Hello!

If he should find community, then the disability is not that grave in comparison. Soo Won wished for friends, a family and community since he was very little.

People tend to be able to live with a disability like this. And he also did not appear to mind it.

He’s 18 goddammit and he’ll never be able to do certain things on his own anymore. Did he really deserve such a horrible end?

My grand-mother had polio, when she was merely 2 years old and was left a "cripple" from it. She could hardly move one leg (it had also not grown like the other leg) and had to drag it behind. She could still live her life relatively well. She had friends, a family, worked,

Another woman was born with only one arm due to her mother using Contergan. She even worked as a nurse, had a daughter, divorced, married again, moved to America and is living her life to the fullest.

Well, hey, I know they were friends, and I do like their comedic interactions. But damn Hak really called Jae-ha his best friend.

"My dear Hak"... the gay or bisexual energy is high here LMAO.

Poor Soo Won. Maybe Lily really becomes his friend. But Jae ha has clear analogies with Soo Won. Hak has a type.

But I was truly happy for all the former "dragon warriors". The younger generation appears to enjoy their lives.

Not to mention, it's been just 2 months since her ascension. Is this really the time for a wedding? It seems like our main characters have more pressing matters.

It is impossible to resolve the plot points. A wedding would be just such a waste. 30 pages are nothing. I tried even to find pages in the last chapter and counted the pages, since I could not believe that this was all.

I actually mournt that we will never see Nene in action. Honestly I would have prefered to have never seen her. Why was it even mentioned that Jon Gi and her had difficulties? It has 0 to do with the whole plot.

She must be an amazing person traveling on her own in Kouka, being completely indepandant from her estranged husband.

Cameos of every character would mean we would see basically next to nothing. It would mean no real plot...

Not to mention, it's been just 2 months since her ascension. Is this really the time for a wedding? It seems like our main characters have more pressing matters.

Maybe there will be a time skip next chapter. To the point in time, when Yona has the long flowing hair. I would say she would be around Soo Won´ and Hak´s age then. 2 months after Soo Won´s ascension there had also happened next to nothing...

It would be the best course of action as further developments would have happened. But even then it is next to impossible to bring up the previous plot points.

So we can say goodbye to the hairpin, the past (We have to accept Yona´s naive version). We can merely guess, why Kashi ran away.

Hopefully at least Zeno has found a purpose in life then. Him and Soo Won were not alright at all.

But hey, we'll see. Maybe we'll see a timeskip next chapter set in 10 years of that wedding halfway through the chapter too. Who knows.

wdym my newfound found family is breaking up?! and wdym Yona is queen after everything she's been thru?! they don't deserve her!

and while i agree their dragon powers are burdensome at times (being targeted while traveling and enjoying your life), i still think it's cool? and now without that, they're less cool? their relationship less fraught?

i mean, think abt it. four (non-blood related) brothers, their dearest elder sister, their (adoptive) mother (aka Yoon), and their blood-crazed dog (Hak lol)

anywayyy, pabayaan mo na nga. i'll just let it be and write my own happier versions!

btw, what i wanted was for the Happy Hungry Bunch to get together again and travel the world again. i'm sure Kouka's continent isn't the only place in their world. they can go overseas! they can establish their own group!

idk, her becoming queen was smt i am super against. as someone who was also betrayed by a person dear to me, there is no way i am going back to the places that person and i shared and made memories in

maybe she could have said goodbye to the castle and to the ppl there. but that's it. she has a new life. w people dear to her. why can't she make a home elsewhere? why does she need to be responsible, to prove her worth, to make herself useful, to the persons who didn't believe in her?

yeah, i get that she wanted to protect the ppl she cared abt who were also Kouka citizens but then, why does she need to bear that burden?

idk, i just disagree w it. after coming to the palace, everything just went to shit and i noticed this pattern w other manga too. Attack on Titan, Firefly Wedding, it's like... i get why, as a writer, i have to think abt the ending as soon as (or even before) i begin writing it. bec this is just ass

nobody needs to prove their worth to the ppl who betrayed them, who hurt them, who left them behind, or to those who, without ever bothering to know them, did the same

idk, it's like, female characters aren't allowed to say fuck you, to be mad, to break. no. we gotta forgive. but fuck that. hell no. hell to the no

anyway. Hak is handsome and awesome. and all the dragon warriors, Jae-ha, Ki-ka, Shinha, Zeno, and Yoon, ofc. and Yona is badass

it's just too bad the story went like that. ugh

The dragon warriors were slaves. It was not just "burdensome" it was a cruelty. Even just letting Zeno´s immortality was pure torture.

My what a shame. That I babbled a little too soon...

But nobody told me beforehand...that this part here would be included.

1. Hak´s vision

Hak´s proposal, his vision is basically this:

1. A direct physical connection between Kouka, Xing, Sei and Kai in the form of streets in order to form trade routes

That sounds a lil bit too easy, right? Kaji has also doubts, if this will work. But Hak - like ever - believes...this guy can be so easily motivated.

2. Hak´s aim is a free circulation of people and goods between the different countries, between Kouka, Xing, Sei and both Kais.

3. And Hak also remarks upon politic alliances between Kouka, Sei and Xing.

Hak has the right idea, but he is basically putting the cart before the horse.

In the past this has really happened and it has -relatively - well worked in practice. If you have a better example, as I unfortunately have to rely on our European History, I am all ears.

2. A historical example of this plan

Well, what can I say, but welcome to the European Union.

This was the way this multilateral political and economic union in Europe was established.

There is a free circulation of goods and people in practice within this structure due to the Schengen agreement .

(And no this does not mean everything is sunshines and rainbows. There are still many problems on every level, still so many economic disparities between the countries, also political difficulties, but the danger for war between the different partners was successfully reduced. A good part of the economies depend upon this peace, after all).

The plan for this collaboration had the French Foreign Minister of that time, named Robert Schuman.

The First and Second World War had so heavily damaged the countries worldwide, but also in Europe, where the cause of the war had erupted. Twice. So Schuman aimed

To prevent further wars in Europe.

18 April 1951 – the European Coal and Steel Community was established. Important resources for war were controlled on a supranational level.

(of course Western Germany had been one of them as it was the cause of the previous two wars. Along with 5 other members).

25 March 1957 – Treaties of Rome

It was a success, so they expanded their collaboration to other economic sectors. The European Economic Community and European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).

19 March 1958 – Birth of the European Parliament

From the economic union...this lead to an establishment of higher political structures. The European Parliament with Schuman as its first elected President.

1 July 1968 – beginning of the Customs Union

The custom duties are removed among the 6 members.

A growing Community – the first new members join

Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Communities on 1 January 1973, raising the number of member countries to 9. The Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 triggers an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. As the United Kingdom has already left, you can imagine, not everything is so nice and sweet, but well...

Democracy spreads in Europe with the overthrow of the dictatorships in Greece, Portugal and Spain. Regional policy starts to transfer huge sums of money to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The first direct elections by citizens of members of the European Parliament take place in 1979.

The changing face of Europe - the collapse of communism

The Polish trade union, Solidarity (Solidarność), and its leader Lech Walesa, become household names following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the summer of 1980 for workers’ rights and political change. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of the European Communities, and Spain and Portugal follow 5 years later. The end of the decade sees the collapse of communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe.

A Europe without frontiers

In 1993, the single market is launched with the '4 freedoms' of free movement for people, goods, services and money. The 1990s is also the decade of 2 treaties – the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty) in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU in 1995, and a small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the Schengen agreement that will gradually allow people to travel to large parts of the EU without passport checks.

3. From the vision to reality

Yona had vowed to search for a way to peace...well...this could be it.

Economic and political collaboration between the different countries. Maybe even forming supranational structures. A world without borders between the 5 countries.

Hak´s vision is - at least - possible.

Soo Won, too, is working to redirect the King´s power to other people, opening up the established system...Most likely leading to the establishment of democracy in the future at one point.

And this most likely is the Dawn of Yona.

And I could throw up out of anger!!! We won´t see it!!! Damn!!!!

Only one chapter left...

But yes, certainly I do see a potential greater world that our characters are attempting to create. And that could be "another dawn", something Hiryuu wanted in the long term, unrelated to the prophecy (alas, we never understood him enough as a character). I just need to see if Yona's first scene at the cliff and her sword happens.... then it'd be clearer.

the danger for war between the different partners was successfully reduced. A good part of the economies depend upon this peace, after all). Maybe even forming supranational structures. A world without borders between the 5 countries

Yes, I can see parallels between what Hak is proposing and the European Union's formation, or the UN, or ASEAN.

And regarding the government changing to a democracy... people already theorized this happening, Su-Won implied it last chapter, and it is unfortunate that the Gaiden is ending so soon.

If the final chapter will manage to fit this in, what happens to the gazillion other plot points that were never addressed? They have to fit in too.

I do think in this case there is a double meaning. The sun is often compared to the rule of a monarch. This was also the case in Japan. So the Dawn likely also describes Yona´s queenship. Especially since she is the "Lotus flower" - a flower often associated with the sun.

The other meaning of Yona´s name is apparently - I do not speak Japanese, but I read it in a reddit thread - "dove". Doves are a sign of peace and freedom since earlier times.

This should mean that within Yona´s rule something big must happen for all the people of Kouka. If the dragon warriors had not existed, the sun would have not vanished at all.

The previous dawn merely signified the end of the pain of the descendants and dragon warriors - so all the bullshit Hiryuu committed..and the rest of Kouka suffered pain, death and heavy damage thanks to it.

There must be something for all the people or this whole work would be merely "a special snowflake became queen".

One should give it to Kusanagi, that she does not magically solve all the problems for her heroine.

Yes, I can see parallels between what Hak is proposing and the European Union's formation, or the UN, or ASEAN. And regarding the government changing to a democracy... people already theorized this happening, Su-Won implied it last chapter, and it is unfortunate that the Gaiden is ending so soon.

Indeed. I know that this is merely based on my own knowledge - but people tend to come the same conclusions worldwide.

I merely wished to express, that Hak´s vision is not just a dream this time. It has worked in the past in our world, so why should it not work in this fantasy world?

It also needly fits into Soo Won´s plan.

The idea is interesting… the problem is pacing. It could be rushed.

My what a shame. That I babbled a little too soon...

But nobody told me beforehand...that this part here would be included.

1. Hak´s vision

Hak´s proposal, his vision is basically this:

1. A direct physical connection between Kouka, Xing, Sei and Kai in the form of streets in order to form trade routes

That sounds a lil bit too easy, right? Kaji has also doubts, if this will work. But Hak - like ever - believes...this guy can be so easily motivated.

2. Hak´s aim is a free circulation of people and goods between the different countries, between Kouka, Xing, Sei and both Kais.

3. And Hak also remarks upon politic alliances between Kouka, Sei and Xing.

Hak has the right idea, but he is basically putting the cart before the horse.

In the past this has really happened and it has -relatively - well worked in practice. If you have a better example, as I unfortunately have to rely on our European History, I am all ears.

2. A historical example of this plan

Well, what can I say, but welcome to the European Union.

This was the way this multilateral political and economic union in Europe was established.

