the next recap is episode 33, but it is genuinely one of the most important episodes in the entire show, and i would honestly recommend watching it by itself. like episode 24 it comes after a two parter (31+32), and you could watch it together with ep 34 when you get there, but i think it hits harder if you have to wait a week in between. up to you though of course
In alternate subs, I've seen Touga's response to Akio's offering of the wheel translated as "But I'm not old enough to drive," with the driving age in Japan being eighteen (sixteen for motorcycles). The episode opens reminding the audience of just how young Touga is in comparison to Akio, not even a legal adult yet, despite how he carries himself. Also, the pink bed that Touga & Akio spontaneously start rolling around in after the duel closely reminds me of the bed that Miki imagines Touga lounging on in episode 5. I don't really have any ideas about what this may symbolize besides the general suggestion of illicit intimacy. Speaking of religious symbolism, I find that Anthy & Akio embody a very common set of tropes found in polytheistic religions across the globe; that being the association of the masculine/maleness with the celestial, & the feminine/femaleness with the terrestrial. Ouranos & Gaia, Thor & Sif, Wākea & Papahānaumoku, Apollo & Artemis (these two aren't a romantic union, but they still perfectly fit the dichotomy), etc. "Jupiter," for example, quite literally translates to "Sky Father." Akio is named after a celestial body, seems to do little but look at & wax poetic over stars all day, & lives at the very top of the highest point of the academy. Anthy toils in the soil tending to her rose garden, is constantly associated with animals & animal husbandry, & only comes up toward the sky when one of her masters calls on her to (whenever she visits Akio and/or whenever Utena has to duel). Episode 25 takes these associations a step further by using the starry sky & a rose bush to represent Akio & Anthy's bodies, respectively. The vase of pink roses set in front of the galaxy painting also calls this to mind imo. Also, I always can't help but find the scene where Akio is explaining his namesake a little funny. He's practically looking Utena right in the eye & telling her "I am the devil." And she's just like "wow Akio, you're so cool," lol. EDIT: I forgot to mention this initially, but the way the Phrase "End of the World" is used here reminds me of Hades or Tartarus, in that it seems to refer to both a person & a place simultaneously.
Every episode from here until the end really is kind of a banger. I think you're absolutely right by the way, something has changed and the show is way hornier now. Akio specifically is such a force of sexuality, for all that he's a creep he 'is' sexy, alluring even. Honestly if I went through every interesting scene in episode 25 I'd just recap the whole thing, but that scene of Utena and Anthy in bed needs a special shout-out. It's so deeply charged. From the moment they lie down silhouetted through drapes it feels intimate, like the audience is peeping on a private moment. And then it's intentionally left unresolved with Anthy pulling back at the last second.
Episode 24 is essentially a parody of a recap episode; almost none of our main characters actually remember the Black Rose arc, so instead of recapping the duels, the show recaps the Nanami episodes and editorializes them in increasingly absurd ways. But why? Obviously they wanted to save money, but why do it this way specifically? Here is my theory. This episode, like the previous recap episode, does give you information, but the information isn't about how the world of the show works; it's about how the narrative of the show works. This episode teaches you how to watch the show. In this episode we flash back to a bunch of Nanami episodes, only to find that Tsuwabuki has inserted himself into them in order to comment on them. Was Tsuwabuki actually there? If he was, then those previous episodes only told part of the story. If he wasn't, then the story we're being told in this episode through Tsuwabuki's diary isn't accurate. Furthermore, Tsuwabuki's diary itself is not presented to us in full: it is being selectively read and interpreted by Nanami, Utena, and Anthy, who appear for the majority of the episode as shadows on a hospital screen, evoking the shadow girls and their routine. Their interpretations are also called into question: Utena and Anthy see the diary as proof that Nanami has been up to no good, but as Nanami points out, it was Anthy's cooking that caused the body-swap -- Anthy who may not be entirely trustworthy either, per the end of the last episode -- and Nanami herself is usually the one who gets hurt the most in her own episodes. So is "Nanami is up to no good" really a fair takeaway from the diary? And if the shadowy silhouettes of our protagonists are unreliable narrators, what does that tell us about the shadow girls? Then Nanami crashes through a window and wakes up in a bed of her own. Was this whole episode a dream, a story told not by shadow silhouettes or Tsuwabuki but by Nanami herself? Maybe, although Tsuwabuki's diary does seem to reflect what we saw for most of the episode. There are no definitive answers, only further questions. So what can we learn from this? That stories aren't neutral; that every aspect of a story is determined by the one who tells it. In most stories, the storyteller's influence is invisible unless you're looking for it. But Utena as a show frequently and deliberately calls attention to its own framing of events: the blinking, beeping, pointing fingers that directed our attention to specific things in episodes 22 & 23; the rose frames that appear on screen for character introductions and significant moments; the shadow girls and their morality plays that tell us how to interpret the meaning of each episode; and so on. The show wants you to notice the trappings of its own narrative, and this episode asks you to start questioning them. This is the message of the episode: that this story, like all stories, has a perspective. Can we trust it?
