A fairly loose explanation is that Mikage wanted to kill Anthy so he can make Tokiko's brother the new rose bride, thus granting him eternal life (just like Anthy is eternal). In the beginning he deliberately burned the building with the students in it, killing them all, and when Tokiko knew about it she scolded him and left as her brother eventually died, but Mikage couldn't let go of them both and was stuck in his memories (the memories being his coffin, thus being stuck in the academy because he didn't break his world's shell) and brainwashed troubled students to challenge Utena for Anthy (not to win her, but to kill her). Akio used this to his advantage to manipulate Mikage (and the troubled students) to challenge Utena so she can reactivate the power of Dios so Akio can regain it, but when Mikage lost to Utena (when the face on the photos in the dueling arena changed from Dios to Tokiko's brother) he remembered everything and realized that Tokiko left and that her brother is dead and in a way, finally accepted reality. That's why he disappeared because he broke his coffin (= got out of the academy).
@@KamiSilver thanks! I watched the show a couple of times to come up with this explanation. I hate when people dismiss the Black Rose saga as irrelevant to the show cause for me, it shows how Utena is very much like Mikage: they uphold ideals disregarding their own interests or if others appreciate that. Also I have a theory that Kanae is actually a previous winner of the duels but she chose to be in the castle with Akio instead of revolutionising the world, but I need to watch the show again to confirm that lol
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
omg this is so energetic and odd. still one the most weird and beautifull anime i have ever seen
Ok B00M!!! :. Fx "failed"_
The song's name is fitting considering what we learn about Mikage. Now I need to watch the show again.
I still don't understand the Black Rose Saga fully.
maybe u should rewatch
A fairly loose explanation is that Mikage wanted to kill Anthy so he can make Tokiko's brother the new rose bride, thus granting him eternal life (just like Anthy is eternal). In the beginning he deliberately burned the building with the students in it, killing them all, and when Tokiko knew about it she scolded him and left as her brother eventually died, but Mikage couldn't let go of them both and was stuck in his memories (the memories being his coffin, thus being stuck in the academy because he didn't break his world's shell) and brainwashed troubled students to challenge Utena for Anthy (not to win her, but to kill her). Akio used this to his advantage to manipulate Mikage (and the troubled students) to challenge Utena so she can reactivate the power of Dios so Akio can regain it, but when Mikage lost to Utena (when the face on the photos in the dueling arena changed from Dios to Tokiko's brother) he remembered everything and realized that Tokiko left and that her brother is dead and in a way, finally accepted reality. That's why he disappeared because he broke his coffin (= got out of the academy).
@@bluklank8679 I wish I could put together the bizarre events in Utena in such a reasonable fashion! Well explained.
@@KamiSilver thanks! I watched the show a couple of times to come up with this explanation. I hate when people dismiss the Black Rose saga as irrelevant to the show cause for me, it shows how Utena is very much like Mikage: they uphold ideals disregarding their own interests or if others appreciate that. Also I have a theory that Kanae is actually a previous winner of the duels but she chose to be in the castle with Akio instead of revolutionising the world, but I need to watch the show again to confirm that lol
mikage is basically what utena would devolve into if she kept trying to find eternity