#singyue

[blue-lock-rocky]

ohhhhhhhhhh

[chicken-dumplings]

Last Winter in NY

[grxywarxn]

Yut Lung Lee: Character Analysis

*There was a character analysis of Yut Lung that I read literally almost 2 years ago that I’m probably going to be grabbing inspiration and ideologies from. Unfortunately I don't remember the user but if I ever come upon them, I will put the post here :)*

I made a post last night talking about Ash and Eiji. (Which you can read here if you like.) And I thought it fitting to make a post about my favorite character from this series, Yut Lung.

A common thought among members of the Banana Fish fandom was one of hating Yut Lung. (I don’t know if it’s still popular.)  And I’m not saying I don’t think that’s completely justifiable, just that I don’t necessarily agree that Yut Lung is a character to hate. 

But after all who could blame them for hating Yut Lung? He was the bad guy no? He teamed up with Golzine just to see Ash fall. Everything he did was to see Ash suffer.

I’m making this post mainly, to ramble. But to also just talk about Yut Lung. And why morally gray characters like him are so interesting.

This post will be done in two parts. The first part will be looking at Yut Lungs character and further explaining and analyzing his hatred of Ash (and Eiji.) The second part will be looking at his relationship with Sing and how he helped him.

Part 1:

Yut Lung. 

We know pretty early on (as early as volume 5 and episode 9ish,) that he is nothing more than a pawn to his brothers. And when they don't need him they toss him to the side until they do. 

Over the series we continue to discover more about Yut Lungs hatred toward his brothers and just how deep that hatred is. And when the series is nearly over, we find out that his mom, the only person who taught him true kindness and love, was taken from him at such a young age by his brothers.  

What I'm trying to get at here is that hate is taught. When his mom was taken from him and he was forced to watch as his brothers teared her apart was the start of the hate. Which continues to grow and grow with the help of their constant mistreatment of him. 

(So is it really a surprise when Eiji comes along and Yut Lung feels a growing hatred for him as well? After all Eiji is the perfect image of a childhood and life that Yut Lung could have ever wanted. He is pure in every aspect where Yut Lung is grossly informed.) 

At first, you can see how Yut Lung feels a sort of kinship to Ash. They both were taken into chains by people they couldn't have despised more and forced to do things they never wanted to. And there was no way for them to ever be separated from that life. Not without destroying it all. 

So when Yut Lung sees Ash who again, was someone very similar to him, find someone like Eiji, he used the only emotion he knew to deal with it: anger/hate.

This is where Yut Lung and Ash differ. Ash who was so dark was able to find Eiji who is the sun. Ash escapes Authur, escapes Golzines grasp, and lives the "easy" life with Eiji for a little bit. And while this is happening, Yut Lung continues to fuel his hatred and destroys his family. And when that isn't enough, when he still feels the same towards Ash, he comes to Golzine and proposes a way they can destroy Ash together. 

Does this make Yut Lungs acts justifiable? No. But I think that when you think about it at a similar angle you can understand why Yut Lung did what he did. You can see the way he was taught to think and how he continued to do what he was good at: hate, plot, execute, destroy. Rinse and repeat.

Part 2:

(Uhh, it's kind of obvious after reading this part but I ship yuesing and use a lot of that influence in this part. Of course you can view it as a friendship while you read this part if you like!)

Sing is scarily similar to Eiji. There are of course differences but they are both kind, careful, caring, ambitious (althouh Sing is more than Eiji,) and they are both like the sun. *This was another idea I'm sure was inspired from the post I was talking about*

Sing is introduced in Yut Lungs life by force. He does not want to work with the Lees and he doesn't even want to work with Yut Lung. And Yut Lung is really only using Sing for his own personal gain.

But you can tell how over time, they grow fond of each other.

When Eiji is bailed from jail by Yut Lung and forced to stay in his house Eiji escapes using force. Sing sees this and immediately goes after them. Although his intentions aren’t clear if it was to help Yut Lung or Eiji, I feel it was to help Yut Lung. 

In Sings eyes Yut Lung was nothing more than a frail kid with guards and money. And he sees Yut Lung being taken away by Eiji, who is holding a gun, while his guards watch. And instead of obeying what Yut Lung wanted which was for everyone to stay, he followed anyway.

When he gets there he sees Eiji pointing the gun at Yut Lung. He sees Eiji lower the gun and walk off. And instead of going to Eiji, he goes to Yut Lung. 

He questions Yut Lung about why he did not do anything to protect himself. Why he did not try to take the gun. He gets upset even by how much it’s clear Yut Lung doesn’t care for his own being.

And when Yut Lung tells Sing to leave him alone, Sing watches Yut Lung walk away for a few seconds before following after him anyway. Going to him again when it seems Yut Lung was in danger, the first time because of Eiji, the second time because of his mind. He continues to follow him.

And their relationship grows more fond. Sing visits Yut Lung and Yut Lung protects Sing. But when Sing discovers the bad things Yut Lung is doing to Lao and Ash, he cuts himself off.

