(L+CR) Akatsuki no Yona

[BPD Renegade]

You guys brought up an interesting point in regards to how the public is reacting to the change in power. I was under the impression that the murder was covered up, so only those loyal to Su-won knew the truth, but in retrospect, the leaders of the other tribes should have suspected something was up. Maybe the Earth and Water tribes are looking the other way out of apathy or respect for the new king, but I also genuinely think they don't know it was Su-won who killed the king. Now that they've given their support, I don't think they seem like the types who would seek retribution or raise a fuss should the truth be revealed, although Su-won wouldn't have their loyalty anymore (which it looks like he doesn't even now), and had they known prior to it, I'm under the impression they wouldn't have agreed to giving him the thrown so easily.

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

Often times, in art and paintings, dragons and phoenixes are depicted together to mean man and woman in a harmonious relationship. It is a symbol of love. The dragon is depicted as the man, and the phoenix is depicted as the woman. The original king Hiryuu was the red dragon. The supposed reincarnation of king Hiryuu is Yona, who is a woman and hence, depicted as a red phoenix instead. It also plays into the phoenix rebirth ability and phoenix flame depiction, which Yona is shown having burning flames in her eyes. Also, in the original intro, wings are clearly seen when they projected Yona and her mythical creature alter ego.

Also, in certain Asian symbolism, the emperor is depicted as the dragon and the empress is depicted as a phoenix.

That makes a lot of sense. I'm smacking myself on the forehead for not seeing the connection between the red dragon and the red phoenix sooner.

Originally Posted by Flower

Not trying to deliberately debunk any theories or associations, moreso saying lets step back and let the story spell things out for us first and foremost. ^^

But it's fun to theorize. I'd also like to thank any manga readers lurking around for putting up with us and not spoiling anything.

[Flower]

Don't get me wrong my good sir (I assume sir at least). Not against theorizing or speculation at all! Just wanted to make sure things remain clear between what is theorizing based on outside sources reading into the source and what is theorizing based directly from things said in the source itself. Either is fine, but I like to keep things "clear" for myself, I guess, so the post about all that was for my own benefit as well.

Apologies if it came across in a way I did not intend....

[Stark700]

I wish there would be more people like Ik-Soo in this world. Guy's got a heart of gold.

The bromance is strong in this episode.

[HandofFate]

I will never get tired of that one bgm tune that plays during a close emotional moment.
So amazing.

This series seems to have a theme with parting with fathers. Maybe its an aspect of shoujo things as well, since I see father complex come up a lot.

Su is doing everything to avenge his father.
Akatsuki's father gets killed
Hak leaves the tribe and says goodbye to his father
Yuu separates from his surrogate father.

Good progress this episode

http://www.woodus.com/den/gallery/gr...Friendship.mp3
Yuu has joined the party

[FlareKnight]

That was a nice episode. Gave a lot of depth to that surrogate father/son relationship. I just liked the backstory and how things built up nicely there. For the child that Yuu was, going to live in isolation was better than losing that connection. But now is a good chance for him to go out into the world and grow. Someone so talented that he'll never come close to becoming what he could be by staying there.

They'll certainly meet again so it's a good chance to step out and grow. Not exactly the safest route, but probably the place Yuu needs to be right now.

[Flower]

Ep 08

Yes indeed - excellent ep.

It is amazing how naturally talented Yuu is, but also very fortunate that he should have encountered a mentor like Ik-su. It is so easy for someone so incredibly talented like that to lose sight (or even be cultivated by others) in a way that immediately focuses on his skills rather than their balance as a human being.

My assumption is that this took place some time after Ik-su was exiled from the palace by Su-Won's father - it is interesting that Ik-su chose to wander through the Fire Tribe's lands and do "the little things" to help and encourage those in the midst of suffering and poverty on a "hand's on" level. I like that.

The relationship between Ik-su and Yuu is indeed wonderful and touching, and rarer than hen's teeth. I like the examples of Hak and Mun-duok and Ik-su and Yuu shown here of a fairly healthy, normal father-son relationship. Quite nice and refreshing to see. ^^

[Blaat]

Why did they change back to the old opening?

[Flower]

Originally Posted by Blaat

Why did they change back to the old opening?

They did, and they didn't. This time around mid-way through they added Yuu to the group trudging through the sands. That pickiness aside I also wondered why they changed things around and wondered whether or not that OP version would be used as a foreshadowing tool for when a new member joins Yona's group?

[~Yami~]

I never favor this kind of bromance
quite slow and boring episode for me

it's obviously a huge boost for Yona to have a "caretaker" in the group
I wonder how Ik-su would live without Yun
respect for Ik-su who always care for others more than for himself

[Blaat]

Originally Posted by Flower

They did, and they didn't. This time around mid-way through they added Yuu to the group trudging through the sands. That pickiness aside I also wondered why they changed things around and wondered whether or not that OP version would be used as a foreshadowing tool for when a new member joins Yona's group?

Didn't even notice Yuu in the sand scene, in that case I'm guessing that the person who had to add Yuu to the sand scene had to work with the old opening instead of the new prettied up version.