There is a free circulation of goods and people in practice within this structure due to the Schengen agreement .

(And no this does not mean everything is sunshines and rainbows. There are still many problems on every level, still so many economic disparities between the countries, also political difficulties, but the danger for war between the different partners was successfully reduced. A good part of the economies depend upon this peace, after all).

The plan for this collaboration had the French Foreign Minister of that time, named Robert Schuman.

The First and Second World War had so heavily damaged the countries worldwide, but also in Europe, where the cause of the war had erupted. Twice. So Schuman aimed

To prevent further wars in Europe.

18 April 1951 – the European Coal and Steel Community was established. Important resources for war were controlled on a supranational level.

(of course Western Germany had been one of them as it was the cause of the previous two wars. Along with 5 other members).

25 March 1957 – Treaties of Rome

It was a success, so they expanded their collaboration to other economic sectors. The European Economic Community and European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).

19 March 1958 – Birth of the European Parliament

From the economic union...this lead to an establishment of higher political structures. The European Parliament with Schuman as its first elected President.

1 July 1968 – beginning of the Customs Union

The custom duties are removed among the 6 members.

A growing Community – the first new members join

Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Communities on 1 January 1973, raising the number of member countries to 9. The Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 triggers an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. As the United Kingdom has already left, you can imagine, not everything is so nice and sweet, but well...

Democracy spreads in Europe with the overthrow of the dictatorships in Greece, Portugal and Spain. Regional policy starts to transfer huge sums of money to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The first direct elections by citizens of members of the European Parliament take place in 1979.

The changing face of Europe - the collapse of communism

The Polish trade union, Solidarity (Solidarność), and its leader Lech Walesa, become household names following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the summer of 1980 for workers’ rights and political change. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of the European Communities, and Spain and Portugal follow 5 years later. The end of the decade sees the collapse of communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe.

A Europe without frontiers

In 1993, the single market is launched with the '4 freedoms' of free movement for people, goods, services and money. The 1990s is also the decade of 2 treaties – the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty) in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU in 1995, and a small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the Schengen agreement that will gradually allow people to travel to large parts of the EU without passport checks.

3. From the vision to reality

Yona had vowed to search for a way to peace...well...this could be it.

Economic and political collaboration between the different countries. Maybe even forming supranational structures. A world without borders between the 5 countries.

Hak´s vision is - at least - possible.

Soo Won, too, is working to redirect the King´s power to other people, opening up the established system...Most likely leading to the establishment of democracy in the future at one point.

And this most likely is the Dawn of Yona.

And I could throw up out of anger!!! We won´t see it!!! Damn!!!!

Only one chapter left...

Yes, i always believed that there must have been a greater reason as just trying to erase mistakes by Hiryuu. Or this whole work would be nonsensical.

My what a shame. That I babbled a little too soon...

But nobody told me beforehand...that this part here would be included.

1. Hak´s vision

Hak´s proposal, his vision is basically this:

1. A direct physical connection between Kouka, Xing, Sei and Kai in the form of streets in order to form trade routes

That sounds a lil bit too easy, right? Kaji has also doubts, if this will work. But Hak - like ever - believes...this guy can be so easily motivated.

2. Hak´s aim is a free circulation of people and goods between the different countries, between Kouka, Xing, Sei and both Kais.

3. And Hak also remarks upon politic alliances between Kouka, Sei and Xing.

Hak has the right idea, but he is basically putting the cart before the horse.

In the past this has really happened and it has -relatively - well worked in practice. If you have a better example, as I unfortunately have to rely on our European History, I am all ears.

2. A historical example of this plan

Well, what can I say, but welcome to the European Union.

This was the way this multilateral political and economic union in Europe was established.

There is a free circulation of goods and people in practice within this structure due to the Schengen agreement .

(And no this does not mean everything is sunshines and rainbows. There are still many problems on every level, still so many economic disparities between the countries, also political difficulties, but the danger for war between the different partners was successfully reduced. A good part of the economies depend upon this peace, after all).

The plan for this collaboration had the French Foreign Minister of that time, named Robert Schuman.

The First and Second World War had so heavily damaged the countries worldwide, but also in Europe, where the cause of the war had erupted. Twice. So Schuman aimed

To prevent further wars in Europe.

18 April 1951 – the European Coal and Steel Community was established. Important resources for war were controlled on a supranational level.

(of course Western Germany had been one of them as it was the cause of the previous two wars. Along with 5 other members).

25 March 1957 – Treaties of Rome

It was a success, so they expanded their collaboration to other economic sectors. The European Economic Community and European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).

19 March 1958 – Birth of the European Parliament

From the economic union...this lead to an establishment of higher political structures. The European Parliament with Schuman as its first elected President.

1 July 1968 – beginning of the Customs Union

The custom duties are removed among the 6 members.

A growing Community – the first new members join

Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Communities on 1 January 1973, raising the number of member countries to 9. The Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 triggers an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. As the United Kingdom has already left, you can imagine, not everything is so nice and sweet, but well...

Democracy spreads in Europe with the overthrow of the dictatorships in Greece, Portugal and Spain. Regional policy starts to transfer huge sums of money to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The first direct elections by citizens of members of the European Parliament take place in 1979.

The changing face of Europe - the collapse of communism

The Polish trade union, Solidarity (Solidarność), and its leader Lech Walesa, become household names following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the summer of 1980 for workers’ rights and political change. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of the European Communities, and Spain and Portugal follow 5 years later. The end of the decade sees the collapse of communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe.

A Europe without frontiers

In 1993, the single market is launched with the '4 freedoms' of free movement for people, goods, services and money. The 1990s is also the decade of 2 treaties – the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty) in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU in 1995, and a small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the Schengen agreement that will gradually allow people to travel to large parts of the EU without passport checks.

3. From the vision to reality

Yona had vowed to search for a way to peace...well...this could be it.

Economic and political collaboration between the different countries. Maybe even forming supranational structures. A world without borders between the 5 countries.

Hak´s vision is - at least - possible.

Soo Won, too, is working to redirect the King´s power to other people, opening up the established system...Most likely leading to the establishment of democracy in the future at one point.

And this most likely is the Dawn of Yona.

And I could throw up out of anger!!! We won´t see it!!! Damn!!!!

Only one chapter left...

Yes, i always believed that there must have been a greater reason as just trying to erase mistakes by Hiryuu. Or this whole work would be nonsensical.

My what a shame. That I babbled a little too soon...

But nobody told me beforehand...that this part here would be included.

1. Hak´s vision

Hak´s proposal, his vision is basically this:

1. A direct physical connection between Kouka, Xing, Sei and Kai in the form of streets in order to form trade routes

That sounds a lil bit too easy, right? Kaji has also doubts, if this will work. But Hak - like ever - believes...this guy can be so easily motivated.

2. Hak´s aim is a free circulation of people and goods between the different countries, between Kouka, Xing, Sei and both Kais.

3. And Hak also remarks upon politic alliances between Kouka, Sei and Xing.

Hak has the right idea, but he is basically putting the cart before the horse.

In the past this has really happened and it has -relatively - well worked in practice. If you have a better example, as I unfortunately have to rely on our European History, I am all ears.

2. A historical example of this plan

Well, what can I say, but welcome to the European Union.

This was the way this multilateral political and economic union in Europe was established.

There is a free circulation of goods and people in practice within this structure due to the Schengen agreement .

(And no this does not mean everything is sunshines and rainbows. There are still many problems on every level, still so many economic disparities between the countries, also political difficulties, but the danger for war between the different partners was successfully reduced. A good part of the economies depend upon this peace, after all).

The plan for this collaboration had the French Foreign Minister of that time, named Robert Schuman.

The First and Second World War had so heavily damaged the countries worldwide, but also in Europe, where the cause of the war had erupted. Twice. So Schuman aimed

To prevent further wars in Europe.

18 April 1951 – the European Coal and Steel Community was established. Important resources for war were controlled on a supranational level.

(of course Western Germany had been one of them as it was the cause of the previous two wars. Along with 5 other members).

25 March 1957 – Treaties of Rome

It was a success, so they expanded their collaboration to other economic sectors. The European Economic Community and European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).

19 March 1958 – Birth of the European Parliament

From the economic union...this lead to an establishment of higher political structures. The European Parliament with Schuman as its first elected President.

1 July 1968 – beginning of the Customs Union

The custom duties are removed among the 6 members.

A growing Community – the first new members join

Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Communities on 1 January 1973, raising the number of member countries to 9. The Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 triggers an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. As the United Kingdom has already left, you can imagine, not everything is so nice and sweet, but well...

Democracy spreads in Europe with the overthrow of the dictatorships in Greece, Portugal and Spain. Regional policy starts to transfer huge sums of money to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The first direct elections by citizens of members of the European Parliament take place in 1979.

The changing face of Europe - the collapse of communism

The Polish trade union, Solidarity (Solidarność), and its leader Lech Walesa, become household names following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the summer of 1980 for workers’ rights and political change. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of the European Communities, and Spain and Portugal follow 5 years later. The end of the decade sees the collapse of communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe.

A Europe without frontiers

In 1993, the single market is launched with the '4 freedoms' of free movement for people, goods, services and money. The 1990s is also the decade of 2 treaties – the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty) in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU in 1995, and a small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the Schengen agreement that will gradually allow people to travel to large parts of the EU without passport checks.

3. From the vision to reality

Yona had vowed to search for a way to peace...well...this could be it.

Economic and political collaboration between the different countries. Maybe even forming supranational structures. A world without borders between the 5 countries.

Hak´s vision is - at least - possible.

Soo Won, too, is working to redirect the King´s power to other people, opening up the established system...Most likely leading to the establishment of democracy in the future at one point.

And this most likely is the Dawn of Yona.

And I could throw up out of anger!!! We won´t see it!!! Damn!!!!

Only one chapter left...

My what a shame. That I babbled a little too soon...

But nobody told me beforehand...that this part here would be included.

1. Hak´s vision

Hak´s proposal, his vision is basically this:

1. A direct physical connection between Kouka, Xing, Sei and Kai in the form of streets in order to form trade routes

That sounds a lil bit too easy, right? Kaji has also doubts, if this will work. But Hak - like ever - believes...this guy can be so easily motivated.

2. Hak´s aim is a free circulation of people and goods between the different countries, between Kouka, Xing, Sei and both Kais.

3. And Hak also remarks upon politic alliances between Kouka, Sei and Xing.

Hak has the right idea, but he is basically putting the cart before the horse.

In the past this has really happened and it has -relatively - well worked in practice. If you have a better example, as I unfortunately have to rely on our European History, I am all ears.

2. A historical example of this plan

Well, what can I say, but welcome to the European Union.

This was the way this multilateral political and economic union in Europe was established.

There is a free circulation of goods and people in practice within this structure due to the Schengen agreement .

(And no this does not mean everything is sunshines and rainbows. There are still many problems on every level, still so many economic disparities between the countries, also political difficulties, but the danger for war between the different partners was successfully reduced. A good part of the economies depend upon this peace, after all).

The plan for this collaboration had the French Foreign Minister of that time, named Robert Schuman.

