BACKGROUND AND BASIC BEGINNING PLOT

Utena is the heroine and main character of the story. Her parents died when she was very young, and she was comforted by a prince who also gave her a signet bearing the symbol of a rose (see prologue). Because her prince told her to keep her nobility and strength, Utena decided she would become a prince herself and protect princesses. Since she wants to be princely and manlike she wears a black uniform which is typical of Japanese boys.

Because of her uniform, bright pink hair, and confident attitude, Utena attracts attention from many of her peers. It is not unusual for her to walk down the halls of school and have many of the girls "swoon" over her stating "Utena is SOOOO cool!" Utena's friend Wakaba seems to be the president of Utena's fan club. She can be found hugging, chasing and even jumping on Utena's back. Wakaba even calls Utena her "boyfriend" which is a kind of joke, considering Utena's tomboyishness and because she always wears a boy's uniform.

Utena is a very loyal and generous person. She finds herself in the midst of a complicated situation because she wants to help her friend Wakaba. Wakaba wrote a love letter to Saionji, the student council vice-president, and he being such an arrogant guy threw the note out for anyone to find. Which is what happened. Someone found the note, posted it for all to see, and to Wakaba's horror, everyone laughed at it. To defend her friend's honor, Utena challenged Saionji to a duel, and unwittingly put herself into a bind.

Because of this duel challenge, and because she wears the rose signet, Utena is placed into the same category as the student council members, who wear the same rose signet on their hand. Little does Utena know that duels are a very serious matter among the student council. Whoever wins the duel becomes "engaged" to the Rose Bride, Anthy, a beautful and quiet girl who keeps to herself and tends to the roses in the school greenhouse.

Utena fights the duel against Saionji, and wins. It is then that she realizes that she now is the one engaged to the Rose Bride, and that she will have to defend this position. Not only that, but she learns that the one engaged to the Rose Bride may have the power to "Revolutionize the World." Now mixed up with the Rose Bride and the council, her saga begins.

Will she win all the duels? Will she bring about this revolution? Will she find her prince? I don't want to give everything away!!!

• back •