The second ending sequence. <- Previous • Next -> Aiko.
In progress. Not many left.
The stories of each character.
Aiko - Akio - Anthy - Chu-Chu - Dios - Juri - Kanae - Keiko - Kozue - Mamiya - Mikage - Miki - Mitsuru - Mrs. Ohtori - Nanami (in progress) - nerd boys - Ruka - Saionji - shadow girls - Shiori - Tatsuya - Tokiko - Touga - Utena (in progress) - Wakaba - Yuuko.
Main story: Akio - Anthy - Dios - Utena.
Student Council: Juri - Miki - Nanami - Saionji - Touga.
Black Rose: Mamiya - Mikage - Tokiko.
Nanami: Nanami - Mitsuru - Aiko - Keiko - Yuuko.
One-line sketches of the basic ideas behind some important characters. See the big idea - the main storyline for the allegorical roles of Akio, Dios, Anthy, and Utena. I believe that Utena’s specific goal is necessary for her power of miracles, and Anthy’s specific goal is necessary for her “magic”, her version of the power of miracles.
Akio - Seeks to control women by all means. Touga - Seeks to control women psychologically by deception. Saionji - Seeks to control women physically by violence.
Anthy - Sacrifices herself to support Akio. Utena - Sacrifices herself to try to rescue Anthy.
Juri - Supports the patriarchy for fear of its retribution. Nanami - Seeks to rebel against the patriarchy and take its power for herself.
Miki represents naivety; he is neither for nor against the patriarchy, until he learns more. Kozue represents betrayal. She feels betrayed and betrays others.
The nerd boys stand for conformity and the enforcement of conformity. Nanami’s minions stand for discord and rebellion in response to authority.
In the Student Council arc, Touga tries to deceive Utena emotionally. In the Black Rose, Mikage tries to deceive Utena intellectually. In the Apocalypse Saga, Akio (who uses all means) does both.
Jay Scott <jay@satirist.org>
first posted 17 July 2023
updated 22 September 2025