The First and Second World War had so heavily damaged the countries worldwide, but also in Europe, where the cause of the war had erupted. Twice. So Schuman aimed

To prevent further wars in Europe.

18 April 1951 – the European Coal and Steel Community was established. Important resources for war were controlled on a supranational level.

(of course Western Germany had been one of them as it was the cause of the previous two wars. Along with 5 other members).

25 March 1957 – Treaties of Rome

It was a success, so they expanded their collaboration to other economic sectors. The European Economic Community and European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).

19 March 1958 – Birth of the European Parliament

From the economic union...this lead to an establishment of higher political structures. The European Parliament with Schuman as its first elected President.

1 July 1968 – beginning of the Customs Union

The custom duties are removed among the 6 members.

A growing Community – the first new members join

Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Communities on 1 January 1973, raising the number of member countries to 9. The Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 triggers an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. As the United Kingdom has already left, you can imagine, not everything is so nice and sweet, but well...

Democracy spreads in Europe with the overthrow of the dictatorships in Greece, Portugal and Spain. Regional policy starts to transfer huge sums of money to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The first direct elections by citizens of members of the European Parliament take place in 1979.

The changing face of Europe - the collapse of communism

The Polish trade union, Solidarity (Solidarność), and its leader Lech Walesa, become household names following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the summer of 1980 for workers’ rights and political change. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of the European Communities, and Spain and Portugal follow 5 years later. The end of the decade sees the collapse of communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe.

A Europe without frontiers

In 1993, the single market is launched with the '4 freedoms' of free movement for people, goods, services and money. The 1990s is also the decade of 2 treaties – the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty) in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU in 1995, and a small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the Schengen agreement that will gradually allow people to travel to large parts of the EU without passport checks.

3. From the vision to reality

Yona had vowed to search for a way to peace...well...this could be it.

Economic and political collaboration between the different countries. Maybe even forming supranational structures. A world without borders between the 5 countries.

Hak´s vision is - at least - possible.

Soo Won, too, is working to redirect the King´s power to other people, opening up the established system...Most likely leading to the establishment of democracy in the future at one point.

And this most likely is the Dawn of Yona.

And I could throw up out of anger!!! We won´t see it!!! Damn!!!!

Only one chapter left...

My what a shame. That I babbled a little too soon...

But nobody told me beforehand...that this part here would be included.

1. Hak´s vision

Hak´s proposal, his vision is basically this:

1. A direct physical connection between Kouka, Xing, Sei and Kai in the form of streets in order to form trade routes

That sounds a lil bit too easy, right? Kaji has also doubts, if this will work. But Hak - like ever - believes...this guy can be so easily motivated.

2. Hak´s aim is a free circulation of people and goods between the different countries, between Kouka, Xing, Sei and both Kais.

3. And Hak also remarks upon politic alliances between Kouka, Sei and Xing.

Hak has the right idea, but he is basically putting the cart before the horse.

In the past this has really happened and it has -relatively - well worked in practice. If you have a better example, as I unfortunately have to rely on our European History, I am all ears.

2. A historical example of this plan

Well, what can I say, but welcome to the European Union.

This was the way this multilateral political and economic union in Europe was established.

There is a free circulation of goods and people in practice within this structure due to the Schengen agreement .

(And no this does not mean everything is sunshines and rainbows. There are still many problems on every level, still so many economic disparities between the countries, also political difficulties, but the danger for war between the different partners was successfully reduced. A good part of the economies depend upon this peace, after all).

The plan for this collaboration had the French Foreign Minister of that time, named Robert Schuman.

The First and Second World War had so heavily damaged the countries worldwide, but also in Europe, where the cause of the war had erupted. Twice. So Schuman aimed

To prevent further wars in Europe.

18 April 1951 – the European Coal and Steel Community was established. Important resources for war were controlled on a supranational level.

(of course Western Germany had been one of them as it was the cause of the previous two wars. Along with 5 other members).

25 March 1957 – Treaties of Rome

It was a success, so they expanded their collaboration to other economic sectors. The European Economic Community and European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).

19 March 1958 – Birth of the European Parliament

From the economic union...this lead to an establishment of higher political structures. The European Parliament with Schuman as its first elected President.

1 July 1968 – beginning of the Customs Union

The custom duties are removed among the 6 members.

A growing Community – the first new members join

Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Communities on 1 January 1973, raising the number of member countries to 9. The Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 triggers an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. As the United Kingdom has already left, you can imagine, not everything is so nice and sweet, but well...

Democracy spreads in Europe with the overthrow of the dictatorships in Greece, Portugal and Spain. Regional policy starts to transfer huge sums of money to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The first direct elections by citizens of members of the European Parliament take place in 1979.

The changing face of Europe - the collapse of communism

The Polish trade union, Solidarity (Solidarność), and its leader Lech Walesa, become household names following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the summer of 1980 for workers’ rights and political change. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of the European Communities, and Spain and Portugal follow 5 years later. The end of the decade sees the collapse of communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe.

A Europe without frontiers

In 1993, the single market is launched with the '4 freedoms' of free movement for people, goods, services and money. The 1990s is also the decade of 2 treaties – the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty) in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU in 1995, and a small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the Schengen agreement that will gradually allow people to travel to large parts of the EU without passport checks.

3. From the vision to reality

Yona had vowed to search for a way to peace...well...this could be it.

Economic and political collaboration between the different countries. Maybe even forming supranational structures. A world without borders between the 5 countries.

Hak´s vision is - at least - possible.

Soo Won, too, is working to redirect the King´s power to other people, opening up the established system...Most likely leading to the establishment of democracy in the future at one point.

And this most likely is the Dawn of Yona.

And I could throw up out of anger!!! We won´t see it!!! Damn!!!!

Only one chapter left...

yelling “Where is Yona?” And “Yona!” all the time smh

Honestly, even before Yona became queen, I wanted to see her talk about how much she missed Lily, how badly she wanted to catch up with her, or how there were so many things she wanted to discuss with her. But for some reason, Lili always came across as someone whose main concern outside of tribe affairs was Yona herself to the point of practically idolizing her

Meanwhile, Yona always felt like she had a replacement. Lili was constantly being replaced in Yona's life, and her absence never seemed to affect Yona the way Yona's absence affected Lili. If we reversed the roles and applied the same to Lili, the difference would be pretty obvious.

I miss when Lili’s friendship with Yona felt less like worshipping/revolving around her

And to be honest, their dynamic has always been Like that, and nothing really changed. This isn't me hating their friendship but I'm criticizing the writing. I'm glad Kusanagi labeled them as "best friends," but Lili has always been the one initiating things, and I genuinely dislike this kind of friendship dynamic because I've experienced it myself, and it can be pretty toxic

If Lily weren't a fictional character, and if Kusanagi hadn't written her as someone who could never get upset with Yona for neglecting their friendship, I'd say the most realistic reaction would have been for Lili to gradually distance herself from Yona over time.

And again, this is NOT hate toward their friendship. What happened in Sei showed that the girls shared experiences that allowed them to relate to e/o on a deeper level. But even then, most of that emotional investment came from Lily's side, Yona met countless friends throughout her journey and shared meaningful experiences with them too, so calling Lili her "best friend" feels a bit exaggerated to me. I never really saw anything that proved they were that exceptionally close other than Yona revealing that she was the exiled princess and the fact that they shared a bed once, but didn't smth similar happen with Tao too? Lol

People will say they're both busy women now, one is a tribe leader and the other became queen, and even before that she was occupied with the welfare of her people. But I'm talking about long before all of that. The pattern was already there. Lily was always the one making the effort. Otherwise, her relationship with Yona would've remained similar to Yona's relationship with any other girl she met during the story.

You can honestly see the same thing with meinyan. She was the one who suddenly started reaching out more.Had she not done that, her relationship with Yona would've stayed very shallow as well. It was "her" who didn't want that outcome, not Yona, Sometimes it feels like Kusanagi is telling us that female friendships always consist of one person doing all the emotional Labor while the other remains completely nonchalant, secure in the knowledge that the relationship can never be lost because the first person will always keep it alive.

And when they say that "Yona was dealing with her trauma." Sure, but Lili had her own trauma too, Could we not have gotten even a few scenes where Yona was the one showing more interest, taking the initiative, or putting effort into the friendship the way Lili always did?

Ultimately by the end of the series, the main thing they discuss is Yona’s love life and what she’s doing with Hak. It's better in the earlier arcs...

They do both care about each other... which is why I remain of the opinion that Lili should have played a role in the castle arc, helping Yona figure out her past and deal with Su-Won (and this too in turn would have boosted Lili’s dynamic with Su-Won so that a romance would be believable between them too).

even before Yona became queen, I wanted to see her talk about how much she missed Lily, how badly she wanted to catch up with her, or how there were so many things she wanted to discuss with her. so calling Lili her "best friend" feels a bit exaggerated to me

Agreed. Yona did view Lili initially as someone to protect until the arc with Sei, like a little sister (not an equal)... but that changed, but not enough. The castle arc was a wasted opportunity. Lili even offered to come to Yona if she ever wanted to cry... but when has Yona ever cried her heart out of her problems to Lili?

If Lily weren't a fictional character, and if Kusanagi hadn't written her as someone who could never get upset with Yona for neglecting their friendship, I'd say the most realistic reaction would have been for Lili to gradually distance herself from Yona over time.

Actually, I would have been very happy to see a moment where Lili gets angry at Yona for neglecting the friendship. All the male characters already worship her, but it would have been nice to see the female characters hold her accountable.

Sometimes it feels like Kusanagi is telling us that female friendships always consist of one person doing all the emotional Labor while the other remains completely nonchalant, secure in the knowledge that the relationship can never be lost because the first person will always keep it alive

It is definitely a flaw with this series, that too many male characters exist and not enough female ones, despite this being a shojo manga... if the manga had not introduced Lili, I would have never been able to continue reading. One of the most badass moments in the franchise is these two women checkmating Su-Won, the literal king, as well as his troops and followers.

The funny thing about all of this is that when Lily first met Yona, she was literally far more capable than her, Lol. In terms of education and independence, Lily was doing much better. She was also clearly more experienced when it came to gathering information and going places on her own without relying on Ayura and Tetora, unlike Yona, who at the time was still heavily dependent on the men around her, including Hak. All of that was something a 17-year-old girl Like Lili was already capable of.

Maybe she admired Yona because she was the same age as her and stood up for her & defended ? Lili sweetheart, I'm sure you've seen plenty of women around you especially Ayura and Tetora doing far more impressive things than that. Still I get it, Yona is really charming. But did it really have to reach the level of admiration and attachment that Lily eventually developed toward Yona?

Ultimately by the end of the series, the main thing they discuss is Yona’s love life and what she’s doing with Hak. It's better in the earlier arcs...

