Hump Day Husbandos: Yogi (Karneval)

I am a big fan of the manga series Karneval, and since it has been well over a year since I last touched upon it here on Rice Digital, I felt it necessary to talk about it once more. So, here’s to my absolute favourite character from the series – that of the unabashedly energetic, good boy Yogi who just wants to make everyone around him happy no matter what his own wishes and wants are.

This article is spoiler-free.

Who is Yogi?

As the self-proclaimed “shining prince” of Karneval – and whose involvement within the plot is not at all unlike Sanji from One Piece in how he also calls himself a prince – Yogi is part of the series’ main trio alongside Nai and Gareki. He is the first of Circus, the organisation main character Nai is searching for, to cross paths with the duo and saves them from a certain run-in with enemies of the Government.

From there, Yogi, one of the Second Ship’s Fighters and a subordinate of its Captain Hirato, acts as a big brother to the pair. By wielding two épées, all for the sake of being able to throw himself at any opponents of his closest allies, Yogi’s character is as wholesome and entertaining as it is tragic and evolving.

Why we love him

For starters, Yogi is a big child. When we first see him, he is dressed up as Nyanperona, although his love runs deeper for the mascot as it decorates every bit of his own bedroom and even body – we are talking about boxers here.

What’s more, he would much rather work solely in entertaining kids as Nyanperona, and actually dislikes fighting. Alongside this pacifist core to him, his sunny disposition and everlasting hunger for attention and affirmation from the company of others tells you a great deal about his personality. He is also a real over-worrier; a person who simply wants to make everyone happy and content.

For example, Yogi can be seen reassuring everyone at certain story beats across the series, ignoring and keeping his own concerns to himself. It happens multiple times, since Nai is able to sense Yogi’s true feelings considering his particular quirks, but Yogi tends to brush it under the rug to prevent others from worrying about him or diverting their attention from what he believes are “more important” matters.

Across the series, Yogi is at his friends’ beck and call no matter the time or day. His loyalty and commitment to those he cherishes is even extended to those who treats him less charitably. For example, he is often berated or teased by other members of Circus such as Kiichi, Jiki and Iva. It goes without saying that the dynamic between himself and Nai is the opposite of his relationship with Gareki even.

While he can happily shower the adorably innocent and wholesome Nai with hugs and words of affection, the same cannot be said for when he attempts to with Gareki. Unless he somehow manages to keep Yogi at bay, getting too close to Gareki tends to be met with getting chucked at every single wall within the area. It takes time and effort on Yogi’s part to have Gareki grow accustomed to and appreciate his behaviour and acts of more than evident affection.

Why you will love him

Yogi is one of the most sympathetic and emotional characters of the entire series. He comes across as an unproblematically entertaining character, but one that hides many of the darker elements of the series. Early signs are aplenty, what with his “alter-ego” of Silver Yogi appearing — a stronger and more blood-thirsty version of himself. Other causes for concern can be vaguely picked up on and suggested when he speaks honestly and vulnerably. It is something he rarely ever does across the series, so when it does happen, it’s important.

As we said before, Yogi prioritises everyone over himself. His enjoyment in performing as Nyanperona comes from a want to entertain children all day. He even says that he becomes lonely when his job is done, and children return back home. Considering his tragic past that will go unspoiled here, this is understandable; Yogi was living an isolated lifestyle up until he met and connected with Nai and Gareki.

Yogi’s desire for companionship is further solidified by their trio status, his near-on constant wearing of the bracelet Gareki wins for him, and how he presents Gareki with the thoughtful gift of a stuffed Nyanperona to talk to in his absence once the trio later separates.

Yogi is highly caring and considerate of others and is, for this reason alone, a role-model in my eyes. In the same way that Minori from Toradora is as selfless as she is, Gareki’s core wish is simply wanting others to rely on him and appreciate him.

His rather comical barrier to this is how his relationship with Gareki opens up, but on the other hand it is tragic in how it relates to his own very personal barricade to his self-growth. His dislike of fighting is more than understandable once the audience realises that he is hurting perpetually, and bringing pain to others does further harm to himself.

From the very beginning, he struggles in accepting who he is, and until he does so, he will not be able to confidently protect what he cherishes and cares about most. Yogi is a fantastically layered and heartfelt character, a character who makes you appreciate him from the get-go for how feel-good and wholesome he is, and he only gets better with such stellar character development. This is topped off with some of the neatest and most memorable foreshadowing within a manga.

Didn’t think he could get anymore lovable? His Japanese voice actor is the one and only Mamoru Miyano who has portrayed Persona 5’s Ryuji, Fire Force’s Benimaru and Vampire Knight’s Zero. Perfection.

Watch the show now on Crunchyroll.

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