I'm not sure.  It is an interesting question.  But it's worth noting that it wasn't just because of episode 3, where Utena meets Touga and sees he has the ring, that she concludes he's her prince.  Touga plays her like a violin throughout the arc.  He seems to somehow know details about Utena's childhood encounter with the prince, for instance.  ("It felt like... this... didn't it?")  In reality this is probably through very skillful guesswork or through his connection to Akio, but for Utena it's evidence that he must be her prince -- because who else would know about that encounter? 

Also significant is the scene where Touga gives a Rose Seal to Nanami -- and makes sure Utena is watching.  Now he has established himself in her mind as the guy who gives out the rose seals.  If he can give Nanami a seal, maybe he gave Utena hers too.

Combine this with his princely bearing, his position as an authority figure, his charisma, and his never ever letting Utena forget that he might be her prince, and you can understand why she reacts differently to him than he does to Saionji.

ETA: "Hurry, Utena-sama!  We must cast the Rose Seal into the fires of Mount Doom before Akio reclaims it!"  "NOOO!  The Rose Seal is my one link to my prince!  It gives me special powers!  It is my -- precious!"

Last edited by satyreyes (02-14-2009 12:45:47 PM)

The scene with Touga trying to persuade Utena he's her prince for the first time always cracked me up, purely for the reason that immeditely after he does a picture of Dios appears on the screen, who is obviously very, very much not Touga.

Maybe their hair was naturally black and just became weird colours when they all turned twelve!

I've noticed that, too.  At first I thought it was just a plot hole (or...inconsistent plot timetravel...), because "they" knew Utena was going to think Touga was her prince later, she reacted strongly at the outset.

But to be honest (and I know this may not be popular)...I think Utena didn't freak out about the other rings because she isn't terribly interested in Saionji, Juri, or Miki.  When Utena is talking with Wakaba at the window in Ep 1 Utena already knows who Touga is, but has no idea who Saionji, Anthy, Juri, or Miki (the other how-could-you-miss-them highly visible student council members) are.  I'll grant that Touga is probably more ostentatious than the others, but still -- Utena acts like she's never noticed them before, but is pretty darn familiar with Touga's face, name, and position.   Why?  'Cause Utena was attracted to Touga.  That's why Touga was able to manipulate Utena so profoundly with vague hints over the course of a few days.  "They" say you have to consent to seduction in order to be seduced.

I'm not saying Utena approved of Touga and wanted to be his girlfriend, especially as she came to know him better.  But her attitude toward Touga simply reeks of subconscious intrigue before, enraged embarrassment after, and defensiveness always.  If Utena disdains Touga so completely, what does she have to be so defensive about?  He'd be no threat to her if he held no temptation.  Thus, her greater reaction to Touga's possible involvement with Utena's prince.

Last edited by rhyaniwyn (02-19-2009 11:31:48 PM)