Akatsuki no Yona 21-24 [END]
Yona should just threaten them into making a second season
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Well, Akatsuki no Yona was a great show. It was maybe not the most revolutionary story, but the characters were great and the show had some interesting developments with Yona’s growth. Even the ending place seemed pretty good. |
Yona hanging out with the pirates lasted quite a few episodes, but at least there was some good moments with the characters in there. Yun was extremely admirable in his defence of Yona instead of self preservation, which just goes to show how attached he’s become. It’s a pretty big step from their introduction, where he hated nobles by principle. Next was Jae-ha, which was probably a more obvious development, since pretty much everyone who was watching this saw his attachment to Yona coming from miles away.
Also, Yona finally killed a human being, but it came at a good time since it solidified her desire to help her people. …Plus it was very badass. She was obviously scared during the whole ordeal, since the anime made a point about her shaking, but overall, this part of the story just goes to show how Yona’s actions inspire others and why she’s a great character for righting the wrongs of the country. Actually, Yona has had a lot of great moments, like when she intimidated Geum-ji with her glare or on the opposite scale of emotions, when she was saying goodbye to Gi-gang and everyone else. There was a lot of character growth in these past few episodes.
Just when I thought that they were going to end the anime without ever finding the yellow dragon, Zeno’s recruitment was… incredibly easy. It’s nice that the anime acknowledged this and turned it into a joke, since it feels like less of a cop-out that way. Especially after Jae-ha’s recruitment, which took quite a few episodes and was a struggle for Yona almost the entire way through. It’s a shame that we didn’t really see much of Zeno or his motives, but at least he had a little screentime in the last episode when Akatsuki no Yona finally decided to establish where the plot is headed.
It was pretty surprising when Yona met up with Soo-Won suddenly, but it was probably a good experience for both of them. Soo-Won knows that Yona is alive, which seems to show that he has no intentions of killing her, since he hid her. Also, since he’s not such a bad guy, this probably lessens his emotional burdens a bit since he seems to care about Yona, so he’s probably happier with her alive and possibly trying to kill him than dead. As for Yona, her anger and shock made her speechless during the reunion, and it also brought back a lot of things she hasn’t really though about since the beginning of the anime. She seems to have kind of forgotten about Soo-Won over the events that have been happening, so this opened a few wounds regarding that. However, at the same time, Yona seems to have had a moment of acceptance when she realized that he has things he wants to accomplish, much like she does.
Which brings us to the end of the anime. Zeno brought up the question as to where Yona wants to go from here, and it looks like it’s finally been answered. It’s admirable that she’s not going straight for revenge (the reunion with Soo-Won probably helped with that too), but instead wants to help the country. This brings an interesting parallel with Soo-Won, since both characters basically want the same goals of a better country, it seems. Soo-Won can only do so much as king, but then there’s Yona’s group, which is more mobile and there’s less political complications in their way (though Soo-Won could probably come up with clever solutions if he had to). In a way, the two are almost working together, even though they’re kind of enemies. Nobody really has closure over what happened with King Il’s murder, but perhaps the parallels of Soo-Won and Yona both wanting to protect the country will help bridge the emotional gap between them. Neither are bad people, so it would be nice to have them come to an understanding eventually. It would be interesting to see where this plot goes, but unfortunately, this was the end.
Ending here is okay with me. I would love for this anime to continue on for many more seasons to come if it could, but considering the time it was given, it was nicely open ended for other seasons, but had enough closure if they don’t ever end up funding another season. Only establishing where the plot’s big picture was going in the final episode was a little odd, but at the same time, I think they built up to it pretty well. Yona went from a sheltered princess to being stronger over a reasonable period of time. Plus before Yona could decide that she wanted to run around helping people, she needed to experience just how much help people needed first. Also, in the end, I liked the romantic hints, but I’m also decidedly okay with there not being any major developments as well. Yona is still growing as a person, and she probably has to sort out a few things within herself before romance. Especially with how she reacted to her reunion with Soo-Won, since she hasn’t completely figure out how she feels about that yet. Obviously there’s anger, but she also really liked the guy for years before that. So while Hak is probably #1 in the running for possible partners (if Soo-Won doesn’t make a come back some how, which would be complicated as well), just having him be concerned for Yona and watching her grow is okay for now. My feelings towards that might change if there are ever any more seasons for this anime. …Which I really wish there will be, since it feels like the story is only getting started now. But if not, there’s always the manga, I guess!
About Karakuri
University student and the one at Metanorn who's known for wearing glasses. Likes blood, insanity and plot twists, but also plays otome games and adores cute romance anime. It balances out... somehow.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Oh, you can count me among the people that would love to see the show continue as well. It established it’s merits far in advance of the finale. That sort of thing demands more.
I think that this is my second shoujo show that I’ve loved from beginning to end. I like how it didn’t directly talk the powers the dragons had, but how they were used with responsibility; just like the power of a king or princess.
Technically, Yona is no longer a princess, but she still has the duty and responsibility; and she purchased those over the course of the series, at more of a price than mere birth.
I thought the end was to much nudge and wink, and leaned heavy on the fourth wall of our expectations. That’s not to say it didn’t fit with the proceeding, I just have issue when the writing is made that obvious.
