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One of Nanami’s three minions, with Keiko and Aiko.
In the picture, it is episode 21 and the three minions-to-be have just met Nanami for the first time, and seen her glomp Touga. Yuuko was in front of the group and spoke to Nanami first. And we see Yuuko’s reaction first; Aiko’s reaction is next, and Keiko’s is last.
At this point, Yuuko appears to be the leader of the three. She seems to be the first to grasp Nanami’s possible value, and she says that Nanami chose them (using the same language as for End of the World choosing duelists). That prompts Aiko to propose that they should serve Nanami. They all go along with the idea, but Yuuko seems less enthusiastic than the other two; she puts only one hand into the three-way hand clasp. In episode 3, which is later in story time, Keiko and Aiko harass Anthy while Yuuko stands by looking supportive, but says nothing. In episode 6, Keiko and then Aiko reveal to Miki that Nanami keeps her hands clean by assigning the dirty work to her minions. Yuuko says nothing.
Nanami’s minions are part of her parallel with Akio: As indicated by her epaulets, Nanami is a commander too. That’s why Yuuko uses the “chosen” language. Like duelists, Nanami’s minions were chosen to be ordered around and exploited.
I gather that Yuuko’s lower enthusiasm led her to retreat from her leadership role. Serving Nanami is not what she really wants. Aiko is less active than the other two, and that left Keiko as the one to take leadership—even though Keiko at first contributes nothing. When Nanami ostracizes Keiko for chasing Touga in episode 21, Yuuko retakes leadership and she and Aiko snub Keiko.
Aiko has outward curling hair, and Yuuko has inward curling hair. They are opposite in some way. Utena also has inward curling hair, but Utena’s curls around her face while Yuuko’s is tighter and curls up. I don’t know if that means anything. But everything else does....
Aiko, Keiko, and Yuuko all have vibrating eyes when they see Nanami glomp Touga. And they eat symbolic pocky before joining forces as Nanami’s minions. So it’s fairly definite that they all want Touga. But if all three are straight, then something is askew. That doesn’t happen in Utena-world!
Horseteeth proposes that Yuuko desires Nanami. At the glomp, Yuuko says “Touga’s little sister?” Yuuko repeatedly mentions that Nanami chose them, and puts only one hand into the three-way handshake of joining forces. And she gives up to Keiko what had been her leadership position. She talks about Nanami, not Touga, and is not quite in tune with the other two.
I’m not convinced. I didn’t see any clear clues in other episodes. But it’s suggestive.
Jay Scott <jay@satirist.org>
first posted 2 September 2023
updated 11 June 2025