To call the procession of the duels straightforward and predictable is daft. Quantum particles are more predictable. So many times has it seemed that the end of the duels was approaching, only for another complication to arise. It's like an anime series, teasing the watcher with the possibility of an end, but not quite delivering the end... much to the satisfaction of the watcher.

To liken the duels to an anime series is not far off. There are too many similarities between what we currently experience and what has been portrayed in Shoujo Kakumei Utena. The similarities are... unsettling.

If our duelling cycle is an anime series, then we are the characters. Not just the duellists, but our friends... and enemies. Perhaps all of Ohtori campus would be a part of this strange anime. We are, to borrow the standard Occidental term, the dramatis personae. The duels and the events surrounding them make up our stories and plot, trapping us in its contortions and convolutions.

I do not know how much longer those of us who duel will be tangled in this plotline. Presumably the end will not come until the Ends of the World has had enough. But, until then, I will keep living, wearing my rose signet ring with pride. Really, it's all I can do. It's all any of us can do.

--Eien Kiseki

The Thirteen Destined
定められている十三人
The Ohtori Academy Student Council
(The Court of the White Rose)
	Amano Sazaki	President
	Shin Konjin	Vice-President
	Eien Kiseki	Secretary
	Hikari Makugire	Treasurer
	Soraia Kouishi	Mad scientist-in-training
The Dark Council
(The Court of the Black Rose)
	Ichirou Natsuyuki	Grand Master
	Kaori Shizuka	Mistress of Arms
	Miyuki Ozawa	Mistress of the Stars
	Riido Ayami	Master of Vengeance
	Takeo Ishikawa	Master of Knowledge
Agents of Shadow
	Jiyuu Mouki	Inquisitor of Power
	Vizune Sorcanna	Inquisitor of Conviction
Bringer of the End
	Izumi Meiro	Champion of Darkness
The Ends of the World
	Akio Ohtori	Power of Darkness
	Dios Himemiya	Power of Light
	Anthy Himemiya	The Darkness of the Power of Shadow
	Hiko Shinonome	The Light of the Power of Shadow
	Himitsu Anshin	The Rose Bride
Other Students of Ohtori Academy
	Asami Hayashi	President of the Activities Club
	Genjirou Kanna	Riido's computer-savvy but distractable roommate
	Hiwa Matsurin	A member of the Motor Club
	Yarosuke Mineji	A bully
	Natsumi Ozawa	Miyuki's twin sister and childhood friend of Eien
	Mari Rakuen	Editor of the Ohtori Academy student newspaper
	Ken Sabato	Ohtori Academy's former treasurer
	Isao Sakashima	The coordinator and lead guitarist of Ohtori Academy's only rock band
	Reiko Sazanami	Ohtori's excellent, yet shy, star actress
	Ritsuko Shimada	A mostly wheelchair-bound sensitive musical prodigy and almost ward of Eien
	Michiko Sorayama	President of the Fashion Club
	Chigen Takezuki	President of the Motor Club
Other Supporting Cast
	Haruko Iyo	Eien's foster mother
	Kazuo Iyo	Eien's foster father
	Hiroko Suginami	Haruko's late sister