* Character Differences *

Along with massive changes of plot come massive (or miniscule) changes in character that make the different plot work.

The most noted differences are in the two main characters. Tomboy Utena has become a more withdrawn person who has troubles tending her own hurts, much less the problems of others. Her short hairstyle illustrates her mourning for her lost boyfriend, and she never wants the power of the world revolution. Her wish is to escape to the outside world. Meanwhile, soft-spoken Anthy has turned into a rambunctious young woman who flirts casually with Saionji, Touga, even Utena. Her long hair illustrates her new, wilder nature. She's as active a participant in the world revolution as Utena is, even interfering in a duel so the outcome will be in her favor.

Touga is no longer the head of the student council - in fact, the only people who notice him are Utena, Anthy, and Shiori. He is a ghost from Utena's past that subtly affects many of her decisions (to return to the rose garden, encountering Anthy on the dueling platform at night, dueling with Juri...) He is more of an observer, making little move to push things in his own directions. It is revealed later that he did not in fact leave Utena. Instead, he jumped in a lake and saved a drowning girl - at the cost of his life. Utena blocked out the memory, only remembering she wants to become a prince like him, until she confronts him face-to-face in the elevator, where her past becomes suddenly clear and accepted.

Juri has become the lead of the Student Council in Touga's absence, but like the other student council members, doesn't get much screen time or character development. She mentions the game of playing Prince to the school, and that she is the winner. She has a closed locket as well, but little is made of it. Saionji is his old self, taking advantage of Anthy, but accepting his defeat readily enough in the end, where he smirks and says he'll come back for Anthy in the outside world. Miki gets very little screen time (and ironically, no stopwatch), and all that's really shown about him is that he has a very jealous sister who wants to know his secrets and nearly smothers him with her wish for his attention.

Shiori is back as one of the enemies, but here she is one of the main enemies. Apart from Akio, no one else fights back against Utena and Anthy as much. Blaming Juri for Touga's death, whom she privately loved, she wants revenge against her, and thus uses Touga, Utena, and Anthy to further her own needs. She's also jealous, and when Utena makes her escape as a car, she follows, determined not to let anyone be better than her.

Whereas Shiori works openly, planting thoughts in Juri's head, becoming a car, etc., Akio stays more in the background. He's hardly active at all except when his and Anthy's past is revealed until the last 10 or so minutes, when he shows up to take Anthy back to the former world. When she refuses, he tries to kill her again, but is instead destroyed by her and Utena's power. The rest of the time he's rather shallow and namby-pamby, dancing with the director's daughter, sliding over car hood, etc.

For more information, you could try Icons: meet the members of the drama.

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