No Hero ramblings
A translation of what I submitted in Chinese to the No Hero impressions contest. It's basically my general reactions to No Hero and some musings about No Hero's themes. I was pretty off topic in the beginning... :'D;; Spoilers for No Hero's ending. This is not a word to word translation. Writing in Chinese is hard...
(This isn't anything impressive or anything. Please don't get your hopes up. XD;; But since I never did post my thoughts on No Hero's ending here... Here they are!)
If I had to talk about my thoughts on No Hero, I think I need to start from the beginning.
I began reading Yu Wo's works starting with 1/2 Prince. At the time, I was looking for genderbenders to read and came across 1/2 Prince, which led me to reading Yu Wo's other stories a well. I loved how humorous the stories were, and how friendship and family were depicted in each. Every volume made me want to read the next. I couldn't put the books down at all, often laughing and crying as I read.
After that, I bought series after series, and they were all fascinating. First was 1/2 Prince followed by Legend of Sun Knight. Then, it was Kill No More, GOD, Eclipse Hunter, No Hero, Gong Hua, Illusions-Lies-Truth, and now the newest Dominion's End. Even my shelves are running out of room!
To someone like me, born and raised in America, reading novels in Chinese is much harder than reading them in English. Buying Chinese novels is very difficult too. Actually, 1/2 Prince was the very first novel I ever read in Chinese. I hadn't read any before that. It was like I'd discovered a new world. There were so many books waiting for me to read them. Now, whenever Yu Wo releases a new book, I buy them right away. Even if it's a genre that I don't often read, like Illusions-Lies-Truth of the horror genre, or even Gong Hua of the tragedy genre, I gave them all a try. I'm always anticipating how Yu Wo will spin the stories. I've been following these stories for six years and hope that in the process, my Chinese has somewhat improved.
When No Hero V9 could be pre-ordered, I immediately ordered it. Still, I almost missed out on Charles's poster. Good thing I didn't.
Buying books overseas is pretty expensive because there's no option for fast or slow shipping. Only express shipping is available! But in a way, that's a good thing, since I received my book really quickly, maybe even earlier than some readers in Taiwan. I opened the box, ripped off the wrapping, and immediately flipped the book open to read. Just like that, several hours passed.
I couldn't help it. No Hero has ended. I really wanted to know what the ending would be like.
Truthfully, I wasn't particularly interested in No Hero in the beginning. I'm not too fond of stories involving vampires in general, but I thought that using a butler's point of view to look at heroes was quite interesting. I also liked knowing more than the protagonist, especially after having read Eclipse Hunter. It was amusing seeing how new characters reacted to Ah Ye, given what I knew about Ah Ye from Eclipse Hunter. And so, I read on. The first time I read No Hero, I didn't think very deeply about it, only that I seemed to recall that a reader had once requested a side story featuring Charles, wanting him to be the protagonist. But wait a moment! Charles is the protagonist! He's been the protagonist from the start! Ah Ye, you're such a show stealer, confusing people about who the protagonist is. Thus, these were my first impressions of No Hero-it has a protagonist that doesn't feel like a protagonist.
However, after I reread No Hero several times and came to know Charles better, I discovered that Charles was feeling more and more like a protagonist. At first, he is very unwilling to let people close, and he doesn't have any high expectations of his young master. He's always like a spectator, watching through the television, reading up on the news, and whenever he faints, us readers no longer have any entertainment. We could only wait for other characters to narrate what had happened. (I actually found it quite interesting, this 1st person POV that needs to use various other methods to let us know what's going on during scenes that the protagonist isn't present for). However, later on, Charles completely became involved and could no longer be a spectator anymore. He became a true protagonist! Even he himself finally found his resolution about it. Even though he doesn't care about power, it just so happens that he has money, he has political power, and he even has physical strength. And these are exactly the things that will allow him to stay beside his young master. Charles has always been running away from all of this. Perhaps the fact that his ability involves speed even has to do with how he wishes to run away, but power isn't something that can be so easily discarded.
