I feel like there really isn't any progress with Utena, because as far as Utena is concerned nothing happpened - it's all an illusion. But it does give insight into her character, and definitely with Akio and Anthy.
Dana
2019-03-22 22:42:06 +0000 UTC
I got a lot more rewhatch value from this arc than I was expecting... really a great arc. To me Utena challenging Mikage to a duel is really due to her feeling threatened by what he is saying. I feel like she knows he's right about them being similar and her clinging to her ideal of the prince, and in a sense she gets an out by playing the part of the heroine once again, but she has to force it in a way by being the one that proposes the duel. That's my take on it at least