TV-Series
Description
Kija is a central character and the first of the four legendary Dragon Warriors to join Princess Yona on her journey. He is the current bearer of the White Dragon's power, known as the Hakuryuu, and hails from a hidden village that has preserved the bloodline of the White Dragon for generations.
Born and raised in this secluded village, Kija was treated with reverence and adoration as a living deity and the village's protector. His upbringing was highly structured, with the village elders, particularly his grandmother, instilling in him the sacred duty to serve the next reincarnation of the Crimson Dragon King, his destined master. Kija's childhood was marked by a tragic event; shortly after his birth, his father, the previous White Dragon Warrior, attacked him in a jealous rage over his power being transferred to his son, leaving Kija with four long scars on his back. Kija does not harbor resentment for this, instead viewing the scars as a symbol of the dragon deities' intense passion to serve their master. His father died soon after, and Kija was raised strictly by his grandmother, who continued to prepare him for his fated role. This sheltered existence left him with a pure and naive view of the world, unaccustomed to the hardships of travel and daily life outside his village.
In terms of personality, Kija is defined by his deep-seated sense of duty, politeness, and a straightforward, earnest nature. He holds the power of the White Dragon in the highest regard and becomes easily annoyed or scolds his companions when they fail to show it the same reverence. He is intensely loyal and protective of those he considers family, particularly Yona, whom he recognizes as his true master. Despite his noble and composed demeanor, Kija is also known for his fierce competitiveness and a jealous streak, especially regarding his position as Yona's protector. He is easily flustered when others outshine him and has a notable rivalry with Hak, whom he initially saw as an outsider unworthy of being so close to Yona. This rivalry often manifests in comedic bickering, with Hak teasingly calling him White Snake. Kija is also surprisingly gullible, prone to motion sickness, and possesses a deep-seated, comical fear of insects, which can render him useless in their presence. While he appreciates a clean and comfortable lifestyle, his loyalty to Yona always takes precedence.
Kija's primary motivation is to fulfill his destiny and duty as a Dragon Warrior by serving Yona. When she arrives in his village and awakens his inner dragon spirit, he is convinced he has finally met his true purpose and eagerly pledges his absolute allegiance to her. He joins Yona not only to protect her but also to aid in her quest to restore the Kouka Kingdom and to locate the other three Dragon Warriors. His role in the story is that of a formidable fighter and a loyal guardian. As the first to join, he sets a precedent for the other dragons, though his initial belief that only the four of them should protect Yona gradually evolves.
His key relationship is, of course, with Yona, whom he serves with unwavering devotion and often idealizes. He values her praise above almost all else. His dynamic with Hak is one of the most prominent in the group; starting as a competitive and jealous rivalry, it slowly develops into a mutual respect and a grudging friendship as they fight alongside one another. He also shares a unique bond with the other Dragon Warriors, particularly scolding them for their perceived lack of discipline but ultimately feeling a profound connection with them as fellow bearers of the dragon blood.
Kija's most notable ability is his Dragon's Claw, which is concentrated in his right hand. At will, he can enlarge this hand to an enormous size, granting him immense strength said to be ten times that of a normal man. This power allows him to slice through solid objects, lift impossible weights, and scale sheer surfaces with his claws. When not in use, he keeps his hand wrapped in bandages to conceal its scaly, clawed appearance. He also possesses a Dragon Sense, an innate ability that allows him to sense the presence and location of the other three Dragon Warriors from great distances.
Throughout his journey, Kija experiences significant development. Initially sheltered and solely defined by his role as the White Dragon, he is forced to adapt to the outside world, learning humility and the value of those beyond the four dragon warriors. He learns to accept Hak and others as trusted allies and family, shedding his initial prejudice that only dragons are fit to serve Yona. His understanding of duty expands from a preordained obligation to a personal, heartfelt commitment to the friends he has made. He also confronts the weight of his ancestor's legacy and the emotional burden of being a dragon reincarnate, a role that carries both pride and the potential for loneliness. While he remains fiercely proud and devoted, his experiences make him a more well-rounded and emotionally intelligent individual.
