Coming off a win at the Japan National tournament, Green Uta released during the tail end of the OP05 and seemed to be a breath of fresh air in the format full of Enels, Purple Luffys and Sakazukis.
Even though Uta doesn't hit her stride until the release of EB01, I believe Uta can still steal some wins in the new format.
Although the game plan is fairly straightforward and linear, the leader ability gives the deck a great deal of consistency when playing a maximised film variant and the film engine itself gives it the power to compete on equal levels with the current meta.
With the start of the OP06 and the release of ST12 I give my updated deck list that continues to perform well even with the changes to the format
Changes I made to the deck were as follows
+4 ST-12 Dracule Mihawk
+1 ST-11 I'm Invincible
-1 ST-11 Backlight
-2 OP01 Izo
-2 OP02 Trafalgar Law
I chose to run a Kid variant of Film Uta, as I believe the 8 cost Eustass Captain Kid is the best high end green character. It locks your opponent into having to deal with a large 8000 power body while you constantly refresh your resources with your leader ability and film searchers like Nami and New Genesis.
Uta is a very flexible in its start as it plays well going first or second. First is preferable for Uta, but I will choose second against Enel, so they are off curve, and Purple Luffy, so that a Magellen doesn't ruin my own.
You want to see key combo pieces or searchers in your starting hand. Cards like Luffy, Brook, Nami and New Genesis are good and if you can pair it off with a Kid then your gameplan is set.
The only matchups Uta needs to worry about this format are Sakazuki and Moria. Blacks consistent removal make it hard to establish a strong board with your Kid.
Contrary to what I say in the deck profile, you don't need Kid to outright win the game. Even though Kid is a very powerful character, sometimes you just won't see him, and even times where playing the Kid can be quite awkward. If you can't keep the Kid on board, it might have been better to use that Don!! to swing aggressively; or play into your film combo.
With the addition of Mihawk from ST12, the deck gains an additional combo piece that allows you flood the board and apply a lot of pressure earlier. Not to mention it is also a 2k counter in hand, giving you more defensive power in the late game.
The strength in Uta lies in her high consistency and the strong potency with the Film engine.
David C.