Shadow Play Analysis


Episode 14: "The Boys of the Black Rose"

"Pull It?"

Cko: Extra! Extra! Extra!
Cko: At last, at last, at last!
Cko: At last, that which I feared has come to pass!
Cko: Earlier than for other people.
Cko: My big sis is advanced for her age.
Cko: Okay, say "Ahh."
Cko: Ahhhhhhh!!
Cko: What should we do about this wisdom tooth?
Cko: Ahhhhhhh!!
Cko: Oh, what should I do?
Utena: Have it pulled?

Kanae is a very sweet, childlike girl. She tries very hard to please people - like her father, whom she tries to please by marrying Akio - like Akio, her future fiance - and Anthy, her fiance's younger sister. Being such a kind and open character, she can't stand it when someone doesn't return the favor. And yet, she can't *not* be kind to Anthy. She can't get rid of Anthy, either, because Anthy is soon to be her sister-in-law.

Kanae would eventually have to deal with people like Anthy - only a protected child/princess can forever be surrounded with those that love them. Unpleasant people, and wisdom teeth, are a part of growing up. However, Kanae can't pull the Anthy-tooth out. She doesn't know how to deal with it.

What Mikage does with the Black Rose duelists is he takes their innermost desires and reveals them prematurely - so prematurely that they become twisted and their desired are funneled into hatred for Utena/Anthy/themselves. Mikage forces each Black Rose duelist's "wisdom teeth" out early, when they are not capable of dealing with them.


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