I am reminded once again how AnY is heads above the rest of the other popular shoujo titles in terms of its empowerment of women. I love that respects Yona's personhood even if she's relegated into a damsel-in-distress situation ("she is not a thing!"). And Yona is showing her emotional and mental strength by continuously plotting her escape, instead of waiting (and thereby putting her friends into greater danger).
Other stray observations:
- A usually jarring shift between blood/death-serious to "you piece of shit" funny wouldn't typically flow well. But the mangaka's just really, really good.
- Hak's "Who's yours" frame made me squeal soooo much
- The first wife's reverence for her villain hubby reminds me of real-life wifely subservience to the point that they will willingly accept and care for their husband's mistresses. I wish that seeing Yona's courage will give her a bit too, but I have a feeling that leaving the husband won't be a likely resolution in this medium.