First! Since you asked about which episodes to watch together and which is recap: 28 + 29 31 + 32 34 + 35 (the most loose two-parter imo but it counts) 38 + 39 Recap is at 33 but it is mandatory and it will kill you in every way possible.
@@DucktorDoom it's very iffy to me but 35 starts immediately with a recap of what we saw in 34 so, included it. Probably the least necessary, if at all
“A little bit more romantic vibes in this ED” my brother in christ they are literally kissing (it’s offscreen because of censorship lol) A few interesting things to note this episode. The car. This car is a very important symbol. In the first scene with Touga and Akio in the car together, Akio asks Touga if he’d like to take the wheel, and Touga says he’s not old enough (he more implies it in this translation, in the one I watched he outright said it. Idk which is more accurate). From this we can understand the car as a symbol of maturity, adulthood, power, sexuality. Akio uses his adulthood to manipulate the children around him, and the car scenes are basically metaphorical of that. He can drive, they can’t. He has agency, they don’t. Remember that Touga is 17, he’s also a victim of grooming in this situation. You mentioned the planetarium, and asked why Akio is showing Utena fake stars and treating them as if they’re real. Could this also be metaphorical for how he’s manipulating her with illusions? For example, the illusion of a happy, accepting family with him and his sister, while he’s abusing her behind the scenes and possibly trying to groom Utena too? I love how we see Utena and Anthy on more equal ground here. This translation doesn’t show it, but the line changes from “grant me the power to bring the world revolution” to “grant *us* the power to bring the world revolution.” Plus we start to see them both opening up. That bedtime scene between Anthy and Utena always makes me so emotional… plus Anthy showing a bit of defiance against Akio. My reading of the situation is that Anthy has been going along with Akio’s abuse because she’s being coerced, remember in the episode where he’s first introduced Chu Chu doesn’t go with Anthy and is visibly afraid. With the theory that Chu Chu might represent Anthy’s true feelings, along with the implication that Akio is physically abusive (the teacup from last arc and him forcefully pulling Anthy this episode), and the fact that he has significant power over her as her legal guardian, school chairman, and only family member, it paints a very dark picture of domestic abuse. Akio is a huge creep and I hate him lol I also love Anthy with her hair down, it might represent her being more comfortable and open with Utena. With her hair pinned up it’s very “proper” and tidy looking, where with it down it’s more relaxed and natural. Also note Anthy’s glasses and how they become opaque at times. It happens in this episode in moments when she’s upset (conflicted about helping Utena in the duel, and seeing Akio priming Utena for abuse). It’s almost like the glasses are Anthy’s shield against the world, she can remain calm and impassive behind them and not let any of it get to her visibly. Maybe this is something she’s learned to do to shield herself from abuse, with how Akio closely monitors her expressions of emotions in this episode. In bed with Utena she doesn’t have them on obviously, and is more open and emotional. Then we have the very pointed shot of her glasses on the floor as she’s SA’d by Akio, it’s like she has that defense forcibly torn down instead of choosing to be open with someone. Overall this is one of my favourite episodes, and the start of my favourite arc. I love all the little details and how you can read into everything.
On the Akio -> planetarium thing: Remember when Utena visits Akio for the first time with Anthy? She sees the projector and asks "Is this your big brother?" Take that exactly at face value and analyze it.
saionji is so stupid it's hilarious (i say, as someone who genuinely is fond of him and nanami as characters; simultaneously the most willfully blind AND perceptive characters imo.) good catch on the Anthy stuff, looking forward to your future analysis of the show! (also, seconding the comment below: ep 33 is crucial, even though most of it is recap.)
