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Post by Leon Tekashi on May 26, 2015 16:37:30 GMT -5
Yagyu.. Yagyu. Oh boy, lets see what I can do. Well, before she enrolled in Hanzo Academy, she's always spending time with her little sister. Their bond is as tight as bondage if that makes sense lol. However, one day, her little sister got in a car accident and was killed, breaking Yagyu internally. Little by little, her memory of her sister was starting to fade away in order to cope with the pain and move on, but Yagyu didn't want to forget her little sister at all, so she decided to make a memento out of a ribbon her little sister used to wear and covered up one of her eyes. Even though it cut half of Yagyu's vision, she'll always be reminded of her little sister with the memento. Moving forward when Yagyu enrolled in Hanzo Academy, she encountered Hibari and then she realized how similar she is to her little sister. From that point on, Yagyu and Hibari became fast friends and Yagyu did her best to never leave Hibari's side to protect her. Moving forward to the games, as Yagyu continued to cling onto Hibari, she also helped Hibari get stronger little by little, but at the same time, there are times where Hibari doesn't like it when Yagyu becomes a bit too clingy. However, most of the time, she doesn't mind. This is a problem I have with Yagyu actually. It's pretty annoying how she's clingy with Hibari almost all the time while not really caring about the others, even the people she fought, with the exception of Mirai since as Yagyu got to understand Mirai better, Yagyu befriended her since Mirai also has something to protect just like Yagyu. Anyways, if Yagyu can stop being too clingy with Hibari and show some more emotions with her comrades and other friends, then I would like Yagyu a lot more, but until then, she's one of the three characters I feel that are meh. Because of this issue actually, she hasn't really develop that much throughout the games. Now, in terms of personality, well... When it comes to Hibari, she's very nice, gentle, and always help Hibari improve. However, when it comes to everyone else, she acts a bit apathetic. Yagyu has a habit of eating raw squid, which I do find odd but interesting. She also has a fear of roller costers, which I find hilarious since I never see Yagyu as someone that would be scared of anything lol. Overall, Yagyu is a good, but meh character, imo anyways. If she can stop being too clingy to Hibari and stop being apathetic with her comrades and friends, then she'll be a character I'll like a lot more, as I stated up above. Sorry Yagyu. Edit: From what I've seen in SK2, Yagyu does spend a good amount of time with Mirai. The real question is how much did she care and if she changed in some way.
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Post by Leon Tekashi on Jul 20, 2015 16:24:20 GMT -5
So, after talking to my friend about Yagyu, I remembered something about her that happened during Burst. The part where she decided to go off on her own to save Hibari, even though she was injured. Throughout the game though, she didn't really care about her friends/comrades and chose to work on her own. Right when she was about to get killed though, Asuka and co. saves her, which helped her realize that she does have friends/comrades. There's also that one part where she respects Mirai for protecting her comrades, similar to how she protects Hibari. This helped me realized that Yagyu isn't exactly apathetic. She just chooses to interact with Hibari. She is capable of interacting with others, but when she does, she will be thinking about Hibari here and there. So, the point is, I'm going to stop thinking of her as someone that's apathetic towards everyone besides Hibari. This does help me like her a bit more, but not much compare to the others characters. lol
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Post by Leon Tekashi on Jul 27, 2015 16:26:29 GMT -5
Hmm... Was it implied that since Yagyu couldn't protect her deceased sister from the car accident, she wanted to get stronger, making it one of the reasons she decided to enlist in Hanzo Academy, and when she encountered Hibari, she now has another shot at protecting someone she really cares about?
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Post by ChaddyFantome on Jul 27, 2015 23:27:13 GMT -5
Oh, neat! I hope I am not stealing your shtick or anything, but mind if I have a go?! xD
Yagyu... Ah yes... My thoughts on her are quite complicated as she is one of my more liked characters but also one that frustrates me as of late.
First, lemme summarize what Yagyu is to me and why I like her.
To me, Yagyu is the goddamn Batman of the series and one of the deepest characters. Prepare yourselves, this one is gonna be lengthy.