This is the biggest problem for me. Yona, who worked so hard to become who she is now, and Lily as well, and yet all they talk about, all they have in common, is yona's love life? I'm sure there are more important things for women who rule an empire to discuss. Is Lili always with Yona, just to talk with her about Hak & them talking about Hak? Is this lili's role in yona's life? Is this what having a friend means in this story? What in the men centered females is that, It's a shame that even we are expecting from Yona to be the link between Soowon and Lili in the first place, for their relationship to have any real meaning, depending on the writing

They do both care about each other... which is why I remain of the opinion that Lili should have played a role in the castle arc, helping Yona figure out her past and deal with Su-Won (and this too in turn would have boosted Lili’s dynamic with Su-Won so that a romance would be believable between them too).

The Castle Arc could have been a major turning point for a character like Lili, especially since almost every time she played a significant role in the story, it was within the castle. Honestly, it's a shame we never got to see her there. I'm convinced Soo won wouldn't have killed her if she had learned about his illness. (Bingo, there's an important element right there that could have added much more depth to Soo won and Lily's relationship.) At the same time, she could have helped Yona with countless tasks and shared many responsibilities with her as her closest friend, whether in matters of governance, gathering and providing information, or all the other areas in which Lili consistently excelled throughout the story. (Another bingo: their relationship would have worked far better as two friends actively supporting and cooperating with one another. In that case, calling Lily "Yona's best friend" would have been much more accurate and made far more sense.) After all, that's what friends are supposed to do, especially when they come from similar social backgrounds.

Kusanagi genuinely missed a golden opportunity with Lili's character, The Castle Arc could have been the best arc not only for Yona and Lily's relationship, but also for Soo won and Lily's. But don't expect so much that can be achieved in a story where the writer seems afraid of letting another female character overshadow the female protagonist, making it impossible to write a genuinely successful friendship between female characters

Lili even offered to come to Yona if she ever wanted to cry... but when has Yona ever cried her heart out of her problems to Lili?

Another flaw, it's just how shallow their relationship feels. We don't need another hundred chapters of them spending time together to see and confirm that if their dynamic never evolves every time they meet and remains stuck in the same place, then there's a problem, "best friends," yet they don't actually share their worries, burdens, or personal struggles with each other in any meaningful way.

Actually, I would have been very happy to see a moment where Lili gets angry at Yona for neglecting the friendship. All the male characters already worship her, but it would have been nice to see the female characters hold her accountable.

Honestly, I was about to say their relationship was similar to Hak and Soowon's in terms of superficiality until you said that. Frankly, I'd be more excited if Lily and Yona had a beef than whatever's happening between Hak and Soowon right now. It's a shojo story, for god' sake! I'd definitely like it if two girls had problems and then, in the end, they talked it out, found a solution, and understood each other, especially regarding the neglect in friendship, which hurts as much as the neglect of actual romantic love.

if the manga had not introduced Lili, I would have never been able to continue reading.

Yes, Lily is a far greater fan of Yona...but she worries at least for her. (And breaking Soo Won was actually Lily, as Yona had tried it before 7 times in vain.)

Hak was basically saying to Soo Won: You will find a way against 3 mighty gods. Have fun! Even Soo Won was shocked, that Hak had told him this.

There is a clear distance between the friends...

I mean not even as a consort to Soo Won, but literally if she was in Yona´s position...

Oh wow

Yona is the first Queen Regnant in over 2000 years. No woman has ruled. No tribe leader has ever been a woman, because they have always voted for the strongest and this was physically a man.

But Yona has a privilege no other woman has - she is the reincarnation of a dragon god. She can be the ruler, because she has the legend. From male to female.

Lily is an amazing leader, but usually she would be married off and this was it for her. Her occupation would be children and the "house".

Soo Won repeated again and again, that he would not make her "his queen"...somehow I do think, this had a double meaning. He believed her to be an amazing leader, but he knew, how horrible being king/queen really was.

aww :( soowon didn't want to make lili his queen because he knows the end of any queen is that she won't really be a queen in her own right, but will be tied to her husband who becomes the real ruler, and she'll just be there to have children and since he knows her abilities, their relationship would only end up covering her up as his wife, and no one would ever truly see her potential

and the fact that they are so similar might actually terrify him, because he doesn't want to sacrifice her like he did and he wants her to live, he definitely sees himself in her, they really are alike, oof my sulili heart

No, I mean it had the double meaning, that he would not make her a "Queen Regnant", as he knew himself, that this was not exactly a nice task.

But your version is even better°° Thank you! Indeed. He could have seen that she should become something more than a mere wife.

That's why hak avoids getting involved with yona so he doesn’t suddenly end up becoming the king himself, but instead he wants the people to recognize her as an true queen who is capable of ruling. and like you said, she’s the only female with privileges (being hiryuu) who can kind of do that, and yet even that privilege is tied to another male figure, the idea that she has to be a sort of “copy” of a sacred male for them to accept her, rather than it actually being about her as a person, it’s really exhausting

It is definitely better, than it never coming to a good example. Yona has to be successful not only for her sake, but for every woman in Kouka.

Even now the people have heavy doubts in regard to her being that young and a woman.

Yona has to live for the first time as the reincarnation of Hiryuu, before she can establish herself as a good ruler.

With a Queen Regnant...would a female General or leader of the tribes not also be an option?

Many, many people celebrated Pulse. We were told we deserved it. That it was God’s punishment for our sin of loving the same sex. We are sent messages like these I received in 2018:

We in the community often call the victim count 49+ to include the survivors who couldn’t live with the pain.

The event was never officially declared a hate crime or targeted homophobic attack and is rarely listed as one in databases.

At our vigils for those slaughtered, Extremist Christian groups showed up to protest, holding signs like this:

ID: Me kissing a woman I was casually seeing in front of an angry looking man with a “Sodomy is Sin” sign.

Please understand how much more than just a mass shooting this was. We are still to this day harassed and told we deserved it by some.

how do you not understand that you ARE intentionally erasing history? the things I discuss in my reblog are things very few people know about this attack. you would prefer to bury those things - perhaps alongside your conscience and critical thinking skills? - than to allow a woman to speak freely? just bc said woman doesn’t believe in the existence of gender, but still believes in personal freedom and that trans people deserve safety, protection, and equal rights to all others?

I’m not the problem here babes

I mean not even as a consort to Soo Won, but literally if she was in Yona´s position...

Oh wow

Yona is the first Queen Regnant in over 2000 years. No woman has ruled. No tribe leader has ever been a woman, because they have always voted for the strongest and this was physically a man.

But Yona has a privilege no other woman has - she is the reincarnation of a dragon god. She can be the ruler, because she has the legend. From male to female.

Lily is an amazing leader, but usually she would be married off and this was it for her. Her occupation would be children and the "house".

Soo Won repeated again and again, that he would not make her "his queen"...somehow I do think, this had a double meaning. He believed her to be an amazing leader, but he knew, how horrible being king/queen really was.

They're not villains*, but that's how I feel towards Sesshōmaru and Kikyō. I mean, paradoxically, to have an honest conversation about them you need to talk with their haters. And this is particularly true with Kikyō.

Additionally - Sesshomaru killed a lot of people for merely being in the way - without thought, just because he was slightly annoyed about their presence.

Kikyo on the other hand was screwed over the most of all people in Inuyasha. She is literally dead. Naraku killed her...in a very disgusting way. He made her believe, that a person she loved had betrayed her.

She is forcefully brought back to life. And has to face Kagome of all people. A fully healthy young woman who "owns" her soul.

Of course, she is bitter, how could she not? She has every reason to hate them, Inuyasha, but above else Kagome. It is human nature. Still, she is one of the most interesting female characters - exactly because she felt all this hate, the wish for revenge, yet learns to let go. Of her hate. Her jealousy towards Kagome.

She loved Inuyasha, just like Kagome does. And she decided for caring for others again. She had tasted all this bile, yet decided for Kohaku´s life instead of revenge.

And, look, I completely understand why. Because it is true, Sesshōmaru and Kikyō are different. Because Sesshōmaru just doesn't care, because he doesn't even think that he should care. Because he is cruel. So, yes, of course it's easier to name his sins.

Kikyō is another thing. Even when she's at her lowest, you can't help but sympathize with her. That's fair. In fact, that's good, that means you have compassion. And "compassion" is the key word in Inuyasha, compassion is not, is NEVER "merely compassion" (I can't even count how many times I had to emphasize this essential concept that people tend to neglect).

Though, I promise, it is absolutely possible to feel compassion for her, like her and recognize the evil she committed. My original post was meant for those "fans" who only see in her the angel, the martyr, the victim. She is all these things but if you only see her as this perfect being then you are not respecting her complexity. If you refuse to see that she's also a victimizer, a manipulator and (ugh, I know, I know, this is VERY disagreeable to hear, it is so for me too) not as selfless as one could think, if you only see the light and forget about the dark... You're erasing that complexity in her.

(That being said I also came to realize that her redemption arc was less satisfying, consistent and well done than Sesshōmaru's, but nevertheless I think she's iconic).

If canon is an apology than I cannot help you, honestly. I merely present facts. The main characters in the manga did consider the Kikyo before and after as completely different. They mournt her death and recognized, what she has done for them.

And, look, I completely understand why. Because it is true, Sesshōmaru and Kikyō are different. Because Sesshōmaru just doesn't care, because he doesn't even think that he should care. Because he is cruel. So, yes, of course it's easier to name his sins.

Sin? Who are you? A Christian? I am not talking about belief, but about the canon fact, that Sesshomarou does not really greatly care about human beings, safe for a few exceptions.

Kikyo cares. This...is just fact. This is part of her wonderful journey. I am talking about her development. I am talking about the fact, that Takahashi has invented a female character that was allowed to be full of hate at the beginning for a realistic and obvious reason and then to change and develop in the process of her journey. Kikyo was not demonized. And I guess, some fans have a big problem with a female character with such truly interesting development.

This is fiction, after all.

Kikyō is another thing. Even when she's at her lowest, you can't help but sympathize with her. That's fair. In fact, that's good, that means you have compassion. And "compassion" is the key word in Inuyasha, compassion is not, is NEVER "merely compassion" (I can't even count how many times I had to emphasize this essential concept that people tend to neglect).

Yes, I know, since I have known this work for over twenty years. And I have read it a couple of times, actually.

Though, I promise, it is absolutely possible to feel compassion for her, like her and recognize the evil she committed.

Oh, I recognize it, that she hurt people and killed people, like so many characters in the show. Strangely so many people have a problem with Kikyo because of it. Haters just completely do not get it, that you can love a character without having to change anything about said character. Her reaction had a very obvious reason, after all. She was so heavily screwed over and lost the most of all characters; therefore it is very understandable, that she hated the whole world.

Yes, she killed people, but so what? Doesn´t change anything about my love for her. I am also a big fan of Naraku and this character is really shitty and cruel. Even though I would at least mention, that he did not have the benefit of parents or any person that had ever cared for him.

I also liked Sesshomarou in the past.

My original post was meant for those "fans" who only see in her the angel, the martyr, the victim. She is all these things but if you only see her as this perfect being then you are not respecting her complexity.

Then you can just leave these people alone. I doubt, that you can persuade them in that way, honestly.

On the other hand, how do you know, that they deny it? Maybe it is just not that important to them, that she killed people. I mean how many people, even main characters kill people in Inuyasha?

(That being said I also came to realize that her redemption arc was less satisfying, consistent and well done than Sesshōmaru's, but nevertheless I think she's iconic).

