—Yukio[source]I've always said, "You're never more alive -- then when you're about to die!" So I don't always say it -- but when I do, I mean it.
History
Wild One[]
Little is known about the early life of the adventurous thief Yukio, the "wild one." Self-labelled as a rōnin, she considered herself a masterless samurai, working as a private assassin and mercenary in Japan.[2] She operated as the top enforcer of Lord Shingen Yashida, the head of the influential Clan Yashida.[3] Wishing to expand his control over the criminal underworld of Tokyo, Yashida targetted Yakuza member Katsuyori, charging Yukio with opposing his forces.[4] However, his plans were interrupted by the mutant berserker Wolverine, who was in love with the heir of Clan Yashida, Mariko. In secrecy, Yukio drugged Wolverine in order to Lord Shingen humiliate him in battle and leave him helpless in the streets of Ginza, Tokyo.[3]
Pretending to be an ally, Yukio nursed Wolverine back to health as they were hunted by the deadly ninja clan of the Hand. Yukio claimed the Hand worked for Katsuyori in an attempt to eliminate her. In fact, the Hand acted under Yashida's orders. This allowed Yukio to successfully have Wolverine assassinate Katsuyori. During her manipulative actions, however, Yukio grew immensely infatuated and obsessed with Wolverine.[4] This damaged her association with Clan Yashida. Realizing Wolverine's heart was sworn to Mariko Yashida, Yukio abandoned him in spite. When stalking him in his apartment, she accidentally murdered his friend, Asano Kimura. Wolverine was able to identify her participation in the killing and hunted her. Yukio was able to escape,[5] but wanted to make up for her actions against Wolverine. She invaded Mansion Yashida and assassinated Mariko Yashida's abusive husband, Noburu-Hideki, to break Mariko free of her obligations to her family. Wolverine slew Lord Shingen Yashida in combat and arranged to wed Mariko Yashida. Heartbroken, Yukio vanished.[6]
Despite being in the shadows, Yukio still stalked Wolverine. She identified the illegitimate heir of Clan Yashida, Silver Samurai, schemed against Wolverine. She engaged in combat against the aggressor, being exposed to Wolverine and his associates, the X-Men. Her wild nature captivated the interest of the leader of the X-Men, Storm. When the Silver Samurai attempted to ambush Mariko Yashida alongside his deadly partner, the Viper, Yukio revealed to have impersonated her chauffer to protect her life. The plan was devised by Wolverine and she was joined by Storm. During the battle, Storm's weather-manipulating powers ran wild, and Yukio brought her to safety.[2] With her reputation ruined, Yukio found no sanctuary and had to rely solely on Storm. As they survived together, they developed a deep bond. Seduced by Yukio's recklessly, Storm went through radical changes both in appearance and attitude.[7][8]
Yukio crossed paths with Wolverine again when he sought to rescue his teammate Kitty Pryde from his former teacher, the demon ninja Ogun. Involved in the situation, Yukio found Pryde's father at the mercy of the crime-lord Shigematsu, being attacked by his bodyguard, Shumai. She was able to rescue Pryde's father and learn Wolverine was to be ambushed by Ogun.[9] Thanks to Yukio's intervention, Wolverine was saved from death after being mortally wounded by a possessed Kitty Pryde. Yukio incapacitated her to reverse the brainwashing.[10] To punish Wolverine, Ogun targetted Mariko Yashida and the child Wolverine adopted, Amiko Kobayashi. While Wolverine and Pryde fought Ogun, Yukio brought Yashida and Kobayashi to safety by finishing Shumai. After Ogun's threat was over, Yukio chose not to interact with Wolverine and his friends, disappearing once again.[11]
Mutant Underground[]
When learning the Hand, led by Matsu'o Tsurayaba, hunted down Wolverine's protégée, Jubilee, Yukio protected her. Together, they infiltrated Mansion Yashida[12] as the Hand attempted to subdue Clan Yashida in a convoluted arrangement. They managed to intercept the Reaver cyborg Cylla Markham, but Mariko Yashida was poisoned by Tsurayaba and passed away.[13] Yukio attended the funeral and chose to leave Wolverine mourn his beloved one by himself, not taking the opportunity to get closer to him.[14]
Her connection to different mutant agents led Yukio to be recruited by Professor Xavier into his Mutant Underground, a covert activist organization.[15] Her activities and relationship with Storm led her to be used as bait by the techno-organic alien collective, the Phalanx, who wished to destroy the X-Men. Fleeing to New York City[16] to oppose the aliens and protect her friend, Yukio unwittingly allied with the thief and X-Man Gambit, with whom she shared bad blood for he had betrayed her during a caper in Milan in the past.[15] Ironically, she was saved from drowning by Gambit, but ended up at the Phalanx's mercy, believing she would be assimilated into their organism. In the end, the creature was destroyed by the X-Men.[17]