Finally, in the end, Charles accepted the leadership position of the Elysees family. I chuckled when Charles started thinking about whether or not Curtis thinks of him as a father. Charles, you're so adorable! Is there any possibility that we'll see Curtis call Charles "Father"? It's probably not going to happen, right? I think Curtis will probably forever call him the family head. I never thought that even the Sun Alliance would end up being Charles's! Charles, you're so impressive! The boss of the Elysees family and the Sun Alliance are both you. That's practically the same as having the entire world in your control!
He had only ever wanted to be a good butler. Yet, he actually ended up being the most powerful existence in the entire world.
And then, he continues to accompany his most treasured person just like that, forever, without changing.
To me, one major theme of No Hero is "family." Ah Ye and his brother. Charles and X. Both master and butler have people they care about greatly, an existence that is both like an older brother and a father. Sometimes, I really feel that Ah Ye and Charles are very similar. I'm very glad that they gained many important people together, like Melody, Bramble, Dell, May, and Briar, and that they didn't distance themselves without giving it a try, out of fear of losing them from the start. I'm glad that the two of them will be able to spend their days to come together!
In any other story, the theme of "family" might be a simple and happy one, but in No Hero, "family" is anything but simple. Both master and butler have complicated family backgrounds, and so many problems! It's merely an argument between family members, right? It should be a small matter, but in No Hero, a "family argument" can turn into a fight between the Sun Alliance, the Elysees family, and on top of that, the Church will want to butt in too. A mere familial fight, yet it involves the safety of the entire world.
I have to say, Ri Xiang Yan truly loves Ah Ye. For Ah Ye's sake, he can come up with super complicated plans and play the bad guy to the bitter end. I'm really impressed that he was able to let Ah Ye step away from treating him as his top priority master, that he was able to help Ah Ye find a different meaning for survival. I feel that Ri Xiang Yan will probably always envy Charles, for how much Ah Ye cares about him, for how Charles can accompany Ah Ye forever and ever, for how much Charles understands Ah Ye. Without the matter of being the top priority master, haven't they lost yet another bond?
However, to Ri Xiang Yan, what is most important is his younger brother's happiness, and that's what he chose. For the sake of his brother, he is even willing to give up the entirety of the Sun Alliance. He makes me think of Yu Wo's other series, GOD. In that series, the demon race has a "bane." The demon race is cold-blooded, except towards their bane. It's as if they've used up all of their emotions on that one person, so they don't have any extra feelings to give anyone else. Ri Xiang Yan is very similar to the demon race of that series. To him, there is no one and nothing more important than his younger brother.
Ri Xiang Yan choosing Charles will never be a wrong choice. Both Ah Ye and Charles walk between two worlds. One is human, yet has been completely modified. He's so strong that he's like a demon, a grim reaper. One is non-human, yet is gentle, loves the light, and looks up to heroes. Just what is the difference between humans and non-humans? Ah Ye and Charles belong to both worlds. They have the concerns and entanglements of humans, and at the same time, they have the power and strength of non-humans. Charles will definitely be able to understand his young master. He is the best butler candidate and an even better eternal family member.
In the end, I felt that Charles was actually like a protagonist from the start. It was just that he'd always wanted to be a side character, a silent, dutiful side character supporting his young master. But to many people, Charles was never a side character. Sadina would be the first to jump out and say that her cousin is definitely a protagonist! It's just that it took him forever to accept it!
To family, to people who treasure us, we are all definitely protagonists.
Actually, all the characters in No Hero have their own stories. The Four Great Heroes, X, the Elysees family, and the Church all have their own stories. Don't even mention Ah Ye and his brother. Among such show-stealing characters, the fact that Charles was able to be the protagonist is amazing! I hope that one day I can read more stories involving No Hero. (Even though I wasn't able to mention it, I like all of the heroes a lot, especially Ji Luo Chu. I'd also like to learn more about X.)
Charles opened my eyes to a butler's pride and a never-changing temperament. In a world of constant change, Charles is especially unique, a relaxing presence. I hope that Charles and Ah Ye will be able to happily walk down their paths together. Whenever they grow tired, they can be side characters for a bit and rest. But from time to time, I hope they can be the protagonists once more, experiencing all the joys of life together.
