Yang Xiao Long is one of the main protagonists of the RWBY franchise. She is one of the main protagonists of the American animated webseries RWBY, its Japanese manga prequel/adaptation, comic book series by DC Comics, and video game spinoffs RWBY: Grimm Eclipse and RWBY: Arrowfell.
She is a Huntress and member of Team RWBY, and the older half-sister of Ruby Rose.
Yang is a tall girl with fair skin and lilac eyes. She has extremely long blonde hair, and stands slightly under six feet tall. She is muscular, and is noted to have an ample bosom. When she is angry, her eyes change to a deep red, and her hair gains a fiery glow. Her outfits consist of yellows, browns, oranges, tans, blacks, and golds, and almost always include an orange scarf around her neck and purple fabric tied around her leg. She possesses a mechanical right arm from her elbow down, which she painted yellow and black.
Yang appeared as a character in the defunct mobile video game RWBY: Amity Arena.
In the game's primary multiplayer mode, Yang appeared as several units. The Biker Yang unit was a ground-based melee unit that pushed enemy units back with each hit. The Rocket Yang unit was a ranged unit that shot at enemies, and as a special ability could fire a massive volley of shots that dealt extreme damage and pushed enemies back. The Freezerburn unit teamed Weiss with Yang, creating a massive cloud of mist that hindered enemy units' vision. The Bumblebee unit teamed Blake with Yang, which used Yang as a primary ground melee unit, but as a special ability had Blake propel Yang to a location with widespread area damage.
DC Crossovers
RWBY/Justice League
Yang appears as one of the main protagonists of the DC Comics crossover with the Justice League. While on break from Beacon, Ruby and Yang travel home and meet Clark Kent, a boy hired by their father to help tend to the farm. While there, they are suddenly attacked by multi-colored Grimm that are able to hypnotize Clark by looking into his eyes. Ruby and Yang free him and fight off the Grimm, but return to Beacon with Clark to report the encounter to Professor Ozpin. There, they learn that thier teammates have also made disturing discoveries and made new allies: Weiss and her friend Bruce Wayne have discovered that an Atlas elite named Mr. Lloyd has been stockpiling Dust and ammunition, and Blake and her friend Diana Prince have found that animals are being mind controlled as well. They determine that people are going missing from around water, including Team JNPR. Yang travels with Blake and Clark to investigate the waters, coming across Arthur Curry, who attacks them believing they are responsible for his people's disappearances. They are attacked by mind-controlled fish, and determine that they are facing a common enemy. They are rejoined by their allies, now including Barry Allen and Victor Stone. Suddenly, they are attacked by a horde of hypnotized people, animals, and Grimm, including JNPR. They are saved by Jessica Cruz, who explains that she is from a different universe and has tracked an alien conqueror called Starro to Remnant. However, in the journey, time and space were distorted and Starro arrived sixteen years before she did, spreading his influence and taking over the minds of the people, animals, and Grimm of Remnant. After regrouping at Arthur's underwater kingdom, the group comes up with a plan to defeat Starro. Diana lures it out as Yang helps to take down Starro's slaves. Starro takes control of Jessica, and has her use her powers to show everyone their worst fears and memories; in Yang's case, her mother Raven Branwen. Clark, with Bruce's help, manages to carry an entire warehouse of Dust to Starro, throwing it at him and creating an explosion that severely weakens the alien. Weiss, Victor, and Jessica defeat Starro and seal him away in a prison in space. Yang celebrates with her team and newfound friends.
~ Blake to Sun, on what word Yang personifies in "Necessary Sacrifice".
Yang is hotheaded and energetic, and is a thrill-seeker above all else. She gains great satisfaction from triumph and combat, and is most often confident and adventurous. She is also among the most lighthearted and fun-loving of her group, actively seeking out fun and jokes and participating in games, activities, exercises, and discussions. She has an affinity for bad puns. Despite this, she is also nurturing and protective, and knows when to be serious and help others out. She is also crafty, finding ways to outsmart others and place herself in favorable situations.
