#YONA BEING BADASS IS MY FAVORITE GENDER

[theyonapodcast]

We’re back with more Palace Arc this week on The Yona Podcast!

We cover Yon-Hi’s diary and all the sad, poor decisions Yona and Soo-Won’s parents made. Then, in the present, we get to see Yona act as a badass politician while Soo-Won gets sicker and Hak gets thrown in jail. It’s a great time. 

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[theclearblue]

For the ask game, can I ask for Zoro, Kenjaku and Yona.....

Thanks 🍀

Sure!

Zoro

Sexuality headcanon: This man is as gay as they come. Obviously a big part of his storyline revolves around women, but I've never gotten the vibe that he's into women. The things he says to men ALL the time though...I know what you are...

Gender headcanon: Cis or trans man, either works for me. I've read some really good fics/seen good art of trans Zoro and it makes a lot of sense to me and I enjoy it when I see it, but I'm not really fussed either way.

A ship I have with said character: Zosan forever and always is the OTP for me, and I'm a lot less of a multishipper with Zoro compared to Sanji for some reason lol. I've warmed up a bit on Zolu too but I do still prefer that as more of a platonic soulmate thing, and I know I said I see Zoro as gay but the t4t potential of Zoro/Kiku is quite good too so I'm willing to say he isn't 100% gay because of it.

a BROTP: Him and Chopper are so cute oh my god, the way Zoro acts like a proud/protective older brother to him is really really cute, that's his guy!!! I also LOVE the Zoro and Nami friendship, I think they antagonize each other for fun lmao but I also think they would be really close to each other and have their own special relationship where they can tell each other anything.

A NOTP: Zoro with any woman other than Kiku really, but I know Zoro/Robin is somewhat popular and I don't think I really get it all. I think their relationship/friendship is really interesting especially pre-timeskip where they had to learn to trust each other when Robin first joined the crew, but I think they're just friends who watch each other's backs.

A random headcanon: I'm surprised I don't see this hc more, and maybe it's just me projecting, but this man 100% has ADHD lmao. The way that he gets lost all the time, his hyperfixation on swords and also his dream, his head empty moments throughout the series, how he's somewhat impulsive, and I feel like the meditation/workout routine is how he tries to manage his concentration (also his anxiety).

general thoughts: I absolutely adore Zoro, and he was the one that surprised me the most. I knew about him before starting and thought he would be the "badass and stoic" character that ended up being flat compared to everyone else, and that's just not true. He's SO silly but also has a really good heart and character, that even though he is a loser he is also very cool at the same time. he's more of a simple character but there's still a lot to talk about with him and he's just had consistently strong writing throughout the entire series. I don't talk about him as much as Sanji or maybe even Robin but those three are tied for my fave strawhat.

(Kenjaku and Yona under the cut)

Kenjaku

Sexuality headcanon: Pansexual or bisexual, I think they've lived a thousand years and things such as gender aren't a factor in who they are attracted to. They truly just go for whoever they catches their interest at any given moment in time.

Gender headcanon: Uhhh all of the above lol. Man, woman, nonbinary, no gender, all the genders, whatever they're feeling and however they are perceived is their gender. I think it's similar to the sexuality, you live a thousand years and gender is a construct they abandoned a long long time ago. No matter what I think they're trans though, and all pronouns.

A ship I have with said character: I think every major ship with Kenjaku works for me, and I struggle to pick a favorite. Gojoken, Tenken, Takaken, Kenjin, Mahito/Kenjaku, even Sukuken I find kinda fun lol. If I had to pick one of these, probably Takaken, but I am big Gojoken and Tenken fan so they're close behind.

A BROTP: So the thing about Kenjaku is that they're a cringefail loser and they don't know how to make friends lmao. Maybe Mahito and Kenjaku? I know I put them in the ship category but I think they fit more here, the silliness and horrors they get up to together were a lot of fun to watch.

A NOTP: Hmm I'm struggling to come up with an answer lol. Uhhh I guess the one Heian era character I don't ship with them is Uraume, but I've never actually seen this ship anywhere. Oh I guess if there's any Kenjaku/Yuuji or Kenjaku/Choso I would not be a fan of that either.

Random headcanon: I feel like in the in between time of executing their thousand year evil plan, they sometimes go out every once in awhile like every 20-30 years to engage with human society again and acts like an old man who's never heard of technology lmao. I also think they would say super off putting things that make no sense to anyone like "Man this dish was so much better 80 years ago :(" and the waiter is just staring at this person who looks like they're early thirties at most.

