Yes exactly, it's like a friendship between a girl's girl and a male-centered girl. I think it’s because of the “harem” aspect of the story. Yona does note that friendships between women are quite nice one time but it was mainly Lili chasing after her.
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.
Couldn't agree more. I remember i was so happy the first time i saw Lili's appearance in the manga for the first time, i was like yesss finaly a female counterpart besides yona, and she's hella pretty too, especially for a story that's supposed to be for women, about women.