On the contrary it was really good. She had a little less screen time and I would have loved to see more of her. People do not develop in a straight line in real life, after all. But the direct contrast between Naraku´s decision and Kikyo´s decision on Mount Hakurei for example...how she cared for the priest and helped him to let go of his life...the priest was such a perfect, wonderful mirror to her own desire. Yes, she could understand his desire to stay alive, to not be that stoic, strong image, people loved to see...People created human gods in order to believe...but these gods were people. Just like Kikyo had to suppress so much of her wishes, when she was alive. Beautiful scene.

In contrast to Sesshomarou, Kikyo has always been a nice and noble character. Kikyo becomes Kagome in another life, after all.

She has always cared for other people. Even after her death did she work as a priestess. It is very likely, that she did care for the people as a priestess in the beginning for once, because she had done it so often, when she was alive, but also because she hated, what she had become. Of the souls she had to steal in order to continue her existance.

But Kikyo could not let go...didn´t want to let Naraku get away. Because she considered him a danger, but also because she wished for revenge that strongly. She hated him so much.

Her finally choosing life, Kohaku´s over her revenge over Naraku, freed her spirit.

(One more thing. As much as I said that talking with her haters sometimes paradoxically feels more genuine than talking with her fans, it is also true that my heart aches every time people call Kikyō by disgusting nicknames).

I think, this is your personal opinion. I love to talk with her fans, because many of them can see the depth of this character. Her haters are so often just cranky, that she comes "between Inuyasha and Kagome". If those haters were honest, this is their main point, why they hate her.

• Yes, the Inugang acknowledges that Kikyō is not the same person she once was when they first met her, yes, they mourn her death, but this 1) has nothing to do with what I meant, because what I meant, what I mean is that you can like a character without trying to make them look "more likeable", because some characters, in fact, lose all their appeal and their significance if you do that, 2) doesn't necessarily mean that her redemption arc was perfectly handled by the author. PERSONALLY I don't think of Kikyō as "poorly written" (I saw somebody write this and as wrong as it sounds to me, that's a matter of taste), and, just to be clear, I really like her, but I don't think she is Takahashi's most successful/complete character either. Her most ambitious, fascinating experiment? Sure, but most succesful? Well, perhaps she could be considered such, depending on what one thinks is successful about her character (we'll discuss this later on).

• I simply used the word "sin" as a synonym for "crime" but alright, I'll give you that, not my best semantic choice.

• Sorry sorry sorry, I'm not questioning your knowledge of Inuyasha, it's just that every time my eyes read "merily compassion"/"just compassion"/etc I see red.

• Her moments during the Mount Hakurei arc are dear to me (that dialogue between she and Saint Hakushin in chapters 271-272 = episode 120 is my second or third favorite scene of the whole manga/anime) and I think that until then her development was really well done, I don't even mind that we don't get to see when it is exactly that she starts to change, on the contrary it actually makes her more intriguing, like an ineffable creature, something you can never fully grasp, but after that point... Mmmmh. I don't know. I have a feeling that things slowly collapse in on themselves.

• It's not that I don't like talking to her fans, it's just SAD that her fans (trolls obviously excluded), for all their intelligence, often are really blind. So. If the character they claim to love, as it turns out, actually is a character that only exists in their head as an idealization, what's the point? None of my business, sure, it's the fandom baby, this is how things goes, I know, but, like I said, I can't help but live this as a loss.

Having said this... LET'S START.

Why do people have a problem with murder only when it's Kikyō to commit it?

Why do fans have a problem admitting Kikyō's crimes?

These two questions, as jakotsuto pointed out, are intertwined:

Putting aside the part about the knife scene (that's a talk for another time as it's an anime-only scene) the thing is: fans are not comfortable with the idea of speaking frankly of Kikyō's darkness because the hate around her gets them defensive as apparently she is the only character who is not allowed to be dubious, to hate, to kill.

Is it because she's a woman? Is it because she is the "always-in-the-way ex"?

It is certainly true that people tend to be particularly cruel to her, to a self-righteous point. Like, once I had to explain why exactly accept her role as guardian of the Shikon no Tama wasn't just a "free choice" (💢), and that no, it wasn't an "act of hubris" either (💢🤬).

This is to say that I know what are you talking about, guys, I won't deny it, because it's undeniable and I hate this as much as you do, frustrated and misogynist haters are always there (and let's not forget that misogyny influences people on a subconscious level, far more difficult to discern than hurling open insults is), but it's not just this.

Yes, no one gives two shits about (for example) Kōga's misdeeds and crimes, true, but this has less to do with his being a man than with his insubstantiality. Kōga almost is nothing more than a draft, the shadow of a character. GOODNESS, NO ONE TAKES HIM SERIOUSLY (except part of his fans, yes, but I can't even bother to consider them, as well as I won't deign to consider Kikyō toxic fans). Kikyō, on the contrary, is anything but "insubstantial". And she is neither just a background figure nor a comic relief. She's taken seriously by the narrative and thus we read her that way.

We want to talk of Miroku? Oh, he is a mess, he can be the worst, but I don't think I've ever met a person in this fandom not abudantly critical of his behaviour, like, seriously, not one of his fans will try to make him pass for a saint just because of this or that. And the story treats him accordingly, without discounts. He himself is far from proud of the person he is (and I'm pretty sure he says so at some point? Any Miroku fan out there listening who will dispel the doubts?).

Moreover Kikyō is a character that, unlike guys such as Sesshōmaru and (partially?) Kōga, does know what it's like to care, she knows kindness, she has kindness inside of her, that's why her coldness (in killing, in speaking) is much, much more striking than theirs. That she knows very well the value of human life and yet shows no hesitation in taking it (as she is and is not human, is and is not a miko)... Of course is unsettling. Now. The function of her character certainly is to make you feel that way, because through her you see how easy can be to fall, see that no matter whether you're human or demon, darkness can touch you, to the point that even cultivating purity doesn't make you invulnerable to the insidious traps of evil, and this is good stuff, narratively speaking, I mean, REALLY good, no problem with it, so much so in fact that if you dislike her character for this, if you want her to be something different, that's a you problem and you'd better read some other book.

Also, if I'm being completely honest, I think she is awfully pleasant to look at when she's about to commit something really, deeply wrong, especially when she is aware of how really, deeply wrong is that, I can't help myself, so I hope you understand that it's not that the problem is my sensitivity/morality.

So where is the problem?

Here you go: how are we supposed to read her redemption arc? What was Takahashi's goal with Kikyō? What is Kikyō's redemption about?

The answers to these questions are not so obvious, and without definitive, reliable answers we can't even begin to answer the most important one: was the author able to achieve her goal with Kikyō? In other words: is Kikyō's arc consistent?

This is the point, for me. This is what we need to talk about.

Let's take Sesshōmaru again as term of reference. His arc revolves around learning to feel, to value life in its "lowest" forms and to let go of all the conflicts with his late father. Takahashi's plan for him wasn't a 360-degree change of mentality. Respect? Yes. Compassion? Yes. But to mingle with other people? Well, in part yes, it's inevitable since he always comes back to visit Rin in Kaede's village, and certainly this is quite the change for his standards. To ask for forgiveness? Nope. It would be insincere if he tried to, he did what he did because such was the way for him, Sesshōmaru knows this, and if one could mention one quality he has is his being true to himself, which gives him a "certain" honesty. He never tries to be someone he is not. And yet he comes to acknowledge Inuyasha's value, though in his own way, that is not brotherly, rather, I'd say, "warriorly", through the only tongue he speaks, the one of the sword (chapter 502, Proof; Final Act, episode 15, True Heir). To me it's clear how we have to read Sesshōmaru and so I'm able to tell that is arc is consistent. He is NOT perfect in his development, I can easily count 2 or 3 points that, with that little bit of extra attention, would have really made him shine, but the fact is that I'm perfectly able to say what is it about him which would have required more and what couldn't have been done better, because I have a key to read him, with Kikyō instead... well, not exactly. I can't say I know a key able to explain her character as a whole, from the beginning to the end. This probably means that my previous statement about her being less consistent, as character, than Sesshōmaru... was premature, so let's put this on hold for now.

At any rate, what one can affirm with certainty is that Kikyō is a character ten times more difficult to write than Sesshōmaru is (that's why I said she's probably Takahashi's most ambitious experiment) and with good reason: apart from all those complex themes she carries on, there's the fact that, while Sesshōmaru has the luxury to be mostly unrelated to what happens on a strictly plotline level, to the point that you can think of his presence as a solo performance, Kikyō is inextricably connected to almost everything. Even when she is not onstage she's still there. Through the relationships she has with other characters (namely, Inuyasha, Naraku and Kagome). Through the effects of her own actions.

So, all things considered, even in case we should find that not everything about her writing went smooth, that would still be understandable.

But if it's just that I'm not that good at reading Kikyō, then, please, help me! (Oh, I'm so serious right now, you have no idea).

What troubles me the most is that I used to think I knew which was her turning point, but I'm not so sure anymore. For one, I can't make sense of "At last... I have become that ordinary woman" (chapter 465, The Lights). How? When?

Even before this, there's to discuss her "salvation".

I know, just the mere fact that she's able to resist the fury burning her insides and then, bit by bit, vanquish it, it's a testament to her strong will and heart, like, I challenge ANYONE to do as much (!) and what's even more astounding is that, despite her harsh situation, she even does for Saint Hakushin what no one was able to do for her (not entirely true: see what manga Inuyasha says and does in chapter 49, Hatred Unspent, which wasn't enough to heal her soul just because it was too soon as she'd been just revived by Urasue).

But... Did she ever call into question her own actions? As I recall, perhaps the only real moment is in chapter 409, Divergence (Final Act, episode 5, The Great Holy Demon Spirit's Test) when she is considering the dilemma of Kohaku's sacrifice. As for the rest... She never had to face consequences (with one exception we'll discuss later). She must be aware of the harm she caused: as soon her judgement begins to clear up, she is more than capable to see it, she's far too intelligent to not to, but she never lets anyone be in the position to question her.

The reason is simple: she can't afford to hesitate. She has a mission and she can't be swayed. She's convinced she is the only one who can defeat Naraku, that that is her purpose, that's why she came back to life. This thought alone sustains her. It's an illusion of control and she can't escape it. Because if you can't move on, if you have no place, when you see no sense in your existence, you need to cling to any illusion within reach.

She needed to finish the work her past self, being only human, was not strong enough for.

To this, you may also add the fact that, running out of time, maybe she really thought that there wasn't another way to get rid of Naraku and of the Jewel, maybe she even thought that since Inuyasha and the others weren't willing to get their hands dirty for the greater good, she (as already "tainted") could sacrifice what remained of her soul to eternal damnation. There's the issue though that Kikyō doesn't seem to be conscious of the fact that to use Kohaku's shard will likely come at the cost of her own soul (?). She just acts expecting others to follow her plan as the only sensible thing to do, so I'm not sure this was Takahashi's intention (and that's a pity, it would have been an interesting narrative choice).

