What you say about the transference to 'adulthood' is very true; it was more or less what I had in mind about what happened to Utena once she was in the 'outside world' long enough. She had still retained a great deal of innocence by the last episode of the series; it would be heartbreaking to see that idealism destroyed, and it would be very painful for her, but I think she would also be liberated in the long run by losing some of her immature perceptions and hang-ups.

Reality is reality, yes; nobody should be ridiculed for trying to point out common sense. And people are always prisoner of some system or device, regardless of the stage of life. But there is a mental freedom that can be achieved despite that. It is not ideal, and with wisdom and age comes a sense of one's transcendence, and from that jadedness, but people do have control over their own mental freedom. It is not easy, but it is a choice everybody has. And, in the end, it can be the difference between a happy life and an unhappy life.

I’m determined to be about sixteen at heart the rest of my life.