Maternal Instinct[]
On the anniversary of Mariko Yashida's death, Yukio reunited with Wolverine. They opposed Hand operatives working for Tsurayaba and recollected their history. Wolverine ultimately entrusted the care of his foster daughter Amiko to Yukio. Despite her vicious lifestyle, Yukio accepted the offer, promising to be responsible and raise the child as if she were her own. They were to be additionally protected by the Silver Samurai, who was honor-bounded to watch over his sister Mariko's foster daughter.[18] Parallel to her obligations to Amiko, Yukio kept assisting mutantkind however she could. With information that the former X-Man Havok faced problems in Japan when being attacked by the assassin Fatale, she investigated his situation. She dueled Fatale, being able to break Havok free in the process.[19] She also maintained her activities as an independent mercenary. In this setting, she assisted Wolverine and the Silver Samurai investigate and stop the reactivation of the Red Ronin through the Operation: Zero Tolerance program.[20]
Captured by a faction of the Hand, Yukio was brutally tortured, while Amiko was used indocrinated in the ways of the Hand to attract Wolverine.[21] Ironically, Yukio ended up being rescued by the Pale Flower, who was originally in association with the Hand and schemed for her capture, but ultimately joined forces with Wolverine. Amiko was also saved, but had undergone brainwashing.[22] The deadly assassin Elektra went on a mission to get revenge at the Hand, crossing paths with the Silver Samurai. To accomplish her mission, her destination was the Valley of Mercy and Wrath. The Silver Samurai suggested her to join forces with Yukio, who had been to the location and could guide her. Having left Amiko under the care of the Silver Samurai, Yukio did not expect her guard's betrayal. Amiko informed the Hand about Elektra's mission, giving them advantage. Despite being efficient in their mission, Yukio and Elektra could not find their real target, Kuroyama. Yukio refused to believe Amiko could have betrayed her and returned to her side.[23]
Wolverine proved to have a very distant participation in Yukio's and Amiko's life. Without his presence, Yukio grew to enjoy the domestic life and the maternal role, while Amiko became a rebellious and brutish child as a consequence of her father's neglect. In one of Wolverine's visits, Yukio was enraged by being once again involved in the affairs of Clan Yashida, that was under the control of Haan Kaishek. Yukio and Amiko were abducted by Kaishek's brother, Gom, who blackmailed Wolverine into defeating his brother for him.[24] In their attempt to escape, they were assisted by the Silver Samurai, who was also kept captive. Despite being successful, they were subsequently captured by the sister of the Kaisheks, Kia.[25] However, Yukio and Amiko proved to be too resourceful and well-trained to stay restrained.[26] With Wolverine, Amiko, and the Silver Samurai, Yukio unleashed her ire upon Kia Kaishek to stop her plans of taking control of Clan Kaishek.[27]
The Logan Files[]
Yukio and Amiko were next targeted by the cyborg Lady Deathstrike and the Russian super-soldier Omega Red, two old foes of Wolverine's who had been hired by his nemesis, the feral mutant Sabretooth. Yukio was crippled by Deathstrike, who then carved a message to Wolverine into her back. When Wolverine visited her in the hospital, Yukio asked him to kill her, as she was unwilling to live as a paraplegic, but he chose not to do so.[28]
Yukio slowly recovered and was able to aid Storm during her investigation of an underground mutant fighting arena in Tokyo.[29]
Wolverine Goes to Hell[]
Later on, Wolverine's soul was sent to Hell by a powerful criminal organization called the Red Right Hand while his body was possessed by a powerful demon, Hellverine. Melita Garner, Logan's current girlfriend, called Yukio to warn her that something wasn't right with Logan and to be careful, but it was too late as Hellverine already traveled to Japan and attacked Yukio. Yukio tried her best against the powerful demon but in the end she was stabbed and greatly wounded. At the same time, Amiko was coming back from school and witnessed Hellverine's attack on Yukio. Amiko, angry over what she saw, decided to face Hellverine.
