sticktermicp

[sticktermicp]

Previous to chapter 39 of Amayo no Tsuki

For context: This week is the next chapter release of Amayo no Tsuki in Japan. We're heading into chapter 39, the second-to-last chapter of Volume 10. The recent chapter 38 really stirred things up, especially for Saki.

And it totally makes sense. Saki's still a mystery; we only know bits and pieces about her. It's one of those story threads that Kuzushiro-sensei has been slowly weaving, building up this aura of suspense around Saki character. Flashbacks have hinted at some event that made her shyness and reserve way worse. Sure, she always seemed like a pretty quiet girl because of her upbringing, but something specific clearly pushed her further into her shell.

It'll be really interesting to see how Kanon finds out more about Saki, and her reaction plus the interactions between them that come from it – that's gonna be a crucial moment for their relationship.

Now, while Umehara is clearly Saki's first love, some flashbacks (especially in chapters 9 and 11) suggest that back in middle school, she felt some interest in another girl. It also hints that this girl might have been the first one to find out about Saki's orientation. But here's the real mystery: What did that girl do, or how did she react, that messed Saki up so badly? It hit her hard enough that she even chose an all-girls high school specifically to dodge questions about her relationships and escape (or so she thought) from those messy love dramas. You know the saying: "If you want to hide a leaf, hide it in a forest."

Funny thing is, while Kanon's past (including her conflict and connection with Ayano) got revealed pretty fast, the girl linked to Saki's past is still a total question mark. I don't think it'll be long before that comes out, though – or at least before that past resurfaces and causes some trouble in Saki's life, even if the girl herself doesn't show up. Another interesting tidbit: In the Volume 1 illustration pages, there are two that reference these pasts: one with Kanon and Ayano, and another with Saki and that other girl.

[sticktermicp]

Preview of the next release of Amayo no Tsuki (30/05/2025)

Hamaoka: "Thank you for agreeing to model for the photoshoot. I truly appreciate it."

Hamaoka: "If it’s alright with you, could we create a group chat for the three of us? I’ll reach out once I’ve narrowed down locations, outfits, dates, and other details."

Kanon: "Yes! I’ve already joined the chat. Thanks a bunch~!"

Saki’s Inner Thoughts: "What’s gotten into Kanon…? She was so against this before… Why the sudden enthusiasm…?"

It will be interesting see Saki’s reactions to the idea of being a photographic model. Photography, as an art form, is symbolically linked to revelation and exposure. While Kanon seeks to “discover & reveal” Saki is deeply concerned with “repressing & hiding" presenting two opposing perspectives despite the deep connection and love they share and cherish.

[sticktermicp]

"雨夜の月" "Amayo no Tsuki" "The moon on a rainy night"

The first time this phrase appears in the story, we meet Saki, who has abruptly come to terms with the fact that her love for Umehara-sensei will forever remain unrequited. The kind young woman who had shared her knowledge, companionship, and passion for the piano with Saki had instead found love elsewhere, embraced it fully, and was soon to start a family.

The second time this phrase resurfaces, in Chapter 36, it marks the beginning of the series’ dramatic arc. Here, Kanon still struggles to put into words the feelings Saki stirs in her, emotions that cloud her logic and overwhelm her senses.

Now, from Kanon’s perspective, we realize Saki remains oblivious to the storm of emotions she’s unleashed in her beloved Kanon. This is the heart of the story: to highlight the circumstances, pivotal moments, and hidden emotions that grow within us and those around us.

In those mundane, seemingly routine moments of life, there lie buried feelings and experiences. Though they might appear as vivid as the moon on a clear night, they’re shrouded by a veil that obscures clarity. Some emotions and dynamics, obvious as they seem, demand to be confronted and articulated—to clear away the rainy nights that hide the moon.

For Saki and Kanon, their unfolding story has become a journey of self-discovery and confronting the love standing right before them. As we dive into Volume 10 with Chapter 37, we can only wait to see what twists Kuzushiro-sensei has in store and how far the romance between these two will blossom.

[sticktermicp]

"The Moon on a Rainy Night" or "Amayo no tsuki"... has now appeared for the second time in the story the manga's title, marking the beginning of the dramatic arc. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this chapter 36 (it’s being released for free in Japan next week). The visual composition of the scene is stunning: the falling droplet, rippling outward; Saki, as if caught in the rain, blurred within Kanon’s thoughts. Her reflections make it clear she’s already questioning things, realising those feelings have crossed the boundary of mere friendship.