From Burst, we already are made aware that Yagyu is on a much different tune than everyone else. Yagyu is distant, kind of introverted, keeps things to herself, doesn't like to open up to others much, but isn't necessarily against interacting with everyone. She is just kind of that one girl who isn't as open as the rest. Whats-more tho is Yagyu is portrayed as a prodigy. Someone who has natural talent, is on a very precise and tuned level compared to her peers, and whats-more, she knows it. Through her dialog, it is very clear that Yagyu is much more acclimated to the shinobi environment that everyone else, even Ikaruga. Anytime anything pertaining to the basic principals comes up, she is open about restating them as simple truth. And when faced with an opponent, she wouldn't hesitate to strike her opponent down without a second thought. In her mind, she was on a whole other level than the rest of the group, much higher than Hibari, Asuka, and to degrees, even Ikaruga and Katsuragi. Not that it was of any concern to her, since her priorities were set on becoming a shinobi. At the end of the day, that was what she enrolled in to Hanzo academy for. Point is, in her mind, she was was already prepared. Which is only further accentuated by her encounters with Mirai, who by all means wasn't, but was doing her damnedest to "prove" she was, only to prove to be of very little significance to Yagyu in the end.
Moreso than everyone else in the group, Yagyu's hurdles were purely internal. She didn't need to get stronger. She didn't need to get better. What was holding her back was purely built around her grasp on the reality around her.
Although not very vocal and open, she did seem to have a particularity with Hibari, which we later learn is because they are close friends. Their relationship was very much like an Older sister/younger sister relationship. Yagyu would be there to check up on Hibari, make sure she is ok, and encourage her when she was feeling down. But what was so special about Hibari? What was it about her that made Yagyu give her this particularity. Well we later learn down the road that Yagyu has a little sister, whom she was really close with. The two would spend lots of time together and she would even help Yagyu with her shinobi training in their spare time. However, for the first time, Yagyu, the prodigal ninja was faced with a situation that was out of her control. Even with her all natural talent and excessive regular training, she was still unable to protect someone who was incredibly dear to her, which I can only imagine shook her on a much deeper level than simply the shock of losing her sister. Not only did she lose her, but the reality that she was unable to do anything about it seemed to have rattled to her very core, as having that kind of talent would naturally set you up to believe you have the potential to do anything, and yet she was not.But Yagyu couldn't accept that, and as a result, chose to feel responsible for it, for not being able to do anything.
Not only did we later learn through SV that her eyepatch was a memento, a promise to never forget her sister, as she feared the loss of her memory, but we also learn that she pushed her training even farther to make up for the loss of vision. Not just in memory of her, but surely as a pledge to never allow something like that to ever happen again. And in making that vow, Yagyu, perhaps not even realizing she was doing so, regressed in to self imposed solitude.
She didn't resent others, but she was afraid to truly get attached to others, as even though she would not truly admit it to herself, she knew that no matter how hard she trained and no matter what she did, there will always exist the possibility of a situation where she will be completely helpless and unable to protect those she cared about.
And then we reach her entry to Hanzo academy, and suddenly we have quite the monkey wrench thrown her way. Playing in the rain without a care in the world, Yagyu meets someone who almost made her believe her sister had come back to her, her upbeat and joyful nature, as well as even her appearance. Hibari.
it is no wonder that the one person she was willing to be even a degree open with was Hibari, as Yagyu, who is reluctant to open herself up to others felt secure in doing so with someone she felt comfortable with. Hibari isn't her sister, but interacting with her was second nature to Yagyu, even going as far as to assume a big sister role towards her. And this would ultimately be the first step into Yagyu's development as a character, as even though she didn't want to open herself up to others, she couldn't truly accept to bare living is true solitude. Most people couldn't, and Hibari acted as the ultimate coping mechanism for her, as she now had someone she now had an exception to the rule, a leeway. An outlet.
However, this still didn't stop Yagyu from thinking of her sister's death or the feelings of utter helplessness that came with it. (hell, her eyepatch alone made sure of that) and that resulted in very protective behavior. Now that Yagyu has made the "mistake" of letting someone in, she is now constantly burdened with the knowledge and responsibility of knowing she must make sure that person remains safe and well, lest the future repeat itself.
