Saved by a prince as a child, Utena, the orphaned girl is searching for her lost prince but not finding him anytime soon, she decides to become a prince herself so that she can rescue other 'princesses'. Her journey leads her to Ohtori Academy, where her tomboy ways, dressing in men's uniforms, get her on the teachers' blacklist. Here she learns to be a duelist and fight against a righteous faction at her school. The scheming student council allows her into the mysterious forest arena, where she wins a sword duel (not played for blood) to protect her friend Anthy Himemaya a very soft-spoken, quiet girl. She thus wins the devoted loyalty of Anthy, the mysterious Rose Bride. They become a team, discovering the riddles of the arena forest and fending off challengers (while excelling in classes to boot). Utena's affections are girded toward a duelist who just may be the prince who saved her years before.