You can see how hurt Yut Lung is by this, because it’s Ash Sing is joining. Ash who is getting more and more connections. More and more people backing him up and standing with him when it seems like no one will do that for Yut Lung. 

In fact it’s even Blanca who reaches Sing and tells him he hopes he will forgive Yut Lung. And Sing listens.

And Sing listens. He goes to Yut Lung after everything is over and he offers him something. Together, they will reclaim china town. He will give Yut Lung something else to live for that isn’t anger and destroying, but instead nourishing and rebuilding. 

And he tells Yut Lung he really doesn’t even hate him. That just like Ash, Yut Lung is lost. And similar to how Eiji was there for Ash (although this was not spoken,) Sing will be there for Yut Lung. 

And you see in Garden of Light how much good this did for Yut Lung. Because he calls Sing, and he is now the one reassuring Sing. Telling him it is also time for Sing to let go of Ash. That he too can not run from what happened just like Eiji is. 

And where we can really see how Yut Lung changed is when he admits that he holds some blame for how Eiji is now. That he holds some blame for Ash’s not being here. 

And (Yasha spoilers. In case you don’t know, Yasha is another series by Akimi Yoshida existing in the same universe but with different main characters.) we know that they both continued to work together and have that mutual care and respect. Because when Yut Lung is assassinated, it is Sings first priority to destroy the people who had anything to do with it in 24 hours. 

So we know, that Yut Lung grew. That he overtime could seperate the old pain from himself and become somebody better. 

-

I just wrote this in the hopes that if anyone reading this didn’t like Yut Lung they could understand him, maybe, a bit more. But really I just wrote this to ramble. 

[ivyleaf33]

yut-lung is an absolute ass

[silverangel19]

I’m back with some SingYue! Fanart of that one hair combing scene in my fic You Will Always Have Me

[rainbowdawn]

Prom Night

AN: I haven’t written fan fiction in ages so I’m sorry if its no good. I also don’t have anywhere I can post it at since I gotta wait a week for ao3 to invite me???? Hopefully some Banana Fish fan might enjoy  it.

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“I don’t know about this Sing..” Yue protested. The younger of the two smiled as he helped fix his friend’s suit collar and pat his shoulder. “It’ll be fun! Let’s enjoy being our age for a night.” The two had been standing on the stairs of an old high school that was already alive with lights and sounds from inside. Yue groaned lightly as he tried to remember why he let Sing talk him into this situation.

 After the events involving Banana Fish had died down the air of the city had changed and so had the two dragons of Chinatown. They were lifted to higher pedestals in their world and viewed in the same eyes as adults. “Wanna go to a real-life prom?” Sing inquired of Yue a month ago. “There’s one for kids in the city and I got us tickets.”

 Yue looked up from his laptop perplexed. “Prom? Like in those movies you had me watch?” A slight frown crossed his face as he sat back to cross his arms over his chest as if to solidify his silent disapproval. “I’ve been to galas more lavish and extravagant than some little kiddy prom. Our time for being children has been long gone. We have our roles Sing.”

 Yue had a point, but Sing wasn’t going to admit it. He felt closer to Yue recently and knew how locked off and cold he could be at times out of instinct for survival. No innocent enjoyment or happiness could enter Yue’s realm. “Yeah, we’ve got roles because of who we are, but we’re also kids too! Haven’t you ever wondered what it would be like to be like kids our age?” 

 Recently that had been a thought occupying the back of the older teens mind, but it was more of an annoyance and distraction to him. Sure, there was a time where he was able to enjoy being his age but that was taken away from him early thanks to his foul brothers. He’d spent more time in darkness, pain and grief, that he wasn’t sure it was possible to find that warmth again. During those thoughts, Blanca’s words rang in his ears and the sting of Sing’s slap all that time ago burned fresh on his cheek. There were at least two people in his world who genuinely wanted him to find warmth again. “Just this one night,” he replied after a rather long thought filled silence. “After tonight no more trying to make me a teenager like in movies and fairy tales. I’m head of the Lee clan and you are my eyes in Chinatown.”

 Brows rose and eyes widened when he heard Yue agree to his silly request. “Really?!” He jumped up from the couch he had been lounging on and pulled Yue to stand for a quick examination. “Do you have any clothes that don’t scream I’m the Chinese Richie Rich?”

 “Of course, I don’t,” Yue scoffed upturning his nose at the comment. “And who’s Richie Rich?!”

 Thankfully Sing was a clever boy and managed to get them both suits with matching tie and bow tie. As a joke Sing had bought a corsage to match with the red color of Yue’s tie but was pleasantly surprised when his friend willingly let him pin it to his breast pocket.  “At the stroke of midnight, we turn back into leaders of Chinatown right” Sing joked with a smile. “Ready Cinderella?”