Despite her bravery, Amiko was overpowered by the Demon, and as Hellverine was about to kill her, Yukio used her last forces to save Amiko. The duo then jumped through a window an escaped this brutal attack, but as a result of her wounds Yukio fell unconscious and lost the use of her legs.[30][31]
Facing the Hand[]
Despite her setbacks, she remained a life-loving adventurer, eager to face any challenge. After Hellverine was banished and Wolverine reclaimed his body, he traveled to Japan to pay his respects to the late Silver Samurai killed by the army of the Red Right Hand, and to investigate the return of Sabretooth. Once he arrived he met Yukio, now in a wheelchair, and told her he was sorry for what happened, but Yukio only asked him if the ones responsible, The Red Right Hand, were dead. After Logan told her that they were, Yukio replied that there was nothing to whine about and it was time to get back to work. After explaining the fragile situation in Japan after the death of the Silver Samurai, the duo was attacked by several ninjas, but despite being in a wheelchair, Yukio made quick work of them. She then revealed to Logan that Amiko was now dating the illegitimate son of the Silver Samurai, Shingen Harada II.[31]
The duo then discovered that Amiko had been kidnapped by Sabretooth and the leader of a dissident part of the Hand, Azuma Gōda, and decided to free her. Logan was able to save her, but Amiko's boyfriend, Shingen Harada II who was now calling himself the "Silver Samurai," also tried to save her, and was captured by the Hand. Logan, Yukio, and Amiko decided to investigate the Hand's whereabouts in order to free him. After speaking with Mamoru Tsuruoka, they discovered that the Hand was hiding in the Yoshimi Hyakuana Tombs where Shingen was tortured. With this new information, Logan and Yukio headed to the Hand's location with Amiko secretly following them.[32]
But unknown to them, the tomb was occupied by Sabretooth, Mystique, and the Mind Ninja, who were waiting for them and who could use their powers to make anyone relive their worst nightmares. Logan was temporarily taken down by the Mind Ninja while Yukio was able to defeat most of them. Amiko was then found by her boyfriend and together they escaped. Still caught in the hallucinations of the Mind Ninja, Logan saw no other choice but to unleash his berserker persona, but Mystique then used this confusion to assume Yukio's form and trick Logan into having an affair with her while the real Yukio escaped. Amiko then discovered that Shingen was now working with the Hand and decided to break up with him.[33]
Afterwards, while Yukio was helping Amiko against the Silver Samurai, Logan took down Azuma Gōda which allowed Sabretooth to become the new invisible King of Asia while Mystique sent the pictures of her affair with Wolverine to Melita to make her break up with him. Back at Yukio's apartment, Yukio and Logan were about to say goodbye to each other until Amiko asked Logan if he wanted to stop a robbery with her. Logan smiled and agreed to team up with his daughter.[34] Afterwards Amiko became a vigilante and Yukio gave her advice about how to handle the criminals she was going to fight. Amiko nicknamed Yukio "Ninja Mother".[35]
Death of Wolverine[]
After the death of Wolverine, Ororo Munroe discovered that Yukio tried to contact him as she needed his help. Ororo decided to answer her call and found her in Las Vegas. After meeting her, she revealed to Yukio that Logan was dead which shocked her.[36]
Yukio revealed that she was now the leader of four warring clans in Las Vegas and the only way to maintain peace and settle disputes was through the institution of combat in an underground Fight Club and Wolverine was her champion. But after learning of Wolverine's death, Kuva the leader of the Breakworld clan challenged Yukio for her seat forcing Ororo to step in and served as Yukio's champion. Storm fought bravely against Kuva's champion Gah-Ran of Breakworld and defeated him, but Yukio used this diversion in order to assassinate Kuva behind the scenes allowing her to keep her seat as a ruler of the Four Clans.[37]
The battle over, Yukio and Storm parted ways, with Ororo angry and disappointed by Yukio's actions.[38]Attributes
![]() |
Abilities
Additional Attributes
Paraphernalia
Weapons
Transportation
See Also
- 69 appearance(s) of Yukio (Earth-616)
- 7 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Yukio (Earth-616)
- 12 minor appearance(s) of Yukio (Earth-616)
- 11 mention(s) of Yukio (Earth-616)
- 3 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Yukio (Earth-616)
- 9 image(s) of Yukio (Earth-616)
- 6 quotation(s) by or about Yukio (Earth-616)
- 4 victim(s) killed by Yukio (Earth-616)
- 1 item(s) used/owned by Yukio (Earth-616)
Links and References
References
- ↑ X-Treme X-Men #36
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Uncanny X-Men #172
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wolverine #1
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wolverine #2
- ↑ Wolverine #3
- ↑ Wolverine #4
- ↑ Uncanny X-Men #173
- ↑ X-Men Unlimited #39
- ↑ Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #3
- ↑ Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #4
- ↑ Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #6
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #55–56
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #57
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #60
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Uncanny X-Men #312
- ↑ Uncanny X-Men #311
- ↑ Uncanny X-Men #313
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #82
- ↑ X-Factor #112–113
- ↑ Wolverine '96 #1
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #107–108
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #109
- ↑ Elektra (Vol. 2) #15
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #150
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #151
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #152
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #153
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #173–175
- ↑ X-Treme X-Men #36–39
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Wolverine (Vol. 4) #2
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Wolverine (Vol. 2) #300
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #301
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #302
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #303
- ↑ Wolverine (Vol. 2) #304
- ↑ Storm (Vol. 3) #4
- ↑ Storm (Vol. 3) #5
- ↑ Storm (Vol. 3) #6
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89 #8
- ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol 1 13