They leave all kinds of details in the first arc that pay off in Black Rose that you weren't even expecting.
But black rose is so full of other people's stories that dueling with Utena is kind of a formality. Utena herself might be a formality in that arc.
Oh, and the YouTube upload is legitimate and from the real licensor.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrrh84y760v-hDEulas0Tp_wiQy0FcjLl
The endgame arc really heats up. Maybe it's the new approach/transformation sequence, which also places Anthy as part of Utena's team and not just a prize to be fought over. Or maybe it's that we know everyone so well now.