All in all, a good six-month long ride. Thanks for the coverage, Kara.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
That picture at the head of the post is a face destined to be remembered for a long time.
For her first taste of blood by killing someone, Yona was all for it so it’s no doubt Kumji really pissed her off. Not that anyone can blame her. The bigger challenge now is keeping that instinct to kill in check as she didn’t think twice reaching for Su-won’s sword to sab him.
Zeno’s introduction and insertion to the group was relatively and uneventfully quick and easy. I can see and tolerate why the other arcs were so long and he given a single episode if it didn’t take much to grab hold of him. I can’t say I’m totally impressed with him either since he gives the vibe of a weakling but that opinion is certain to be proven wrong in the long run and he does gets points for grilling Yona out of nowhere on what she intends to do with all the dragons at her disposal. All good points raised in his interrogation. She’s never actually given thought to plans beyond getting all four dragons together.
Overall, from start to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed Akatsuki no Yona during the past six months. The growth from a timid and sheltered young princess to a growing survivor was very well done and she’s had good help from friends along the way. Along with Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii, this is my second ever shoujo series.
One of the unique traits is the show’s ability in producing an antagonist people have trouble completely hating like Su-won as he’s shown how capable he is ruling a kingdom. The trick isn’t how he’s doing the task, it’s how he got there in the first place and that’s the one aspect that renders people in a conflicted state.
Would I want to see another season of this great series? The answer is a definite “yes”.
POWUH: 800-899 and Flying Sage with 856 comments
I agree that this was a good stopping point. I wouldn’t say I loved this show, but it did hold my attention until the end.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Oh, for anyone who took a good look at the pirate captain Gi-gang and felt she looked and sounded like Chief Joushuu Kasei from Psycho-Pass… Guess what? They both have the same seiyuu: Yoshiko Sakakibara.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
It’s a shame that we didn’t really see much of Zeno or his motives, but at least he had a little screentime in the last episode when Akatsuki no Yona finally decided to establish where the plot is headed.
Je-no’s backstory is currently being covered in the latest chapters from Japan. Without spoiling too much, he and Wolverine have some common powers.
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I’ve read some translated manga chapters, and there’s still a lot of story to go. It’s rather slow-paced in that the plot is sometimes put aside in favour of character interactions and development, although the mangaka isn’t bothered at all. In fact she’s proud her work has managed to progress this far.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
If anyone’s interested in sending fanmail to the mangaka, she can be reached at:
Hakusensha – Hana to Yume Editorial Department
Kusanagi Mizuho
Tokyo Chiyoda-ku, Kanda-Awajicho 2-2-2
101-0063 Japan
Also, the Yona Blurays and DVDs will only be on sale in the end of May. Observers have noted this “effectively eliminates (anime sales)as a real-time yardstick for commercial success.”
Speculation is that the production committee is banking on manga sales increases, although the lack of announcements have left parties pessimistic on a Season 2. They also note shoujo titles aren’t super-sellers unlike shounen, LN and otaku-pandering anime.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
All the information makes this a real 50/50 deal on a second season coming to pass. Let’s just sit tight and hope for the best.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
why the f am I not watching this korean dorama? Very unusual…
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
This series is in a world “phenomenal”, and is the best reverse harem I’ve ever seen done. The first few episodes were a little shaky and I thought we were going to be in for a simple fantasy tale. Little did I know the greatness that I was in store for.
Akatsuki no Yona was great in all ways with its settings, characters, story, and development. Yona’s change from a spoiled princess to becoming the woman warrior worth of her noble title, was spectacular. On top of that the “villain” of this story has a story of his own and one that you actually can understand and want him to succeed in. Soo-won actually was my favorite character besides Yona herself, he is not your typical villain and you have to truly wonder about his intentions. The legend of the dragons was also really great and helped us to shape this world as we went from each one. My favorite of the dragons is Blue and Yellow, one hurt badly but innocent, and the other fun but extremely mysterious.
I wholeheartedly hope that we will get a sequel, I really don’t want to start reading the manga yet until I’m sure. We have an OVA coming so I’ll at least wait for that.
Great series, full action, adventure, fantasy, romance, and great characters. Everything I could want.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Just marathoned the series, and was hooked from about the third episode all the way to the end!
I have to admit I agree with the general opinion that it started out rather meh, and then turned into something wonderful. The dull beginning and the names (korean, chinese?) reminded me too much of manhwa/manhua’s, where I have never had any good experiences with them, so my expectations plummeted during the first two episodes.
Then we were treated to a story about Yona growing up under duress, and I was hooked 110%. I loved the characters and the interactions Yona had with all of them. My only complaint is that the short way Zeno joined was a bit of a letdown.
I was a bit disappointed once I got to episode 20 that I realized the season would end on acquiring the four dragons… I wanted to see Yun with the shield, as evidenced during episode 1, but alas, it was not meant to be.
I differ from some of you on Soo-won, where I absolutely detested his character. I’m not a fan of “the end justifies the means”, especially with the way Soo-won executed the coup. While King II might have been misguided in his beliefs, I didn’t see any evidence that he was a horrible ruler. That and I dislike characters who employ deceit and manipulation as their primary tools.
Die Soo-won, die! ＼(>o<)ノ