 Yue rolled his eyes at the nickname but walked along with his friend into the lively setting. Sing took the lead in getting them checked in before they headed into the gymnasium where the dance would be held. He could tell Yue was caught off guard by the number of children his age, the sounds, the lights, the foreignness of the setting he had been placed in. Immediate culture shock was written all over his face. The moon dragon looked to his counterpart with a slight panic that he tried to hide by waving a hand to the festivities. “Well?” He opened. “What should we do?”

 Sing smiled a bright reassuring smile as he nodded to the refreshment table. “Should we get a drink?” Hooking arms with his friend, he led him over to the table that was lined with budget snacks and of course a classic large punch bowl. Yue’s nose scrunched as he surveyed the food that lined the table. “Am I supposed to eat this? It’s.....so cheap.”  To that comment Sing laughed and passed the other a cup. “Of course, it’s cheap. Not everyone was born rich and the people who set this up are non for profit. The kids here are like us. They just wanna be kids for a night.” Yue went quiet as he examined his cup before looking out at the dance floor. The other kids looked like they were enjoying themselves. Laughing, dancing, joking around...Before he could get too loss in his thoughts starting to build, he was ushered to sit on some bleachers by Sing. He could clearly see the dark muck building at Yue’s feet where his thoughts would pull him down into a spiral of sadness and toxicity. Tonight, was going to be the night where Sing would help Yue move toward the light and stepped out of the dark.

 “Sing?” Yue spoke up. “What’s that?” He pointed to a black curtained box where children had been going in and out holding pictures. The fellow dragon smiled, happy to see Yue showing some interest in the event. “It’s a photo booth,” he explained. “You go in and there’s funny props you can use and take pictures. Wanna go?” His smile grew into a mischievous smirk as he took the cup from Yue to help him down from the bleachers. He wasn’t going to let the other protest the idea regardless of his answer.

 While they waited their turn, Yue was still glancing around the room. He took in the energy of the children who got excited for a favorite song, the possible first love building over by the punch bowl, and the full enjoyment on everyone’s face. It...it was nice. He was snapped out of the admiration when Sing pulled him along for their turn. He looked at the table and box in front of them filled with ridiculous props for them. “Uh....” he began but Sing was already grabbing giant sunglasses to put on him. After the first photo was taken, Yue looked to Sing who was already making a mad grab as well. A sign saying “I’m with stupid” caught Yue’s eyes that he quickly grabbed, along with a bright pink boa. For the last one, Sing put his arm around Yue’s shoulder grinning with a thumbs up. Yue smiled a genuine soft smile while giving his own thumbs up.

 “You can keep the pictures,” Yue suggested as he continued to hold and admire them. He finally passed the sheet to the other who folded it up to place his pocket. “I’ll hang on to it for whenever you wanna look back on it,” he smiled saying. 

 A change in tempo from the DJ sent the whole room in a frenzy. It seemed like a popular song was on. Smirking deviously, Sing grabbed Yue’s arm to pull him to the dance floor. All of Yue’s protests were drowned out by the music and joyful singing and cheering of the attendees. Once they were in a good spot, Sing let the other go to shake his groove thang. Yue on the other hand stood with hands crossed, frowning at Sing. “Dance Yue! Feel the beat and move!” He shook his head ‘no’. Sing gave a slight frown back as he stepped up to his friend. His hands slipped to Yue’s hips where he forced them to sway side to side even if his upper body still tried to protest. “Daaaaaaance,” Sing whined as he swayed along with Yue.  “Don’t be so stuck up, Princess Party Pooper.”

 “I am not!” He retorted. Pushing Sing’s hands from his hips, Yue gently pushed him back to give himself space. While he was unfamiliar with the song, Yue was surprisingly giving a show for Sing. ‘Call me stuck up huh?’ He thought. His hips swayed and hands twirled as he stepped up to the other to bring his show closer. Hands beginning to travel along Sing’s features before he turned his back to him to look over his shoulder. Sing was following the message Yue was sending and returned his hands to Yue’s hips. They continued to dance together, finding their rhythm and flow before the music changed once more to a slow song.  The two paused. “Did you learn how to slow dance in your princess classes?” Sing asked with a smirk. His hands moved to Yue’s hips again while Yue’s rested on Sing’s shoulders. “Maybe you should take some lessons Sing.” Yue was obviously leading in their movements while the song played. “I..I’ve had fun Sing. Thank you.” 

 Hearing the gratitude from his friend filled his heart with joy. “I’m happy to hear it. Did it give you a nice taste of a high school prom?”

 “There’s one thing missing,” Yue mused as he returned his gaze to Sing. Before he could reply, Sing was at the receiving end of a kiss. “Now,” he softly smiled in reply as he pulled away. “It’s like in the movies. Let’s go home Sing.”

 The two made their way back through the crowd to exit the building, hand in hand. Yue was thankful for the brief glimpse at what a kid his age could enjoy. The memories he created with Sing on this night would never be forgotten. 

[chicken-dumplings]

🌻💐🌻💐

[chicken-dumplings]

Older Sing and older Yue…. with short hair