This almost feels like a trick question...

Nanami has never been one of my favorite characters, but like all characters in the show I see her nesscessity. I also reveled in her episodes later in the series when comic relief was in need. I point to the egg episode.

Utena has also never been one of my favorite characters if only becuase there is naiveté  and then there is naiveté. I mean, really, but then over the years I've met people like that so there you go.

This still feels like a trick question mostly becuase after years of being in the fandom my reaction to characters has changed. I don't think there are any characters I actively hate, so much as I don't prefer. Although, in fairness Touga, Saionji and Akio used to cause major fan rage in me, so did Ruka for that matter. But now I can see the benefits and faults of the entire cast. I think Utena and Nanami remain at the top of my list mostly becuase I find it hard to write for them and really truly understand their point of view.

Ok that's enough rambling from me.

I agree dollface--except I don't think it's dangerous topic. You can have a least favorite character even if you understand why they're necessary. I don't really care for Saionji, for example, but I can appreciate what he adds to the story.

I don't mean to be snicky here, is it okay if we not use the word hate in this thread?  One, it's a rather strong wrong; I may have those who don't interest me as other characters, or find myself often disliking a character's choice or behavior, but really, I can't hate them...they aren't real and it all comes down to taste.  All that word would do on this forum is inadvertently hurt a fan's feelings, especially since, like dollface mentioned, each character in Utena is flawed and to hate one and love another is to be hypocritical on some level, and an argument to love or hate any particular character can be made.   

I mean, this is a "who is your least favorite character thread"  not a "what a fucking cumrag useless piece of animation."  I know it's been a sensitive topic on this forum before, the line between being overly sensitive while posting and outright rude, but I feel that when it comes to such a masterpiece like Utena, the subject and it's character's deserve at least a little bit more thought.

Ultimately, what offends one is entirely personal, and on the other side people have a right to say what they wish and vent,  and whether or not this thread is for semi-or totally serious hate-filled rants is up to minerva.  If it is the latter I'll mind my own business and just have the sense not to look at this thread if I'm not comfortable with the content.

That said, my least favorite has to be Juri.  I don't dislike her, quite the opposite.  If I met her in real life I would probably find her pretty engaging.  But I love psychological train-wrecks and Juri was a bit too easy for me to figure out, and I've never been much into romantic plots, so while I can appreciate her character and the intricacies of it and her relationships, it's just not to my personal taste.  Her and Miki are my bottom two, Miki being there for much the same reasons.  There isn't really any character's in Utena I dislike, so saying that they are the bottom of my list is kind of like saying they are at the bottom of a top 10 bests list.

Yeah. I agree with what others have said, I can't really "hate" or dislike a character in Utena too much because every character in the show is fucked up so pointing out the flaws in one character while every character is flawed is a tad hypocritical.. I mean, I guess to word it better I could say I dislike the flaws in a certain character while in another character I "forgive" their flaws or something. I am also realizing how this forum has changed my perspective on characters, giving me a deeper insight into each character, even as seemingly pointless of a character like, say, Keiko. (That essay on her was really good).

These are the characters that made my blood boil when I first watched the series, however. You know.. the first time you watch the show, when you don't understand it as much? Yeah, then:

Nanami and Shiori especially, and Touga and Saionji.. Akio too, but I understood he was supposed to piss me off.. these characters really pissed me off in the beginning. (well, except for the final episodes with Nanami in them. She grew on me a little, but I really really couldn't stand her at first.) Now I don't really hate these characters and feel like I understand them and sympathize with them better. Except maybe Touga.. Touga and Saionji are perfect examples of the misogynistic males that I hate (Saionji being more physically misogynistic and Touga being more emotionally and truly misogynistic) and I couldn't stand them at first... yet now I understand their purpose in that well, they're supposed to represent misogynistic males and have a purpose in the story. And that they're much deeper than that, of course.

I can't really go into character flaws too much, because hey, Anthy is my favorite character. And Utena.. well, her flaws I really love. A naive, innocent anime character that actually has the flaws of being innocent and naive instead of at the perfect time knowing what to magically say to make a person feel better.