General thoughts: I think they're the most interesting villain in JJK by far, their relationships spanning over a thousand years are messy and mysterious and span far and wide and the small pieces we get are something to theorize on endlessly. I think they are so effective in that they always are doing or saying something interesting/horrific/fun when on screen, but when they are gone that causes more anxiety for the reader. They're a very cruel and inhumane character, but there is almost a melancholic aspect to them too where they have this big plan, but it doesn't even seem to excite them that much. I'm hoping to do a Culling Games reread maybe in the summer mostly just for them tbh.

Yona

Sexuality headcanon: Bisexual but she doesn't know that askhfkl. Obviously she's attracted to men, that's known from the beginning of the series, but whatever she had with Lili....well...I think they had the potential to be more than gal pals given time....

Gender headcanon: Hmm I guess just cis woman. Haven't thought about any other gender for her, and I think that's honestly what she feels comfortable identifying as. If you got any trans/nb hcs for her though I'm open to it.

a ship I have with said character: Have you heard of Hak/Yona....i think they're neat...cool even....yeah most obvious answer lmao but this is really the only romantic ship I like with her (even if Lili/Yona has potential too and I can convince people on the yuri if no other brave soldiers are willing to).

BROTP: All of the dragons, easily. Hak/Yona might be the ship but those five are connected through fate, through lifetimes. it feels like a disservice to pick one over the other even, they all have such a love for Yona and Yona for them, that's found family right there.

A NOTP: I know some people ship Yona with Soo Won and they have maybe my favorite relationship in the whole series, but I just cannot see it as romantic, especially since both have grown so much. Yona's crush at the beginning of the series to me is more "there's this guy I care about a lot, it must be love" and I do think it was/is love, but that's more of a teenager crush that doesn't actually mean anything. Yona loves him, but in a different way from Hak I think.

Random headcanon: This goes more into theory rather than hc, and it may be dreadfully outdated considering how far behind I am, but I don't think Yona will be the ruler by the end of the series (and definitely not Hak for that matter as well). That said I wouldn't be surprised if that does end up being the case, and it would still make sense especially since Soo Won is sick (as far I know), but I feel like her role as this liberator and almost Robin Hood like figure where she travels around to aid people just makes perfect sense for her and the group as a whole. Undeniably Soo Won has been a really good ruler even if he got spot through, you know, murder lmao. Idk I think I need to reread and catch up to really stand by this, but these were my thoughts through a lot of the series.

General thoughts: Yona of the Dawn is my favorite shoujo and for good reason I think, and a very large part of that is how strong of a protagonist I think that Yona is. You see this really compelling arc over the course of the story of her coming of age that I think is really inspiring, where she very much comes into herself fully but also the relationships she develops with everyone are key to her success as well. One of my favorite characters ever go read Yona of the Dawn everyone (<- directed to me who needs to reread the series more than anyone else in the world)

[lepurcinus]

What do you think of the three watership down adaptations?

This is probably very unpopular or strange. But here I go (W VEEERY long text/rant)

The 78 movie: Ehmmmmmm how to say it, I like it but not that much????

The animation style and this one itself I love, very beautiful captures the natural environment very well and the designs of the rabbits are impeccable even though they can be somewhat similar at times. I even appreciate that each warren follows its own details and even each rabbit has a unique part.

On the other hand in terms of story...it is the most faithful adaptation and follows everything almost to the letter, failing due to lack of time and thus having to cut things out. And it shows. I don't feel any kind of depth or charisma for the characters like their written version, they are just there existing (Except Bigwig and maybe Fiver) and the important scenes that should identify them are no longer the same (Ahem Dandelion saying he will tell the story of his journey to the youngsters when we never see him narrate a single story). Also new characters that only exist to die and also don't give me any kind of impact and even ruin the other characters in passing (Violet/Blackavar). And yes I definitely hated with all my being the focus on scary, violent and so on. Look, the book also has its moments and the presence of death is constant, but here I just see rabbits bleeding gallons of blood and dying at every corner and bad rabbits just because, Watership Down isn't about that. The scenes concentrate on horror and not terror as it should be (they are different things). Although read I will give points on the setting for the scenes of Fiver and the black rabbit. Actually that more ethereal part was very good, the way the visions of him in the art were presented was amazing too, very intriguing.

I'm still reeling from the pain of having the lettuce story scene removed.

The 99 series: Passable, a middle ground.

Some additions are a bit weird but it follows the line well, changes like Blackberry's gender don't bother me and I'd say it's even exaggerated the hate they gave it at the time (Because surprise it's not violent like the woooh movie).

