Yoko Ritona was a soldier's soldier. She'd been fighting the occupying military force since childhood and was expert with edged weapons, firearms and martial arts. She could soldier by herself or with others equally effectively.
Intelligent, savvy and wise, Yoko was unfortunately treated shabbily by the two lead male characters in spite of the fact she was the lead female character. This misogyny and sexism, however, never detered her from concentrating upon prosecution of the war for liberation.
Yoko should have had her own series, where she wouldn't have had to play second fiddle to little boys with big machines. She'd forgotten more about combat strategy and tactics than any of the other characters would ever know, yet Gainax chose to use and abuse her then cast her aside like yesterday's garbage.
I won't get into the ill-advised decision to bring in a Mary Sue magical-princess character to "replace" Yoko. It was done in a dishonorable manner (episode 12 of the anime series) which brought shame on Gainax and all 'Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann' products. Yoko was a brilliant lead character who surely deserved to lead the Brigade upon Kamina's death, but instead she was banished by the very people who created her.
'Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann' isn't about Kamina and Simon. It's about Kamina, Simon and Yoko. She saves their sorry butts time and again, gives excellent advice which the two males continuously ignore to the detriment of the war effort and repeatedly displays her athleticism and valor. Why all that is lost on Gainax executives remains beyond me.
At least Yoko is given some cameo scenes late in the series, in which she once again shows what a powerful character she is. She is also the best hope for the future, insofar as her combat skills and intellect enable her to survive the war: Kamina, who ignoresYoko's sound advice and dies as a result, doesn't survive; Simon, who never thanks Yoko for all she's done for him, ends up moping about and throwing his life away; but Yoko, now Yomako, becomes an educator who is beloved by one and all.
Whilst the Web's vocal anti-Yoko faction continues to be fixated upon her physique and wardrobe, those with a modicum of circumspection and intelligence see Yoko for the exemplary young woman she has always been. She's my all-time favorite character from artistic and literary fiction; and I hope she'll not be forgotten. |