Titled

the entire series is a deconstruction of the idea of the prince who can swoop in and save the princess. a rejection of the idea that the prince can save the princess. a revelation of how the series /shows/ what happens when princes have complete control of their princesses. Akio and Anthy. Saionji and Anthy. Touga and Anthy. Touga and Nanami. Nanami and her little would-be prince protegee. even sweet little Mikki has his own selfish motivations for wanting to 'protect' Anthy. he projects his own fantasies onto who Anthy is and what she really wants.

utena fails, repeatedly, to save anthy.

ultimately, her own efforts are insufficient.

Utena's entire character arc is about her motivation to become a prince in order to save princesses. throughout the series, we see her fail in this quest. she fails to understand how much anthy is in need of help and support. she fails to see anthy. she gets frustrated with what she views as anthy's own passivity, and acceptance of the abusive system she is trapped in (which seems so artificial to utena, an outsider). even after witnessing saionji slap anthy, utena still states her intention to lose to saionji in their rematch, simply so she won't have to deal with this strange girl and the esoteric rituals of the student council's secret dueling society. she says this /in front of Anthy/. Anthy maintains a blank, pleasant mask. and it fools people who see her as an idiot who is content with the role these mysterious forces have placed her in.

eventually, by the end of the series, utena inspires anthy to use her own powers to leave her abuser. to quit being an ally and a support to her abuser.

the conclusion of the series is about them saving each other

the entire point of the story is that when utena attempts to be a valiant, chivalrous prince who saves the damsel in distress, that the girl being abused cannot be saved through violence. when utena participates in the dueling system, even though she does not realize it /acknowledge it, she is the one who now has power over anthy.

utena inspires anthy to leave her abuser. she keeps believing in her, loving her, and wishing for her suffering to stop, even after anthy has stabbed her in the back

utena is going to build a life with anthy after anthy leaves the world that she knows behind.

when utena is running around, brandishing her sword, trying to solve her problems with dueling and violence, the narrative proves her wrong every time.

it is utena's TEARS that open the magic door. not her rose crest bestowed by the prince. not her sword. not her physical might. it is her unconditional love for anthy.

initially, acting like a typical duelist, utena drew the sword from anthy, and said "i will revolutionize the world."

as the series progressed, anthy drew a sword from utena

TOGETHER, they said "WE will revolutionize the world"

anthy called out warnings or advice as utena fought. she chose to bless utena's sword--a stark contrast to how saionji (or touga, whichever) coerced a blessing from her (in a heavily coded and symbolic scene)

the latter--half? third? of the series is about them fighting together. every detail of the dueling scenes (and the final battle) is laden with meaning

anthy is an active agent in the battle for her fate

ANTHY'S participation is what tips the scales

ANTHY is the one who quietly walks away from her brother.

Utena does not sweep her off her feet. she does not princess-carry her. she does not pull her across her lap as she sits asride a white horse.

Fun fact: Arizona is the only place in the country where the state mine inspector is an elected position