Right now, we’re entirely immersed in Kanon’s perspective, while Saki remains an mystery.

[sticktermicp]

Kyoshi & Rangi: Emotions, the ambivalence of love

Kelsang used to say there was pain and joy in all things. Fragment of Shadow of Kyoshi

Loving brings two faces, on the one hand we have joy, the strength of that feeling, on the other hand we have fears, insecurities and challenges; In general, people have an idealized and romantic image of love when the true intensity of this feeling is found in its simplicity, in the ups and downs in the interaction with the other person; One of the reasons why Rangi and Kyoshi's relationship pleases so much is because it represents that reality, Rangi and Kyoshi represent the true faces of love, since from one moment to another you can be in paradise and the next you can be in heaven war fighting to keep what you love safe, fight to understand that person and understand the feelings that this arouses in you, this contrast is represented by FC.Yee in both novels.

"I thought the academy was this... this wonderful experience that shaped you." "I did. I learned everything I know there. But I wasn't happy until I left and found a purpose on the outside”. She gave Kyoshi a tilted smile full of heartbreak. "Serving the Avatar" . Fragment of Shadow of Kyoshi

Love does not mean that you always agree with the person you love but still respect and honor their path, true love is a challenge, it is also a decision, love without determination, can it be considered love? Love accompanies Your duty becomes the impulse of your duty, so you have to know how to choose the person you love.

Kyoshi shut her eyes. She knew if she opened them, light would shine forth, the elements would flow through her, and her bending would rage. unstoppably, until she was left victorious, the last person standing. A thousand voices told her so. It had been decided long before she was born that power was adequate compensation for losing what she most held dear. Fragment of Shadow of Kyoshi

Love gives us human warmth, but it can also bring out our most instinctive part, it is the price that we accept and learn to bear, when we truly love this love it becomes energy

“For as long as you live?” Rangi asked solemnly. Kyoshi smiled and nodded. “For as long as I live”. Fragment of Shadow of Kyoshi

"I don't know" Rangi said. "i can't tell you anything for certain about the future. Only that i'll be there with you". Fragment of Shadow of Kyoshi

Not even the death can end the warmth of that feeling it is not a replaceable feeling it is a certain ... it is energy

[sticktermicp]

Kyoshi & Rangi: The implication of the words

Keep in mind when reading Kyoshi's dilogy is that it is a prequel, specifically of a character who has a certain written canon, we know her legacy but we did not know the emotional world that led her to make or not make decisions and this is the Dilogy work, understanding emotionally and the context in which Kyoshi's personality is formed.

As a prequel, the references of the future take on importance and the implications come into play, as we already know, the writer has a traced end point, knows the character's data and has to work with that, additional these books were written with the supervision of Michael Dante di Martino, co-creator of the franchise.

FC.Yee knows that Kyoshi lives 230 years so he leaves strong implications to mark the course of the remaining 212 years that we will not see (for now) directly.

Taking that into account this specific fragment of the book takes on great emotional symbolism:

"I no longer hold the title for worst breach of manners in the Four Nations" Kyoshi said. "And I am never, ever going to let you forget it"

Rangi reached over and took her hand. Red scars traveled down Kyoshi's wrist in wavy, branching patterns like the veins of a palm frond, a token from when she'd fought the lightning.

"For as long as you live?"Rangi asked solemnly.

Kyoshi smiled and nodded. "For as long as I live"

Rangi pressed her lips to the healed skin on Kyoshi's knuckles. The kiss sealed a promise to always give each other a hard time for the rest of their days.

Definitely one of the most symbolic dialogues of the shadow of kyoshi book where Yee leaves the solidity of the relationship prescribed and establishes Rangi as Kyoshi's great love, FC. Yee knows that Kyoshi will live 230 years but he implies that Kyoshi would do everything possible to make Rangi live with her as much years by her side, also in the promise itself it is implicit that Rangi dies before Kyoshi ("For as long as you live?" Rangi asked solemnly) but that even so, Kyoshi will keep her memory and respect the memory of the woman who accompanied her in much of her life (Kyoshi smiled and nodded. "For as long as I live"), the woman who did not fall in love from the role of avatar but from the essence of Kyoshi.