My guess is that probably readers/watchers have a hard time walking in her shoes because she never breaks, she never falters (save for her very first moments following her resurrection). Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Kagura, Sesshōmaru (!), all of them at some point are brought to their knees. And not just physically. Kikyō's mind instead, even with her body pushed to its limits, remains set on her objective. I don't know. She's like a crusader. THIS is what makes her scary. This is what makes her difficult to empathize with to the masses. Even more than killing in cold blood. And it's not like I have a sick desire to see her break down in tears like that creepy motherfucker Onigumo, hell no, but sometimes in allowing yourself to be vulnerable, to admit that you can't do everything by yourself there is less weakness and more wisdom than there is in pressing forward with blind obstinacy. I mean, just imagine Kikyō accept that there's no need to be wonderwoman, that you can let others finish the work, that it doesn't matter if you failed, for what you did is enough. And thus return to the dead. Can you picture Naraku's face if she had did it at the end of Mount Hakurei arc? Lol, going through all that trouble to remove his human heart and have the chance to prove himself he feels absolutely nothing... only to find that Kikyō has crossed over, peacefully, unharmed, at her own terms, forever out of his reach. That would have been enough to make him fume.

This would have truly made her that ordinary woman she wanted to be, if you ask me.

What seemingly prevents Kikyō from taking this path is her main weakness: she is alone. Solitude has always been her condition. Meaning that where other characters (Inuyasha, Miroku, first examples to come to mind) are allowed to heal, to grow, to know other perspectives, to do better thanks to this strange thing called "the power of togetherness", Kikyō knows no such luxury. Hell, even that bastard of Sesshōmaru has people, even Kōga. The only character to have it tougher is Kagura, born into literal slavery and come to know kindness for the very first time in her life just before dying.

In life, Kikyō experienced isolation because she had to be above human fragility.

Now, this new Kikyō, walking undead among the living, tries to carve a place for herself in this or that village, but the fact that she needs to feed on young women's souls to sustain her clay body will always be a barrier, an obstacle, something simply too impossible to forgive.

Even less good would come from staying with the Inugang. For her, as well as for Inuyasha (or for Kagome, for that matter).

People sometimes say that this, her being alone, was Kikyō's price to pay. Well, in a way it is, but, after all, being around other people is even more of a "punishment", because she's always reminded of her otherness, of her "stillness". Given these circumstances, the isolation is a form of healing. It's as if she was quarantined, because she's as harmful to the living as the living are harmful to her.

There are creatures she can talk to though. Creatures she can talk to on a more equal level: unfortunates with split souls. From them she seems to learn and such encounters always bring some inexplicable peace for both parties.

And this is exactly why one would think that after the events following the destruction of Mount Hakurei and her fatal confrontation with Naraku, she would gain a new vision of things. Instead she survives the whole ordeal, but keeps going on sticking to her plan. As if nothing happened. As if Naraku hadn't just proven to be much more cunning than expected in his schemes. As if Saint Hakushin had not been enough of a lesson.

Honestly. What's the point in letting her live longer if she remains the same? Alright, I know, THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT with Kikyō, but... please, by then the reader has perfectly understood it, and, besides, if she really really can't learn anything at all then the story is destined to never end and that simply can't be (unless you want to write an open ending but we know this is not the case).

So. If we have to work with what we have, here another tip: saved by Kagome's purifying powers, Kikyō, instead of Inuyasha (chapter 315, The Scent of the Nest), could have sent for the girl, and for two very good reasons at that: 1) Kagome is the one the older miko had a message (and a "gift") for on that occasion, right? Right! 2) A face-to-face with Kagome would have given their previous exchange (chapter 309, The Choice) soooooo much more weight, as in "I did not thank you back then because I couldn't bring myself to do it and because as miko that was your duty, but now I'm not holding back anymore and I recognize your value". And then... Well... she could just train her. I mean, really, properly training her. There would be no need to make Kikyō "nicer" to Kagome and I wouldn't like that either. Too easy. She could still be her aloof self AND try to do her best with her. Like: "This is your lesson, now make yourself scarce and remember to exercise at least one hour a day" (and maybe internally she'll be making a quiet "huff" that could almost sound like laughing? Like... Relief? Because she didn't even know she could do this "trust someone else" thing? Because when you teach someone your arts you learn something new both about yourself and about your art? Jeez, so much material there).

My opinion is that after her more reflective arc, she needed a more active one. Where she could put into practice that strange form of peace she absorbed through her past interactions with other characters, culminating with the warmth she feels in her chest after Kagome's intervention.

But... Who am I to say? Perhaps it's just that this wasn't how Takahashi felt about her character. Perhaps if Kikyō is like this, so impossibly unyielding, inflexible, to a self-destructive point (not only "self", actually), well... it's because so it is how Kikyō was supposed to be. Alright. Got it. But then you (not "you" as in "you two guys", rather as in "all her fans") can't come and talk to me of how kind Kikyō is. Because this Kikyō, THIS, the clay doll, not the one from her previous life, is forced to leave kindness behind. If anything, you should mourn the impossibility for her to be kind. You should accept that what little kindness she can allow herself to gift, as shadow of the miko she once was, is not her way to make up for her mistakes, that's just an attempt to save what little can be saved, because she knows she has blood (and souls) on her hands, but, in spite of this, is incapable to do otherwise.

She is often called "hero of her own story/life" and in part she is, because her violent side is not something she could have overcome without a strong will, even with all the external inputs she got. Her obstinacy though, her obsession, her "blindness", that is, that inability to see other options... That's something she couldn't figure out alone. If she came out of it, it's only thanks to the Inugang (see chapters 444-449 = The Final Act, episode 6, The End of Mōryōmaru). In the end, I think that her choice to save Miroku, as she was moved by having seen him sacrifice his life for Kohaku's sake, was taken knowing very well that absorbing the miasma would have weakened her already strained body significantly, preventing the fulfillment of her mission, so, yes, this is a very, VERY important moment, signaling that crucial change in her heart and in her mind that we were waiting for. Also, Kikyō's choice, as Sango says in page 2 of chapter 465, The Lights (The Final Act, episode 8, Among the Twinkling Stars, min 18.12), was made for Sango's sake, too, so that we could read this as a way for Kikyō to spare the girl the pain of going through her same tragedy AND as compensation/atonement for what she had thought to do of Kohaku.

So, what shall we do with all this? What do we get out of it? That maybe a big amount of the disappointment haters have actually has to do more with the stretching of Kikyō's arc, which aggravates the repetitiveness the story by then had mired in. There's also to say that maybe what haters hate, more than the actual character, is the idolatry reserved by fans to a false image of Kikyō, that is not the one written by Takahashi, for she will always be depicted as the hero of the story when in fact she is an anti-hero (if anything, as I said, she is the hero of her story, at least in part), as the goddess and saviour the Inugang should kiss the ground she walks on, but if her soul was saved is thanks to them. This false Kikyō somehow overshadowed (and overlapped with) the true Kikyō, so that it's not always so easy to understand which is the one people refer to, whether they do it with love or hate.

There's another topic: the matter with the Shinidamachu. I don't have a strong opinion on this, but I know that some people feel like something is wrong with Inuyasha & co just letting it be as if devouring other souls, on Kikyō's part, was no big deal and that Takahashi would not bring that up any further so that Kikyō could look "not so bad". I really don't know, but I doubt Takahashi would consider her readers so stupid? Anyway, one thing is true: imagine you've got the Inugang examine what it tells about them as people the fact that they're okay with Kikyō doing something as wrong as collecting souls to "live". This would be interesting. Although I have to highlight that in chapter 76, The Smell of Death, (episode 23, Kagome's Voice and Kikyō's Kiss) is Kikyō herself to raise the subject, still to have a more sober reflection from Inuyasha (who on that first occasion had other priorities), would not be bad.

I think that a lot of things about Kikyō and how the other characters feel about her could have been deepened much more if not for the fact that that stupid jealousy thing was often more important for Takahashi, faking a love triangle where never was one just to create tension was too often more important (💩). Ugh... I love Rumiko Takahashi, she's a damn genious, but sometimes... Just sometimes...

And here comes the worst.

WHAT.

ABOUT.

INUYASHA?

I can accept almost everything if I really have to, I don't even ask for a proper talk between Kikyō and Kagome because somehow they still came to an understanding (I would have wanted more, for the sake of both characters' growth, as already explained, and for the sake of my own heart aching for kagkik, but still... alright). Inuyasha is an entirely different matter though. Guys, Kikyō manipulated the shit out of him at will, she actively (and then more passively) fueled his guilt, to the point that he thought he had to give her his life - read: die (chapter 153, Kikyō's Plan and chapter 172, Onigumo's Heart). This is abuse. Quite literally. And I don't even think Inuyasha ever realized it, because this is how abuse works, especially when the abuser is a person you love and whose death and current helpless state you feel responsible for.

Yes. I know. I know what is the context behind. Kikyō is a prisoner. Upon her resurrection she was enslaved to her blind rage, to her obsession for Inuyasha, a sick version of her past feelings. The tragic irony is not lost on me: can you imagine what the old Kikyō would have thought of this version of herself? A version so terribly similar in its wickedness to the foe responsible of her death? Exactly.

All her character in fact is a stratificaton of different levels of tragic irony and this is amazing, but...

But.

That she was not able to acknowledge out loud (or even just internally) what she did to him... IS unforgivable. This thing that you are kind to random people, but don't give a damn about the person you love only makes you hypocrite and implies that said person means absolutely nothing to you (so much for "love"). And what's worse is that this wasn't Takahashi's intention, she wasn't trying to write her as an hypocrite, as a flawed human, "imperfect", yes, even in death because death doesn't make you wiser, because death is just death... No, the general impression with Kikyō's last chapters rather is that Takahashi really wanted to make her look like the perfect, immaculate martyr, that she (the author) simply forgot that Kikyō, other than victim, is a victimizer (and tens other things), and, in doing so, loosing sight of that inner conflict which underlies this character, a conflict so impactful and beautiful in its bitter taste, but apparently destined to never be fully addressed, just left behind as if it had never existed in the first place.

Sure, you could argue that Takahashi's point was that it was too late for Kikyō and Inuyasha to untangle the knot of guilt, love-slash-idealization-of-a-feeling-not-lived, sorrow, and abuse, that all of this was woven together to a point of no return so that there could be no real release. If that's the case, well, fine, it makes sense, I guess (?), but then I hope you understand what this means: their relationship did more harm than good to them, and to Inuyasha especially. A hard pill for sure, because, damn, what is more tragic than two good people who, coming into contact in bad circumstances, only manage to hurt each other. When you think that one of the two literally is a healer it stings even more.

But then again, if your point is "it's too late, it's always been too late for everything", goodness, at least you should allow me to see that Kikyō is aware of this and feels miserable about it, because now that she finally is free of whatever it was that before couldn't let her say it out loud, now she has no strenght left to. This wasn't something the author could afford to sweep under the carpet.

I think, this might be one major difference. I do not see this as "darkness". I know, that the manga "Inuyasha" more or less associates Naraku with darkness, but I honestly consider them more as flawed characters. Or in Kikyo´s case as somebody, who lost everything.

