My first introduction to Yagami is in the anime, and at first I thought she came off as pushy and manipulative, and damn annoying. When she comes back after Kyoko's trip (and Godai's following) I was thinking, "Here we go again!"
In reading the manga, though, and especially the second time around, I see her in a new light.
Aside from the teenage angst, and her self-aggrandizing ("O, I am so romantic!") she actually comes off as the most sincere female character out there (that is, until the advent of Asuna). She puts Kyoko to shame a couple of times. I know she winds up pushing Kyoko to confront her feelings and honestly look at why it is she doesn't want to make a decision regarding Godai and Mitaka. I think what gets under Kyoko's skin is the overt sincerity of Yagami's actions. Kyoko is subconsciously aware, I think, of the fact that she is not sincere with either man in her life because she hasn't taken time to be sincere with herself. And if it werent for other forces pushing the other way (Mitakas full court press in year six, starting at the gravesite), the net effect of Yagami, I think, would have been to cause Kyoko to despair.
I am interested; do you think Yagami could have won Godai? Godai, more than once, reflects about her in a fond sense (albeit, only when he thinks she's finally over him, or is sleeping silently, or something). She IS darn cute, yes. What was it about Yagami that turned Godai off to her? Was it just that Godai was so in love with Kyoko? Was it Yagami's youth? Was it her pushiness and manipulativeness? And could Yagami have overcome whatever it was and won the man of her dreams?
I have no doubt, if it werent for Kyoko, Kozue would have been no match for Yagami. Kozue only once, and we dont see much of it, seems to realize Yagamis interests in Godai are more than that of a former student/friend. If Kyoko had not effectively dispatched Yagami, where Yagami made the decision to finally back off her pursuit of Godai, I think Kozue would have had no chance against her.
I said at first I couldn't stand Yagami. Now, she's one of my favorite characters. I even find myself (in reading the manga a second time) routing for her over Kyoko in volumes 9 thru 11 (only because Kyoko's wishy-washiness infuriates me during those volumes
). In the anime too, I see Yagami in a much better light. And her ultimate departure in each (unheralded, without fanfare, with Kyoko as the only witness) was bittersweet to behold. 
It just causes me to wonder what could have been if . . .
In reading the manga, though, and especially the second time around, I see her in a new light.
Aside from the teenage angst, and her self-aggrandizing ("O, I am so romantic!") she actually comes off as the most sincere female character out there (that is, until the advent of Asuna). She puts Kyoko to shame a couple of times. I know she winds up pushing Kyoko to confront her feelings and honestly look at why it is she doesn't want to make a decision regarding Godai and Mitaka. I think what gets under Kyoko's skin is the overt sincerity of Yagami's actions. Kyoko is subconsciously aware, I think, of the fact that she is not sincere with either man in her life because she hasn't taken time to be sincere with herself. And if it werent for other forces pushing the other way (Mitakas full court press in year six, starting at the gravesite), the net effect of Yagami, I think, would have been to cause Kyoko to despair.
I am interested; do you think Yagami could have won Godai? Godai, more than once, reflects about her in a fond sense (albeit, only when he thinks she's finally over him, or is sleeping silently, or something). She IS darn cute, yes. What was it about Yagami that turned Godai off to her? Was it just that Godai was so in love with Kyoko? Was it Yagami's youth? Was it her pushiness and manipulativeness? And could Yagami have overcome whatever it was and won the man of her dreams?
I have no doubt, if it werent for Kyoko, Kozue would have been no match for Yagami. Kozue only once, and we dont see much of it, seems to realize Yagamis interests in Godai are more than that of a former student/friend. If Kyoko had not effectively dispatched Yagami, where Yagami made the decision to finally back off her pursuit of Godai, I think Kozue would have had no chance against her.
I said at first I couldn't stand Yagami. Now, she's one of my favorite characters. I even find myself (in reading the manga a second time) routing for her over Kyoko in volumes 9 thru 11 (only because Kyoko's wishy-washiness infuriates me during those volumes
). In the anime too, I see Yagami in a much better light. And her ultimate departure in each (unheralded, without fanfare, with Kyoko as the only witness) was bittersweet to behold. It just causes me to wonder what could have been if . . .Regards,
GodaiMH MH = Means Married Happily. :)
GodaiMH MH = Means Married Happily. :)
