Yuno- Like Her or Not?

Hyunckel said:
I like her. When you uncover all the mystery about her past, you understand well her motives... Sad backstory.

Hongu said:
I absolutely loathe her. So annoying and frustrating to watch, she's the main reason why I stopped watching Mirai Nikki.
Minene is a much better female character who deserves ten times more recognition than this bitch.

Guardian_Of_Yuno said:
This is a post I made for another forum, it basically sums up my feelings towards Yuno.

Be warned, it contains spoilers....

What is there not to like about Yuno?

She is extremely diligent, loyal, smart, athletic, kind, resilient. Yes, she is kind, but the world at one point forsook her and she concentrated her kindness towards one person alone: Yukiteru. We can also deduce that she is nurturing and humble. It was her that kept Yukiteru grounded, and gave him a purpose, once his parent's died.


It was she that helped boost Yukkii's self-confidence, by giving him starring roles in her plans, and always encouraging him, and this is what eventually led to Yukiteru have the strength to reach the climax: accept he loves Yuno, and break the illusory world. In the end, Yuno did act like his mother, she shouldered the responsibility of both of them to the very end.

But it was not only in Yukiteru that Yuno had such an impact, every foe she dealt with, either became amazed or fearful of her talents. From Minene, to Reisuke, to the 12th, they all accepted her skills, and were even happy to have met her even if it was under such dire circumstances. Makes you wonder how would of life been if Yuno and Minene had become best friends, or if Yuno had been able to play big sis to Reisuke. Of importance with these exchanges, is that Yuno was always humble. You never see her toy with anyone (perhaps Kousaka was an exception, but it was more of a dare), nor ridicule them. She was always respectful in this regard. Furthermore, when Yuno kills Reisuke, she reveals closely that her drive is not for glory, or fame. She does not want to, care to be an elite and prove that she is better than anyone. She simply loves Yukiteru, and is willing to do anything for him.

But it is not only her physical ability we are entreated to, but her smarts. At one point or another, she was able to outwit everyone she dealt with. She managed to deduce the weak spots of her rivals, and exploit them. The way 12th was trying to confuse the duo, Yuno used brilliant thinking to have the real Hirasaka reveal himself (and even then, she commends him for his super-hearing). The time when 7th and Yukiteru/Yuno fought for the 2nd time? Yuno was forward with Yukki, acknowledging that their over dependance on her led to a one-sided battle, and that Yukki was "weak". But instead of saying this on a negative way, to make Yukki sulk, she turned this into a strength, by building a strategy around it, to eventually separate the 7th.

Or the time when arrogant Akise fought with Yuno. He was so sure he had a fail-safe plan, with a diary that could predict all outcomes, she managed to turn the tables, by manipulating him. Of course, this turn of events led to the unfortunate death of the gang.



So, what about her diligence? Here you have a person willing to go to the end of the world for the person she loves, and no matter how much rejection, or how this other person refuses to cut her some slack, she continues on to try and ensure her loved one's safety (or for that matter, even commit self-sacrifice for her loved one's well-being, as shown when she was willing blow herself up against Kurusu). For instance, at the cult, when Yukki conveniently forgets Yuno has saved his life before, and doubts Yuno, because she refused to hear her, Yukki's good-hearted decision endangered them both. What did Yuno do? She ensured his safety by enabling his escape. She practically sacrificed herself, thankfully Yukki pulled through and saved her from a tragedy.


To me, one of the most heart-breaking moments was post-kidnap, where Yuki basically vocalizes, that he think she is a monster and to get lost. She could of abandoned him, but no, his well-being was what drove her forward. She would not see any harm come to him.

Delving deeper into the kidnap, I myself question Yuno's methods, but not her purpose. Here she is, in a state of distrust towards Yuki's peers. His friends betrayed him twice, once at school with Minene, and Hinata putting him in danger. Their allies going ahead trying to kill them, and knowing that out there, there are many other people that would see harm come to them. That is why she did what she did, she wanted to keep Yuki safe, and perhaps she feared Yuki would not respect her rationale, and instead choose to further endanger himself by not retreating. Sure, it is a pity that she had him drugged, if it wasn't for this, I think the time they had spent together at that point would of been the perfect opportunity to know each other.


