* Icons * Tenjou Utena *
Utena is the heroine of the story. Of course, it's obvious since she's the only one mentioned in the title. Those familiar with the Utena from the television series, however, will be surprised at the fresh look on Utena. After all, one of the movie's titles IS "Adolescence of Utena"...
When Utena arrives at Ohtori Academy, she has no idea that her life is about to be turned upside down. She wears a boy's uniform, although her clothing doesn't match anyone else's, and wants to become a prince. But why?
Utena's past is slowly revealed throughout the course of the movie, and her reasons for her actions are shown bit by bit. Before arriving at Ohtori Academy, she was Touga's girlfriend. Utena still has a photograph of her in a yellow dress with Touga, both with happy smiles, in a frame composed of a prince and princess among glittering stars. However, she and Touga had broken up some time before. She had believed Touga would be with her forever - as he had been there for her when her parents died. But somewhere along the way, the two lovers' paths broke apart. Utena became bitter and pulled into herself.
Slowly, Utena begins to remember her past. A boy near her old school drowned in the river. He rescued a girl who had fallen off of a boat, but he died in the process. In a flashback, Utena remembers what truely happened. She and Touga were sitting on a bench by the river. Then Touga got up and walked away. Utena continued to sit, watching the river, when suddenly she noticed a girl calling for help. Helpless, Utena called for someone to help as well, but her cries went unanswered... but not for long. Touga comes running back, dropping two tins (candy?) he had brought back with him. He, too, sees the girl drowing in the river and tells Utena he has to save her. Utena protests, arguing that he will die, but he does not listen and rescues the girl, but alas, he drowns. Utena cried alone in the chapel that night, and then blocked the memory from her mind. However, she comes to realize that Touga really was her prince, and that she wanted to become a prince just like him.
