Utena was left an orphan at a very young age, when a gallant prince, riding upon his magnificent white steed presented the young girl with a signet ring -- a ring with the crest of a rose -- and a promise that some day, the two would meet again. But this promise drove Utena to strive for something more -- she would become a gallant prince as well, defending the honour of princesses in peril. Now a student of Ohtori Academy, Utena discovers a mysterious ritual of duels implemented by the student council, whose members also wear rings bearing the rose crest. At the heart of these ceremonies lie the promise of great powers -- powers promised to the ultimate victor from an entity known only as the \"End of the World!\"