GKIDS is bringing a classic back to the big screen. The distributor announced it has secured North American theatrical rights to Adolescence of Utena, director Kunihiko Ikuhara's 1999 film adaptation of his beloved television series Revolutionary Girl Utena. The movie will play in U.S. theaters on June 21-22 with Japanese audio and English subtitles, with tickets already available.

The film follows Utena as she enrolls in the prestigious Ohtori Academy while pursuing her dream of becoming a prince. She quickly becomes entangled in a secret dueling competition where students battle for possession of the "Rose Bride"—their classmate Anthy, a mysterious girl who both fascinates and confuses Utena. As Utena faces increasingly powerful rivals and grows closer to Anthy, the two girls' desire for freedom escalates into something far more revolutionary.

Adolescence of Utena represents a significant work from Ikuhara, who previously directed the original Revolutionary Girl Utena TV series (1997) before going on to create Sailor Moon, Yuri Kuma Arashi, and other acclaimed projects. The film was developed by Be-PaPas, a creative collective that includes manga artist Chiho Saitō, screenwriter Yōji Enokido (Bungo Stray Dogs, Star Driver), and composer Yūichirō Oguro, among others. This collaborative approach helped establish the series' distinctive visual and narrative style.

The theatrical screening marks renewed interest in the franchise after decades of limited availability in North America. Central Park Media originally released the film on DVD and VHS domestically, but the film has since cycled through various streaming platforms including RetroCrush, Funimation, and Tubi. The original 39-episode TV series similarly has found new audiences through Nozomi Entertainment's Blu-ray release and YouTube streaming channel.

For longtime fans who grew up with the series and newcomers curious about this influential work, the theatrical presentation offers a chance to experience Ikuhara's surreal, symbolism-rich storytelling on the intended format. Those interested should grab tickets soon—limited theatrical runs like this often fill up quickly.