Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn): Season 1/ Episode 20 “Chain of Courage” – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Overview

As the crew of Gigan’s ship get used to the additional help and services of Yona’s crew, she tries to figure out a way to be useful once more.

Topic 1: Looking For A Way To Be Of Use – Yona & Yun

Characters & Story

While Jeaha scouts for Yan Kumji, and learns where girls are being lured to; Yun cooks meals and seemingly teaches about herbs; and Hak monitors people trying to learn how to fight; Yona tries to find her place. For without the strength which makes people like Sinha and Gija useful, what is she to do? Well, become a captive. The reason why? Well, with this human trafficking shipment being highly lucrative, it means Kumji is prepping for any pirate who may impede the deal. And while the women and children Kumji, and his men, are taking are worth a pretty penny, they can just as well be used as hostages.

So, to combat this, Yona, as well as Yun, are to pretend to be the type of women Kumji sells and then, once they get on a ship, they are to launch fireworks. The reason for this is that with knowing where the women are, Gigan’s men know where to go to free them. For while taking down Kumji is an objective, protective the captives is the primary one and, as of the end of the episode, Yun and Yona get captured. Meaning, within the next two episodes, we will see if things go as planned.

Commentary

Throughout the episode I was wondering if Gigan was perhaps a victim to Kumji, and maybe her ship came from rising up against him. Also, maybe she was one of his daughters, either legitimate or bastard, who decided to rise up against him. Either way, there is something very curious about Gigan and I hope more is revealed about her.

As for the rest of the episode, I must admit I quite love how connected Yona feels to this struggle. Mostly due to it seeming like the focus is building a character who acknowledges her part in why things are the way they are. For while it maybe hard, at first, to blame Yona for what goes on in the Fire tribe, or Awa, at the same time, as she states, it isn’t like she did as Su-Won does now. She didn’t tour the kingdom, didn’t seem to seek how to properly reign, and lived in ignorant bliss without any real desire to know better.

However, that was old Yona. New Yona takes personal risks, seems committed to her people, and while Su-Won has the power to rule, and seemingly maybe better equipped, as an individual, for the moment, Yona is slowly building a case for herself. Leading you to wonder, when the two eventually face each other, who will the people be behind? Much less, will it lead to an all-out civil war?

Things To Note

Still working toward final TV format.