However, Yang possesses a temper, and when she is enraged, her hotheadedness and brashness can lead her to fits of rage and fury, as well as make her more single-minded in eliminating the object of her anger. She is especially touchy about her appearance, as rude comments about her proportions or any damage to her hair will lead to extreme rage.
Following her trauma at the Battle of Beacon, Yang was temporarily reserved and emotionless, as well as prone to panic attacks, nightmares, and overwhelming dread. Despite this, she was able to work with her allies to adjust and heal, eventually gaining back her confidence.
Powers and Abilities
Yang, having trained most of her life, is an expert combatant, primarily in hand-to-hand. She mainly attacks with acrobatics and punches, preferring a brute-like boxing style. Her weapon, Ember Celica, is a pair of golden bracelets that extend into shotgun-like ranged weapons, allowing Yang to fire blasts of Fire Dust ammunition with each punch. With this, she can create powerful short-range and melee attacks or fire at longer distances.
Yang is extremely strong, able to lift massive items and withstand extreme damage. She uses this with her Semblance, Burn, which allows her to absorb energy from her opponents' attacks and add it to her own strength and striking power as long as her Aura remains intact and she remains conscious. When using her Semblance, her eyes turn red and her hair glows. She originally relied too much on her Semblance, as it had little restrictions, but learned to use it more sparingly after her fight with Adam Taurus.
Like all creatures with a soul, Yang also has possesses an Aura, a physical defense generated by her soul. This durable field is invisible except when it is overtaxed, where it flashes yellow. Her Aura defends her from attack and can even heal minor wounds, but if it takes too much damage it will become depleted and require time to return. A fatal flaw when using her Aura is that it causes Yang to constantly activate said aura if her temper flares at a dangerous level.
Yang also possesses a prosthetic mechanical right arm after losing hers to Adam Taurus. She uses this prosthetic with the same proficiency as her organic one, but with her weapon built-in. She also uses the durable metal for protection, blocking blades and blows, and even bites from Grimm. Additionally, she can force the prosthetic to detatch whenever she needs it to, such as when it is stuck or incapacitated. Yang's voice actress, Barbara Dunkelman, has additionally confirmed that the arm comes with a "vibrate feature".
Yang is also talented at motorcycling, and used her personal motorcycle, Bumblebee, to great effect driving herself and others around before crashing it into Adam to save Blake. She later showed just as much proficiency with Pietro Polendina's custom-made motorbikes.
Quotes
“
Strawberry Sunrise, no ice. Oh, and one of those little umbrellas.
„
~ Yang, to the bartender.
“
Aren't you a little old to have a name like "Junior"?
„
~ Yang, teasing Junior Xiong.
“
Instead of "sweetheart", you can just call me "sir"!
„
~ Yang, interrogating Junior.
“
Oh, I can't believe my baby sister is going to Beacon with me! This is the best day ever!
„
~ Yang, after learning about Ruby Rose's early entry to Beacon.
“
Yang: Who's that? Glynda: My name is Glynda Goodwitch. Yang: Oh.
„
~ Yang, talking to herself during Glynda Goodwitch's introduction.
“
Why can't you just swoon over your own weapon? Aren't you happy with it?
„
~ Yang, talking to Ruby about her love for weapons.
“
Well... (fast voice) actually, my friends are here now, gotta go, bye!
„
~ Yang, leaving Ruby behind.
“
Oh my god, you really exploded.
„
~ Yang, after Weiss Schnee confronts Ruby in the assembly hall.
“
There's no such thing as negative friends. You just made one friend and one enemy!
„
~ Yang, attempting to console Ruby.
“
Yeah, this girl's a lost cause.
„
~ Yang, ready to give up on making friends with Blake Belladonna.
“
Having some trouble there, lady-killer?
„
~ Yang, after Jaune Arc's failed attempts at flirting.
“
"Snow Angel" probably wasn't the best start.
