History Anime / UtaKata

[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/uta_kata_02_04.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:320:Manatsu & Ichika.]]

!! Tropes:

Ichika Tachibana is an ordinary 14 year old girl with two older friends who gifted her a yin-yang charm that she keeps on her mobile phone. Then one summer evening she finds her mobile phone is somehow on the other side of a mysterious mirror at school. Peering into the mirror, she sees another girl looking back at her, who promptly picks up the phone and emerges from the glass. This girl, Manatsu, claims to be a part of her, and Ichika's parents are strangely open to having her stay in the house. Manatus promises to take care of Ichika for the summer holiday, but asks that she do her "homework" for her.

* AbusiveParents: Satsuki's step-father.

* AttemptedRape: Ryou tries this on Ichika, but his ex, Maki, stops him.

* HomoeroticSubtext: While there is some in the anime, it's subdued; the manga goes much further, with Manatsu and Ichika kissing, hugging and groping each other, often in a state of undress.

This means using the yin-yang charm to summon Djinn, elemental spirits whose powers can be used by Ichika for various ends. From now on she will summon a different Djinn each episode, accompanied by a TransformationSequence that, unusually for the genre, puts her in a different costume each time. This thrills her at first, but the more she uses this power the more she finds that it comes with a heavy cost, and she starts seeing herself and the world in an increasingly negative light. The Djinn are not benevolent Ichika also remembers some foreboding dreams about Manatsu that she had long ago, but she can't recall how they ended. Meanwhile a mysterious woman called Saya watches over her.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: [[spoiler:Downplayed. Saya doesn't help Manatsu dispel the tsunami in the eleventh episode, but she's still visibly uncomfortable when hearing Manatsu's agonized screaming.]]

* LighterAndSofter: The manga series, albeit the fanservice.

* ProperLady: Keiko.
* ProperTightsWithASkirt: Michiru in her school uniform.

* RedEyesTakeWarning: [[spoiler: Ichika in the later episodes; her eyes glow red when the magic becomes dangerous.]]

* SadisticChoice: [[spoiler: In the final episode, Saya forces Ichika to choose between her own death and the death of everyone else in the world. She [[TakeAThirdOption Takes a Third Option.]]]]

''Uta Kata'' starts out as an ordinary MagicalGirl show, but gradually shifts to a darker tone. The 12 episode anime, broadcast in 2004, was given an [[OriginalVideoAnimation OVA]] episode in the DVD release that brings some more closure than the finale did. The character designs and animation style are hallmarks of Creator/{{Gimik}}, a creative threesome consisting of director Keiji Gotoh, character designer Megumi Kadonosono, and screenwriter Hidefumi Kimura, who are perhaps better known for their work on ''Anime/KiddyGrade'' and ''Anime/KiddyGirlAnd.''

Of special note is the fact that all of the costumes that Ichika transforms into (twelve of them -- [[OncePerEpisode one for each episode]]) have been designed by different artists, known for their work on other manga, anime or figurines.

In August 2010, six years after its original Japanese broadcast, Section 23 Films announced a North American release of the series.

* CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Michiru.

* EvolvingCredits: The end credits for each episode feature the costume Ichika wore in that episode, and shows the yin-yang charm with its gems gradually lighting up.

* GenkiGirl: Satsuki, although not in a classical over the top sense. Manatsu is rather genki too.

* HumansAreBastards: [[spoiler:Saya's test is built on this by exposing a person to the worst of the world and in themselves, before asking the one being tested which deserves to be destroyed more: the world or themself?]]
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Happens to [[spoiler: Ichika and Manatsu on opposite ends of a life draining scythe.]]
* ImpossiblyCoolClothes: Just about every single outfit design, from the school uniforms to the swimwear. However, said designs are completely overshadowed by Ichika's breathtaking magical wardrobe.

* MoralMyopia: [[spoiler: Saya repeatedly calls others out for breaking the rules of the test she sets up, but has no problems with the harm the test itself causes.]]

* Foreshadowing: There's a very short shot in the opening of [[spoiler:Ichika in front of a mass grave,]] looking very out of place with the rest.

* BaitAndSwitchCredits: The opening suggest the series is a fluffy shoujo story. It's a seinen series, and things get ''very'' dark later as mature issues are explored in detail.