Born and raised in this secluded village, Kija was treated with reverence and adoration as a living deity and the village's protector. His upbringing was highly structured, with the village elders, particularly his grandmother, instilling in him the sacred duty to serve the next reincarnation of the Crimson Dragon King, his destined master. Kija's childhood was marked by a tragic event; shortly after his birth, his father, the previous White Dragon Warrior, attacked him in a jealous rage over his power being transferred to his son, leaving Kija with four long scars on his back. Kija does not harbor resentment for this, instead viewing the scars as a symbol of the dragon deities' intense passion to serve their master. His father died soon after, and Kija was raised strictly by his grandmother, who continued to prepare him for his fated role. This sheltered existence left him with a pure and naive view of the world, unaccustomed to the hardships of travel and daily life outside his village.
In terms of personality, Kija is defined by his deep-seated sense of duty, politeness, and a straightforward, earnest nature. He holds the power of the White Dragon in the highest regard and becomes easily annoyed or scolds his companions when they fail to show it the same reverence. He is intensely loyal and protective of those he considers family, particularly Yona, whom he recognizes as his true master. Despite his noble and composed demeanor, Kija is also known for his fierce competitiveness and a jealous streak, especially regarding his position as Yona's protector. He is easily flustered when others outshine him and has a notable rivalry with Hak, whom he initially saw as an outsider unworthy of being so close to Yona. This rivalry often manifests in comedic bickering, with Hak teasingly calling him White Snake. Kija is also surprisingly gullible, prone to motion sickness, and possesses a deep-seated, comical fear of insects, which can render him useless in their presence. While he appreciates a clean and comfortable lifestyle, his loyalty to Yona always takes precedence.
Kija's primary motivation is to fulfill his destiny and duty as a Dragon Warrior by serving Yona. When she arrives in his village and awakens his inner dragon spirit, he is convinced he has finally met his true purpose and eagerly pledges his absolute allegiance to her. He joins Yona not only to protect her but also to aid in her quest to restore the Kouka Kingdom and to locate the other three Dragon Warriors. His role in the story is that of a formidable fighter and a loyal guardian. As the first to join, he sets a precedent for the other dragons, though his initial belief that only the four of them should protect Yona gradually evolves.
His key relationship is, of course, with Yona, whom he serves with unwavering devotion and often idealizes. He values her praise above almost all else. His dynamic with Hak is one of the most prominent in the group; starting as a competitive and jealous rivalry, it slowly develops into a mutual respect and a grudging friendship as they fight alongside one another. He also shares a unique bond with the other Dragon Warriors, particularly scolding them for their perceived lack of discipline but ultimately feeling a profound connection with them as fellow bearers of the dragon blood.
Kija's most notable ability is his Dragon's Claw, which is concentrated in his right hand. At will, he can enlarge this hand to an enormous size, granting him immense strength said to be ten times that of a normal man. This power allows him to slice through solid objects, lift impossible weights, and scale sheer surfaces with his claws. When not in use, he keeps his hand wrapped in bandages to conceal its scaly, clawed appearance. He also possesses a Dragon Sense, an innate ability that allows him to sense the presence and location of the other three Dragon Warriors from great distances.
Throughout his journey, Kija experiences significant development. Initially sheltered and solely defined by his role as the White Dragon, he is forced to adapt to the outside world, learning humility and the value of those beyond the four dragon warriors. He learns to accept Hak and others as trusted allies and family, shedding his initial prejudice that only dragons are fit to serve Yona. His understanding of duty expands from a preordained obligation to a personal, heartfelt commitment to the friends he has made. He also confronts the weight of his ancestor's legacy and the emotional burden of being a dragon reincarnate, a role that carries both pride and the potential for loneliness. While he remains fiercely proud and devoted, his experiences make him a more well-rounded and emotionally intelligent individual.