Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn): Season 1/ Episode 10 “Anticipation” – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Overview

The White Dragon is acquired and, strangely, by the end of the episode everyone is off to find the other 3.

Topic 1: A Girl Worth Fighting For – Ki-Ju and Yona

Topic 2: You’re Dismissed – Hak, Yona, and Ki-Ju

Topic 3: Where To Next? – Yona & Ki-Ju

Review (with Spoilers) – Below

Topic 1: A Girl Worth Fighting For – Ki-Ju and Yona

For generations the White Dragon’s power has been passed down, and for generations they have all waited for Hiryuu’s return. Now, for Ki-Ju, he finds himself being the one to meet his master. Good thing too since his grandma, since Ki-Ju is turning 20, was ready to push him into marriage and procreation. Something he didn’t seem necessarily ready for, much less with him being like Yun, and wanting to explore the world, he badly wanted Yona to show up.

Commentary

With meeting Ki-Ju, and the village he is protected by, it does make you wonder how the other villages, or dragons, maybe? Though, alongside that questions, comes the thought: what happened to Ki-Ju’s parents? For, the way it seems, his grandmother raised him and something happened to his parents. Now, maybe it was assassins, hence the touch security. It is hard to say though for the introduction of Ki-Ju seems very rushed and not as fleshed out as when we met Yun. An issue even for the characters for they didn’t expect, so it seems, for Ki-Ju to leave pretty much the same day as meeting Yona. Though I guess with the dragon’s blood raging within him, and him wanting to get see the world, much less not end up with a wife, Ki-Ju wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Topic 2: You’re Dismissed – Hak, Yona, and Ki-Ju

However, before they leave, Ki-Ju tries to get rid of Hak. The reason being that he sees it as his destiny to protect Yona, and with Hak being an above average human, he sees him as a possible nuisance. Maybe because Ki-Ju has feelings developing for Yona, or just because with his fate finally realized, he doesn’t want someone standing in the way of his duty. Either way, he offers Hak money to go away but Yona refuses to let him go. Something which flatters Hak until Yona assigns Ki-Ju to protect Hak as Hak protects Yona.

Commentary

Though I mention Ki-Ju maybe developing feelings for Yona, I base this solely on the compliments he gives her. In truth, I’m really hoping a love triangle doesn’t develop. If just because I get annoyed by that enough with the ABC Family shows, among others, and I would hate for the anime I watch, which is my escape from the mundane storylines of live action shows, to employ the most overdone means of creating drama. Which, being that this is a anime, would probably lead to more comedic moments than anything, but either way I just am hoping with all my heart the show won’t go in that direction. Especially since there is the possibility of a full on harem as the rest of the dragons are introduced.

Reminding me, I find it comical nothing was said about Yun joining them. Though I guess he isn’t seen as a fellow warriors, but perhaps more of an assistant. If not a potential historian.

Topic 3: Where To Next? – Yona & Ki-Ju

Being that Ik-Su only provided directions to Ki-Ju, there becomes a question of where to next? Something Ki-Su solves since he mentions that, faintly, he can sense the other dragons. However, being that he has never met the rest, nor knows hardly a thing about them, it seems their journey will rely solely on his senses. Something which surely will lead to him and Hak head butting.

Commentary

In the episode Yona mentions the reasons she wishes to collect the dragons are to protect her friends. This worries me. If just because her only friends right now are Hak, those of the Wind Village, Yun, and now Ki-Ju. Most of which who can handle themselves. And while surely her objective will evolve, I must admit I am more and more thinking we need another view of the future to sort of hint where this series is going. For while I’m not bored, nor can find a strong reason why someone else would be, unless you are dying for some action, I must admit I would like revenge to be on Yona’s mind. For even with the idea of killing something, or someone, not being strong, with her injuring Hak while thinking of Soo-Won, you can see there is a darkness in her. Something which I hope leads to more than just a certain strength she taps into in order to kill little furry animals.