Out of all of Jin Yong’s (Louis Cha) male leads, we believe Yang Guo is the most complicated and well-developed character. His Wuxia journey and romance with Xiaolongnu are basically a legend among Wuxia stories and even among Jin Yong’s fictional world.
Let’s take a quick look at his character to see why Yang Guo is so loved and admired throughout the generations.
We will put him through ten questions that cover flaws, consistency, development, etc. To each question, the answer would be either Yes (1 point), No (0 point), or Kind of (0.5 point).
*Our analysis is not based on any particular drama or movie adaptation. The featured image (Huang Xiaoming as Yang Guo) is only for reference.
WARNING: this analysis 1) contains spoilers 2) is humor-free
1. Does he have a story to tell besides romance? Yes (+1)
Return of the Condor Heroes is mostly Yang Guo’s story and he has plenty to tell beside romance. This is a journey from when he was a young child until he becomes one of the most renowned martial artist in the Wuxia world.
1/10
2. Does he make things happen or do things happen TO him? The latter (+1)
From a young age, Yang Guo has been forced into various arrangements by either his guardians (Huang Rong, Guo Jing) or his teachers. Anyone who has an inkling about Yang Guo’s origin wants to suppress him and make sure he does not turn out like Yang Kang, his father. That being said, Yang Guo never takes anything lying down. He makes constant attempts to break free and find his own place in the world.
He chooses to stay with Xiaolongnu, ventures out, makes friends (Cheng Ying, Lu Wushuang, etc) , make enemies (Guo Fu, Jin Lun Guo Shi, etc).
From the beginning until the end of his story, Yang Guo’s decisions propel the plot and shape his development.
2/10
3. Does he take action to accomplish his goals? Yes (+1)
Yang Guo’s main goal in the story is very simple – to learn as much as he wants about martial arts and live his life peacefully with Xiaolongnu without being chased after every other day.
As the story develops and conflicts arise, Yang Guo begins to pursue situational goals – finding and protecting Xiaolongnu, for instance, or improving his skills for the sake of survival.
3/10
4. Does he have an interest? Kind of (+0.5)
We believe it is safe to say that Yang Guo takes a great interest in martial arts. He is described as a clever child who would take any opportunity to learn something new.
However, within Jin Yong’s world of the Condor Heroes, almost every single character is interested in martial arts. The question is just who is more interested in the subject than whom and who does it better.
Yang Guo doesn’t exactly have an interest that defines him, something that sets him apart from the others.
Thus, Yang Guo will receive 0.5 point for this question.
3.5/10
5. Does he act in accordance with his beliefs? Yes (+1)
Being, for the most part, a classic hero, Yang Guo frequently stands up for justice and offers compassion and help to those in need and are bullied.
Unlike most of the people he grew up with who tend to judge others by origin and association, Yang Guo base his opinion on a different standard – he sees and appreciates people as who they are.
His relationship with Guo Jing is an example of Yang Guo’s impartiality and righteousness. Guo Jing and Huang Rong allegedly played a part in the death of Yang Guo’s father, Yang Kang. Despite this, Yang Guo, who practically has no proper teacher he can look up to and learn about society from, chooses to judge Guo Jing according to the latter’s kind nature and heroic accomplishments.
Regarding his romance with Xiaolongnu, Yang Guo carries a similar attitude to that of hers towards the verdicts thrown at them, which is: mind your own business.
Etc. (Because the ones listed above aren’t the only beliefs Yang Guo holds.)
4.5/10
6. Does he develop throughout the story? Yes (+1)
Yang Guo undergoes tremendous development throughout The Return of the Condor Heroes.
He starts out as a young boy in need of a home. He encounters Xiaolongnu, becomes her disciple. His wild sides are somewhat tamed by her discipline as she offers him lessons on compassion and appreciation of certain life aspects (not many, since Xiaolongnu herself is quite naive).
The eventual romance changes him into a more responsible man. And ultimately, after sixteen years of separation from Xiaolongnu, Yang Guo official becomes this mature-before-age, lonely swordsman who roams the realms, doing good deeds and waiting for his one true love to come back.
5.5/10
7. Does he have a flaw? Yes (+1)
To list a few, Yang Guo has a temper and a tendency to be stubborn while protecting his beliefs that get him into an awful lot of trouble with his many teachers and enemies; and his recklessness does not exactly help. The loss of his arm is partly due to his refusal to back down from the verbal bullying from Guo Fu combined with his hesitance to hurt her due to his relationship with the Guo family.
6.5/10
8. Does he have meaningful relationships with other characters besides his love interest? Yes (+1)
Two of the people who have the most impact on Yang Guo’s lives are Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Both spend a great deal of time and effort in educating him. Yang Guo inherits his several heroic qualities from hanging around Guo Jing and absorbs whatever knowledge Huang Rong cares to share.
Along his journey, Yang Guo befriends Zhou Botong, Gongsun Lu’er, etc. They each inflict a minor influence upon Yang Guo and play a part in making him who he is in the end.
Lastly, albeit having a negative influence on Yang Guo, Guo Fu and Guo Jing’s two disciples also have a major role in Yang Guo’s childhood.
7.5/10
9. Is he consistent? Yes (+1)
Without a doubt.
Yang Guo’s characterization is consistent, his personalities well developed and the ascension of his skills carefully described.
But well… we’re talking about Jin Yong here, so…
8.5/10
10. Can you define his character by his personality? Yes (+1)
Yang Guo is an occasionally eccentric, quick-witted, and passionate swordsman with a kind heart and distinct beliefs who pursues a heroic life throughout his story.
SO HOW WELL-WRITTEN IS YANG GUO?
9.5/10
BOTTOM LINE
Well, we have heard rumors that Yang Guo is Jin Yong’s favorite hero. Whether that is true or not, we have to admit that he is, without a doubt, one well-written character with flaws and beliefs galore.