I don't know how many times I've read and reread this story and it doesn't cease to amaze me. It's as if you'd taken a good look into Ikuhara's mind! I remember telling you before that Roses Grow was as good as Archimage, or maybe even better, but now I have to say both Roses Grow and Thorns Wither have gone way beyond, in my opinion. They're just spot on, perfect. My only concern is that you'll leave this fic abandoned and not upload any stories anymore; maybe it's just real life keeping you busy, but we really, really really miss having you around, sharnii! Please come back!

Can't believe that you are still updating this fic :) I'm so happy!
I remember that you said that it will be a trilogy... So awesome! This story gives the best interpretation of the Utena world. It's so similar to the original series that I feel as if I'm watching the anime again but with U/A as a main couple ;) Please keep updating this story. Even if it'll take several years for you to finish it, I'm willing to wait, just please don't abandon it!

You write the both of them so beautiful because you don't gloss over the struggles they both have in trying to balance one another. They so complicated in their interactions and it elicits a visceral reaction in me every time Anthy opens up to Utena. You make us as the readers work for these nuggets and it is so so worth it. I really hope to read more from you in the future.

Wow. Just finished listening to "None But The Lonely Hearts" and it is gorgeous and sad and makes me want to know what bappened the last time Anthy heard it (all I could think of was something traumatic happening to her while Akio had a grand old time at the ball...)

Anyway, i'm a fan of all your Utena works, and even though it's been a while I hope you can get back into this (I understand staying away from writing ff for like 5 yrs and now I cant but think about writing a new story). Even if you dont, this is still one of my fav Utena fics, always will be. Fics like this remind why i love RGU (and Utena/Anthy) so much.

Lol that and I'm still trying to convert a friend to RGUism while watching Penguindrum (wonder what that penguinbear thing Ikuhara annoinced is about...)

Anyway, keep up the great work,
Eri101

Your story has given me so much. In a week I've read everything you've posted on this website, and you're one of the most talented writers I've encountered. I also love seeing your development as a writer by comparing and contrasting Roses Grow with Thorns Wither...it is very intriguing :)

I originally watched the anime in 2008, and I'm re-watching it for the first time now. While at it I've been scouring the internet for analyses and opinions of it, and your interpretation has landed closest to my heart.

I see that over the last few years your updates have become increasingly sparse, and though I don't know the reasons for that (except the realities and demands of life setting in, I'm sure), it makes me worried. It makes me worried because you've written the best Utena sequel I could have imagined, keeping so true to the story yet adding so many new dimensions to it.

And if you were to quit before ending your story, it'd hurt my heart just like the end of the anime once did. I need more. It's sheer survival instinct really, I have to have more to survive! ;) So why don't you be my Utena, my noble friend and uniquely unideal hero, and save me from this predicament.

Either way, you have truly inspired me. So thank you :)

So glad you're still updating this story, I was beginning to lose hope you'd finish. Please do continue!

All the sexual tension in this story is really funny and intense. I quite enjoy it.

Silly Anthy, the people you're with aren't strange, you just find most aspects of friendship to be strange.

Why is Saionji the smart one now? Also... I kind of want Miki and Juri to get together, but I also really don't because I want Juri to be gay.

I ended up looking up the flower language thing. It's really interesting! I love learning about stuff like that.

Of course Utena's rose meant innocence, and devotion sounds like her as well... I know yellow means friendship, does orange really mean hatred and revenge? "Green roses meant thwarted desire…" Where did that line come from? Is Utena thinking it? Is Anthy? Are you? That could be more clear... Also... it's weird that Touga's rose was the color that meant love... unless it was supposed to be more like desire, which would make sense.

"You're ugly and tasteless," Oh my god, I would totally say that... And the thing about getting drunk... is Saionji actually funny? He has a sense of humor? Amazing!

I love that Utena and Juri both get offended at being called "girls" but Miki doesn't. Also, I'm super pleased about Anthy starting to appreciate the presence of Miki and Juri.

Is Saionji already drunk? He's gone beyond funny to amusingly idiotic.

Hmm, I'm sure Anthy does hate a lot of things, but hearing her say it is weird. The thing is, it's not that she doesn't hate, it's that she didn't use to feel much of anything. Once she can feel love, of course she would start feeling hate.

"I've changed, baby. I'll never hurt you again." Two weeks later she's back at the battered women's shelter. You know what I mean? That's Akio and Anthy.

I am so glad you updated! I can't wait for the next chapter! _ I know I've said it before, but I love your writing. It is wonderful. Thanks for a fantastic story!

I love when someone updates a story I haven't read in a while so that I get to go back and start from the beginning all over again and catch up. That's what I'm doing right now. I started with Roses Grow and I'm reading all of Thorns. Here are my comments (just on Thorns) this time around:

Ch 1:
You write so beautifully. I have to tell you, at this point I consider your Roses Grow series to be basically canon. It just seems so true to me. I recently watched the Anime again with someone who had never seen it before, and it was weird when I realized that some of the things you have aren't there or obvious in the anime.