This episode is part of why I have my little pet theory that Mitsuru stans Nanami rather than truly being attracted to her, he just loves that she's a bitch, he can't get enough of that. If you want to know about these things ahead of time I can tell you there is one more recap episode but it's super important and you absolutely must not skip it, sorry. You notice how at the start of the episode an animal does something "randomly" that benefits Anthy then we get a bunch of flashbacks of animals tormenting the girl Anthy hates the most. Mitsuru is very funny with his hot takes that all flaws are virtues if you like the person and it's sad that when Nanami is terrible it comes back to bite her and that she handled the fallout of her actions so gracefully that it made up for the stuff she did. I do really like that this is the episode Utena and Anthy get a greater insight into what kind of person Nanami is while all three of them are reduced to one dimensional shadows on the wall or curtain as the case me be. I was going to point out he was wearing a toga in his attempts to imitate Touga but you already saw that. But I also love what comes next with Mitsuru's back handed compliment. He gets accused of doing evil elaborate schemes to get what he wants and says he was trying to be a man worthy of her so "I'm just imitating you Nanami". I love that you pay attention to the shadow girl a lot of people don't. Two most important things about episode 25. How has Anthy always been able to get to the top of the dulling arena before Utena and how did she get in the "gondola" before Utena if it was just discovered. The answer to both is Anthy knew ALL ALONG and she never told anyone. That's how much she hates Utena and how much she hates us the audience, top 10 anime betrayals. On a more serious note when Utena says to Anthy that she should come to her if she ever has a problem she is pretty much word for word saying what Mitsuru said to Nanami by the tree in the cow episode. There are many connections between these four and there's more yet to come. You said earlier Anthy might not like Utena and Akio getting so close and at the start of this duel Anthy looks even more miserable than usual, so that's my interpretation as to why the sword disappeared intentionally or not. Always thought of that look as more angry than concerned but tomato tamato. In addition to tapping into his masculine insecurity you could also see this as Touga negging Saionji. Always been of the opinion the car scene is a metaphor for sex among some other things. Did Touga and Saionji literally hook up in the back of the car or did they metaphorically hook up, who's to say. You can tell Utena on a date that you're like Satan she doesn't seem to know what that means, it just makes him look more knowledgeable and cool. Akio also looks up at the stars the same way Saionji looks up at the castle. Longing for something you just can't reach, it is also interesting that Akio puts himself in the highest tower in a building on a hill. Trying to reach up into the sky.
Welcome to the horniest arc. For the clearest symbolism in the whole series, car=sex=adulthood, complete with slow sax and undone clothing. And now after being in the back of a sexy car under the stars with Touga all night, Saionji thinks he’s a different person, all grown up. Keep in mind that Touga’s 17. He’s been portrayed as a villain so far, but he’s a teenager seduced by a grown ass man just like all Akio’s victims. It’s actually not uncommon for abusers and especially traffickers to use one teenager already under their influence to help them lure or procure further victims. Or as bait. The Black Rose arc was as real as any other part of the show. It’s been forgotten by most characters, but it happened. Which leaves the question, what else might be forgotten? That arc helps us to understand the hidden darker motivations of the second half of each relationship pair, but that information remains hidden from most of the characters. Regarding Akio’s new look - He’s dressed like The Prince. The Duelist uniforms the Student Council wear are based on his costume, not the other way around. Non-Duelists have a different school uniform as well.
Episode 25 is kind of frustrating, in regards to Saionji. We have him developing as a person, beginning to question the farce of the duels and refusing to take part in it. And then, THESE TWO show up, take him for a homoerotic car ride, and by the next morning, he's back to square one. BTW, I'm pretty sure Akio and Touga are canonically bi. Everyone else is strongly implied to be, except maybe Juri and Miki. Point is, the entire main cast is purposefully heavily queer-coded.
I hate Akio, and yet he's kinda hot. Now we enter the arc that is all about mature things like sex and Akio being a chaotic bad bisexual. Now I can say this. Imagine the first duels as a thesis, the second duels as the antithesis, and this one ad a synthesis, since now all the duelists have had their soul swords pulled out, and yet the only consensual is Utena's, and actually since the rose black arc, the sword pull wasn't all the gimmicks and in this one we don't see Anthy doing the ritual. Instead (and I think it's a reference to Sailor Moon) Utena's sword is crrated by the bond she shares with Utena. Starting from here all the duel songs are made specifically for the show, and if you hear closely, the chorus almost resembles a car speeding. One thing though, Akio's uniform is that of the prince, because he is half of the prince, since the other one is in a tomb (where Akio talked to himself).
the next recap is episode 33, but it is genuinely one of the most important episodes in the entire show, and i would honestly recommend watching it by itself. like episode 24 it comes after a two parter (31+32), and you could watch it together with ep 34 when you get there, but i think it hits harder if you have to wait a week in between. up to you though of course
[captain hammer voice] the end of the world is my--
In alternate subs, I've seen Touga's response to Akio's offering of the wheel translated as "But I'm not old enough to drive," with the driving age in Japan being eighteen (sixteen for motorcycles). The episode opens reminding the audience of just how young Touga is in comparison to Akio, not even a legal adult yet, despite how he carries himself. Also, the pink bed that Touga & Akio spontaneously start rolling around in after the duel closely reminds me of the bed that Miki imagines Touga lounging on in episode 5. I don't really have any ideas about what this may symbolize besides the general suggestion of illicit intimacy.
