Yukine's journey toward acceptance of the life that was robbed of him, this time with finality, exemplifies the emotional and beautifully rendered arc that has defined his character.
Yukine finally accepting the reality of his death. Yukine stepping out from the fridge that contained memories of what was once his life. Yukine freeing himself from the shackles of his trauma. Yukine running to protect the person who cherished him the most in the world. Yukine standing up to an abusive father. Yukine wholeheartedly apologizing. Yukine's growth, and Yato tearing up as he stretches his little arms to pull him for an embrace.
Yukine's gratitude for what Yato did for him is evident throughout the series. He was given a name more precious than any other. He was treated like a human--an ordinary teenage boy. And life after that was one exciting journey after another. Now, Yukine can no longer be entirely consumed by the horrors of his past because he knows that his reality with Yato is so much brighter. Far brighter.
Yukine could break out from that refrigerator because of the true, sincere, and nurturing love shown by the only father figure in his life. Yato has said multiple times throughout the series that Yukine was his priority above all else, and Yukine was the only person he swore to protect the most. Hell, he even went straight to hug him after Yukine apologized for turning into that form! Yato did not need to summon Yukine. Yukine came to protect Yato on his own decision. As he always did.
The journey to their healing will be painful, and this chapter shows that Yato and Yukine will face it together. No more secrets and no more miscommunications. They will help and be by each other's side as they always have, not only as god and shinki but, this time, as family.
"I will not let him die. Not Yato. No matter what happens... I swear I won't let anyone take him from me!" -Yukine, Noragami Vol. 17 Chapter 67.
837 notes
·
View notes
I think what hits me, time and time again, is that the tragedy isn't in the actual act of killing the dragons, per se. It's that they were born with such love and purpose, and somehow lost their way. To the point that there was no walking back from it. That their own mother said that there was no other way- the only answer to save their world was in their deaths.
Tyria is healing in the wake of the loss of the Elder Dragons. Even after all the pain and fear, the world will recover. We already know Orr was healing, as early as S3 when we reached Siren's Landing. I'd assume other areas are similar, even if we haven't seen it directly.
And it is still a story of hope. That so long as we stick together, keep moving forward. One foot in front of the other. We can succeed and, ultimately, survive.
But hope came at the loss of children whose mother couldn't have known how her loneliness would shape the world, and her own end.
131 notes
·
View notes