Mikage Souji

Mikage Souji is in the twelvth grade(like Saionji, everyone refers to him by his last name). The faculty and other students look up to him. He is even smarter than Miki is, but he is known for the fact that he never shows any emotion. Mikage leads the Mikage Seminar, a cover name for the Black Rose Duelists. He is a very puzzling person, and is literally forgotton after he plays his part in the series. He appears only in the Black Rose Saga, and is never mentioned again. Anyway, Mikage was the leader of a research project a long time ago at Ohtori Academy, so far back that there wasn't a Student Council and therefore no records. He was in love with a woman named Tokiko Chida, and also had a strong bond with her ailing brother, Mamiya. He hoped to gain eternity for Mamiya, who was dying. Akio took advantage of Mikage's genius and it was he who gave Mikage the idea of gaining eternity. Mamiya died a long time before the show takes place, and Akio used a younger version of himself to keep Mikage thinking that Mamiya was still alive. Between Mikage's strong feelings for the boy and Akio's manipulation, Mikage stayed in that one reality and never grew older. His goal, after Utena showed up, was to defeat her, kill Anthy, and replace the Rose Bride with Mamiya. He thought that this would "gain eternity" for the boy, and so save his life. Mamiya (or at least Akio's clone) cultivated black roses deep under Nemuro Memorial Hall, where Mikage had done his research years before. Appearantly, the hall had burnt down (Mamiya was suspected of starting the fire) and one hundred boys were killed(these are the boys you see at the end of the Student Council Saga). Anyway, any students with some sort of problem seemed to be drawn to this place to talk about their troubles. They would go into an elevator, where they would talk into a small window. After they had bared their souls, Mikage would say to them, "I see. You have no choice but to bring the world revolution. The way has been prepared for you." The first Black Rose Duelist was Kanae Ohtori, who came to see him because of her relationship with Akio and how she couldn't get along with Anthy. Mikage led her into a room, much like a tomb, where coffins lined the walls. He opened one and pulled out a black ring, which he told her he took from a dead duelist. Appearantly, the duelists' white rings turn black when they die. Then Mamiya came from behind and stabbed Kanae with a black rose. Mikage obviously does this to all of the innocents that he turns into Black Rose Duelists. When they duel, there are rows of desks in the arena, and the duelists fight around them. There are also red outlines of bodies all over the ground. On each desk is an item that is specific to whichever Black Rose duelist is fighting Utena at the time. When the duel is over, all of the desks slide together at the center of the arena. This power he gives them allows them to draw a sword from the chest of whichever duelist they are closest to(for example, Mitsuru pulls a sword from Nanami's chest). Mikage orchestrated all of the Black Rose Duelists' fights with Utena. Later on, she found out that it had been Mikage who turned all her friends against her, and in usual Utena fasion, she almost kicked his ass. If she hadn't seen the white rose signet on his hand, she probably would have. After that, Mikage dueled Utena, but his delusion was clear; he always addressed Utena as "Tokiko". He lost (of course) and afterwards, Akio told him that the Mamiya he had known had died a long time ago and the one he had been living with never really existed. He also told him that he could graduate now, after all these years. Then he said something very cryptic (not that that's a surprise either), something to the effect that Mikage had never existed either...

The name of Souji creates a very passive, easy-going, friendly nature. You love people and desire to get along with everyone you meet. Your desire for sociability and the pleasant things in life makes you too easily influenced through your associations. You have imagination and many ideas but you lack the drive or initiative to put these into effect. It is difficult for you to say "no" and mean it or to carry through with any commitments you have made. This name makes you too lackadaisical. The influence of this name is to lack practicality, system and order, organizing ability, astuteness, and the ability to make decisions and act upon them. Due to procrastination you have many unfulfilled desires. You often lean upon the strength of those around you for guidance. You appreciate the finer things in life such as good clothes, pleasant surroundings, and friendly companions. You find it difficult to tolerate circumstances that are not up to your particular standards. The physical weakness created by this name affects the fluid functions of the body.

Your name of Mikage gives you self-assurance, independence, and confidence. You have depth of mind and the ability to concentrate and to follow a line of thought to a logical conclusion. Your love of challenging the concepts of others invariably leads you to create your own ideas and to pioneer new lines of thought. Your strong characteristic of individuality qualifies you as a leader. You must be independent and you do not brook interference in any way. Although you do not tolerate interference in your own affairs, this characteristic does not prevent you from interfering in the affairs of others. You are usually either telling or showing someone how to do something properly. Although you are good-natured and never intend offence, still your blunt, direct and candid manner of expression strains friendships; your honesty and sincerity earn respect from others. You have to be your own boss as it is most difficult for you to submit to direction from others. Problems with your health centre in the head and you could suffer with head tension, head colds, headaches, and sinus congestion. There is a strong tendency for you to worry.