To be honest, I don't think anything has provided me with as much pure academic joy as analyzing RGU. It's the omnidocument of the 20th century through a feminist lens. My primary perspectives on it are existential and psychoanalytic: it is the story of the escape from modernism (and the fascimile of reality that the modern patriarchy presents) and so is best seen from a modernist lens. Reality is constructed to oppress women, and Utena discovers that fact. Reality is incompatible with Anthy's happiness, so Utena rejects it. I repost my 'formal' meta from tumblr here (links below) but if you're curious about my (slightly) less coherent notes, I'd encourage you to check out the tag in the subtitle.
Adolescence on Anthy and Akio
Coffins and the Death Drive
The Black Rose Duelists and Masculinity
"You remind me of the Dios I once loved. But you can't become my Prince, because you're a girl." (Anthy, ep 39)
