Ten'jou Utena: The Philosopher's Stone -- "I wanted only to try to live in accordance with the promptings that came from my true self. Why was that so very difficult?" -- "Demian", Hermann Hesse "Victor of the Duel" Tarot Card: The Fool Duel Rose: White Quote: "Hey.. if you're suffering, no matter what the cause is, talk to me, and I'll be there for you." Her name connotes: Holy Grail(?); the cup that supports the flower

Her Story

"Once upon a time, there was a princess grieving over the deaths of her mother and father. Before her appeared a prince, traveling on a white horse. His appearance was noble and his smile was gentle; he enveloped the princess in his scent of roses and kissed away her tears. To her, he spoke, "My little one alone and grieving, please don't lose your strength and nobility as you grow up. As a reminder of this day we've met, please keep this."

He placed a large silver ring on the small child's finger, tenderly like a lover. She looked up toward him and asked in her innocence, "Will we meet again?" He answered, "This ring will lead you to me."

She grew into a fine young woman, and wondered, was the prince's ring meant to be a sign of engagement? It was all right to think this, but as she was caught up in the overwhelming adoration of her prince, she decided to become one herself! To save others as she herself was saved... but was it really the best idea?"

The goal of becoming a prince for others has shaped Utena's life ever since. She lives innocently, desiring to right what she feels is wrong. It's no mistake that her rose of duelling is the white rose of the tarotic Fool, for she is many ways a child still.

Utena's basically a normal girl, subject to all a teenager's normal emotions, and she has a remarkable ability to forgive and tolerate even those who annoy or abuse her. She has a few quirks: she dislikes dresses, and stubbornly refuses to wear the Ootori school uniform, preferring her own black-jacket-and-red-shorts uniform. If she has a serious flaw, it would be her naivete, as she can unwittingly walk into traps set by those who are more worldly and wily than herself, like Akio or Touga.

The game of "revolutionizing the world" has little meaning to her, as do the constant duels which she seems to find by turns annoying, confusing, or just pointless. Yet she dutifully answers each challenge given with her full strength and courage. (AND because she can be expelled from Ootori if she doesn't!) Her motive for continuing on fighting is to protect her friendship with Himemiya, and to try and free the Bride of the Rose from having to be anyone's servant. There is, of course, a major paradox in that she is more than willing to use Anshi to fight for Anshi's sake...

Utena is shocked and hurt to discover that the Rose Bride has no desires other than those of whomever 'possesses' her, after losing Himemiya to Touga. The knowledge nearly devastates Utena- for a time she stumbles and loses her way, before regaining her presence of mind and the memory of her true goal. Reasserting her will, she becomes once more the Victor of the Duel, retaking Himemiya, now a friend, to her side, as she realizes how important Anshi's presence in her life has become.

But she stumbles again, more severely, as Akio enters her life; he tempts and seduces her away from Himemiya and the prince... destroying and remaking her into a woman... and she comes perilously close to losing her soul to him as well. But her long-forgotten promise to save Anshi and become the prince saves her too... even though it costs her all that she is.

In the end.. her fate is unclear. (At least for now.) Was she destroyed by the Million Swords of Hate? Did she survive? Did she transmute into something greater? Did she become the new Prince of Roses?

It's certainly a mystery, isn't it?