Yuno
Yuno |
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Japanese | 遠い鉤爪のユノ |
Aliases | Yuno the Distant Talon |
Statistics | |
Species | Minia |
Affiliation | Soujirou the Willow-Sword (formerly) Hardy’s camp (formerly) Obsidian Eyes |
Occupation | Mage Bachelor Guide Hardy’s secretary (formerly) |
Place of Birth | Nagan Labyrinth City |
Debut | |
Anime | Episode 1 |
Manga | Chapter 1 |
Portrayal | |
Japanese | Reina Ueda |
Yuno the Distant Talon (遠い鉤爪のユノ, Tōi Kagizume no Yuno) is a skilled bachelor from Nagan Labyrinth City, known for her resourcefulness and dedication to her role as an explorer. Her life takes a tragic turn when her best friend, Lucellus, is killed by a mechanical demon that emerges unexpectedly from the Great Labyrinth. This devastating event leaves her grief-stricken and determined to prevent such chaos from recurring. Yuno’s expertise in navigating treacherous environments and her tactical acumen make her a respected figure, but her loss drives her to pursue justice and vengeance against the forces that threaten her world.
After being saved by Soujirou the Willow-Sword during an attack on Nagan City, Yuno’s feelings of gratitude quickly transform into deep resentment. Soujirou’s unchecked power and indifference to the lives around him stand in stark contrast to her values, and she begins to harbor animosity toward the swordsman. Despite her disdain, she reluctantly allies with him, using his strength as a means to achieve her own goals. In a calculated move, Yuno leads Soujirou to Aureatia, secretly hoping to find someone powerful enough to defeat him. This uneasy partnership forms the foundation of their complex relationship as they navigate the perils of their journey together.
Appearance
Appearance in Anime
Yuno is a young girl with short hazel hair and striking green eyes, giving her a distinct and approachable presence. Her hair is neatly tied into a braid at the back, adding a touch of elegance to her otherwise practical appearance. She is often seen wearing a dark purple cloak fastened with a bow tie, which serves as both a functional and stylish accessory.
Underneath her cloak, Yuno dons a long-collared shirt tucked into a dark blue skirt, secured with a belt around her waist. She completes her outfit with black pantyhose and brown, church-like shoes, which lend her a refined yet modest look. At times, she is also seen wearing leggings, emphasizing her practicality and readiness for the challenges she faces as an explorer. Her attire balances functionality with understated sophistication, reflecting her resourceful and determined nature.
Personality
Yuno has long struggled with feelings of insecurity and envy due to her lack of natural talent for magical abilities. This deep-seated inferiority complex shaped her as a reserved and timid individual, hesitant to form close relationships out of fear of rejection and inadequacy. However, the devastating attack on her city, which cost her everything she held dear, transformed her insecurities into a burning hatred toward those with power—especially those whose strength fosters apathy and callousness toward others’ suffering. Driven by her desire to eliminate such individuals, Yuno developed a calculating and manipulative nature, using her wit and resourcefulness to compensate for her lack of physical or magical prowess.
Despite her hardened exterior, Yuno retains an underlying sense of kindness and compassion. However, her fixation on vengeance has led to an imbalance in her mental state, occasionally resulting in emotional and physical outbursts. Much of this instability stems from survivor’s guilt and deep-seated self-loathing over her perceived powerlessness. While her intentions to punish the cruel and indifferent among the powerful are rooted in a sense of justice, they are often clouded by her pathological need to harbor animosity toward the strong, regardless of their character or actions. This behavior is fueled by her belief that she needs an external enemy—real or imagined—to focus her rage and justify her continued survival. Without such a target, she fears she would succumb to despair, unable to reconcile her existence after the loss of everyone she once loved.
Background
Yuno grew up in Nagan Labyrinth City, a place known for its treacherous terrain and constant threats from the Great Labyrinth. Together with her best friend, Lucellus, she honed her skills as a hunter and protector of their community. Their partnership came to a tragic end when a mechanical demon emerged from the labyrinth, killing Lucellus in an ambush. Soujirou’s timely intervention saved Yuno, but his indifference to the collateral damage caused by the battle left her disillusioned and resentful.
Role in the Story
Yuno becomes an unlikely companion to Soujirou, driven by her complex emotions of gratitude, hatred, and a desire for justice. She guides him to Aureatia under the pretense of aiding his search for strong opponents but secretly hopes to find someone capable of defeating him. Along the journey, Yuno serves as a moral counterpoint to Soujirou, questioning the cost of power and the responsibilities it entails. Her character arc explores themes of grief, forgiveness, and the true meaning of strength.
Relationships
Soujirou Yagyu (Soujirou the Willow-Sword)
Yuno’s relationship with Soujirou is deeply complex and fraught with conflicting emotions. While she acknowledges him as her savior, she harbors resentment toward him, as his initial motivation for saving her was not to protect her or avenge the inhabitants of Nagan City, but rather to test his strength against the Dungeon Golem. This indifference to the suffering of others fuels her desire to find someone capable of challenging and defeating him. Despite this animosity, their time traveling together gradually complicates her feelings. As she comes to understand Soujirou’s nature, she begins to see beyond his apathy and wrestles with her own conflicting emotions, though she insists her curiosity is purely for the sake of carrying out her revenge.
When Yuno is abducted by the Obsidian Eyes and considers shifting her allegiance to their organization, she is struck by a profound sense of guilt, perceiving her actions as a betrayal of Soujirou. This internal conflict reveals that, despite her outward hostility and claims of hatred, she has grown to view him as a friend. Her paradoxical feelings toward Soujirou highlight her internal struggle, torn between her desire for vengeance and an emerging sense of understanding and camaraderie.
Lucellus
Yuno shared a friendship with Lucellus, her best friend, but their relationship was tinged with Yuno’s feelings of inadequacy and envy. Lucellus’ natural talent for magic only served to heighten Yuno’s insecurities, causing her to feel distant and reluctant to fully open up to her. Despite this emotional barrier, Yuno deeply cared for Lucellus, and her tragic loss during the attack on Nagan City became a defining moment in Yuno’s life. This event not only fueled her resentment toward those with unchecked power but also solidified her resolve to ensure no one else would suffer the same fate.
Legacy
Yuno the Distant Talon is remembered as a complex character who represents the struggle between vengeance and justice. Her journey with Soujirou underscores the moral consequences of unchecked power and the importance of confronting grief to find inner peace.