Revolutionary Girl Utena
On the day of her parents' funeral, a seven-year-old girl named Utena is overwhelmed by despair until she has a miraculous encounter with a travelling prince on a white horse. The prince encourages her not to lose her strength and nobility as she grows up, and gives her a rose signet ring that he claims will lead her back to him someday. However, Utena isn't satisfied with being the princess waiting - she actually wants to be a prince herself. Seven years later, Utena (who now presents herself with a mixed male and female image) has followed the trail of her prince to the prestigious Ohtori Academy boarding school. One day, Utena attempts to defend her best friend from the abusive vice-president of the student council, and is unwittingly drawn into a secret sword-fighting competition held between its members, who all bear signet rings identical to her own. The champion of the Rose Crest Duels is awarded access to the mysterious inverted castle hanging above Ohtori Academy, "the power to revolutionize the world", and the hand in marriage of the demure and obedient "Rose Bride": a student named Anthy Himemiya. The relationship between Utena and Anthy slowly blossoms as a number of challengers emerge to fight Utena for their own personal reasons and self-actualisation. Utena grows closer to Anthy and her older brother (the charming and mature Akio Ohtori), is forced to confront the incongruities between her childhood ideals and developing sexuality, and discovers the secrets of her own half-remembered past and those surrounding the hidden benefactor of the Rose Crest Duels: a mysterious figure known as "End of the World".
- 1997-1997
- 1 season
- Anime Selects
- Animation, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Suspense
- TV-14
On the day of her parents' funeral, a seven-year-old girl named Utena is overwhelmed by despair until she has a miraculous encounter with a travelling prince on a white horse. The prince encourages her not to lose her strength and nobility as she grows up, and gives her a rose signet ring that he claims will lead her back to him someday. However, Utena isn't satisfied with being the princess waiting - she actually wants to be a prince herself. Seven years later, Utena (who now presents herself with a mixed male and female image) has followed the trail of her prince to the prestigious Ohtori Academy boarding school. One day, Utena attempts to defend her best friend from the abusive vice-president of the student council, and is unwittingly drawn into a secret sword-fighting competition held between its members, who all bear signet rings identical to her own. The champion of the Rose Crest Duels is awarded access to the mysterious inverted castle hanging above Ohtori Academy, "the power to revolutionize the world", and the hand in marriage of the demure and obedient "Rose Bride": a student named Anthy Himemiya. The relationship between Utena and Anthy slowly blossoms as a number of challengers emerge to fight Utena for their own personal reasons and self-actualisation. Utena grows closer to Anthy and her older brother (the charming and mature Akio Ohtori), is forced to confront the incongruities between her childhood ideals and developing sexuality, and discovers the secrets of her own half-remembered past and those surrounding the hidden benefactor of the Rose Crest Duels: a mysterious figure known as "End of the World".
Season 1 Episode Guide
39 Episodes 1997
Episode 1
The Rose Bride
24 mins
In an attempt to defend her best friend's honor, Utena challenges the kendo captain to a duel, and soon finds herself wrapped up in so much more than she'd anticipated.
Episode 2
For Whom the Rose Smiles
24 mins
By chance, Utena managed to defeat Saionji in their duel, and now he's determined to have a rematch. However, Utena already secretly intends to lose on purpose.
Episode 3
On the Night of the Ball
24 mins
As Utena continues to adjust to life with her new roommate, she starts to realize how few friends Anthy actually has.
Episode 4
The Sunlit Garden: Prelude
24 mins
Miki, a shy pianist and member of the Student Council, has an interest in Anthy. Miki swears he has no interest in the duels and offers to help tutor Utena and Anthy.
Episode 5
The Sunlit Garden: Finale
23 mins
Miki's starting to realize the extent of Anthy's loyalty to her role as the Rose Bride. Will such an understanding be enough to move such a passive boy to duel for possession of her?
Episode 6
Nanami, Beware!
23 mins
A number of strange events have been occuring, placing Nanami in danger. The latest caused a dashing young boy to appear from out of nowhere to save her.
Episode 7
Juri's Unfulfillment
23 mins
Jury, the fencing team captain, has taken a special interest in Utena lately. She finds Utena's lack of regard for the dueling game to be sensible, but Jury still hopes to accomplish something by winning.
Episode 8
The Great Curry High Trip
24 mins
A mishap during home economics has caused Anthy and Utena to switch bodies. Nanami, accepting the blame for this mishap, sets out to find the cure for their predicament.
Episode 9
The Castle Said to Hold Eternity
24 mins
Saionji and Touga have always been at odds since they were children.
Episode 10
Nanami's Precious One
24 mins
Nanami's possessiveness of her brother has only grown after his injury at the hands of Saionji. Even the simplest gesure from Utena brings Nanami's jealousy and anger out...
Episode 11
Graceful and Ruthless: The One Who Picks the Flower
24 mins
Utena has gradually grown fonder of Touga over time. But even as she ponders as to whether or not Touga may be her prince, his plots continue to encircle her.
Episode 12
For Friendship, Perhaps
24 mins
After losing to Touga in their duel, Utena's spirit has been crushed.