„
~ Yang, explaining where Jaune went wrong with Weiss.
“
Nailed it!
„
~ Yang, after strategically landing.
“
(rustling in the bushes) Ruby, is that you? (low growling) Nope.
„
~ Yang, after finding a pair of Ursai in the forest.
“
You monsters!
„
~ Yang, reacting to losing some strands of her hair in battle.
“
I could've taken him.
„
~ Yang, after Blake kills an Ursa she was facing down.
“
How about a cute little pony?!
„
~ Yang, suggesting a relic.
“
Some girl is in trouble!
„
~ Yang, hearing Jaune's screams.
“
I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something CRAZY happens again?!
„
~ Yang, after seeing a series of strange events.
“
Great, the gang's all here. Now we can all die together.
„
~ Yang, after seeing Pyrrha Nikos fall right in front of her, completing the group of eight.
“
I! Hope! You're! Hungry!
„
~ Yang, shooting into the Nevermore's mouth.
“
Well... that was a thing.
„
~ Yang, after the Nevermore dies.
“
Decorating!
„
~ Yang, to Weiss' inquiry to her actions.
“
Banzai!
„
~ Yang, cheering with Blake.
“
Maybe we should ditch some of our stuff.
„
~ Yang, talking about how cramped their room is.
“
Goooo, Weiss!!
„
~ Yang, cheering on Weiss.
“
It must be hard to be a Faunus.
„
~ Yang, sympathizing with Velvet Scarlatina.
“
Are you sure you didn't hit your head? (Blake Hits Her) Oh, I'm Yang.
„
~ Yang introducing herself to Penny Polendina.
“
Maybe she is, maybe she isn't. Either way, she's missing, and we've gotta find her.
„
~ Yang, being concerned about Blake.
“
What cat ears? She wears a... bow...
„
~ Yang, realizing that Blake is a Faunus.
“
I always kick my semester off with a "Yang"!
„
~ Yang, making a pun.
“
Pretty sneaky, sis, but you just activated my trap card!
„
~ Yang, to Ruby during the card game.
“
Trap card. Your armies have been destroyed.
„
~ Yang, after defeating Weiss' forces.
“
Ozpin told us not to worry. Between the police and the Huntsmen, I'm sure they can handle it.
„
~ Yang, reassuring Blake.
“
YES! I love it when you're feisty!
„
~ Yang, regarding Blake.
“
Hey, we've got a plan! That's... moderately serious.
„
~ Yang, reassuring Weiss.
“
Guess who's back!
„
~ Yang, to everyone in Junior's Club.
“
No, it just wasn't very good.
„
~ Yang, on Weiss' pun.
“
And THAT is why people call you the Ice Queen.
„
~ Yang, to Weiss.
“
You can't even stop me!
„
~ Yang, to Blake.
“
Tomorrow it's back to work.
„
~ Yang, to Ruby.
“
Oh, he does stuff like this all the time!
„
~ Yang, to Blake and Weiss.
“
I'm a thrill-seeker. I want to travel around the world and get wrapped up in as many crazy adventures as I can. And if I help people along the way, then that's even better. It's a win-win, y'know?
„
~ Yang, to Bartholomew Oobleck on why she wants to become a Huntress.
“
We all know why we're here... right?
„
~ Yang, to Weiss and Blake.
“
At least you two have something that drives you. I've just always, gone with the flow, you know.
„
~ Yang, to Weiss and Blake.
“
Yay... teamwork, camaraderie, good guys, go team, alright, good job... So what now?
„
~ Yang, celebrating victory over Roman and the Grimm.
“
Yeah, we're going to kick some butt!
„
~ Yang on the Vytal Festival tournament.
“
Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
„
~ Yang to Neon Katt.
“
You better not go easy on me.
„
~ Yang to Mercury.
“
Better luck next time.
„
~ Yang to Mercury.
“
That's what you get, you little—
„
~ Yang to Mercury.
“
You don't understand! He attacked me, I swear!