In other terms, let's say that certain things didn't fit me. The personalities of the characters while I appreciate that they aren't talking rocks like the movie it bothers me a bit that they feel so generic/stereotypical/one trick. More than anything I have this problem with Bigwig, I don't know if it's my problem but seriously his version here I don't like him I feel very annoying and bloody to an unbearable level. He's naggy but not in a fun and understandable way like in the book. Something like that happens to me with the others.

New characters like Hannah and Kehaar's treatment eh, I don't hate every minute of his presence but yeah, they are not my favorite. The idea of having Kehaar abandon his people in favor of the rabbits is kind of missing the point of his character? Then they kind of backtrack and decide to give him a mate to leave and then replace him with a baby voiced hawk.

Although I found characters like the Yona's, the mole or Bark to be likable and cute.

The third season is a hit or miss. The change of style is not too bad although some designs look ugly (On the other hand Woundwort and Campion look very badass like that). The implementation of magic as something straightforward and affecting the world it seemed ridiculous and unnecessary. They detract from the fact that the Watership Down rabbits won by their cunning and teamwork and that Woundwort fell by his own stubbornness. Here they brought out a mouse with powers taken from a wizard turtle to summon fucking death itself to take everyone down???? Seems like inle needs to be summoned to do his job lol. (And yeah, I didn't like his characterization here, especially that edgy voice with filters ugh).

Other more additions like the new warrens and the El-ahrairah stories I love them but i wish they would have delved into them more. I really wanted that chapter on Inle's story had been done. The concept of Darkhaven and its rabbits, although it seems to be taken from a Fanfic with ocs the truth I found it interesting and I liked several characters a lot (I love you Granite). Also this version includes my favorite characterization of Woundwort and Vervain (and Campion I understand why many like this version) they are not 100% villains and they have their background and seeing their rise and fall is worth it. Although I feel that outside of them and characters like Moss Efrafa contributed almost nothing, there were not all those characters that helped us to understand how life was there and there were only brute and aggressive rabbits without more, it all felt very wasted. And again Blackavar is used as a rag because apart from being half secondary then completely forget about him. Wanting to take advantage of a person

Wanting to take advantage of characters like Silverweed was good, the truth I liked him outside of his oc superpowers.

The overall art style is not bad but looking at the concept art I would have wished it would have stayed that way. I can't help but see them as colorful Wallabies instead of rabbits and other animals that don't even look like the species they are.

I could add more but these are the most important thing to say.

Netflix miniseries: Well, here we go. I'm sure some will already want to flame and crucify me for this, but fearlessly I'm going to say it's my favorite adaptation of the three.

And look I FULLY UNDERSTAND your annoyances (Except for the stupidity of complaining because it's less violent than the movie). I agree that the animation leaves a lot to be desired and that the bunny models could have been better (besides the pawpads and constant digitigrade posing). And yes, I can see why several changes in moments and characters don't generate the same impact as in the novel. I read the thousand and one reviews everywhere that talk about that and I've noticed it myself.

However, even with all that I dare to say that it is my favorite and I'll tell you why.

I really like to enjoy it as a different version of the story, it's a different vision and unlike their other adaptations here I can't force myself to understand it as a super watered down and flat version of the novel nor as an episodic series with new additions. It's a new form of Watership Down. Get my point?

Here I really see characters changing and with personality. While it's true that some are still driven by being somewhat repetitive like Hawkbit and Dandelion, but here I didn't feel them overly heavy-handed like in the TV series. They are fun to watch, they are charismatic.

I've seen several complaints about how Bigwig here is too aggressive and pedantic but personally I didn't feel him in that way?? I mean yes, he definitely lacks that softer, more sympathetic side but I think his character comes across well. And yes, I can see why one would be upset with him being treated more like a stupid strongman here instead of the strong but knowledgeable and analytical bunny.

Other characters. I see the annoyance with the more insecure Hazel and a bit Simp, on the other hand I like that he has a couple of flaws that evolve as he progresses. I certainly don't think it was done in the best way and I feel him still very emotional and driven to danger by his own lack of judgement, however the fact that Fiver is the one who complements him with being the one who backs him up and makes him understand is something I appreciate.

Fiver is actually my favorite characterization and I don't know if I would say the boldness of it made me love him much more here than even his literary version. He's neither a hypernervous anorexic bunny driven by trauma nor a calm possessed child. He is a balance, he is sympathetic, level-headed, intelligent, though he can be intimidated he is also not afraid to speak his mind and is true to his ideals and takes his views seriously but at the same time fearful because of how unfamiliar and perplexing they are, sometimes even leading to blame himself for not wanting to understand them if it allows him to help others. To me that's a good way to look at Fiver.

