#like how gender nonconformity is often seen as ok in young girls- the ''tomboy'' phase thats seen as frivolous | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

liquidstar · 8 months ago

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maybe im overthinking, but do you ever think abt how in episode 1, utena justifies wearing the boys uniform by saying its not against the rules? while this was clearly a "gotcha" moment against that stuffy teacher, i feel like it also shows how shes still functioning within the parameters of the ohtori system. like, yeah, shes being rebellious, but its a form of rebellion that isnt actually revolutionary- shes still following the rules propagating the structure built around the patriarchal prince, shes just doing it in the "opposite" way of whats expected, but shes not actually fighting it. though, of course, even this much deviance still tries to get corrected... its still not against the rules. i feel like from the beginning we're told aspiring to princedom isn't a noble goal, and that utena is still part of the system as long as she pursues it

#idk compare it to... you know pop feminism thats like ''lipstick red enough to kill a man'' type stuff?#obvs thats going in the more fem direction but its like... still perpetuating the patriarchy in the end #its an empty movement (lol) that doesnt actually mean shit bc it doesnt challenge the status quo #the point is its not ''against the rules.'' thats an irl thing i can think of comparing it to at least #but yeah i also think it answers the question of ''how come a school SO obsessed w gender norms doesnt enforce a stricter dress code?''#is bc as long as you play a role to propagate the system it doesnt really matter #though at the end all girls are like the rose bride etc etc i also think thats an aspect of it #like how gender nonconformity is often seen as ok in young girls- the ''tomboy'' phase thats seen as frivolous #and something theyll grow out of. or something theyll be made to grow out of. i very much think that plays into it too #its okay when youre a girl but when youre a woman you have to become a bride. literally and figuratively #rgu

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