Introduction

If you are already an Utena fan, you can skip this section. If you've never heard the word "Utena" before, and are flipping through a dictionary to see if it even is a real word, you've come to the right place. Shojo Kakumei Utena is the title of an anime series from Japan. The English release is called "Revolutionary Girl Utena." Although the main character is Utena Tenjou, this shrine is dedicated to on of the supporting characters from the series - Kyouichi Saionji.

In order to understand most of this shrine, you will probably need a quick primer about the plot of Utena. The anime starts out like this: The first episode introduces us to Utena Tenjou as she enters Ohtori Academy on the first day of school. Ohtori is a massive, baroque-esque complex that sits atop a large hill. Utena is extremely tomboyish, and wants to be "A handsome prince who rescues princesses." Her best friend Wakaba asks her about the mysterious ring she always wears, which bears a rose seal identical to Ohtori's rose symbol. Utena says that a handsome prince gave it to her when she was little, saying that "Someday, this ring shall lead you to me."

One of the members of the Student Council, Kyouichi Saionji, insults Wakaba and hurts her feelings. Enraged, Utena challenges him to a duel (which is appropriate, considering that he is the captain of the kendo team). Utena is surprised when Saoinji tells her to meet him in the dueling forest, a forbidden area for students. She is even more surprised when her rose ring opens the gates to the dueling forest, revealing a massive staircase that she ascends to reach the Dueling Arena high in the sky. Above the arena floats an upside down castle.

Utena manages to defeat Saionji in the duel, but now finds herself engaged to his former girlfriend, Anthy Himemiya! Anthy explains that the rose ring marks Utena as a Duelist, one who must battle other Duelists so that she can possess the Rose Bride, the Sword Of Dios, and the power to bring the world Revolution. Anthy is the Rose Bride, and the Sword of Dios is pulled out of her chest before duels.

The first few episodes introduce us to the other Duelists - Touga Kiryuu, president of the Student Council and every girl's playboy; Kyouichi Saionji, vice president of the Student Council and overly possesive of Anthy; Miki Kaoru, the gentle boy genius; Juri Arisugawa, the master fencer with a heart of stone; and Nanami Kiryuu, Touga's spoiled and clingy younger sister. Unknown to Utena is the fact that the members of the Student Council (Touga, Saionji, Miki, Juri) are recieving letters and instructions from an entity refered to as "End of the World," telling them what to do to bring about Revolution.

Yes, that can be a bit confusing and overwhelming. Personally, I recommend that you check out the anime yourself. Most video stores rent out copies of the first volume. If you've never seen any anime before, this is a great series to start with! Now, on to the more focused Saionji-worshipping . . .