As a child, Utena Tenjou is rescued by a prince and grows up determined to embody the courage she admired rather than simply wait to be saved again. At Ohtori Academy, a duel fought for a friend pulls Utena into a secret system of sword fights centered on Anthy Himemiya, the Rose Bride. Winning gives Utena responsibility for Anthy and draws her deeper into a ritual whose promised power to “revolutionize the world” hides motives far darker than a fairy tale.