„
~ Yang protesting her innocence.
“
...Blake?
„
~ Yang, when Blake hesitates to believe her story.
“
I saw my mom. I was in a lot of trouble. Took a pretty hard hit. But when I came to, the person attacking me was gone. And I thought I saw... her. Her sword, like the one in you and dad's old picture.
„
~ Yang, telling Qrow about the time she saw Raven.
“
Get away from her!
„
~ Yang, when Adam Taurus hurts Blake.
“
It's all gone. The school, Penny, Pyrrha, and...
„
~ Yang, lamenting the loss of Beacon, Penny, Pyrrha and her arm.
“
And Blake ran! Sun saw her go. After we got to the city, she just... ran!
„
~ Yang, on why Blake left.
“
I don't know... and I don't care!
„
~ Yang, on why Blake left.
“
Sometimes bad things just happen, Ruby!
„
~ Yang, interrupting Ruby.
“
You can do whatever you want. I'm ... gonna lie here.
„
~ Yang, being apathetic.
“
Just leave me alone.
„
~ Yang, asking Ruby to leave.
“
I uh, I'm not feeling too great right now. Maybe later?
„
~ Yang to Taiyang Xiao Long, reluctant to accept her "hard-earned gift.
“
Thanks, Dad.
„
~ Yang before she heads upstairs.
“
And I think I have been through enough to be considered an adult at this point.
„
~ Yang, to her father.
“
Oh my gosh does 'every' father figure have the same three condescending phrases?
„
~ Yang, exasperated with being refuted by Tai.
“
I lost a part of me. A piece of me is gone and it's never coming back.
„
~ Yang, about her right arm.
“
I think I'm doing just fine.
„
~ Yang's somewhat snarky self-assessment of her fighting progress.
“
I thought it would be just this huge weight, but it feels... natural. They did a great job with this thing.
„
~ Yang, about her robotic arm.
“
I'm, uh, looking for someone.
„
~ Her response when asked what she was doing out in the middle of nowhere.
“
You know that I searched for you. I spent years looking for you.
„
~ Yang about her search for Raven.
“
Because we're family.
„
~ Yang, on why Raven should help her find Ruby.
“
I've missed you, too
„
~ Yang, reunited with Weiss.
“
Don't you dare talk about my family like that!
„
~ Yang to Raven Branwen.
“
You don't know the first thing about my teammates! About me! You were never there! You LEFT US!! Why?
„
~ Yang to Raven Branwen.
“
I love you.
„
~ Yang to Ruby Rose.
“
It's not a replacement for the real thing, but I'll make sure to make good use of it.
„
~ Yang to the gathered friends, about her cybernetic arm.
“
Easy there, Vomit Boy. I believe in you.
„
~ Yang to Jaune, bringing back an old nickname.
“
I may have been a little too gung-ho from time to time.
„
~ Yang, reflecting on who she was at Beacon.
“
But, if we're going to help, if we're going to keep risking our lives, no more lies. No more half-truths.
„
~ Yang to Ozpin, about his keeping secrets.
“
Yeah, well, she made her choice.
„
~ Yang to Ruby and Weiss, on wishing Blake were with them.
“
Why would I want her here?
„
~ Yang to Ruby, about Blake.
“
I'm sorry, I just... I don't think you know what it's like to be left. You have a giant family, recitals to perform at, dinners to attend. I didn't have any of that. My mom left me. Ruby's mom left too. Tai was always busy with school and Ruby couldn't even talk yet. I had to pick up the pieces. I had to keep things together. Alone.
„
~ Yang to Weiss, on her childhood.
“
No one blamed her for anything! If she had just talked to us, she would've known that! How could I be there for her if she doesn't let me? What if I needed her here for me?
„
~ Yang to Weiss, before shedding tears.
“
You're right. I don't know you. I only know the Raven dad told me about. She was troubled, and complicated, but she fought for what she believed in, whether it was her team or her tribe! Did you kill her too?
