Thread by @Emiko_Wisp

So, I think I'm ready to unload my feels.

I think the best place to start is theming. So the true theme in Uta Kata is growing up, but specifically growing up under deception.

Every consistent part of the series rings true on this. Ichika is lied to and exploited.

#UtaKataGush

The series hides almost all of its cards until the last moments really to fully exercise this, the audience, and Ichika, are left completely in the dark from start to finish.

At first its fine, and as the series progresses, it becomes frustrating.

#UtaKataGush

This is best demonstrated by Ichika's trauma and ill wills dominating her Djinn forms.

About half-way through, Ichika starts realizes her eyes are glowing red, and her transformations become more violent and less under her control.

#UtaKataGush

And then at the end its revealed that this entire thing has been a big test for some higher power god types to pass judgement on humanity, which Ichika rejects.

And this is where I take a step back, because, in my opinion, this is supposed to stand in for society.

#UtaKataGush

And its here I must explain the nature of the rules in Uta Kata. In most series, rules are layed out, maybe with some exceptions to establish an understanding.

Uta Kata does this only at the end, and for a particular reason. The rules dont actually matter. At all.

#UtaKataGush

Rules are arbitrary and primarily exist to isolate and harm Ichika thus stimulating her negative emotions.

Ichika doesn't know or care about the rules, the test, or even the powers once the start to hurt her. She takes this all under false pretenses.

#UtaKataGush

Which is where I feel the comparison to society really gels.

Ichika is living with arbitrary rules, for a power that she doesn't really want, that starts hurting her, and rules cut her off at every turn.

#UtaKataGush

As a child, most kids just wanna hurry up and grow up and enter a new world full of wonder, and when they're given that key, more rules start to change their life, causing a great deal of stress and anxiety, and they can't go back.

#UtaKataGush

The rules are just that, rules. Made by a faceless entity, enforced by an agent who wears a kind mask around those its responsible for, and has already shackled anyone else that would help.

The rules dont matter because its more about the pain inflicted.

#UtaKataGush

So...why should you care?

Well, because of Ichika. Ichika, the main character is quickly shown as a sweet, kind-hearted, obedient child who likes having fun with her friends and just enjoys life.

The obedient part in particular is important.

#UtaKataGush

She comes into her powers by a simple contract, she does Manatsu's 'homework,' a diary recording the powers she obtains, in exchange, she can see the world through the eyes of the Djinn and know wonder. A girl beholding a grand world in wonder.

#UtaKataGush

But as the series progresses, she tries to use her powers to help her friends at several different points. She tries to help and mostly succeeds. Again, to really cement her good nature, but around the mid point, things become a little darker.

#UtaKataGush

People start being rude to her, she sees her friend get stood up, and she finds herself lying, a trait she despises in general, and starts to become scared.

In the middle of that she starts losing control of her powers, and they begin to come and do what they want.

#UtaKataGush

As I watched the series, that's what I carried with me the most. Here's this kind girl, and her once joyful life is starting to become harder and begins to hurt, she herself even starts to have hateful feelings (even desiring Manatsu's death at a point)

#UtaKataGush

It's horrific and painful for her, and all the while she's stuck in herself, ignoring some in pain close to her.

She's constantly betrayed and at odds with herself.

#UtaKataGush

Which brings me to the other characters, primarily how they're sworn to silence.

You don't find out why til the end, but the ultimate point to me is that Saya, who herself is a full lie, forces others to lie and be silent around her for the purity of this test.

#UtaKataGush

There's a dead silence between her and those who know in many cases, and it only goes to harm her more and more.

#UtaKataGush

So now that I've recapped what I think is important to understand, and how I viewed the series's developments for the most part (I obv have a bit more) I need to cover something

If its not obvious, Uta Kata is a bit of a mess.

#UtaKataGush

I genuinely, 100% find the mess to be the whole point. How could it not?

Its about a girl led into darkness to fumble and stumble into negative emotions. Its messy, because it tries to convey just how messy coming to terms with growing up is.

#UtaKataGush

It actually reminds me a lot of other series from the time like Serial Experiment Lain, and .hack//Sign.

Both series leave you in the dark in many regards because many of its answers a left open ended, and frankly needed to confuse you for a few reasons.

#UtaKataGush

Uta Kata is in a similar boat, and I can see that leaving many unsatisfied and angry, but I think it does its job really well.

...but how does it end?

#UtaKataGush

So, Uta Kata ends with Saya kidnapping Ichika, and reveals many things.

1) Saya is a Djinn, and possesses Ichika
2) Sei her home teacher has also gone through this, and he tried to tell her stuff and therefor broke the rules and was turned to Stone

#UtaKataGush

3) Kai, Sei's bf and Mantsu are mirror world versions of Ichika and Sei
4) she reveals the nature of the test. Im slightly foggy on this a bit, but it boils down to, the gods have a human channel Djinn, and their inner emotions judge humanity's worthiness.

#UtaKataGush

Saya further reveals that all the lying and unfair crap was all to maintain her effective purity, and that Sei failed the test and did not pass a judgment, and delivers Ichika an ultimatum.

A) sacrifice herself for humanity, or sacrifice humanity.

#UtaKataGush

...dont know why I labeled that A...

Anyway, this is where my favorite bit kinda happens. Ichika rejects the test and refuses to answer, saying that she doesn't want to sacrifice either, standing firm even as Saya tries to hurt her, and IIRC Ichika regains control

#UtaKataGush

From there, Saya fails to make the test reach a conclusion, and as a result, Manatsu and Kai return to the mirror.

And the series ends, as Ichika and her family moves as she gives her friends goodbyes, and Saya's boss tells her that maybe this result may be true.

#UtaKataGush

There's a lot to take in, and I think I'm gonna break the thread here.

Gonna start a new thread with to talk about how the series impacted me.