I wonder which of the Ohtori duelists had "taken" Anthy... Has Juri? I was really wondering about that for some reason... Because it would give a really good reason for Juri to hate Anthy, actually.

Ch 2:
God I love those two as a pairing...

Ch 3:
Your chapters are much longer in this one than in Roses...

A misreading just showed me something interesting. I accidentally read Anthy's name as Himamiya... that's interesting...

"if I'd been thinking straight I never would of made the attempt." Technically it's "would have" or "would've" If someone's speaking it's not wrong, but otherwise it's better to use the correct one. I probably said that last time I reviewed... but just in case...

I've probably already said a lot of what I'm saying, but oh well. I like that you bring in Norse mythology and just in general the past incarnations of Akio and Anthy. I want to know about their pasts...

I love the way Anthy thinks and talks about Utena's body and attractiveness! Man, I want Anthy to just be completely open with Utena. I totally get why she's not, but I just want her to do it anyway!

Ch 4:
The irony here is heartbreaking. It reminds me of the gypsy curse from Buffy...

Oh long-haired women... Utena being sexy is really... sexy. Also, Anthy being sarcastic is wonderful.

Anthy is part of a truly classic and horrifying abusive relationship. It actually makes a lot of psychological sense for her to miss him...

Ch 5:
I love when you bring in quotes or motifs from the theme songs.

Have I not read or reviewed this chapter? That would be a relief, since this is getting a bit long.

One thing I've noticed is that you repeatedly use "anymore" when it should be "any more."

Ch 6:
I like the allegory, and I love that Utena is the only one to get it. I thought it was about Akio… I'm worried about Utena and Anthy. Anthy is going back to her old ways more and more every day and if Utena doesn't notice soon she'll end up becoming the person that she least wants to be. Because she'll think that Anthy is making decisions when she's just going along with Utena. And she'll keep thinking that Anthy is always telling her the whole truth when she's not. These are the kinds of problems that lead to breakups!

Maybe this is the one I haven't reviewed yet?

Or not… Ch 7:
I love that Anthy and Juri are bonding. Never thought I'd see the day! Er… read the… chapter…

Oh my god, I actually got to find out what I had asked earlier! Are you trying to imply that in a sort of parallel universe Anthy and Shiori… slept together?

All those things Anthy felt during their magical teleportation were very alarming! I was really hoping I'd get the chance to hear what Anthy was thinking during that Ball episode. Kisses are super distracting, it's true. This is getting wonderful. Finally truth-telling! Does Anthy actually mean flower in Greek? Oh my god, is Utena finally starting to get it? Yay! I love what Anthy feels on the trip home. It's a lot of the same things but different, in a happy way. Oh man, Utena caught on to the fact that Anthy was only taking her hair down for her? Impressive and intriguing!

Okay, this is long, and I'm sorry if it's an annoyance. I absolutely love your writing, and I can't wait to read more of this! _

There's a certain mystery and fantastical confusion to the series; something magical and completely dizzying and mind-bending that you've captured so perfectly. I'm completely amazed by how you managed to weave this lulling web of desperation and half-manifested dreams. I know you're likely busy, but this was completely amazing to read, and I really do hope you'll continue. You're a fabulous writer, but more than eloquence, I find the character development and all the little details - Utena being perceptive again; Anthy rubbing a spot on her wrists- to create an experience of complete engagement. Thank you for updating!

The way you write these stories (Roses Grow included) almost makes it seem like you were the one who wrote the original series. Your attention to detail is fantastic and makes these stories seem like the only continuation that Revolutionary Girl Utena could have possibly had. I'm beyond impressed and I hope to see this work continuing 'til the end.

This was quite possibly the best thing to wake up to. I'm glad to see you haven't given up on this story! You truly are one of the best authors here; I enjoy reading your work.
I know how busy life gets, so I savored each paragraph, for I do not know when you will install the next chapter, but I will wait patiently!

I'm overjoyed that you are again updating this fan favorite. Keep up the good work!

Excellent. I hope you know how great a writer you are. How great this fanfic.

Oh my goshhhhhhh! I'm so so so happy that you updated! This is one of my absolute favorite stories! It's from anthy's pov and it's utena x anthy and so incredibly wonderful. I loved the chapter and can't wait to read what happens next.

This was just so lovely to read, you really do stand out with your writing style and the sudden glimpses of Anthy's darker, more tortured soul. I loved this chapter, I can only hope Akio doesn't end up winding his way around Anthy once again. He can be frighteningly good at that! And the relationship between Anthy and Utena... Ah! Such perfection is too hard to find! You are amazing! Truly!