Women in Saionji's Life

Three young girls in the series have the most impact of Kyouichi Saionji's life - One he lusts after, one lusts after him, and one seeks the same golden end that he does.

Wakaba Shinohara has a crush on Saionji from the start of the series. Perhaps crush is a belittling term - her attraction to him is serious and deep. She is devastated by his cruel response when she admits her affections in a love letter. Although she claims to be over him by the second episode, this is later revealed to be untrue. After he is expelled from Ohtori, Saionji accepts Wakaba's offer to room with her. The experience quite changes him - he reveals a softer, repressed side. With Wakaba he finally gets his chance to become a handsome prince . . . it's a shame that once again, his own faults prevent him from reaching his goal.

Anthy Himemiya is the object of Saionji's affection . . . in an indirect way. He recognizes her instantly as the perfect means to his end goal - meet Touga Kiryuu's accomplishment of bringing eternity to the imprisoned princess. However, Saionji can never be Anthy's prince if he uses her simply as the means to an end. His relationship with her is full of contrasts. He confesses to Utena that he really loves her and keeps a romantic exchange diary, but at the same time beats her, abuses her, and treats her like an object.

Utena Tenjou is Saionji's rival and his equal. Like Saionji, she yearns to be a handsome prince who rescues princesses. Like Saionji, she has chosen Anthy Himemiya to be her princess. However, unlike Saionji, she genuinely loves Anthy and would never hurt her. It is interesting that Saionji chooses to confide his feeling about Anthy to Utena, even though he accuses her of always coming between him and Anthy. He seems to recognize the fact that the two of them are essentially aiming for the same thing. When Utena succeeds in this task, Saionji becomes overcome with rage and attempts to murder her. And we all know how that turned out . . .