #holidayspirit with a #christmastree and #toytrain #chuchu goes the #littleenginethatcould #onlyatxmastime #christmastime #christmasinbcali #homefortheholidays #travelday #trains #xmas #christmas #xmastree #xmasdecorations #airports #attheairport #spreadthejoy #itschristmastime #dec21 #mondaymorning #monday #livetotravel #traveler #traveling #CA #California (at Terminal 4 - Los Angeles International Airport)
hello, I have recently discovered dotpict
reasons why some characters did not make it into star allies (/j)