* BecameTheirOwnAntithesis: Happens to [[spoiler: Ichika]] as the series goes on.

* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: The series culminates in the heroine having to choose between killing herself or killing ''the entire rest of humanity.'' She chooses to TakeAThirdOption, but that has a catch of its own: Manatsu ends up reverting into the form of an inanimate mirror. And Saya has her eyes on another child to test in the future at the behest of her unseen boss, meaning they'll keep pushing kids through the DespairEventHorizon until they finally get an answer they like.]]

* BreakTheCutie: And how. [[spoiler: Happens to Ichika over the course of the series, but many of the supporting characters qualify.]]
* ButNowIMustGo: [[spoiler: Manatsu and Kai, in the OVA.]]
* CherryBlossoms
* ChristmasEpisode: The OVA.
* ClassTrip
* ClingyMacGuffin
%% * CloningBlues: Sort of, if you see [[spoiler: Manatsu as Ichika's clone.]]
* ComingOfAgeStory
* CrucifiedHeroShot: [[spoiler:Sei is shown nailed to the magic mirror in a flashback as he tries to get out of the forced choice.]]

* DistantFinale: In the OVA.

* ExtraordinarilyEmpoweredGirl
* FakeOutOpening: From the opening you might assume it's a fluffy shoujo series; it's seinen, and things get ''very'' dark later on.

* PlotBasedVoiceCancellation

* SpoilerOpening: There's a very short shot in the opening of [[spoiler: Ichika in front of a mass grave,]] looking very out of place with the rest.

* [[spoiler:WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Continued use of the Djinn's powers takes a heavy toll on Ichika's emotional and psychological health.]]

Ichika Tachibana is an ordinary 14 year old girl who one day finds that her mobile phone wound up on the other side of a huge mirror at school. When she tries to retrieve it, she sees another girl inside the mirror, who promptly exits it. This girl, Manatsu, promises to take care of her for the summer holiday, as long as Ichika does her "homework" for her.

Being Ichika's reflection and representation of a part of her, Manatsu has some outward semblance to Ichika, shares some of her fears and likes, but is more outspoken and a lot less serious. Ichika takes her home and finds that her parents are strangely willing to accept this girl in their house.

In the following weeks strange things happen related to the yin-yang shaped charm that Ichika received from Sei, one of her homework tutors. Through this charm she can summon spirits that represent various earth elements (called Djinn), so she can see the world through their eyes -- which, incidentally, is the "homework" that Manatsu is supposed to do.

This thrills her immensely at first, but the more she uses this power the more she finds that it comes with a high cost, since she starts seeing herself and the world in an increasingly negative light. Ichika also appears to have had dreams about Manatsu for most of her life, but [[PlotBasedVoiceCancellation she can't quite remember what she tried to say to her]].

''Uta Kata'' starts out as a seemingly ordinary MagicalGirl show, but fairly quickly [[MoodWhiplash shifts toward a much more serious tone,]] when Ichika faces some big issues regarding the use of her powers, and how they affect her and her surroundings. The 12 episode anime, broadcasted in 2004, had quite an [[GainaxEnding ambiguous ending]] that left some questions unanswered. The DVD release contained an extra [[OriginalVideoAnimation OVA]] episode in an attempt to bring some more closure to the story. The character designs and animation style are hallmarks of Creator/{{Gimik}}, a creative threesome consisting of director Keiji Gotoh, character designer Megumi Kadonosono, and screenwriter Hidefumi Kimura, who are perhaps better known for their work on ''Anime/KiddyGrade'' and ''Anime/KiddyGirlAnd.''

* MoodWhiplash

* MultipleDemographicAppeal

* NotBloodSiblings: Sei and Kai are ambiguously romantic and they pass themselves off as twins. [[spoiler: Of course, Kai is actually from the other side of the mirror, as Manatsu is.]]

* SceneryPorn: Using Kamakura as the setting tends to invoke this.

* SpiritWorld

* [[spoiler: WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Continued use of the Djinn's powers takes a heavy toll on Ichika's emotional and psychological health.]]

* YouCantFightFate: [[spoiler: Ichika finds that even if she tries to avoid using the Djinns, the transformations will occur even without her consent.]]

* DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler: Ichika seriously contemplates it at one point.]]

* HereWeGoAgain: The OVA ends with a new magical girl about to be chosen.

* IgnoredEpiphany: [[spoiler:Saya is content to continue testing people even after Ichika's refusal to choose, being too rigid and myopic to realize how ultimately flawed the trials are.]]

** The Djinn, also [[spoiler: Manatsu at first.]]

* LastKiss: [[spoiler: Both Ichika/Manatsu and Sei/Kai, in the final episode.]]

* LighthousePoint

* SnowMeansLove: In the OVA.

* IHaveTheHighGround: Saya, all the time.

* GlowingEyesOfDoom: [[spoiler: Ichika.]]

* DreamingOfThingsToCome: Ichika's prophetic dreams about Manatsu. Even Ichika's parents had these, before she was born.

* ElementalPowers: Ichika has quite a few:
** BlowYouAway
** PetalPower
** ShockAndAwe
** MakingASplash

* FestivalEpisode

* GirlishPigtails: Manatsu.

* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Saya operates according to a very odd set of rules.

* CloningBlues: Sort of, if you see [[spoiler: Manatsu as Ichika's clone.]]

* OldSchoolBuilding: Setting for the first episode.
* OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent: Sei and Kai.
* PainfulTransformation

* RedEyesTakeWarning: [[spoiler: Ichika.]]
* TheReveal: Several, actually.

%%* ShrinesAndTemples: Just throwing a rock in Kamakura will likely make it land in one of those places.

* EvolvingCredits: The end credits for each episode feature the costume Ichika wore in that episode.

* LethalHarmlessPowers: Ichika nearly kills someone with flower petals, as [[spoiler: they're deathly allergic to them.]]

* BlueAndOrangeMorality: [[spoiler: Saya]] operates according to a very odd set of rules.

* DreamingOfThingsToCome: Ichika's prophetic dreams about Manatsu.

* MysteriousWatcher: Saya.

* ShrinesAndTemples: Just throwing a rock in Kamakura will likely make it land in one of those places.
* SinisterScythe: [[spoiler: Saya's scarf is this.]]

* TakenForGranite: [[spoiler: Sei, by Saya.]]

* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: The series culminates in the heroine having to choose between killing herself or killing ''the entire rest of humanity.'' She chooses to TakeAThirdOption, but that has a catch of its own: Manatsu ends up reverting into the form of an inanimate mirror, and the burden of decision is passed on to someone else at Saya's discretion.]]

* {{Fanservice}}: A fair amount, between panty shots, transformations, and camera angles in general.

* MaleGaze: Every other scene.
* MagicalGirl
* MagicMirror

* FreezeFrameBonus: There's a super quick shot in the opening of [[spoiler: Ichika in front of a mass grave.]]

* {{Kimodameshi}}

* {{Underboobs}}: Episode 3's costume.

Of special note is the fact that all of the costumes that Ichika transforms into (twelve of them -- [[OncePerEpisode one for each episode]]) have been designed by different artists, known for their work on other manga, anime or figurines. Also notable is the [[RealPlaceBackground attention to the beautiful scenery of real life Kamakura,]] especially used to great effect in the beach scenes.

* {{Fanservice}}: The early transformations.

* PantyShot

* PinkySwear

* RealPlaceBackground: Most of the show takes place in Kamakura.

In August 2010, six years after its original Japanese broadcast, Creator/Section23Films announced a North American release of the series.

''Uta Kata'' starts out as a seemingly ordinary MagicalGirl show, but fairly quickly [[MoodWhiplash shifts toward a much more serious tone,]] when Ichika faces some big issues regarding the use of her powers, and how they affect her and her surroundings. The 12 episode anime, broadcasted in 2004, had quite an [[GainaxEnding ambigious ending]] that left some questions unanswered. The DVD release contained an extra [[OriginalVideoAnimation OVA]] episode in an attempt to bring some more closure to the story. The character designs and animation style are hallmarks of Creator/{{Gimik}}, a creative threesome consisting of director Keiji Gotoh, character designer Megumi Kadonosono, and screenwriter Hidefumi Kimura, who are perhaps better known for their work on ''Anime/KiddyGrade'' and ''Anime/KiddyGirlAnd.''