[sticktermicp]

Kyoshi & Rangi: the certainty of a family

“For better or for worse you are part of our family” Hei-ran to Kyoshi in Shadow of Kyoshi

One of the most interesting points in the couple that Kyoshi and Rangi form is that beyond their romance they form a solid family union.

Before Rangi came into Kyoshi's life, Kyoshi's only family was Kelsang, the father who taught him what selfless love meant, when he died from Jianzhu's betrayal, Kyoshi is devastated, at that moment enters Rangi that beyond her duty to the avatar selflessly accompanies kyoshi on an increasingly uncertain and confusing path, but even so Rangi never abandoned her.

An important feature that Yee's narrative in Avatar Kyoshi's dilogy is the parallels that occur in the development of the 2 books, parallels between the course of each novel, and parallels between ROK and SOK, those parallels help mark important points in the story, story development, characters and relationships.

One of the most important parallels occurs between the contexts of the deaths of Kelsang and Yun, when Kelsang died he was the only safe family that Kyoshi had, he was her only certainty and the only person who had openly expressed his pure and unconditional love to she, different context from when Yun had to be killed; In this case, Kyoshi had already built a family, along with Rangi she found her sworn brothers, Rangi gave her a mother (Hei-ran), Rangi shared a family affection for Kelsang, Rangi showed her that Jimpa and Aunt Mui also cared and appreciated kyoshi, Rangi gave Kyoshi her unconditional love before knowing who the real avatar was, only kyoshi didn't realize it and Rangi well ... she has her own way of showing affection.

Rangi & Kyoshi built a family based on respect, loyalty, and love; Also Kyoshi had built herself she had taken every piece of her and hugged herself, proudly accepted herself as an avatar and as a human.

When Kelsang died, she despised herself and began to connect with her and others through pain, when Yun died, she had already forgiven herself and began to connect with love, she was able to forgive the damage and save the good moments.

Another important parallel occurs between the end of Rok and Sok; When Kyoshi has to separate from Rangi in the first novel, the feeling expressed is uncertainty, a lack of security in the future and in her future with Rangi, that fear only vanishes when they meet again in SOK, a show of unconditional loyalty even in the distance; Sok end is marked by a certainty, she does not know what will happen in the future only that she will have Rangi by her side and that together they are willing to face the hectic life that being the avatar takes. Rangi accepts that Kyoshi will sometimes need her space, accepts the complexity and danger that comes with staying by the avatar's side and accepts it with love.

Definitely in many ways a complex work by FC Yee and supervised by Michael Dante di Martino, it works many symbolisms and in a few words it expresses complex feelings of our human condition.

[sticktermicp]

Kyoshi and Rangi: Yin & Yang

Two of the most explored and visibly represented Taoist concepts in the avatar universe is the yin-yang.

Describe the two opposing and complementary fundamental forces found in all things. Yin is the feminine principle, earth, darkness, passivity and absorption. Yang is the masculine principle, heaven, light, activity and penetration.

One of the points in which this concept is represented is in the Avatar's couple, that person who accompanies him/her on his/her way and will give amplitude to his/her way of seeing and understanding the world, as Avatar Yangchen said, the avatar incarnates as a human to live the human experience and thus be able to respect, understand and protect that humanity, and one of those experiences is both family, filial and romantic Love.

Avatar Kyoshi of bisexual nature who loves both men and women, she falls in love and chooses Rangi, both choose each other and represent the yin-yang, very different from each other they learn to live together, love each other, desire each other, support each other, be together in good times or bad , near or far, on the verge of death or in their moments of peace, thus forming a transcendental relationship; Yee sets them up for each other by giving a realistic and insightful example of how human relationships work.

Kyoshi represents yin tending to take a more neutral approach, its native element is earth, life situations have given it a darker perspective on the workings of the world, and then we have Rangi (she represent the yang) who is fierce, passionate and reactive, representing her native element the fire, but in her fierceness she keeps a soul full of light, the person who with her actions reminds Kyoshi that there is still goodness to rescue and protect in such a murky and corrupt world.

Although they are so different, they also share common points such as respect for order, justice, and a deep loyalty to their allies and loved ones; and although sometimes they do not agree with each other, they learn to find a middle ground between both opinions.

Beyond romance, their unity forms a loyal and untraditional family that transcends even in the distance and time. Definitely one of the most complete and developed couples in the avatarverse

Thanks to Fc.Yee and @michaeldantedimartino for giving us the Rise of kyoshi and Shadow of kyoshi experience