>>8801Utena has some of the most spectacular cinematography of any anime. The visuals will often tell you a story seperate from what you would derive directly from the dialogue and plot. The characters are great, they're both gun and interesting to watch but also serve as means of thematic exposition. The narrative starts out light-hearted, turns more intense and finally into dramatic with lots of surreal elements which become stronger throughout the whole show. It's really interesting to put all the pieces together for yourself.
Utena will really shuffle with your emotions. You'll want to laugh and cry, you'll be happy but also really disturbed.
Overall it's a show that's got something for the eyes, the mind and the heart.
As for Tutu, I won't go into it as much. It isn't as intense an experience as Utena, it was less surreal and I found it less engaging. But again, the characters are great, they're fun but theirs also lots of dramatic development going. The story is really interesting, it mixes mahou shojo with ballet and fairy tales, to which you'll see allusions from the first episode. It also makes a unique spin on the genre, just like Utena does.
The only problem I had with both is that the humor was a bit cheesy, but if enjoy older anime humor you won't see a problem. If not, it might just be a minor irk. Also, the story might seem repetetive in both before it gets to the ending episodes but they do serve a purpose and honestly that kind of structure intrigued me.
I'd give Utena a 10/10 and Tutu an 8/10, which would be the same as Madoka with the second part. Though I'd say Tutu is slightly better.