That, however, justifiably got on someones skin, as Hibari, dealing with baggage of her own, particularly that of feeling incompetent and incapable, reasonably felt threatened by Yagyu's overprotective nature, as it only helped facilitate the thought that she was unable to accomplish anything by herself and always needs someone to bail her out. Hibari was vocal about it, even going so far as to tell Yagyu to take a hike, and this undoubtedly put Yagyu in a state of conflict and dilemma. Was it fair of her to compromise the well being of Hibari for herself? Would it even make her happy knowing those she cares about are unhappy? But at the same time, does she risk the possibility of potentially losing Hibari?
As chance would have it, Hibari had something to prove to herself and set herself up for something incredibly dangerous which could potentially lose her her life, and the thought of it must have put Yagyu into internal hysterics. If Yagyu was unable to protect Hibari, then truly she was meant to remain in solitude and loneliness forever, as those she cares about would be destined to meet there end. Yagyu wasn't "allowed" to get to know anyone. She was a curse. Destined to be alone forever. Of course, Yagyu would not accept that. Even against Hibari's wishes, Yagyu searched for her everywhere, eventually finding the trail Hibari left for back-up support, following the trail to Hibari's location, finding her completely surrounded. Yagyu didn't even have the right mind to think properly. Making sure Hibari was safe was priority number one. And in her undying will to do so, almost ends up ending herself in the process.
Naturally, this put Hibari in a state of pure guilt, feeling completely responsible for what happened to Yagyu, only fueling her complex about feeling like she is nothing but a troublemaker even more, only making her desire to "fix" herself that much stronger.
After being told that Yagyu would make it, she was easily misguided into bringing the secret ninja art scroll to HebijoCastle in her attempt to truly find their headquarters and get payback for Yagyu. All of this happening unbeknownst to everyone.
When Yagyu awoke from the hospital, still in her daze from the prior incident, naturally her first question was where Hibari was? Just getting of a state of hysterics, coming inches away from the potential loss of her, and even her own life, the thought that Hibari would be in danger the second she regained consciousness must have been insane. Yagyu's mind must have been in a total mess. Not only was she of the ball for an unspecified amount of time, but Hibari was also gone for a potentially equally long period of time, and after what just happened, everything was sup in the air. Hibari could be done for as she spoke with her classmates and as expected, Yagyu was furious with them. Her classmates, people that claimed to be her friends, people that claimed that they are a group and they all look out for eachother, and yet they could not do something as simple as keep tabs on Hibari. Of course, any other person would see Yagyu's reaction as unreasonable, and it is, even if she was in the complete right, but her reaction is being backed by tons and tons of pent up anxiety. It was a reflex, and just as fast as she was to show her disappointment with her classmates, she was prepared to rush to Hibari, still wounded and damaged after just getting out of the hospital. She was not prepared to accept Hibari's potential end at her watch.
Rushing as fast as she could, and fighting to her last breath, using every ounce of skill and ninja prowess in her body, cutting down enemy after enemy, desperately trying to keep the world together, desperately trying to keep the status quo, she was ultimately hit with the reality again. She couldn't. Even with her most devote and precise maneuvers, even fighting past her limit, she was not capable. It was out of her power and Yagyu slowly began to lose consciousness, accepting her udder defeat, and accepting her destiny. To end up all alone.
Right when she had finally let go, and accepted that she can't carry the world on her shoulders, accepting her fate, the rest of the Hanzo group arrive. People that , although Yagyu had formed very little bonds with, she had formed bonds with non the less, people that even though she hadn't realized it, people that truly cared about Yagyu, what little degree they interacted. And at that point, Yagyu understood. She wasn't alone. She never was. The entire time, her loneliness was all in her head, She only felt alone because she wanted to feel alone. She had friends all along. And most importantly, she didn't have to do everything herself. She had friends that loved and cared about her and who would always be willing to help her and support her. Even though there were things out of her control, with the help of those around her, she didn't have to worry, and Yagyu proceeded to open up from there. Hibari was no longer the one crutch she had. She had her entire class, Asuka, Ikaruga and Katsuragi too. And not only do they all mean alot to her, but Hibari meant alot to all of them too, and they all shared an equal desire to see her safe. And for the First time, Yagyu's anxiety saw rest. She knew she wasn't able to continue forward. She was simply not in the condition, but she could rest easy knowing that Asuka could get the job done and that Hibari would be back safe and sound.
