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 Analysis
+++ Character Introductions |
A formal introduction to the cast — name translations, birthdates, grades, blah blah. Not to forget the typical quick description of the character. Also, there's links to the voice actors as listed on the Seiyuu Database. The character heights are not official except for Utena. The rest of the cast has been measured in comparison to her 165cm on this chart. If I put an asterisk (*) next to the character's height, it's a character that isn't in the height chart, I've measured them against other characters in screencaps of the show, so give them an inch or so margin of error. Tenjou Utena 
The central character of the show, and a rebel WITH a cause. After an encounter with a "prince" in her most desperate hour, she is determined to become a prince herself, and to this end involves herself in the duels and engagement to Anthy. She's headstrong and quite naive, but despite that (or more likely because of it) Utena enjoys the prestigious position of heroine in SKU. Himemiya Anthy 
The Rose Bride and Akio's younger sister. Her's is a dark history, and a story that's debatable to no end. Outwardly, she's a quiet and reserved person, not one to blow her top or make herself the center of attention. She tends to roses, likes animals, and cleans, though her brother seemed to get the cooking gene. To most, this is all Anthy is. If they only knew. Ohtori Akio Kiryuu Touga 
The boyishly charming president of the Student Council, Touga plays the playboy on campus and the devil's advocate behind the scenes. Though he possesses much potential, his need to have his cake (power) and eat it, too (Utena), causes him to be just another pawn, rather than a force to be reckoned with. He duels three times, the first two, from the Student Council Arc, are called "conviction" and "soi". Saionji Kyouichi 
Saionji is in love with the Rose Bride, and supposedly Touga's best friend. He's rarely in good graces with most of the cast—his short temper and violent outbursts get him in trouble. He's used as a catalyst for several major events, the beginning of Utena's being engaged to Anthy, Wakaba's duel, and the beginning of the Akio Arc. His melodramatic ways make him the butt of much comic relief in the show. His three duels are called "amitié", "choix", and "relation", in that order. Arisugawa Juri 
The captain of the school Fencing Club, and a Student Council member. Her skill with the sword is almost unmatched—she can consistently shrug off Dios' attack. Her (poorly hidden) lesbianism and love for Shiori has over time made her a very bitter person, and one that most people are extremely intimidated by. Juri duels twice, the first being called "amour". Kaoru Miki 
The youngest member of the student council, Miki is a genius in school and on the piano, and is widely recognized for both. Though the girls seem to like him (but not as much as Touga or Saionji) his affections are set on Anthy, much to the dismay of his vengeful sister Kozue. His first and second duels are called "raison" and "tentation", respectively. Kiryuu Nanami 
Touga's (rather obsessed) younger sister. Nanami makes good use of minions who follow her, usually in some Touga-related pursuit of their own. The growing distance between her and her brother make her a ticking time bomb, and when she isn't punishing those unfit for him, her tendency to jump to conclusions and her naivety make her the butt of many of the comic relief episodes. The first of her two duels is called "adoration". Shinohara Wakaba 
Utena's best friend, and the token super-genki Japanese school girl. Her crush on Saionji is the catalyst that launches the show. Wakaba is also a Black Rose Duelist, her duel is called "limite". Takatsuki Shiori 
A "friend" from Juri's past, she returns to Ohtori just in time to duel as a Black Rose Duelist, her duel being "jalousis". She's the source of of Juri's torment; as Juri puts it, she's "cruelly innocent". Kaoru Kozue 
Miki's twin sister, and a particularly manipulative character. Her past with Miki is up for discussion, but her obvious possessiveness of him makes her a force to be reckoned with, as well as a Black Rose Duelist, dueling "attache". Tsuchiya Ruka 
The sickly former captain of the fencing club, he returns briefly during the Akio Arc to stir up trouble with Shiori and Juri, in an attempt to free the Juri he loves. His character design is supposedly based on Ikuhara. (Although the mutant forelock is a bit extreme.) The name of his one duel is presently unknown. Mikage Souji/Professor Nemuro 
The enigmatic host of the Mikage Seminar, and puppetmaster of the Black Rose duelists, Mikage's history has been reduced to a school spook story. His love for Tokiko, a shadow of his past, and her sickly brother Mamiya, binds him to Ohtori Academy. His climatic duel is titled "conscience". Tsuwabuki Mitsuru 
Tsuwabuki is, simply put, one of Nanami's more valuable minions. Housing a complex that drives him to be "grown up", like Nanami's big brother, he acts like a servant to Nanami, and when he finally snaps, does so as a Black Rose Duelist, his duel being "impatience". Sonoda Keiko 
One of Nanami's three henchmen (the other two being Aiko and Yuuko), Keiko's teen girl crush on Touga causes her to wait on his overbearing sister like a slave, in the hopes, small as they may be, that Touga will catch a glimpse of her. Her Black Rose duel is titled "dépendance". Ohtori Kanae 
Kanae is the daughter of the Chairman of the Board of Ohtori Academy, and engaged to Akio. She harbors a concealed hatred of Anthy, due to the alienation she feels around her. She senses there's *something* between Akio and Anthy that she just can't seem to get out of them. This frustration comes out of her in the Black Rose duel "aliéation". Everyone Else 
Kanae's mother, Mrs.Ohtori, appears briefly in episode 30. I liked her enough, however, to give her a mini-shrine, Mother, Dearest. Do visit. +++ back to Empty Movement |