This scene, also brings up that she is not heartless. At this point, she has Hinata in bonds. She could of easily killed her, but she did not. Nor did she kill Kousaka, specially after the blunder that he did of revealing the "outcome". She let them live, perhaps out of Yuki's sake. But if you remember the time when Minene had the entire school hostage, it was Yuno that tried to assure Yuki, that he could trust his friends. She did not try to keep him away from them, not until the very betrayal of Yuki's friends surrendering him to Minene, where she was wrecked by guilt. I think this played an important part on how Yuno would act from that point forward.


I also admire Yuno's resilience, physical and mental. Sure, I will not deny that emotionally scarred (reason why Yukki was of great importance to her), but how much did she not suffer? Her mother suffering from extreme depression, abusing her, while her father abandoned them. She was left to endure for who knows how long, extreme abuses. She was being raised more like a machine, tuning her to perfection, that a person, with emotional needs. She was locked up in a cage, and measured in every regard. This is also, one of the most heart-wrenching moments, ever. When Yuno is basically choking on her own vomit, from trying to eat something inedible.


Even then, she was always able to live on. Deep down inside of her, she hoped that all this would change and they would be happy once again. She did not kill her parents, she did lead them to their deaths, but unintentionally. She kept them caged, wanting to be empathetic towards her and change. This did not come, and the result shattered her. This is what led her to try to repress her emotions and rely so heavily on Yukki. But through all the ordeal, she managed to survive. I am sure many of us in the exact same circumstances, we would of either snapped and really killed our parents in violence, or committed suicide.


This event also opens up to one of the most endearing, and saddening moments in the event of Yuno's life. When 1st world Yuno is talking to 3rd world Yuno. With grief, she quips at her younger self, that from that point forward, her life would collapse into the abyss. That in a way, she was mercy killing her younger self, to save her from experiencing what she went through. Only to surprise herself, when her younger self made her realize, that deep down inside she was hopeful for happiness, not resentment. Wondering why did things have to turn as they did, and knowing she could not take that back (this was the start of the catharsis for her).

So, no matter how many inner conflicts did Yuno shoulder through the entire ordeal, she always remained pure hearted. She had to brave through her past errors, trying to change the outcome. She did not want godhood, she was more than willing to have Yukki kill her, but seeing his reluctance (thankfully), she could not bear the thought of losing him once again (in the end she even trapped Yukki in an Utopia, where he could be happy). I know Yuno loved Yukki, and as much as she tried to act otherwise, and make her believe otherwise, her conscience (her diary) would not let her betray her true emotions. Throughout her duel with Yukki, she was always concerned for his safety, proving her love was true.


At the end, she made the hard choice for Yukki, of killing herself, not bearing the thought of losing him again, and realizing how much she wanted for a better future. Even in her last moments, we see her kindness and loyalty. Thankfully at the end, Yukki and Yuno achieved a HAPPY END, by being together. Even if it took 10,000 yrs to achieve, Yuno's love was so pure, and her will-power so strong, she was able to shatter the divide between her loved one and herself, to be reunited.


So, again, what is there not to like about Yuno? Those who don't like her, I believe, are simply taking her at face-value. I for one, feel deeply identified with Yuno, and grew to care for her greatly. Feel like soul mates, even when by no means am I as high performance as she is, in fact, I am much as Yukki in his beginning, a quitter. In the end, I feel this experience was a very positive one, and opens up a lot for reflection.


By the way, cannot forget the time when she did her best to earn Yukkii's mother's approval (liking her mother very much). Or how she did not kill his father, but did assault him, to somehow make sure he went to Yukkii's place and solve their issues, rather than escape.

If you would like to show your appreciation to Mirai Nikki, please read the following open letter and help spread it: http://opnlttr.com/letter/open-letter-sakae-esuno