No person alive would realistically react positively towards this.

Is it because she's a woman? Is it because she is the "always-in-the-way ex"?

If people were honest. Yes, these are the reasons. Male characters can be as flawed and horrible and most of the time hardly anybody complains.

The amount of guys who admire the joker is sickening.

And yes, most girls have a knee-jerk reaction to the fact, that Inuyasha not only loves Kagome, but Kikyo, too.

I am not a shipper of Kikyo and Inuyasha, but from his reactions you can clearly perceive that the guy loves her. And as people cannot have this, they invent every reason, why Inuyasha does not love her and Kikyo is crucified for a complete normal reaction.

Yes, no one gives two shits about (for example) Kōga's misdeeds and crimes, true, but this has less to do with his being a man than with his insubstantiality. Kōga almost is nothing more than a draft, the shadow of a character.

This shadow of a character at least appears regularly for quite some time and even acquires a weapon. Koga is not always a laughingstock. But I admit, I rarely keep attention, as he does not interest me.

Moreover Kikyō is a character that, unlike guys such as Sesshōmaru and (partially?) Kōga, does know what it's like to care, she knows kindness,

Koga and Sesshomaru know it, too, they just don´t bother. Your argument is basically, because Kikyo is kind, she has to be always kind in every situation, while the boys get a pass, because they don´t care for human beings, even though those two both care for individual human beings. So they know kindness and how to care...they just choose not to.

that's why her coldness (in killing, in speaking) is much, much more striking than theirs. That she knows very well the value of human life and yet shows no hesitation in taking it (as she is and is not human, is and is not a miko)... Of course is unsettling. Now.

Not for me and apparently in regard to her fans neither. It doesn´t unsettle me, because I understand human reactions. I value every character the same in regard to their deeds, there are no distinctions.

Sesshomaru does not get a "pass", because he is a demon. He does not even eat human beings. So him killing them, because they are in the way, does not earn him any points.

Sesshomaru gets a pass for the same reason, as Kikyo gets a pass - I just don´t care.

I don´t care, how morally good a character is, if she or he is interesting. Personally I hate it just, when people perceive said character worse than she or he actually is.

Kikyo killed people, because they were trying to kill her - like the priest - or because she wishes to prolong her existence. Not wishing to die, because she wishes for revenge is an awfully normal reaction, if you consider, what she went through.

Additionally, it is even reasonable. Naraku is a very dangerous demon that has killed countless people in the process of attaining the Shikon no tama. It is reasonable for Kikyo to wish to prolong her life, as she has the abilities to finish this demon off.

I dislike Inuyasha a lot more, because he bores me most of the time.

The function of her character certainly is to make you feel that way,

You should not make the mistake to perceive your personal reactions as objective truth. They aren´t. How a character is perceived is so often too personal.

The function of her character certainly is to make you feel that way, because through her you see how easy can be to fall, see that no matter whether you're human or demon, darkness can touch you, to the point that even cultivating purity doesn't make you invulnerable to the insidious traps of evil, and this is good stuff, narratively speaking,

I think, we perceive her really fundamental differently. Kikyo had been caged all her life in this role as a miko and when she tried to stray from this path, a demon came and killed her. Naraku took everything from her. She even died believing it was Inuyasha. What a burning betrayal.

Her trauma and hate didn´t let her go. This was the reason her existence didn´t end.

It wasn´t that she was suddenly too unclean. It was the wish and will to take revenge upon the people, who have wronged her.

Here you go: how are we supposed to read her redemption arc? What was Takahashi's goal with Kikyō? What is Kikyō's redemption about?

I perceive Kikyo like the "Count of Montechristo". That guy, too, had sufferend and had constructed an intrigant plan to bring the people, who have wronged him down.

Later he understands the cost of revenge, not just the pain, he has endured, but also the pain, he inflicted. The sacrifices and victims. This guy even gets a happy end, but somehow Kikyo needs a redemption?

Kikyo´s "redemption" was most likely unsatisfying for you, because her journey was no redemption.

Takahashi has not tought she needed one - at least Kikyo´s journey has never striked me as one.

Kikyo learnt to let go...of her grieve, her pain and the wish for revenge. Kikyo is literally released from this Earth, because her hate has subsided. Because she valued human life so much more, than her own grieve and pain.

It was a healing journey, not a journey for her to "acquire points in regard to a nebulous redemption".

Yes, Inuyasha and co. perceived her differently, but Kikyo has hardly cared for this fact. She cared for people out of an inner wish.

Kikyo came to terms, that she had always had too high expectations for herself in the past. These expectations of other people literally limited her way of life, as other people wished to see her as holy, when she just was a normal girl, a nice and kind girl, but she still was just a girl.

Not a god.

Not a saint.

Kikyo forgave herself and others. Her own mistakes made her accept other´s faults, too. She grew during her journey considerably.

Also, if I'm being completely honest, I think she is awfully pleasant to look at when she's about to commit something really, deeply wrong, especially when she is aware of how really, deeply wrong is that, I can't help myself, so I hope you understand that it's not that the problem is my sensitivity/morality.

It does appear, as if your morality is a problem here. These are characters in fiction. Not real life people. So anybody can basically think everything about a character. Some are more profound and other takes aren´t. Sometimes it is nice, talking with people with completely different takes though, but sometimes it becomes tiring.

Let's take Sesshōmaru again as term of reference. His arc revolves around learning to feel, to value life in its "lowest" forms and to let go of all the conflicts with his late father.

This applies to Kikyo, too. No character was trying for a moral purity contest. Every character learnt, what she or he needed. Sesshomarou learnt to love a human being and therefore did relate to other human beings slightly, very slightly more compassionate as he did not kill them for no reason. If this could be applied generally or merely in regard to the Inuyasha´s gang, I honestly wonder…

Takahashi's plan for him wasn't a 360-degree change of mentality. Respect? Yes. Compassion? Yes. But to mingle with other people? Well, in part yes, it's inevitable since he always comes back to visit Rin in Kaede's village, and certainly this is quite the change for his standards. To ask for forgiveness? Nope. It would be insincere if he tried to, he did what he did because such was the way for him,

And here again. You set the bar for Kikyo unbelievable high and for Sesshomarou unbelievable low. Why not apply the same rule to both? His vile deeds were even less forgiveable than hers in my eyes. He did it out of thoughtlessness and indifference, while she tried to literally extend her existence.

Her „way“ was having a trauma response and feeling unbelievable pain for her lost life.

To me it's clear how we have to read Sesshōmaru and so I'm able to tell that is arc is consistent.

And so is Kikyo´s. It was a way of healing...of letting go...going the way of the Count of Montechristo, but even better.

At any rate, what one can affirm with certainty is that Kikyō is a character ten times more difficult to write than Sesshōmaru is (that's why I said she's probably Takahashi's most ambitious experiment)

Well, finally a point, we agree with. Indeed. She is more difficult, because healing is difficult and it is not always a straight line. Sometimes there are relapses.

Even when she is not onstage she's still there. Through the relationships she has with other characters (namely, Inuyasha, Naraku and Kagome). Through the effects of her own actions.

Another point we can agree with. With Kikyo and Inuyasha the journey startet and with Kagome and Inuyasha the journey came to an end.

At any rate, what one can affirm with certainty is that Kikyō is a character ten times more difficult to write than Sesshōmaru is (that's why I said she's probably Takahashi's most ambitious experiment)

Well, finally a point, we agree with. Indeed. She is more difficult, because healing is difficult and it is not always a straight line. Sometimes there are relapses.

But if it's just that I'm not that good at reading Kikyō, then, please, help me! (Oh, I'm so serious right now, you have no idea).

If you let me, I try.

I know, just the mere fact that she's able to resist the fury burning her insides and then, bit by bit, vanquish it, it's a testament to her strong will and heart, like, I challenge ANYONE to do as much (!) and what's even more astounding is that, despite her harsh situation, she even does for Saint Hakushin what no one was able to do for her (not entirely true: see what mangaInuyasha says and does in chapter 49, Hatred Unspent, which wasn't enough to heal her soul just because it was too soon as she'd been just revived by Urasue).

Personally, I think it was more a gradual shift. At the beginning she wished to finish Inuyasha off. I think, the image that Inuyasha, whom she had loved so much, had betrayed her so gravely, was too much for her.

Of course Kagome was in the way. Even then, she appeared to feel jealousy.

Then Naraku appeared and this changed much. One great burden was removed. The person, she had loved, had loved her too. It had been a cruel twist of another. Of course, she felt a burning hate for Naraku and she had no qualms to lead him on. In a way she allowed herself to be more human, less of a saint than she previously was.

She taunted Naraku and even helped him, wishing to finish him off. The hate was still present. She was fragile and isolated – but this was nearly a normal statue for her. She had been always alone as a miko, too. Yet, she could not completely look herself into the mirror anymore. She felt clearly shame for taking lives. The eyes of the little girl, who had seen her as a big sister.

(A fact that I can completely understand, but Kikyo had high expectations for herself).

Naraku was her mirror...in so many ways.

The longing, the desire to acquire something that was lost forever. The pain. The jealousy. He stooped so low...It was not that he was entirely unfeeling or "evil", as people might call it. "Evil" would be the absence of "goodness". And this was not even in Naraku the case. No, he had those human feelings, that he called "basic desires" for Kikyo. The hate, with whom he had bound Inuyasha and co to himself.

After Kikyo´s death he was nothing more than a husk. Naraku had completely destroyed himself, because he had not turnt around. Because he had never listened to these "basic desires". Because he had always capitalized his understanding of other people.

Naraku could relate...Kagome was absolutely right, when she shouted this into his face at the end.

But Kikyo had turnt around.

That is why Takahashi showed their different reactions at Mount Hakurei.

Kikyo was starting to accept her own mistakes, when she saw two other mirrors. The physician of those warriors, who has literally turnt mad due to the things he saw, his weakness, was her weakness. She wished to free him and in turn free herself. She saw herself in him.

And the priest on Mount Hakurei, who had committed evil in order to stay alive.

Kikyo understood. Herself and others. Humans are fallible. Sometimes they break. Sometimes when we are open, we can connect with other people like this. You can understand them, have mercy and so allow the other person and yourself to become different, to choose the better version. Finally the huge gap between herself and other people slowly started to close more and more.

Trying to protect Kohaku, who had a splinter of the Shikon no Tama was her next step. She could have taken it - it was safer. But she decided - already differently.

Because Kohaku, too, was a mirror to her. A boy, who had committed horrible deeds due to Naraku´s influence. A boy, who was merely able to live due to this little splinter.

If Kikyo had been the old version, the pure maiden, she might have taken it to save it. But she didn´t, because she could relate to Kohaku. Because he was a little brother, whose big sister would have lost him forever.

Kohaku has felt so much grieve and pain due to his deeds just like Kikyo, yet Kikyo wished for him to life. He still had a chance. She didn´t, but instead of jealousy she was now ready give this child a chance.

That is the reason, it means so much for me, that she rescued Kohaku. She had to give up the revenge to save him. She saved him and saved herself with it. Kikyo could finally let go.

Forgivness and compassion is not always a one way route. People affect each other.