Yagyu's relationship with Hibari didn't fizzle out or anything. It just stops being her crutch. Yagyu didn't need to lean on her anymore. She had her entire class, and she knew that even if she wasn't able to do things alone,even if she falls, her friends would be there to pick her right back up and help her to the end, and in the reverse situation, she would be there to do the same.
Yagyu's entire demeanor is quite different from that point on. No longer burdened by the sense solitude and eternal loneliness, no longer racked with the guilt and exclusive responsibility for those she cares for, Yagyu's mind was clear, pure and she could finally see things around her for what they are and truly act on her maximum. Which is why the following scene during the Hebi Castle invasion made such an impression on me.
During their assault, Yagyu comes to a point where she catches a clear shot at Homura that would easily end her. Being the no-nonsense type that she is, Yagyu preps to end it without hesitation. However, right then someone familiar jumps in to stop her and take the blow. Mirai.
Completely taken aback by her act, she asks her why she would even do such as thing, and Mirai response saying "she couldn't bare to see her take out her friends". At that moment, something clicked with Yagyu, the rash choice of action, the lack of logistics, the reasoning. At that point, Yagyu had clearly looked at Mirai and seen herself in her. In a sense, through Mirai, she was looking at what she was like before her change. A scared little girl, desperate not to lose anyone, with something really big to prove, desperate for attention. And of course at that moment, Yagyu couldn't help but feel both a great deal of respect and sympathy for Mirai. The entire time, her constantly ignoring her and not treating her like a real threat or big deal, it was almost like she was ignoring who who was in a sense, and Mirai helped bring that to light.
In the end, Mirai's plight was worth praise, and her respect was earned.
So as you can see, Yagyu's character rather deep, complex and goes through some serious arcs. They aren't as blatant or explicit, as it is hard to do so with a character that is so introverted and keeps things to themselves, but quite honestly, Yagyu's character arch is perhaps one of the most and endearing in the series. Which is why I am so distraught with how her character is being handled in recent games. For one, there is the obvious fact that she has way to much of a fixation with Hibari. I know she had one in Burst, and my issue isn't even that it is being pushed to me romantic, as that was always implied, even in Burst, but the way it is done in recent games makes me feel like they missed the entire point of why it was done that way it Burst, and simply rather just exploit the easiest avenue to write the character, and that is just making her obsessed with Hibari. Yes, she has a more prominent friendship with Hibari then the rest of the cast. That is fine. So does Kastu with Ikaruga. But by the end of Burst, her "complex" all but dissipated. Whats more, but her complex was never about her personal affection with Hibari, but about her own internal shruggles with how it relates to her and the events surrounding the death of her sister.
It is even more confusion because SV makes it quite clear that Yagyu does NOT see Hibari as a replacement for her sister. She Likes Hibari for Hibari and she could never replace her sister. And yet Yagyu gets virtually no interactions with Asuka, Katsu or Ikaruga throughout the game dispite their resolution in Burst. She just sticks with Hibari all the time. But it isn't like her development in Burst didn't accure.
Again, it feels like it was done without actually getting Yagyu's character to begin with, and I find it incredibly upsetting. Seeing Yagyu finally open up more with the rest of the cast in more meaningful ways or even seeing her adopt an older sister/senpai role with Mirai too would have been so nice, but instead, we are treated to "Where's Hibari?!?!" and Nosebleed jokes as well as her fighting over her... forever.
Maybe I am not doing a very good job of getting the point across, but it was never really her character, it was simply a medium through which her character was being developed and simply relegating her to that, simply shows poor understanding of the character and what makes them actually tick, and that is a bit of an issue I have with the story telling in SV as a whole, but applies most without a doubt to Yagyu specifically.
Thank you to who ever had the damn patience to sit down and read this. That was way to long, lol.
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