„
~ Yang about the Raven she knows from Taiyang.
“
Oh, shut up!! You don't know the first thing about strength! You turn your back on people, you run away when things get too hard, you put others in harm's way instead of yourself!! You might be powerful, but that doesn't make you strong.
„
~ Yang, refuting Raven's claims about her strength.
“
Yeah, I'm scared. But I'm still standing here! I'm not like you, I won't run, which is why you're going to give me the Relic.
„
~ Yang to Raven.
“
Blake: (sobs) I... I'm not gonna break my promise, I swear... Yang: I know you won't... Blake: (sobs)
„
~ Yang and Blake after they killed Adam.
“
Yang: You know, that giant hound kicked us around like we were nothing. But Blake said you and Schnee's managed to take it down. Still having to one-up your big sis, huh? Ruby: Did she tell you what it was? Underneath? Yang: Yeah. Ruby: You know what that means then. Yang: (sighs) I wouldn’t worry about that-- Ruby: That's what happened to Mom... Yang: (sobs) Ruby: When I saw its eyes, I knew. Salem used to kill people with Silver Eyes, like Maria. But she's always wanted me alive. But why would that change unless, when she met Mom, she learned she could do something new. Yang: Ruby... Ruby: We shouldn't lie to ourselves! I've wasted our time getting Amity up, thinking help would come, but it didn’t, and Amity fell. I was being childish... Yang: You were being optimistic. Look, blind optimism isn't great, but no optimism means we already lost. We need hope. We need to take risks. Ruby: But mine didn't work! Yang: It still got a warning out, Ruby. they're not called sure things, they're called risks, and in case you didn’t notice, my plan for Mantle didn’t work either. But we got Oscar back, and did a lot more that was never in the plan. Mom took a risk the day she left, and I don't think. I don't think it went the way she wanted it to, but she's still my hero. Ruby: (weeps)
„
~ Yang confessing Ruby about risks.
Trivia
Yang alludes to Goldilocks from the fairy tale of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears":
She has long, golden hair
She is commonly seen fighting the bear-themed Ursai Grimm, as well as the Xiong Crime Family that allude to the Three Bears.
She is described by Shay D. Mann as "not too bulky, not too lean, but just right".
She is often nicknamed Goldilocks
Yang (阳) is the Chinese character for sun and/or light, Xiao (小) is the character for small, and Long (龙) is the character for dragon. Therefore, her name roughly translates into "Little Light Dragon" and/or "Small Dragon of the Sun".
In Eastern culture, names are written with the last name coming before the individual's name, as in "Last name First name"; however, although Yang has a Chinese name, it seems she is referred to as Yang as opposed to Xiao Long, which is the Western style of name sequence. Therefore, although her name is Chinese, it is not written in the traditional Oriental style.
She made her first appearance on June 1 at A-Kon in Dallas, in the "Yellow" Trailer.
Among the four protagonists, Yang is the only person to fight humans in her debut trailer.
Yang uses the "Dempsey Roll" when fighting Junior.
She has her own official Twitter account at RT_YangXiaoLong, like Ruby and Weiss.
In several panels at conventions, the RWBY cast and crew have made jokes (most of them inappropriate) about the functions of Yang's robotic arm.
Yang fought Tifa Lockhart in an episode of DEATH BATTLE and won. In the "Deadpool vs. The Mask" episode, Deadpool tries to use the Continuity Gem to make it so Tifa won by decapitating Yang.
Yang fought Katsuki Bakugo in an episode of DBX and lost.
In the Japanese dub, she is voiced by Ami Koshimizu.
She won on the official WarnerMedia's March Madness Bracket Challenge on their Twitter and Instagram, beating Bugs Bunny in the final round.
Yang's birthday is confirmed to be on July 28, thus making Yang a Leo.
Yang is the only member of Team RWBY to have a physical disability (one of her arms being replaced by a prosthetic mechanical arm); however, this only happens after the events of Volume 3.