Kagome as the last mirror

The last person she accepted was Kagome. In order to rescue Kohaku she needed Kagome. Kikyo had always been alone. She had been the only saviour of the people. Again, she had ignored Kagome at the beginning, because she considered herself the only viable option. Heck, she even considered Kagome just another version of herself. In a way, she is right. They share the same core, the same essence, the same soul.

However, Kagome was definitely different in so many ways, because she lived the life Kikyo had desired. Being normal with a family.

Naraku, who really chose isolation, brought so many people together- it is amusing. One of the most interesting couples are Kagome and Kikyo. Kikyo needed Kagome´s help after Mount Hakurei, because Naraku had nearly killed her. But she could just not give up. So she tried Kagome and Kagome accepted.

She had had so many reasons to not help her, to let her die...but she didn´t. Because of Inuyasha, because Kagome wished to be not like this. Because she would have been not able to look herself in the mirror.

It had been never about acquiring some card blank for something, but about letting go and accepting her death.

What troubles me the most is that I used to think I knew which was her turning point, but I'm not so sure anymore. For one, I can't make sense of "At last... I have become that ordinary woman" (chapter 465, The Lights). How? When?

That was her entire process. From a revered miko, who lived separated from everybody else to an "ordinary woman", a person like everybody else.

Kikyo had wished to be with people all her life. All her life she was the Miko, who lived isolated from the rest of humanity (like the monk, who was venerated as a saint), from the people she cared about. But near her death she had become finally "ordinary" meaning like all the other people, meaning not anymore isolated.

She felt like them. She allowed herself a greater freedom as previously. Not as a holy inhuman, always strong figure.

Additionally her powers had also ceased because she was at death´s door. She received not only the love, that she had desired - not only Inuyasha, but everybody else mournt her death - but she truly cared for Kohaku, Inuyasha, had accepted Kagome.

This time she had truly wished to rescue everybody more from an inner motivation than it being her task as a miko.

But... Did she ever call into question her own actions? As I recall, perhaps the only real moment is in chapter 409, Divergence (Final Act, episode 5, The Great Holy Demon Spirit's Test) when she is considering the dilemma of Kohaku's sacrifice. As for the rest... She never had to face consequences (with one exception we'll discuss later). She must be aware of the harm she caused: as soon her judgement begins to clear up, she is more than capable to see it, she's far too intelligent to not to, but she never lets anyone be in the position to question her.

For what reason do you wish even more harm to Kikyo? The punishment has been executed with her death. Sesshomaru did 10.000 times worse things, but did not repent anything.

Kikyo surely felt shame for her situation, when she fled from the young girl, she had cared about. After the death of the priest.

I am truly unable to understand, why Kikyo alone has to face consequences, when so many people did worse than her.

The reason is simple: she can't afford to hesitate. She has a mission and she can't be swayed. She's convinced she is the only one who can defeat Naraku, that that is her purpose, that's why she came back to life. This thought alone sustains her. It's an illusion of control and she can't escape it. Because if you can't move on, if you have no place, when you see no sense in your existence, you need to cling to any illusion within reach.

It is not an illusion that Kikyo is a threat to Naraku and she also had a pretty good chance to hurt him, as she can move his heart.

But more than necessity, Kikyo wished to take revenge on him. That is a pretty normal feeling.

You misunderstand. Kikyo could not let go of her hate; she could not accept her own death. Therefore she was cursed to walk the Earth so long until she could let go. Even if she had perceived it as a mission to eliminate Naraku, her hate clearly was the driving force.

In the moment she felt peace, her soul could move on - finally.

To this, you may also add the fact that, running out of time, maybe she really thought that there wasn't another way to get rid of Naraku and of the Jewel, maybe she even thought that since Inuyasha and the others weren't willing to get their hands dirty for the greater good, she (as already "tainted") could sacrifice what remained of her soul to eternal damnation. There's the issue though that Kikyō doesn't seem to be conscious of the fact that to use Kohaku's shard will likely come at the cost of her own soul (?). She just acts expecting others to follow her plan as the only sensible thing to do, so I'm not sure this was Takahashi's intention (and that's a pity, it would have been an interesting narrative choice).

Naraku was a truly dangerous demon, as he would do anything to attain the Shikon no Tama. A person with a fragile personhood, that had no respect for other´s lives. He was always able to slip away. Time and time again. And Kikyo acted overwhelmingly alone. She dared Kagome, but she did not force her to help her.

She wished to make sure, that he would not get the whole Shikon no Tama without destroying him. And Kohaku would be her final weapon, but at the end Kohaku was more important than her revenge.

So. If we have to work with what we have, here another tip: saved by Kagome's purifying powers, Kikyō, instead of Inuyasha (chapter 315, The Scent of the Nest), could have sent for the girl, and for two very good reasons at that: 1) Kagome is the one the older miko had a message (and a "gift") for on that occasion, right? Right! 2) A face-to-face with Kagome would have given their previous exchange (chapter 309, The Choice) soooooo much more weight, as in "I did not thank you back then because I couldn't bring myself to do it and because as miko that was your duty, but now I'm not holding back anymore and I recognize your value". And then... Well... she could just train her. I mean, really, properly training her. There would be no need to make Kikyō "nicer" to Kagome and I wouldn't like that either. Too easy. She could still be her aloof self AND try to do her best with her. Like: "This is your lesson, now make yourself scarce and remember to exercise at least one hour a day" (and maybe internally she'll be making a quiet "huff" that could almost sound like laughing? Like... Relief? Because she didn't even know she could do this "trust someone else" thing? Because when you teach someone your arts you learn something new both about yourself and about your art? Jeez, so much material there).

Chapter 309

Kikyo started to acknowledge Kagome in chapter 309, but it was hard for her. Very hard. As Kagome basically lived the life Kikyo had desired so much.

Kikyo could still feel the warmth of Kagome´s touch in chapter 309. She touched her breast, the place where her heart had been beating, if she had been still alive.

It was also a test of Kagome´s heart. She knew how she felt for Kagome, but it was still strange to see this person. Kikyo clearly did not wish to see Kagome.

Kagome had not had any doubt, that she wanted to save her though. Kikyo was most likely slowly feeling the water, if Kagome was able to fulfill her task, if she should fail. Being with Inuyasha, she was more able to protect him, too.

Chapter 315

Kikyo wished to see Inuyasha. I am honestly not a great defender of this couple, nor I am greatly interested in it. But that she rather wished to see his face, is clear.

People so strong they may appear need somebody a person they can lean on. I think, she was happy to see him.

That she got the arrow was at least a little demonstration of confidence. Not much, as there was still enough doubt in her words:

"It´s up to her wheter she uses it well or not though."

For Kikyo this is no joke at all. And she had no great desire to see Kagome. To see "another version" and yet not, felt like a burning pain.

My opinion is that after her more reflective arc, she needed a more active one. Where she could put into practice that strange form of peace she absorbed through her past interactions with other characters, culminating with the warmth she feels in her chest after Kagome's intervention.

She felt the warmth of a living woman...somebody who still had all her life in front of her, while Kikyo had no future. I think, it was good that it was Kohaku, somebody who had "also sinned" whom she started to care more.

But... Who am I to say? Perhaps it's just that this wasn't how Takahashi felt about her character. Perhaps if Kikyō is like this, so impossibly unyielding, inflexible, to a self-destructive point (not only "self", actually), well... it's because so it is how Kikyō was supposed to be. Alright. Got it. But then you (not "you" as in "you two guys", rather as in "all her fans") can't come and talk to me of how kind Kikyō is. Because this Kikyō, THIS, the clay doll, not the one from her previous life, is forced to leave kindness behind. If anything, you should mourn the impossibility for her to be kind. You should accept that what little kindness she can allow herself to gift, as shadow of the miko she once was, is not her way to make up for her mistakes, that's just an attempt to save what little can be saved, because she knows she has blood (and souls) on her hands, but, in spite of this, is incapable to do otherwise.

Where is she "inflexible"? Just because she did not completely bent over backwards? For whom? Kagome? Why should she?

Kikyo is unbelievable kind. She cares for other people even if those people were not exactly her friends. She saved Kohaku, Miroku, Kyoga (even though this guy was a demon as well). And so many others. Other weaker people would have gone bananas a long time ago. Not Kikyo.

She doesn´t have to be a saint to have the right to exist. She has gone out in a beautiful light, freeing herself and I am glad for her. Kikyo becomes at some time Kagome and could live like she wished it.

She is often called "hero of her own story/life" and in part she is, because her violent side is not something she could have overcome without a strong will, even with all the external inputs she got. Her obstinacy though, her obsession, her "blindness", that is, that inability to see other options… That's something she couldn't figure out alone. If she came out of it, it's only thanks to the Inugang (see chapters 444-449 = The Final Act, episode 6, The End of Mōryōmaru). In the end, I think that her choice to save Miroku, as she was moved by having seen him sacrifice his life for Kohaku's sake, was taken knowing very well that absorbing the miasma would have weakened her already strained body significantly, preventing the fulfillment of her mission, so, yes, this is a very, VERY important moment, signaling that crucial change in her heart and in her mind that we were waiting for. Also, Kikyō's choice, as Sango says in page 2 of chapter 465, The Lights (The Final Act, episode 8, Among the Twinkling Stars, min 18.12), was made for Sango's sake, too, so that we could read this as a way for Kikyō to spare the girl the pain of going through her same tragedy AND as compensation/atonement for what she had thought to do of Kohaku.

What options did she have? The hate towards Naraku, the loss of her young life in such a brutal, horrifying way, would not go just disappear. Human beings don´t work like this.

Kikyo was not blind. I honestly don´t even know, what you even mean? There was no force that could make her "forget this event". It was her choice to care for Miroku, Kyoga, Kohaku and the others. As it was Kagome to rescue her.

Kikyo did not need to "atone" for shit, if nobody else bothered with it.

So, what shall we do with all this? What do we get out of it? That maybe a big amount of the disappointment haters have actually has to do more with the stretching of Kikyō's arc, which aggravates the repetitiveness the story by then had mired in. There's also to say that maybe what haters hate, more than the actual character, is the idolatry reserved by fans to a false image of Kikyō, that is not the one written by Takahashi, for she will always be depicted as the hero of the story when in fact she is an anti-hero (if anything, as I said, she is the hero of her story, at least in part), as the goddess and saviour the Inugang should kiss the ground she walks on, but if her soul was saved is thanks to them. This false Kikyō somehow overshadowed (and overlapped with) the true Kikyō, so that it's not always so easy to understand which is the one people refer to, whether they do it with love or hate.

Bullshit behind every hater´s mind is a strong wish to negate that Inuyasha loved Kikyo very much.

Kikyo is basically in the way. It is really not that deep. Kikyo is the heroine of her story. She is Kagome´s other self. Once 500 years ago, Kagome was Kikyo. It is rather interesting how nearly the same human being or rather two people with the same core of being are depicted.

To know, to what Kagome would be able to if she was in the same situation is very interesting.

And I think I stop here, as you are clearly not really rational. I have never seen Kikyo fans claim that they should kiss the ground she walks on.