+++ ARTICLES: Le p'tit poussin +++

If the egg's shell does not break, the chick will die without being born. We are the chick; the egg is the world. If the world's shell does not break, we will die without being born. Break the world's shell! For the sake of revolutionizing the world! - Touga

These words, spokeon in episode 2 by Touga (which are echoed by Juri), are important words that basically summarize the main theme of adolescence and revolution in the anime Shoujo Kakumei Utena (these words do not appear in the theatrical version). The main theme of the series is the progression and transformation of Utena from an innocent child into an adult woman by enduring the pains and tribulations of adolescence.

In that regard, the "shell" that Touga speaks of is the shell of innocence that encases Utena. She must be able to break through it in by a revolution in order to develop into a mature woman. If she fails to break through, then she will "die," or in other words, she will forever remain trapped in her world of innocence. The shell protects a chick while it is beginning to develop, but when the chick is ready to face the world, it must first break through its shell. This is a metaphor for Utena, because she is the chick that can face the world after breaking through the shell that blinds her.

The final revolution that she brings about finds her removed from the world, or as Anthy puts it, from Akio's world. Akio is trapped in his game, his own personal shell, pulling in others with him. In order to escape from his grasp, the concept of bringing the revolution is introduced, and Utena is the first character to be successful in escaping his world of meaningless illusions.

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