Speaking of religious symbolism, I find that Anthy & Akio embody a very common set of tropes found in polytheistic religions across the globe; that being the association of the masculine/maleness with the celestial, & the feminine/femaleness with the terrestrial. Ouranos & Gaia, Thor & Sif, Wākea & Papahānaumoku, Apollo & Artemis (these two aren't a romantic union, but they still perfectly fit the dichotomy), etc. "Jupiter," for example, quite literally translates to "Sky Father." Akio is named after a celestial body, seems to do little but look at & wax poetic over stars all day, & lives at the very top of the highest point of the academy. Anthy toils in the soil tending to her rose garden, is constantly associated with animals & animal husbandry, & only comes up toward the sky when one of her masters calls on her to (whenever she visits Akio and/or whenever Utena has to duel). Episode 25 takes these associations a step further by using the starry sky & a rose bush to represent Akio & Anthy's bodies, respectively. The vase of pink roses set in front of the galaxy painting also calls this to mind imo.
Also, I always can't help but find the scene where Akio is explaining his namesake a little funny. He's practically looking Utena right in the eye & telling her "I am the devil." And she's just like "wow Akio, you're so cool," lol.
EDIT: I forgot to mention this initially, but the way the Phrase "End of the World" is used here reminds me of Hades or Tartarus, in that it seems to refer to both a person & a place simultaneously.
Every episode from here until the end really is kind of a banger.
I think you're absolutely right by the way, something has changed and the show is way hornier now.
Akio specifically is such a force of sexuality, for all that he's a creep he 'is' sexy, alluring even.
Honestly if I went through every interesting scene in episode 25 I'd just recap the whole thing, but that scene of Utena and Anthy in bed needs a special shout-out.
It's so deeply charged. From the moment they lie down silhouetted through drapes it feels intimate, like the audience is peeping on a private moment.
And then it's intentionally left unresolved with Anthy pulling back at the last second.
Episode 24 is essentially a parody of a recap episode; almost none of our main characters actually remember the Black Rose arc, so instead of recapping the duels, the show recaps the Nanami episodes and editorializes them in increasingly absurd ways. But why? Obviously they wanted to save money, but why do it this way specifically? Here is my theory. This episode, like the previous recap episode, does give you information, but the information isn't about how the world of the show works; it's about how the narrative of the show works. This episode teaches you how to watch the show.
In this episode we flash back to a bunch of Nanami episodes, only to find that Tsuwabuki has inserted himself into them in order to comment on them. Was Tsuwabuki actually there? If he was, then those previous episodes only told part of the story. If he wasn't, then the story we're being told in this episode through Tsuwabuki's diary isn't accurate.
Furthermore, Tsuwabuki's diary itself is not presented to us in full: it is being selectively read and interpreted by Nanami, Utena, and Anthy, who appear for the majority of the episode as shadows on a hospital screen, evoking the shadow girls and their routine. Their interpretations are also called into question: Utena and Anthy see the diary as proof that Nanami has been up to no good, but as Nanami points out, it was Anthy's cooking that caused the body-swap -- Anthy who may not be entirely trustworthy either, per the end of the last episode -- and Nanami herself is usually the one who gets hurt the most in her own episodes. So is "Nanami is up to no good" really a fair takeaway from the diary? And if the shadowy silhouettes of our protagonists are unreliable narrators, what does that tell us about the shadow girls?
Then Nanami crashes through a window and wakes up in a bed of her own. Was this whole episode a dream, a story told not by shadow silhouettes or Tsuwabuki but by Nanami herself? Maybe, although Tsuwabuki's diary does seem to reflect what we saw for most of the episode. There are no definitive answers, only further questions.