[Flower]

Originally Posted by Blaat

Didn't even notice Yuu in the sand scene, in that case I'm guessing that the person who had to add Yuu to the sand scene had to work with the old opening instead of the new prettied up version.

Very possible, very possible.

I like the addition of Yuu to the group though. As others have mentioned he adds a wonderful "everyday common skills" component to them that means Hak will be able to focus on other things % wise as well.

Also, I wonder if Yuu has realized who Hak actually is? He seems to have great respect for Mun-doek.

[PreSage]

Yeah, I agree; that was a good episode. I love the flashback of how Yun and Ik-su met. Such a touching tale.

Yun's desire to learn really brings to attention how fortunate most of us here are with our education and abundantly available books. We take it for granted most of the time. (Though I freaking wish I can memorize things by reading it through once.)

Also, we catch a glimpse how bad the Fire tribe rulers are by seeing how poorly they let their citizens suffer - and also how weak and unreliable King Il really was. He let the tribes do whatever they want. In the case of the Wind tribe, their region was prosperous and the people lived well. I wonder what the Earth and Water tribe will be like.

I wonder if Hak is from the Fire tribe or another tribe that is not the Wind tribe. Given that he was an orphan, it would make sense if he came from one of these poorer regions and somehow wondered into the Wind tribe's territory.

I found it interesting that Yun compared Mun-doek to Yu-hong (Su-won's father). I'm thinking the Fire tribe probably supported Yu-hong and now they do so for the son. I'm guessing maybe they were in cahoot with Yu-hong to usurp King Il; the 2 brothers fought and Yu-hong (failing to assassinate his brother) ended up being killed by King Il instead. So when Yu-hong failed, the Fire tribe then switched their plan to the son, Su-won, which finally succeeded.

...and we catch a glimpse of the first dragon!

Originally Posted by Flower

Also, I wonder if Yuu has realized who Hak actually is? He seems to have great respect for Mun-doek.

I don't think so. If Yun knew, he would have made a fuss about it. But I think Yun might have just garnered Hak's respect at the end there.

[HandofFate]

Originally Posted by PreSage

Also, we catch a glimpse how bad the Fire tribe rulers are by seeing how poorly they let their citizens suffer - and also how weak and unreliable King Il really was. He let the tribes do whatever they want. In the case of the Wind tribe, their region was prosperous and the people lived well. I wonder what the Earth and Water tribe will be like.

Not sure if you can blame the Fire Tribe for a poor village in their region. There's always going to be pockets of poverty in every society.

Wind Tribe area we saw is good, but that was literal headquarters so of course they're comfortable. But I wouldn't be surprised if the farther you go toward the borders within their territory, you come across a village or two just as bad as the one we saw.

[ginger02]

Originally Posted by Flower

Ep 08

The relationship between Ik-su and Yuu is indeed wonderful and touching, and rarer than hen's teeth. I like the examples of Hak and Mun-duok and Ik-su and Yuu shown here of a fairly healthy, normal father-son relationship. Quite nice and refreshing to see. ^^

This points out to me how we haven't seen any mothers. In anime and JRPG's one parents always seems to be missing at least.


Anyway, lovely episode. I love the parental/familial relationship the two have.

[FlareKnight]

Originally Posted by ginger02

This points out to me how we haven't seen any mothers. In anime and JRPG's one parents always seems to be missing at least.


Anyway, lovely episode. I love the parental/familial relationship the two have.

Have we even seen a female character outside of Yona? Outside of maybe some servants in the first episode?

The power of the reverse-harem. No women anywhere.

[Flower]

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

Have we even seen a female character outside of Yona? Outside of maybe some servants in the first episode?

The power of the reverse-harem. No women anywhere.

When they were with the Wind Tribe we saw some - like the lady who kept giving Yona laundry to do. There were some villagers in Yuu's flashback too that were women as well.

[FlareKnight]

Originally Posted by Flower

When they were with the Wind Tribe we saw some - like the lady who kept giving Yona laundry to do. There were some villagers in Yuu's flashback too that were women as well.

Good point. Strange I forgot that lady, seemed like a nice enough person.

[White Manju Bun]

Ok this was the first episode I enjoyed from start to finish. The flashback of how Ik-su and Yun met was great.

I liked Yona's hair more before she had Yun even it out, I like the long parts in the front.

[Benigmatica]

So, does this episode skipped Yona's combat training or it's unnecessary to show it?

Anyway, seeing Yun bid farewell to Priest Ik-su is so heartwarming...

[Flower]

Originally Posted by Benigmatica

So, does this episode skipped Yona's combat training or it's unnecessary to show it?...

I would be very surprised if they decided to omit Yona training with weapons, especially considering how dead set her father was against it and how Hak was very faithful to obeying his wishes - her training with one is likely to be an important thing for her, I'd guess. At the end of the OP she is shown holding a sword and bow, and in ep 2 she was using the bow. So...I would wait still, I am sure it will come at a good and appropriate time. ^^