~the end
This is somewhat more formal than my usual musings since it was submitted to the contest. XDDD Lots of things I didn't even manage to talk about though... Like Ji Luo Chu, lol, and the heroes. I decided to mostly focus on the idea of "protagonists" and "family." I could've rambled more, but I didn't know how to fit it together...
(This isn't anything impressive or anything. Please don't get your hopes up. XD;; But since I never did post my thoughts on No Hero's ending here... Here they are!)
If I had to talk about my thoughts on No Hero, I think I need to start from the beginning.
I began reading Yu Wo's works starting with 1/2 Prince. At the time, I was looking for genderbenders to read and came across 1/2 Prince, which led me to reading Yu Wo's other stories a well. I loved how humorous the stories were, and how friendship and family were depicted in each. Every volume made me want to read the next. I couldn't put the books down at all, often laughing and crying as I read.
After that, I bought series after series, and they were all fascinating. First was 1/2 Prince followed by Legend of Sun Knight. Then, it was Kill No More, GOD, Eclipse Hunter, No Hero, Gong Hua, Illusions-Lies-Truth, and now the newest Dominion's End. Even my shelves are running out of room!
To someone like me, born and raised in America, reading novels in Chinese is much harder than reading them in English. Buying Chinese novels is very difficult too. Actually, 1/2 Prince was the very first novel I ever read in Chinese. I hadn't read any before that. It was like I'd discovered a new world. There were so many books waiting for me to read them. Now, whenever Yu Wo releases a new book, I buy them right away. Even if it's a genre that I don't often read, like Illusions-Lies-Truth of the horror genre, or even Gong Hua of the tragedy genre, I gave them all a try. I'm always anticipating how Yu Wo will spin the stories. I've been following these stories for six years and hope that in the process, my Chinese has somewhat improved.
When No Hero V9 could be pre-ordered, I immediately ordered it. Still, I almost missed out on Charles's poster. Good thing I didn't.
Buying books overseas is pretty expensive because there's no option for fast or slow shipping. Only express shipping is available! But in a way, that's a good thing, since I received my book really quickly, maybe even earlier than some readers in Taiwan. I opened the box, ripped off the wrapping, and immediately flipped the book open to read. Just like that, several hours passed.
I couldn't help it. No Hero has ended. I really wanted to know what the ending would be like.
Truthfully, I wasn't particularly interested in No Hero in the beginning. I'm not too fond of stories involving vampires in general, but I thought that using a butler's point of view to look at heroes was quite interesting. I also liked knowing more than the protagonist, especially after having read Eclipse Hunter. It was amusing seeing how new characters reacted to Ah Ye, given what I knew about Ah Ye from Eclipse Hunter. And so, I read on. The first time I read No Hero, I didn't think very deeply about it, only that I seemed to recall that a reader had once requested a side story featuring Charles, wanting him to be the protagonist. But wait a moment! Charles is the protagonist! He's been the protagonist from the start! Ah Ye, you're such a show stealer, confusing people about who the protagonist is. Thus, these were my first impressions of No Hero-it has a protagonist that doesn't feel like a protagonist.
However, after I reread No Hero several times and came to know Charles better, I discovered that Charles was feeling more and more like a protagonist. At first, he is very unwilling to let people close, and he doesn't have any high expectations of his young master. He's always like a spectator, watching through the television, reading up on the news, and whenever he faints, us readers no longer have any entertainment. We could only wait for other characters to narrate what had happened. (I actually found it quite interesting, this 1st person POV that needs to use various other methods to let us know what's going on during scenes that the protagonist isn't present for). However, later on, Charles completely became involved and could no longer be a spectator anymore. He became a true protagonist! Even he himself finally found his resolution about it. Even though he doesn't care about power, it just so happens that he has money, he has political power, and he even has physical strength. And these are exactly the things that will allow him to stay beside his young master. Charles has always been running away from all of this. Perhaps the fact that his ability involves speed even has to do with how he wishes to run away, but power isn't something that can be so easily discarded.
Finally, in the end, Charles accepted the leadership position of the Elysees family. I chuckled when Charles started thinking about whether or not Curtis thinks of him as a father. Charles, you're so adorable! Is there any possibility that we'll see Curtis call Charles "Father"? It's probably not going to happen, right? I think Curtis will probably forever call him the family head. I never thought that even the Sun Alliance would end up being Charles's! Charles, you're so impressive! The boss of the Elysees family and the Sun Alliance are both you. That's practically the same as having the entire world in your control!
