Win the complete Revolutionary Girl Utena set

Well, here it is: the last giveaway of 2011, and I thought I’d go out with a bang.

RightStuf/Nozomi did anime fans a great service this year by releasing the complete “Revolutionary Girl Utena” saga in three box sets. The 39 episodes have been remastered and look great.

For those who’ve never seen “Utena,” how do I explain it? It’s really hard. I think I’ll be lazy and let Wikipedia do it with its thorough write-up.

But one thing I can say: The show is bizarre. I was introduced to the show just as I was discovering anime as an adult, and I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I think that’s the point, though, at least for U.S. fans. The friends I watched it with didn’t necessarily enjoy it for the plot. They enjoyed the sheer outrageousness of it, from the characters to the costumes to the sword fights in a magical dueling hall. I think they just wanted to see my eyes bug out. But we had a great time over several nights.

I think all anime fans should take a look at “Utena.” You may not like it, but there’s no denying its mesmerizing qualities. It’s definitely more fun to watch with a group, and I daresay many would like it even more with a bit of alcohol at the viewing party.

I think Zac Bertschy of Anime News Network summed up the show well: “Simultaneously beautiful, emotionally powerful, artistically triumphant and absurdly hilarious.”

So, I’ve got all three sets to give away: “The Student Council Saga,” “The Black Rose Saga” and, appropriately for the year that’s supposed to see the end of the world, “The Apocalypse Saga.”

For your chance to win, send your name and address to ehenrickson@detnews.com. Use “Utena” as your subject line, and enter only once by Jan. 6. U.S. entries only.