Episode 13
Tracing a Path
24 mins
A look back at all the prior duels and major events with some perspective. Also, a hint of what lies in store for Utena if she continues the path of the duelist.
Episode 14
The Boys of the Black Rose
24 mins
Utena is introduced to Anthy's older brother, Akio, who also happens to be the acting chairman for the school. Meanwhile, trouble is brewing in the depths of Nemuro Memorial Hall.
Episode 15
The Landscape Framed by Kozue
24 mins
Kozue, Miki's twin sister, is seen as somewhat of an oddity around school. In particular, her feelings for her brother remain most ambiguous... but the Black Rose Society knows all.
Episode 16
Cowbell of Happiness
24 mins
Nanami's just received a priceless piece of jewelry; a Sebastian Dior... cow bell. As she touts it around school, people start to wonder if she's truly lost her mind.
Episode 17
Thorns of Death
24 mins
Shiori, Jury's childhood friend and the source of her heart's turmoil, has transferred to Ohtori Academy. As Jury tries her best to ignore Shiori, Mikage's seminar beckons to her.
Episode 18
Mitsuru's Growing Pains
24 mins
Mitsuru is constantly being excluded and disregarded due to his age. He yearns to be more like an adult, but isn't even sure what that entails.
Episode 19
The Song of the Fallen Kingdom
24 mins
When Wakaba was a child, she had a prince she'd held close in her heart. Well now, her prince has arrived at Ohtori, but he's interested in Utena! Will Utena be able to set him straight?
Episode 20
Wakaba Flourishing
24 mins
The expelled student council vice president, Saionji, has been shacking up with Wakaba. As she spends time with him, she starts to feel a change within herself.
Episode 21
Troublesome Insects
23 mins
Keiko's always been content with being a member of Nanami's gang, but her desires for Touga still remain. When an opportunity opens for her, it results in a disaster that Mikage can exploit.
Episode 22
Nemuro Memorial Hall
24 mins
The truth behind Nemuro Memorial Hall's dark history lies shrouded in mystery. As Mikage is down to his last black rose, he stakes his last hopes on allying with Utena.
Episode 23
Qualifications of a Duelist
24 mins
As the student council searches for answers as to who is behind the Black Rose Duelists, Utena is already poised to fight the mastermind of the plot.
Episode 24
The Secret Nanami Diary
24 mins
After a mishap puts Mitsuru in the hospital, Utena, Anthy, and Nanami stumble upon a diary he's kept that details Nanami's every plot since the time he's known her.
Episode 25
Their Eternal Apocalypse
24 mins
Saionji, still sore from the events surrounding his expulsion, vows to quit the dueling game. However, Touga and Akio have other plans for him.
Episode 26
Miki's Nest Box (The Sunlit Garden/Arranged)
24 mins
Miki, despite his friendship with Utena and Anthy, is once again pushed to duel. This time, his sister is the one doing the pushing.
Episode 27
Nanami's Egg
23 mins
Nanami is startled to find an egg in her bed one morning. Unsure as to whether or not it's possible that she's the mother, she assumes the role.
Episode 28
Whispering in the Dark
24 mins
After a long absence from school, Rukia, the original fencing captain, returns. But as to whether he's back to enjoy life as a student or to push Jury's buttons remains to be determined.
Episode 29
Azure Paler Than the Sky
24 mins
Realizing the only way to defeat Utena and Anthy is with a partnership equally as strong, Rukia seeks to ally himself with Jury.
Episode 30
The Barefoot Girl
24 mins
As Utena has gotten to know Akio, she's started to realize that she has feelings for him. But what of the prince Utena holds within her heart? And what of Akio's fiance? Can love be wrong?
Episode 31
Her Tragedy
24 mins
Nanami's growing irritation with the girls that flock to her brother is put into a strange context when she uncovers a horrifying revelation regarding their relationship.
Episode 32
The Romance of the Dancing Girls
24 mins
Unable to face Touga after uncovering the nature of their relationship, Nanami does all she can to avoid him.
Episode 33
The Prince Who Runs Through the Night
24 mins
Anthy sends Utena on an errand to deliver roses, but little does she realize that Anthy's plan is also Akio's plot.
Episode 34
The Rose Signet
23 mins
Utena, Anthy, and Akio all go to see a play being put on by the school's drama club. The play, however, rings a little closer to truth than it does to fairy-tale.
Episode 35
The Love That Blossomed in Wintertime
24 mins
Touga's carried out Akio's will without question, up until now.
Episode 36
And the Doors of Night Open
23 mins
Touga's resolved to duel with Utena one more time. Aware of his feelings for her, he concludes that the only way to save her is to defeat her before she meets her prince.
Episode 37
The One to Revolutionize the World
24 mins
Utena has uncovered the truth behind Anthy and Akio and her disgust for them both has brought her to forsake everything she's fought for up until now.
Episode 38
The Ends of the World
23 mins
Utena has decided to follow the letter's instructions and proceeds to the dueling arena to meet her prince.
Episode 39
Someday We Will Shine Together
24 mins
Utena's once again betrayed by Anthy. With the prince's sword in hand, Akio attempts to open the doors of revolution while the fallen prince contemplates her and Anthy's fate.