So what can we learn from this? That stories aren't neutral; that every aspect of a story is determined by the one who tells it. In most stories, the storyteller's influence is invisible unless you're looking for it. But Utena as a show frequently and deliberately calls attention to its own framing of events: the blinking, beeping, pointing fingers that directed our attention to specific things in episodes 22 & 23; the rose frames that appear on screen for character introductions and significant moments; the shadow girls and their morality plays that tell us how to interpret the meaning of each episode; and so on. The show wants you to notice the trappings of its own narrative, and this episode asks you to start questioning them. This is the message of the episode: that this story, like all stories, has a perspective. Can we trust it?
I appreciate the analysis on the recap episode
First!
Since you asked about which episodes to watch together and which is recap:
28 + 29
31 + 32
34 + 35 (the most loose two-parter imo but it counts)
38 + 39
Recap is at 33 but it is mandatory and it will kill you in every way possible.
Thanks for the heads up!
Hm, I don't think 34 + 35 are a two-parter? Like it's fine to watch them together but if anything I'd say 35 + 36 are more of a two-parter.
@@DucktorDoom it's very iffy to me but 35 starts immediately with a recap of what we saw in 34 so, included it. Probably the least necessary, if at all
“A little bit more romantic vibes in this ED” my brother in christ they are literally kissing (it’s offscreen because of censorship lol)
A few interesting things to note this episode.
The car. This car is a very important symbol. In the first scene with Touga and Akio in the car together, Akio asks Touga if he’d like to take the wheel, and Touga says he’s not old enough (he more implies it in this translation, in the one I watched he outright said it. Idk which is more accurate). From this we can understand the car as a symbol of maturity, adulthood, power, sexuality. Akio uses his adulthood to manipulate the children around him, and the car scenes are basically metaphorical of that. He can drive, they can’t. He has agency, they don’t. Remember that Touga is 17, he’s also a victim of grooming in this situation.
You mentioned the planetarium, and asked why Akio is showing Utena fake stars and treating them as if they’re real. Could this also be metaphorical for how he’s manipulating her with illusions? For example, the illusion of a happy, accepting family with him and his sister, while he’s abusing her behind the scenes and possibly trying to groom Utena too?
I love how we see Utena and Anthy on more equal ground here. This translation doesn’t show it, but the line changes from “grant me the power to bring the world revolution” to “grant *us* the power to bring the world revolution.” Plus we start to see them both opening up. That bedtime scene between Anthy and Utena always makes me so emotional… plus Anthy showing a bit of defiance against Akio. My reading of the situation is that Anthy has been going along with Akio’s abuse because she’s being coerced, remember in the episode where he’s first introduced Chu Chu doesn’t go with Anthy and is visibly afraid. With the theory that Chu Chu might represent Anthy’s true feelings, along with the implication that Akio is physically abusive (the teacup from last arc and him forcefully pulling Anthy this episode), and the fact that he has significant power over her as her legal guardian, school chairman, and only family member, it paints a very dark picture of domestic abuse. Akio is a huge creep and I hate him lol
I also love Anthy with her hair down, it might represent her being more comfortable and open with Utena. With her hair pinned up it’s very “proper” and tidy looking, where with it down it’s more relaxed and natural.
Also note Anthy’s glasses and how they become opaque at times. It happens in this episode in moments when she’s upset (conflicted about helping Utena in the duel, and seeing Akio priming Utena for abuse). It’s almost like the glasses are Anthy’s shield against the world, she can remain calm and impassive behind them and not let any of it get to her visibly. Maybe this is something she’s learned to do to shield herself from abuse, with how Akio closely monitors her expressions of emotions in this episode. In bed with Utena she doesn’t have them on obviously, and is more open and emotional. Then we have the very pointed shot of her glasses on the floor as she’s SA’d by Akio, it’s like she has that defense forcibly torn down instead of choosing to be open with someone.
Overall this is one of my favourite episodes, and the start of my favourite arc. I love all the little details and how you can read into everything.
On the Akio -> planetarium thing:
Remember when Utena visits Akio for the first time with Anthy? She sees the projector and asks "Is this your big brother?" Take that exactly at face value and analyze it.
saionji is so stupid it's hilarious (i say, as someone who genuinely is fond of him and nanami as characters; simultaneously the most willfully blind AND perceptive characters imo.) good catch on the Anthy stuff, looking forward to your future analysis of the show!
(also, seconding the comment below: ep 33 is crucial, even though most of it is recap.)
This episode is part of why I have my little pet theory that Mitsuru stans Nanami rather than truly being attracted to her, he just loves that she's a bitch, he can't get enough of that.
If you want to know about these things ahead of time I can tell you there is one more recap episode but it's super important and you absolutely must not skip it, sorry.