Added as doe Strawberry and Clover, let's see. Again the gender change I could care less about, Strawberry active cheerful and helpful I thought was great, she is very cute and cuddly. And her complement with Bigwig doesn't seem bad to me (some say it didn't make sense because they didn't interact but actually they did, she even defended him when they were arguing and come on even in the book the rabbits who are a couple at least even spoke to each other??).

Clover on the other hand, again the idea of her being a more active character I thought was great. Although the fact that they try to focus on her being a caged rabbit and her unfamiliarity with the wild is handled, I see the flaws in this as well. She gets used relatively quickly and even though it was precisely because of her naivety that she got into trouble it doesn't feel as much. About his romance with Hazel, look, I see it cute but I understand why some things get messed up. The fact that it has to be her instead of Fiver who ventures out to find Hazel after being hurt, because true love, was definitely an egregious change. They could have had Fiver go and Clover impatiently try to follow him only to get lost on the way and get captured instead.

Kehaar though definitely very grumpy and rude compared to his version who though defiant and brave is also helpful was a bit ehh. I still find him charismatic in his own way and his "rivalry" relationship with Bigwig I feel worked well considering.

What their personalities are like here.

Efrafa and does. Uffff how to say it, the change from being a super populated den due to its oppressive environment as a derivative of the desire to hide it as much as possible from man is lost. Here it is an oppressive and evil place because yes, Woundwort has his background but he is entirely corrupted and what he does he does out of sheer power and desire. It's not such a bad take but it still loses its depth, I would have liked to see that concept where Woundwort's brother was still alive and together they created it while he looks with sorrow at his brother's corruption, it would have been great.

Looking at it this way then, well it definitely captures that terrifying and oppressive aura very well, these rabbits do look powerful, terrifying and dominating. Vervain and especially Orchis looked great to me, most of all the latter. I have a thing for these charismatic and intelligent villains who know how to use words well instead of force to get what they want. Sainfoin and Campion were also good, in a way that they tried to go with a similar path to the TV series with the latter I saw it great, more in this context. Also we see something more about Efrafa's life and although the idea of Bigwig being presented as a narrator instead of a member of Owsla was somewhat rare, the more I appreciated his interactions with the other characters watching him with intrigue, training him and interacting with him as comrades in storytelling.

About Hyzen and the does. Again in this context they work. They are in a really horrible place with thousands of horrible eyes on them. Even with that Hyzen and the others are still girls trying to overcome whatever happens to them, she still wants the best for her teammates even if it leads her to be much more distrustful and bring her to the brink of breakdown. I wish her ability to be like Fiver had also been added but I still like her.

Also I appreciate finally having Thethuthinnang and Nettle's involvement as a Nelthilta equivalent, maybe I would have wanted Vilthuril to also be part of the group to equally give her a role and then her bonding with Fiver. How Thet wants to be that force of encouragement for everyone with his songs is a beautiful thing to me. And Nettle's betrayal as an attempt to want to do his best without knowing the damage it meant was very painful.

And yes, Holly's involvement and her relationship with Hyzen seemed appropriate to me. Despite this Holly lacking a lot of the veteran side and knew his original counterpart, I saw him as nice collaborative and challenging and how in a way his mistake in not listening to Fiver made him pay and reflect on being better to then tell Campion great!!!. Others say it's kind of weird but consider that all along Hyzen and Holly interacted and knew each other in Efrafa as well as being a link for her to trust Bigwig. Although their interaction was little it's actually a possible scenario to see. Then he sacrifices himself and mourns his death, gosh, I prefer that over Blackavar's unnecessary and weightless death in the movie. This one at least does have weight and reason.

Plus they finally make Blackavar justified, I love him so much here as a wise old veteran but hurting, capable of being tough. He really participates in the story! And I loved his role along with his line "your plan doesn't make sense but if you pull it off and we remember it I want to be able to say I was part of it" (It wasn't like that as is but you know what it is.).

And lastly, I really missed the lack of stories. Despite being told secondarily, I would have liked to hear this version of Inle's story. And speaking of which, love this version of her, so serene, good and kind but at the same time mysterious and creepy. My favorite without a doubt.

Anyway, here's all my chatter, there would be more but I've already overdone it. Answer me what you want about this and argue, even if there are new points that I'm happy to hear my general opinion will remain the same :P