Edit: As for a character I really dislike now.. I don't know! I have a little less sympathy for Touga than others, but methinks I just don't understand him as well.

Last edited by SleepDebtFairy (12-07-2009 07:57:29 PM)

Android raptor wrote:

Ruka. If I were Juri, he would've ended up loosing his ability to reproduce, if not just as a side-effect of self defense. The guy made me really fricken' uneasy

I feel the same.  Even if he's ultimately trying to help Juri or whatever, he still has a strong "creeper" vibe, at least when viewed through the fourth wall.  I mean, not having that fourth wall I can totally see why Shiori was all over him.  But extremely "uneasy" what I felt in the scene where he pins Juri's hands or whatever...

I've never liked Suzuki, Yamada, and Tanaka. Odds are, I never will.

Akio Yes, some like him for being a souless shell of a man, but for others, it produces the opposite effect.

Tsuwabuki.  Nanami has enough problems with Touga as a big brother, she didn't need to deal with him, too.

No... I can't say I dislike any character. But the title of the thread says "least favourite", so I'll go with that.

Ruka, Saionji and Touga.

I do believe I've actively disliked Ruka once upon a time, but... I've changed my mind since. I don't think any of the characters in the show are people I'd hang out with. Most of the show you don't even see them hanging out between themselves. They're mostly just duelling and trying to figure out their own shit while the other characters get in their way. Which is why that badminton scene comes as a breath of fresh air. Very significant. But you know, that's part of why I love this show so much.

Every single one of the characters is flawed. Even Dios was flawed in the sense of not being able to save everyone. Saying one character is more flawed or less deserving of being forgiven would be a strictly subjective opinion. I picked Ruka, Saionji and Touga because they're characters I've never felt compelled to analyse as much as I did with Juri & Shiori or Miki & Kozue. That isn't to say they're any less deserving of it, but it's a reflection of my own personality which finds some character dynamics more interesting than other. So yush. Me luffs me some Saionji and Touga, too.

Saionji.

He's extremely well written and extremely believable, without a doubt. But he's an extremely well written and extremely believable wanking prat. This is weird even to myself considering I love Kozue and Shori, but I suspect that the actual physical domestic violence is a breaker for me.

Also not overly fond of Touga, the budding little organisational psychopath.

Don't like Akio much. Don't really get the OMG TEH SEXY. Man's a fucking paedophile.

My least favorite character(s)

I guess Shiroi.  Perhaps it's because of how she is towards Juri or maybe it's because of her deep seated insecurity. 

Kozue is another one, I understand that feels shadowed by her brother, but perhaps my issue if how she deals with it. I wonder if she realizes that Miki wants to have a brother/sister relationship with her?  I don't know, maybe she does, but doesn't know how to go about doing that. 

Nanami, well I don't care much for her big brother complex. I also don't like how she thinks she's somehow superior to everyone else. Though I find it funny when gets picked on by Anthy.    So I can't really hate the poor girl.

After watching Nanami's first duel episodes, I said to myself: Touga likes cats and is sarcastic and I think he's an awesome character.  Nanami killed a cat and is annoying and spiteful and useless, I'll never feel anything but hatred toward her.

By the end of the series, yes, Nanami's episodes still irritated me because they're a little too much sometimes, but when her Akio duel came around I felt such pity for the poor girl who had her entire life broken down by the person she most cared about because he was so self-serving and power hungry.  After that, Touga never redeemed himself in my eyes.  I saw his sudden romance with Utena as him deluding himself and I believed he would never truly be capable of that emotion in those circumstances.  He's no better than Saionji idolizing Anthy in that respect.

So:

Touga, for what he did to Nanami and his total disregard for others
Chuchu, for generally being creepy-looking and not adding enough to the plot (I get he might have symbolism, but honestly, I think the narrative would be better if he wasn't around so much)
Shiori, for reasons previously mentioned by others.  I understand why she does what she does, but that doesn't mean I have to like her as a person.  As a character...I guess I'm looking for a little more depth, like Kozue protecting the baby bird.