You notice how at the start of the episode an animal does something "randomly" that benefits Anthy then we get a bunch of flashbacks of animals tormenting the girl Anthy hates the most.
Mitsuru is very funny with his hot takes that all flaws are virtues if you like the person and it's sad that when Nanami is terrible it comes back to bite her and that she handled the fallout of her actions so gracefully that it made up for the stuff she did.
I do really like that this is the episode Utena and Anthy get a greater insight into what kind of person Nanami is while all three of them are reduced to one dimensional shadows on the wall or curtain as the case me be. I was going to point out he was wearing a toga in his attempts to imitate Touga but you already saw that. But I also love what comes next with Mitsuru's back handed compliment. He gets accused of doing evil elaborate schemes to get what he wants and says he was trying to be a man worthy of her so "I'm just imitating you Nanami". I love that you pay attention to the shadow girl a lot of people don't.
Two most important things about episode 25. How has Anthy always been able to get to the top of the dulling arena before Utena and how did she get in the "gondola" before Utena if it was just discovered. The answer to both is Anthy knew ALL ALONG and she never told anyone. That's how much she hates Utena and how much she hates us the audience, top 10 anime betrayals.
On a more serious note when Utena says to Anthy that she should come to her if she ever has a problem she is pretty much word for word saying what Mitsuru said to Nanami by the tree in the cow episode. There are many connections between these four and there's more yet to come.
You said earlier Anthy might not like Utena and Akio getting so close and at the start of this duel Anthy looks even more miserable than usual, so that's my interpretation as to why the sword disappeared intentionally or not.
Always thought of that look as more angry than concerned but tomato tamato.
In addition to tapping into his masculine insecurity you could also see this as Touga negging Saionji.
Always been of the opinion the car scene is a metaphor for sex among some other things. Did Touga and Saionji literally hook up in the back of the car or did they metaphorically hook up, who's to say.
You can tell Utena on a date that you're like Satan she doesn't seem to know what that means, it just makes him look more knowledgeable and cool. Akio also looks up at the stars the same way Saionji looks up at the castle. Longing for something you just can't reach, it is also interesting that Akio puts himself in the highest tower in a building on a hill. Trying to reach up into the sky.
Welcome to the horniest arc. For the clearest symbolism in the whole series, car=sex=adulthood, complete with slow sax and undone clothing. And now after being in the back of a sexy car under the stars with Touga all night, Saionji thinks he’s a different person, all grown up.
Keep in mind that Touga’s 17. He’s been portrayed as a villain so far, but he’s a teenager seduced by a grown ass man just like all Akio’s victims. It’s actually not uncommon for abusers and especially traffickers to use one teenager already under their influence to help them lure or procure further victims. Or as bait.
The Black Rose arc was as real as any other part of the show. It’s been forgotten by most characters, but it happened. Which leaves the question, what else might be forgotten? That arc helps us to understand the hidden darker motivations of the second half of each relationship pair, but that information remains hidden from most of the characters.
Regarding Akio’s new look - He’s dressed like The Prince. The Duelist uniforms the Student Council wear are based on his costume, not the other way around. Non-Duelists have a different school uniform as well.
Episode 25 is kind of frustrating, in regards to Saionji. We have him developing as a person, beginning to question the farce of the duels and refusing to take part in it. And then, THESE TWO show up, take him for a homoerotic car ride, and by the next morning, he's back to square one. BTW, I'm pretty sure Akio and Touga are canonically bi. Everyone else is strongly implied to be, except maybe Juri and Miki. Point is, the entire main cast is purposefully heavily queer-coded.
I hate Akio, and yet he's kinda hot. Now we enter the arc that is all about mature things like sex and Akio being a chaotic bad bisexual. Now I can say this. Imagine the first duels as a thesis, the second duels as the antithesis, and this one ad a synthesis, since now all the duelists have had their soul swords pulled out, and yet the only consensual is Utena's, and actually since the rose black arc, the sword pull wasn't all the gimmicks and in this one we don't see Anthy doing the ritual. Instead (and I think it's a reference to Sailor Moon) Utena's sword is crrated by the bond she shares with Utena.
Starting from here all the duel songs are made specifically for the show, and if you hear closely, the chorus almost resembles a car speeding.
One thing though, Akio's uniform is that of the prince, because he is half of the prince, since the other one is in a tomb (where Akio talked to himself).
And now when Dios descends, by the framing he kisses Utena
“Chaotic bisexual” James Somerton we know it’s you