He had only ever wanted to be a good butler. Yet, he actually ended up being the most powerful existence in the entire world.
And then, he continues to accompany his most treasured person just like that, forever, without changing.
To me, one major theme of No Hero is "family." Ah Ye and his brother. Charles and X. Both master and butler have people they care about greatly, an existence that is both like an older brother and a father. Sometimes, I really feel that Ah Ye and Charles are very similar. I'm very glad that they gained many important people together, like Melody, Bramble, Dell, May, and Briar, and that they didn't distance themselves without giving it a try, out of fear of losing them from the start. I'm glad that the two of them will be able to spend their days to come together!
In any other story, the theme of "family" might be a simple and happy one, but in No Hero, "family" is anything but simple. Both master and butler have complicated family backgrounds, and so many problems! It's merely an argument between family members, right? It should be a small matter, but in No Hero, a "family argument" can turn into a fight between the Sun Alliance, the Elysees family, and on top of that, the Church will want to butt in too. A mere familial fight, yet it involves the safety of the entire world.
I have to say, Ri Xiang Yan truly loves Ah Ye. For Ah Ye's sake, he can come up with super complicated plans and play the bad guy to the bitter end. I'm really impressed that he was able to let Ah Ye step away from treating him as his top priority master, that he was able to help Ah Ye find a different meaning for survival. I feel that Ri Xiang Yan will probably always envy Charles, for how much Ah Ye cares about him, for how Charles can accompany Ah Ye forever and ever, for how much Charles understands Ah Ye. Without the matter of being the top priority master, haven't they lost yet another bond?
However, to Ri Xiang Yan, what is most important is his younger brother's happiness, and that's what he chose. For the sake of his brother, he is even willing to give up the entirety of the Sun Alliance. He makes me think of Yu Wo's other series, GOD. In that series, the demon race has a "bane." The demon race is cold-blooded, except towards their bane. It's as if they've used up all of their emotions on that one person, so they don't have any extra feelings to give anyone else. Ri Xiang Yan is very similar to the demon race of that series. To him, there is no one and nothing more important than his younger brother.
Ri Xiang Yan choosing Charles will never be a wrong choice. Both Ah Ye and Charles walk between two worlds. One is human, yet has been completely modified. He's so strong that he's like a demon, a grim reaper. One is non-human, yet is gentle, loves the light, and looks up to heroes. Just what is the difference between humans and non-humans? Ah Ye and Charles belong to both worlds. They have the concerns and entanglements of humans, and at the same time, they have the power and strength of non-humans. Charles will definitely be able to understand his young master. He is the best butler candidate and an even better eternal family member.
In the end, I felt that Charles was actually like a protagonist from the start. It was just that he'd always wanted to be a side character, a silent, dutiful side character supporting his young master. But to many people, Charles was never a side character. Sadina would be the first to jump out and say that her cousin is definitely a protagonist! It's just that it took him forever to accept it!
To family, to people who treasure us, we are all definitely protagonists.
Actually, all the characters in No Hero have their own stories. The Four Great Heroes, X, the Elysees family, and the Church all have their own stories. Don't even mention Ah Ye and his brother. Among such show-stealing characters, the fact that Charles was able to be the protagonist is amazing! I hope that one day I can read more stories involving No Hero. (Even though I wasn't able to mention it, I like all of the heroes a lot, especially Ji Luo Chu. I'd also like to learn more about X.)
Charles opened my eyes to a butler's pride and a never-changing temperament. In a world of constant change, Charles is especially unique, a relaxing presence. I hope that Charles and Ah Ye will be able to happily walk down their paths together. Whenever they grow tired, they can be side characters for a bit and rest. But from time to time, I hope they can be the protagonists once more, experiencing all the joys of life together.
~the end
This is somewhat more formal than my usual musings since it was submitted to the contest. XDDD Lots of things I didn't even manage to talk about though... Like Ji Luo Chu, lol, and the heroes. I decided to mostly focus on the idea of "protagonists" and "family." I could've rambled more, but I didn't know how to fit it together...